The Muong Thanh rice field in Dien Bien province is the largest in Vietnam’s Northwest region, covering an area of over 140 square kilometres and stretching over 20 kilometres across several communes and wards in Dien Bien district and Dien Bien Phu city. Besides its economic value, the Muong Thanh rice field also holds historical significance in regard to the Dien Bien Phu Campaign.

The water level in the Mekong River in the northeastern border province of Nakhon Phanom of Thailand is only about 1.5 metres high, possibly the lowest level in almost 100 years, according to local media.

Some 120,138 ha of rice fields affected by a lack of water and saltwater intrusion in the southern region will be used to grow other crops in 2018.

The Mekong Delta is home to nearly 18 million Vietnamese people, and is the most important rice field and fishing region of the country.