Can Tho - 100 Resilient Cities

Can Tho’s Resilience Story

Can Tho is the largest city in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam, and is the main center of commerce and investment in a region of over 17 million. Rapid urbanization and rising sea levels due to climate change have contributed to an increase in severe river flooding and water-borne disease. Low elevation and increasing incidences of subsidence due to groundwater extraction also present daunting challenge to the city’s resilience.

Increased industrialization and urbanization have heightened the effects of seasonal flooding, as the city’s economic and social institutions become more dependent on reliable electric supply and standardized transportation. Seasonal floods can last for several weeks, leading to a drop in productivity as workers cannot reach their jobs and students cannot attend school. Can Tho is looking to implement creative medium-term solutions including infrastructure upgrades to safeguard the city’s power, water and transportation infrastructures.

SHOCKS AND STRESSES

Coastal / Tidal Flooding
Disease Outbreak
Drought
Rainfall Flooding
Sea Level Rise / Coastal Erosion
Water Insecurity

Meet The Chief Resilience Officer

Dr. Nguyen Hieu Trung is Chief Resilience Officer for Can Tho. He is an Associate Professor and Director of the Climate Change Research Institute at Can Tho University.

Dr. Trung’s research interest is water management in the Mekong Delta, mostly combining sea-level rise and livelihood concerns. He previously served as Dean of the College of Environment and Natural Resources, and has been a member of the Can Tho City’s Planning and Architecture Council since 2016.

Dr. Trung holds a PhD and Masters from Wageningen Agricultural University in the Netherlands, and received his undergraduate engineering degree from Can Tho University.