Sustainability Infographic

CLIMATE CHANGE: vietnam

Vietnam's vulnurbility to climate change

Climate change is already having a significant impact on Vietnam, with a range of environmental, economic, and social consequences.

Rising Sea Levels

Extreme Weather

Temperature Changes

Impact on Agriculture

Health Risks

Impact on Infrastructure

Econimic Losses

Migration and Displacement

Rising Sea Levels

Vietnam has a long coastline, and many of its major cities, including Ho Chi Minh City and the capital Hanoi, are located near the coast. Rising sea levels are a major concern, with predictions that they could submerge large areas of the Mekong Delta and other coastal regions, affecting millions of people. Coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion into freshwater supplies, and the loss of agricultural land are major risks.

Higher temperatures are affecting agricultural productivity, particularly in the northern and central regions. Crops like rice, coffee, and vegetables are becoming more vulnerable to heat stress, while pests and diseases are proliferating due to warmer conditions. In the Mekong Delta, the changing climate is affecting rice cultivation, which is a key part of the country's food production.

Temperature Changes

Vietnam's economy is heavily reliant on agriculture, particularly rice farming, fisheries, and other coastal resources. Climate change threatens food security by disrupting both crop yields and fisheries. Saltwater intrusion into freshwater rivers and streams is damaging rice fields, while changing rainfall patterns are reducing water availability for irrigation.

Impact on Agriculture

Vietnam has been experiencing more intense weather events, such as typhoons, flooding, and droughts. The central region, in particular, is frequently affected by powerful typhoons, leading to massive destruction of infrastructure, homes, and agriculture. Flooding in cities and rural areas disrupts livelihoods and puts lives at risk. Droughts, especially in the southern Mekong Delta, are becoming more common, threatening water supplies and reducing agricultural yields.

Extreme Weather

The health of Vietnam's population is also at risk from climate change. The spread of diseases such as dengue fever, malaria, and cholera could increase, as warmer temperatures and changing rainfall patterns create favorable conditions for the mosquitoes and bacteria that spread these diseases. Additionally, extreme heat could lead to more heat-related illnesses and stress on vulnerable populations.

Health Risks

Flooding and typhoons have already damaged infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and buildings. The frequency of these disasters is expected to increase, posing a significant challenge to the country's development. In cities, rapid urbanization has made many areas more susceptible to flooding, and climate change is exacerbating these vulnerabilities.

Impact on Infrastructre

The combined effects of climate change are expected to have severe economic consequences. Damage to infrastructure, decreased agricultural productivity, and loss of tourism opportunities (as extreme weather disrupts travel and damages natural attractions) all contribute to economic losses. The Mekong Delta alone, which contributes significantly to the country's rice production, is at risk of significant damage, which would impact both national food security and export revenues.

Economic Losses

As some areas become uninhabitable due to sea level rise and extreme weather, there is a risk of increased internal migration. People from vulnerable coastal regions and rural areas may be forced to move to urban centers, creating additional pressures on cities that are already facing rapid population growth.

Migration & Displacement