Discussions at the conference centered on developing the Tam Giang - Cau Hai lagoon area in a way that is harmonious with nature, enhances climate resilience, and mobilises green investment for long-term development. The panel discussions emphasised the urgent need to shift from a single-sector development model to an integrated approach that combines ecosystem conservation, community livelihoods, and sustainable marine economic development.

Tam Giang - Cau Hai lagoon, covering ​​approximately 22,000 hectares and the largest brackish lagoon system in Southeast Asia, plays a particularly important role in the ecological security, livelihoods, and economic development of Hue City. However, the area is facing increasing pressures from climate change, saltwater intrusion, environmental pollution, coastal infrastructure development, and unsustainable resource exploitation.

Conference participants agreed that sustainable development and nature-based solutions are no longer solely environmental choices but are becoming a strategic requirement to mitigate investment risks, enhance resilience, and unlock new green growth opportunities.

In his opening remarks at the conference, Mr Tran Huu Thuy Giang, Vice Chairman of the Hue City People's Committee, emphasised: “Tam Giang – Cau Hai lagoon is not only a strategic economic development area but also a particularly important natural resilience infrastructure for Hue City. The city is committed to promoting a development model in harmony with nature, thereby mobilising green investment resources to protect and enhance the long-term value of the lagoon ecosystem.”

Mr Robert De Waha, LuxDev's Regional Representative for Laos, Viet Nam and Cambodia, affirmed: “LuxDev is very proud to have accompanied Hue City through many stages of development and across many fields, ranging from sustainable tourism and smart agriculture development to vocational training, climate change adaptation programmes, and the promotion of inclusive and green finance. We believe that the Tam Giang – Cau Hai lagoon area has all the conditions to become a model of nature-based development and green investment mobilisation in Viet Nam. What is needed now is to establish a long-term vision and to strengthen cooperation between the State, the community, the private sector, and development partners to gradually transform the lagoon area’s potential into real investment opportunities.”

Mr Van Ngoc Thinh, CEO of WWF-Viet Nam, emphasised: Healthy nature is the foundation of sustainable development. In the current context of climate change, well-planned investments in coastal wetlands will play a key role in enhancing ecosystem resilience, conserving biodiversity, and ensuring the livelihoods of coastal communities.

The CEO of WWF-Viet Nam also stated that “lessons learned from forest restoration programs and nature-based solutions in Viet Nam demonstrate the need to integrate ecological priorities into local development planning, while promoting genuine participation from communities, the private sector, and green finance.”

Mr Le Minh Hoan, Former Vice Chairman of the National Assembly, affirmed: “Seeking nature-based solutions for sustainable development is the right direction. Nature-friendliness should become a strategic mindset in management and development. The development of the Tam Giang - Cau Hai lagoon area requires an interdisciplinary approach, integrated coastal zone management, and the integration of nature-based solutions to enhance climate resilience.”

Within the workshop framework, the high-level dialogues on "Mobilizing Green Investment for Sustainable Development in the Tam Giang - Cau Hai Lagoon Area" drew the attention and participation of representatives from the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, international organisations, commercial banks, investment funds, businesses, and development partners. The discussions focused on trends in green finance, climate finance, blended finance mechanisms, carbon markets, green taxonomy systems, and the requirements for projects capable of attracting investment.

Panellists participating in the dialogues emphasised that the current market does not lack capital for green and climate projects. However, what is lacking are projects with reliable data, transparent governance mechanisms, appropriate financial models, and the capacity to meet international environmental standards and ensure long-term resilience. Opinions also suggested that current ecological and climate risks have become long-term financial and investment risks.

Representatives from financial institutions and investment funds assessed that Tam Giang – Cau Hai has the potential to become a "climate investment space" in the Central region if a clear portfolio of green projects, an effective inter-sectoral coordination mechanism, and a transparent investment data platform are established.

The conference also laid the groundwork for establishing a technical support framework and a list of priority projects to help Hue City access climate finance, green finance, and sustainable investment resources, both domestically and internationally, in the future.

The event received technical support and collaboration from international development partners, with LuxDev playing a key role in technical support and in bridging financing for development, and WWF-Việt Nam providing support for conservation and nature-based solutions. The conference also acknowledged the interest and support of donors, embassies, international organisations, financial institutions, and investors in the sustainable development of the Tam Giang – Cau Hai lagoon area.