The ambitious next phase - funded by the Australian Government through the Mekong Climate Resilience Partnership - will restore 1,750 hectares of the region's most critical freshwater ecosystems while securing sustainable, climate-resilient livelihoods for nearly 2,000 vulnerable residents in Dong Thap and Tay Ninh.

Mr. Le Ha Luan, Director of Dong Thap's Department of Agriculture and Environment, said: “Dong Thap province is now shifting from conventional agriculture to climate-smart agriculture to address climate challenges as well as sustain community livelihoods. NbS  are the key to restoring the natural flood dynamics of the Mekong Delta, which is essential for long-term sustainability of the environment and humans. Through our partnership with WWF-Viet Nam, Dong Thap is committed to promoting NbS and scaling up successful practices and securing financial support to make them permanent.”

Building on strong results from Phase I

According to a 2023 forecast by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), approximately 40% of the Mekong Delta could be inundated by a one-meter sea-level rise, threatening the livelihoods of more than 17 million people. In response, the initial phase of the CRxN saw WWF-Viet Nam successfully pilot nature-based solutions (NbS), that supported communities to adapt to changing flood dynamics. 

By introducing innovative flood-based livelihood models such as floating rice cultivation and integrated lotus-fish farming, the project proved that ecological restoration and economic growth can go hand-in-hand. These scientifically backed models restored the natural floodplains, boosted local incomes, and contributed to a 25% reduction greenhouse gas emissions[1].

H.E. Gillian Bird, Australia’s Ambassador to Viet Nam stated: “We’re excited to partner with Viet Nam to support a more inclusive and resilient Mekong subregion. By building on the strong foundation of our earlier work, we will have a positive impact on local people’s lives and the planet, by restoring ecosystems, supporting sustainable livelihoods and building resilience to climate shocks.”

Scaling for the future 

Running through 2029 across Dong Thap and Tay Ninh, Phase II marks a transformative shift from piloting climate-resilient farming models to scaling proven solutions that restore ecosystems and strengthen community resilience, enabling people and nature to thrive together. This phase will primarily target marginalized communities in the buffer zones of the Lang Sen Wetland Reserves and Tram Chim National Park.

Mr Vuong Quoc Chien, Regional Programme Manager, WWF-Greater Mekong, shared: “The success of Phase I was made possible by the commitment and expertise of all our partners and communities. As we enter Phase II, our focus is on strengthening collaboration to drive landscape‑level restoration, where healthier wetlands, resilient livelihoods, and long‑term climate security reinforce one another. This shared vision is what will enable the Mekong’s people and ecosystems to thrive well into the future.”

Ms Charlotte Sterrett, Senior Manager – Community Resilient & Adaptation, WWF-Australia stated that: “Phase II of Climate Resilient by Nature programme marks progression from piloting solutions to building pathways for scale. By making value of high-integrity locally-led nature‑based solutions visible, we can unlock investment that sustains community-led approaches long after project cycles end."

Following today's launch, delegates discussed the opportunities in Phase II and finalized strategic cooperation mechanisms to support effective implementation, ensuring a unified approach across the project to protect the Mekong Delta's biodiversity and people who call it home. The event brought together 80 delegates, including representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia (DFAT), central and local governments, leading research institutes and development partners.