Tuesday April 21, 2026
Vietnam News —
The rapid transformation of river ecosystems is placing the Mekong Delta under growing pressure to rethink water resource governance, moving away from output-driven growth towards greater efficiency and sustainability.
At Cồn Sơn Islet in Cần Thơ City, Lý Văn Bon, a veteran fish farmer with nearly 30 years of experience, has observed stark changes in the Hậu River.
The most visible sign is the appearance of brackish and marine species in what was once a freshwater environment.
In cages used to raise specialty freshwater fish such as featherback and giant barb, Bon has found species like scat fish, goby and eel-like fish – typically confined to estuarine or coastal areas.
Their migration hundreds of kilometres inland signals significant changes in water conditions.
These environmental shifts are driving up production costs.