Water Resources and Food Security in the Vietnam Mekong Delta (Natural Resource Management and Policy Book 44)

The Mekong River has been a main source of conquest, conflict, and cooperation in the Southeast Asian region. Much has been written on the vital and critical importance of the Mekong River fresh water to the sustainable economic development of the Mekong Delta. This book selects the Mekong Delta as a case study of regional cooperation for water and food security for not only for Vietnam but also for the world in a new century of global economy. It focuses not only on the Mekong Delta as an integral part of the River but also on Can Tho City and its 12 provinces that produce over 50 percent of the countrys rice output and 60 percent of total fishery output. The book takes a micro approach to examine how each province is adapting to the twin threats of mainstream dams construction and climate change, reducing fresh water flows and increasing saline infusions on its present and future economy. Finally, it reviews the roles of international institutional arrangements, namely the Mekong Committee and the Mekong River Commission, in promoting regional cooperation among the riparian states for political and economic development of the Mekong Delta Preface 5 Contents 7 Abbreviations 11 Introduction 13 Part I Mekong Delta Water Resources and Food Security 17 1 The Mekong Delta 19 Abstract 19 1.1 Climate 20 1.2 Natural Conditions and Resources 20 1.2.1 Flood Plains 21 1.2.2 Rivers, Canals, Estuaries 21 1.2.3 Soil Types 22 1.2.4 Land Use 22 1.2.5 Mangrove Forests 23 1.2.6 Fauna 24 1.3 Population, Living Standard, and Poverty Rate 24 1.3.1 Population 24 1.3.2 Living Standard 25 1.3.3 Poverty Rate 25 1.4 Labor Force 26 1.5 Economy 27 1.5.1 Production of Paddy and Fishery 2000–2010 28 1.5.1.1 Paddy Production 28 1.5.1.2 Fishery Production 29 1.5.2 Exports 31 1.5.2.1 Rice Export 31 1.5.2.2 Fish and Fishery Products Export 32 1.5.2.3 Catfish Fish Export Controversies 33 1.5.3 Foreign Direct Investment 35 References 36 2 The Mekong Delta Provinces 38 Abstract 38 2.1 Backgrounds of Rice and Fishery Industries in the Mekong Delta 39 2.1.1 The Rice Industry 39 2.1.2 The Fishery Industry 42 2.1.2.1 Capture Fishery 42 2.1.2.2 Aquaculture Industry 43 2.2 Economic Structure of the Mekong Delta 44 2.2.1 Northern Region 46 2.2.1.1 An Giang Province 49 2.2.1.2 Dong Thap Province 51 2.2.1.3 Kien Giang Province 54 2.2.1.4 Long An Province 56 2.2.1.5 Tien Giang Province 58 2.2.2 Central Region 60 2.2.2.1 The City Of Can Tho 63 2.2.2.2 Hau Giang Province 64 2.2.2.3 Vinh Long Province 66 2.2.3 Southern Region 68 2.2.3.1 Bac Lieu Province 71 2.2.3.2 Ben Tre Province 73 2.2.3.3 Cau Mau Province 75 2.2.3.4 Soc Trang Province 77 2.2.3.5 Tra Vinh Province 79 2.3 Water SupplyDemand in the Mekong Delta 81 2.3.1 Water Supply 82 2.3.1.1 Mekong River 82 2.3.1.2 Monsoon Rains 83 2.3.1.3 Groundwater 84 2.3.2 Water Demand 84 2.3.3 Water Control Projects 86 References 87 3 Major Threats to Mekong Delta: Climate Change and Mainstream Dams 90 Abstract 90 3.1 Climate Change 90 3.1.1 Climate Change Assessments on the Mekong Delta 91 3.1.1.1 The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fourth Assessment Report 91 3.1.1.2 Can Tho University, Climate Change Research Institute Forecast 92 3.1.1.3 Vietnam’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Scenarios on Climate Change 93 3.1.1.4 Mekong River Commission’s Climate Change Baseline Assessment Working Paper 94 3.1.2 Climate Change Impacts in the Mekong Delta in the New Millennium 95 3.1.2.1 Impact of the 2000 and 2011 Floods in the Delta 95 3.1.2.2 Impact of the 2010 Drought in the Delta 96 3.1.2.3 Sea Level Rise 96 3.1.3 Climate Change Adaptations 97 3.2 Mekong Mainstream Dams 98 3.2.1 China’s Lancang River Hydropower Development 98 3.2.1.1 Cascade of 15 Mainstream Dams on the Lancang River 100 3.2.1.2 Impact of China’s Mainstream Dams on the Mekong Delta 101 3.2.2 The Lower Mekong Basin Hydropower Development 102 3.2.2.1 The ECAFE Field Reconnaissance in 1956 102 3.2.2.2 The United Nations Survey in 1957, or the Wheeler Mission 103 3.2.2.3 The Indicative Basin Plan, 1970 and Revised in 1989 104 3.2.2.4 The Run-of-River Hydropower, 1994 104 3.2.2.5 The Lower Mekong Mainstream Dams, 2006–2012 105 3.2.3 Impacts of the Lower Mekong River Mainstream Dams 106 3.2.3.1 Impacts on Fisheries 107 3.2.3.2 Impacts on the Mekong Delta 107 3.3 Conclusion 108 References 109 Part II The Mekong Delta and Regional Cooperation from the Mekong Committee to the Mekong River Commission 112 4 The Mekong Project 114 Abstract 114 4.1 Historical Significance of the Mekong River 114 4.1.1 The Mekong River as an Avenue of Migration and Conquest 115 4.1.2 The Mekong River as a Field of Exploration and Competition for European Powers 116 4.1.3 The Mekong River as Center of Economic and Political Power 117 4.2 The Mekong Project and Mekong Regional Cooperation 118 4.2.1 Genesis of the Mekong Project 118 4.2.2 Program of the Mekong Project 119 4.2.3 Participants of the Mekong Project 119 4.2.3.1 Riparian Contribution 119 4.2.3.2 United Nations Agencies 120 4.2.3.3 The Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East (ECAFE) 121 4.2.3.4 The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) 122 4.2.3.5 The World Bank 122 4.2.3.6 The Asian Development Bank (ADB) 123 4.2.3.7 Donor Countries, Private Foundations, International Experts 123 4.3 The Catalysts of the Mekong Project and Regional Cooperation 124 4.3.1 The United States Role in the Mekong Regional Cooperation 124 4.3.1.1 American Interests in the Mekong Project 125 4.3.1.2 American Attitude 126 4.3.1.3 American Policies 127 4.3.2 Japan’s Role in the Mekong Regional Cooperation 128 4.3.2.1 Japan’s Interest in the Mekong Project 129 4.3.2.2 Scope, Nature, and Policy of Japan’s Participation 130 4.3.2.3 Japan’s Policies 131 References 131 5 The Mekong Committee 1957–1975 133 Abstract 133 5.1 Organization and Operation of the Mekong Committee 134 5.1.1 Organizational Structure of the Mekong Committee 134 5.1.2 The Unanimity Principle 136 5.1.3 Scope of Activities of the Mekong Committee 137 5.1.4 Powers and Functions of the Mekong Committee 138 5.2 Mekong Regional Cooperation and Conflicts 139 5.2.1 Criteria for Project Selection 140 5.2.2 National Projects Versus Regional Projects 140 5.2.3 Economic Efficiency or Political Expediency 141 5.2.4 Distribution of Benefits 142 5.2.5 Unilateral Approach to Development 143 5.3 The Effects of the Mekong Regional Cooperation 143 5.3.1 Problems of Economic Development and Political Security 144 5.3.2 Impact on Riparian Elite’s Perception 147 5.3.2.1 Regional Solidarity 147 5.3.2.2 Mekong Regional Identity 149 5.4 Assessment of Mekong Regional Cooperation 151 5.4.1 Roles of Extra-Regional Forces and Intraregional Factors 151 5.4.1.1 Extra-Regional Forces 152 5.4.1.2 Intraregional Incentives for Cooperation 153 5.4.2 Nature and Scope of Mekong Regional Cooperation 153 5.4.3 Institution Building 154 5.4.4 Strategy to Achieve Political Stability 155 5.5 Conclusion 155 References 156 6 The Mekong River Commission 1995 to Present 158 Abstract 158 6.1 Formation of the Mekong River Commission 159 6.2 Organization, Powers, and Functions of the Mekong Regional Commission 160 6.2.1 Council 160 6.2.2 Joint Committee 161 6.2.3 Secretariat 161 6.2.4 Other Institutional Arrangements 161 6.2.4.1 The National Mekong Committees 161 6.2.4.2 The Donor Consultative Group 163 6.3 Principles and Programs of the MRC 164 6.3.1 Principles of Cooperation 164 6.3.1.1 Principle of Reasonable and Equitable Utilization of Water Resources of the Mekong River 164 6.3.1.2 Procedures of Notification and Prior Consultation 164 6.3.2 Programs of the MRC 165 6.3.2.1 Core Programs 165 6.3.2.2 Sector Programs 166 6.3.2.3 Support Program 166 6.3.3 Activities and Achievements of the MRC 166 6.3.3.1 Strategic Plans 167 6.3.3.2 Rules of Procedure 167 6.3.3.3 Public Participation 168 6.4 Mekong Regional Cooperation and Conflict 168 6.4.1 The Mekong River Commission Member Countries 168 6.4.2 The First MRC Summit, April 3–5, 2010 169 6.4.3 Role of Development Partners 170 6.4.4 China’s Role in the Mekong Regional Cooperation 170 6.4.5 The MRC and Mainstream Dams 172 6.4.5.1 The MRC Strategy on Hydropower Development 172 6.4.5.2 China’s Dams 172 6.4.5.3 The Xayaburi Hydropower Project 174 6.5 Assessment of the Mekong Regional Cooperation 175 6.5.1 Effectiveness of the Mekong River Commission 175 6.5.2 The Procedures for Notification, Prior Consultation, and Agreement 176 6.5.3 The Riparianization Process 176 6.5.4 China 177 6.5.5 The United States 178 6.5.6 Japan 179 6.5.7 The Mekong Delta and Regional Cooperation 179 6.6 Conclusion 179 References 180 Conclusion 183 Index 186 Front Matter....Pages i-xvi Front Matter....Pages 1-2 The Mekong Delta....Pages 3-21 The Mekong Delta Provinces....Pages 23-74 Major Threats to Mekong Delta: Climate Change and Mainstream Dams....Pages 75-96 Front Matter....Pages 97-98 The Mekong Project....Pages 99-117 The Mekong Committee 1957–1975....Pages 119-143 The Mekong River Commission 1995 to Present....Pages 145-169 Back Matter....Pages 171-178