BLUE DRAGON DAY MEETING – ECOLOGICAL EMBANKMENTS FOR EROSION PREVENTION

On 13 November 2024, the annual Blue Dragon Day meeting was held in Rach Gia, Kien Giang province which brought 40 officials from Can Tho, Hau Giang, and Kien Giang provinces. The focus of the event was the Ecological Embankment Pilot project in Kien Giang which applies nature-based solutions to tackle erosion protection a critical issue in the region.  

After the opening by  Mr. Tjeerd Dijkstra (partnership manager) and Mr. Doan Chi Tam (Vice Director of the Water Resources Division in Kien Giang), Their introductions set the stage for insightful presentations that followed:. Dr Tran Van Ty, (Can Tho University) presented the option of using water hyacinth mats in the pilot project while Dr Vu Tien Duc (Royal HaskoningDHV) presented the different design options for ecological embankments that could be applied in the pilot area in Kien Giang Province. Following the presentations, the participants were divided into three groups in which they analyzed and discussed the proposed designs from multiple perspectives: 

• Technical feasibility
• Social impacts
• Environmental benefits
• Budget estimation 

After the discussions, each group presented the outcome of their discussions. Besides a recommendation on what designs should be considered during the next phase, the participants also provided useful and important suggestions on how to improve the selected designs.

As part of the Blue Dragon program goals for inter-provincial cooperation, it was a pleasure to see the energy and enthusiasm of all participants driving meaningful dialogue and collaboration by sharing their expertise on the pilot project in Kien Giang. The meeting resulted in recommendations for design changes during the next phase and important recommendations on how to improve the selected designs. The designs will be updated to ensure the project progresses with the benefit of diverse expertise. 

The success of Blue Dragon Day 2024 reinforced the importance of collaboration in advancing innovative solutions for sustainable development in the Mekong Delta.

Written by: Blue Dragon Program Team