POOL 4_WEEK 5 CLIMATE ADAPTATION

BLUE DRAGON TRAINING

POOL 4 - WEEK 5: CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION

From April 20 to 23, 2026, the Blue Dragon Program, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Can Tho city and the Can Tho Irrigation Department, successfully organized the Pool 4 - Week 5 training series on the topic of “Climate Change Adaptation.”

The event was attended by over 20 officials from An Giang Province and Can Tho City, alongside students from Can Tho University. Technical guidance was provided by two experts from the Netherlands Water Partnership, Ms. Anet Labans and Ms. Denise Winters, and Dr. Dinh Diep Anh Tuan from the Mekong Institute, Can Tho University.

On the first working day, the Dutch experts synthesized the content of the previous four training weeks and shared practical lessons on resilient urban planning and Nature-based Solutions (NbS) currently being effectively applied in the Netherlands. Additionally, the program featured a presentation by Dr. Dinh Diep Anh Tuan regarding the urban flooding context in Can Tho City and a general overview of the socio-economic context of Binh Thuy Ward—a focal point of urban flooding in the city.

Dr. Dinh Diep Anh Tuan (left) and two Dutch experts, Anet Labans and Denise Winters, presenting the training content.

(Photo: Blue Dragon Program)

On the second training day, trainees conducted a field survey in Binh Thuy Ward for data collection. Under the primary guidance and coordination of Dr. Dinh Diep Anh Tuan and the experts, trainees were divided into two groups for in-depth study at the Binh Thuy Market area and the fishing village area (Xom Luoi). Using fieldwork methods, trainees investigated the impacts of urban flooding and the adaptation strategies of local residents. Through direct observation and interviews, both groups recorded the effects of high tides on trading activities and daily life, while synthesizing proposals and practical needs for community support. This field data served as a vital foundation for trainees to analyze and develop action plans during the following days of the training course.

Trainees and experts participating in the survey at Binh Thuy Ward.

(Photo: Blue Dragon Program)

Based on the data observed from the field, during the next two days, trainees applied action-planning skills under expert guidance to solve specific local problems. Specifically, the An Giang group focused on planning responses to subsidence and erosion, typically through constructing ecological embankments, planting suitable vegetation, and building diversion canals and reservoirs. Meanwhile, the Can Tho group proposed adaptation options for key urban flooding issues, such as early warning systems and drainage improvements.

Trainees and experts actively exchange ideas and discuss.

(Photo: Blue Dragon Program)

On the afternoon of April 24, the program concluded with report presentations before representatives of the leadership from the Irrigation Departments of both localities and the experts. The action plans received very positive feedback due to their high practicality; simultaneously, the managers expressed their desire to conduct study tours to learn about water management experiences directly in the Netherlands in the future.

Trainees from two provinces—Can Tho and An Giang—present their action plans before the managers and training experts. (Photo: Blue Dragon Program)

The training series concluded successfully, effectively transforming valuable expertise from Dutch experts into concrete outputs. The most prominent achievement was the detailed action plans focusing on directly addressing subsidence challenges in An Giang and urban flooding in Can Tho. Furthermore, the event created a space for close networking between management agencies and experts, serving as a foundation for future local climate change response cooperation.

The Blue Dragon Program would like to express our sincere gratitude to our partners, including the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Can Tho city, the Can Tho Irrigation Department, the Binh Thuy Ward People's Committee, and Can Tho University, for their collaboration in successfully organizing the Pool 4 - Week 5 training program.

Trainees take a commemorative photo after the final week of Pool 4 week 5, Blue Dragon Program.

(Photo: Blue Dragon Program)

Author: Blue Dragon Program Vietnam