Temperature in Việt Nam is forecast to increase by around 2.30C on average a year by the end of the 21st century, according to recent climate change scenarios.

The scenarios also say that the total rainfall in the dry season is expected to dip while sea level will rise from 75cm-1m compared to the average level of the 1980-1999 period.

If sea level rises by 1m, 40% of the Mekong River Delta’s area and 11% of the Red River Delta will be submerged.

Accordingly, 11-12% of Việt Nam’s population will be consequently affected directly and 10% of the country’s GDP will be lost, according to a draft Strategy for climate change adaptation which is now under construction by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE).

The consequences of climate change are inevitable and will pose a real challenge for the country in achieving poverty reduction and sustainable development.

The MONRE stressed the importance of promulgating the Strategy for climate change adaptation.

The draft strategy sets out nine specific missions, including proactive adaptation to climate change, temperature supervision, food and water security, and bio-diversity preservation.