Can Tho City, a key hub in Viet Nam’s Mekong Delta, once faced chronic flooding that cost its economy an estimated US$200 million annually. Floodwaters regularly disrupted daily life, contaminating streets and homes with debris and waste. In 2023, however, the city withstood its first major tidal surge without inundation, thanks to the Can Tho Urban Development and Resilience Project, backed by a US$250 million World Bank loan. Implemented between 2016 and 2024, the project built a comprehensive flood defense system covering 2,700 hectares of the urban core, benefiting over 420,000 residents. The system included tidal sluice gates, upgraded canals, embankments, and elevated roads, while new bridges connected the urban core to higher, safer ground.
The project not only curbed flood damage but also stimulated economic growth and improved accessibility. New bridges, such as Quang Trung and Tran Hoang Na, reduced travel times, boosted business activity, and encouraged development in previously hard-to-reach areas. Many embankments were designed as parks and pedestrian paths, enhancing the city’s urban appeal. As a result, chronic flooding has significantly decreased in high-risk zones, improving living conditions and public health while safeguarding livelihoods.
Beyond physical infrastructure, the initiative incorporated advanced technology for risk management. With a US$10 million grant from Switzerland, the city deployed a Flood Risk Management Information System (FRMIS) featuring 60 sensors for real-time monitoring, simulations, and remote flood control. This was complemented by a Spatial Planning Platform that integrates data for urban planning, disaster management, and public services, ensuring a swift response to emergencies and targeted assistance for vulnerable populations.
Leaders and international partners emphasized that the project’s success lies in combining engineering solutions with smart, people-centered systems. While current defenses protect a portion of the city, sustaining resilience will require continued maintenance, capacity building, and investment. The project marks a crucial step toward climate adaptation in the Mekong Delta, offering a model for integrating infrastructure, technology, and social systems to protect communities and economies against future climate threats.
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