Monitoring Land use Change in Response to Temporal Salinity in the Mekong Delta

Nguyen Ngoc Mong Kha^1,2* and Chau Minh Khoi^3
1PhD student at Can Tho University, 3/2 Street, Ninh Kieu Ward, Can Tho City, Vietnam
²Department of Science and Technology, An Giang Province, Vietnam
³College of Agriculture, Can Tho University, 3/2 Street, Ninh Kieu Ward, Can Tho City, Vietnam
*Corresponding Author: Nguyen Ngoc Mong Kha, College of Agriculture, Can Tho University, 3/2 Street, Ninh Kieu Ward, Can Tho City, Vietnam.

Published: July 28, 2025

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Abstract  

The main aim of this research was to evaluate the soil salinity variations in coastal regions of the Vietnamese Mekong Delta (VMD) over time and space. Soc Trang province was selected as the case study due to its unique geographical features, including a southeastern coastal zone and a river channel that runs along the northeastern edge of the province. The observation period focused on the dry seasons spanning the years 2020 to 2021. Soil samples were obtained monthly (during the dry seasons) from the upper 20 cm at over 1,000 locations and the electrical conductivity (EC1:5, dS/m) was measured using Conductivity Meter. Based on soil salinity levels, it suggests appropriate arrangements of upland crops that align with the specific characteristics of the soil. Furthermore, the study utilized soil salinity data to propose a sustainable cropping model designed to suit these conditions. The results showed that Soc Trang Province consistently experienced salinity intrusion during February and March annually. In March 2020, areas with high salinity levels were detected approximately 40 km from the nearest coastline, with this distance extending to nearly 55 km by March 2021. Subsequently, based on the spatial and temporal salinity intrusion maps, the study proposes crop conversion strategies in selected salt-affected areas to enhance adaptation to climate change. This study contributes to the understanding of climate change impacts and facilitates the management of agro-ecological landscapes in the region.

Keywords: soil salinity; crops; climate change; Soc Trang

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