Impact Assessment of the Partial Clusure of the Ham Luong Estuary

At the beginning of the academic year 2023/2024 our multidisciplinary group of civil engineering students conducted a research project about the Mekong Delta in Vietnam. This project was under supervision of ThuyLoi University in Hanoi and is a result of a 30-year-long collaboration between the Netherlands and Vietnam. Our research was about the impact of a partial closure in the Ham Luong estuary, one of the seven big delta branches of the Mekong River. The Ham Luong estuary is located in the south of Vietnam in the province of Ben Tre.

The Mekong Delta is home to over 18 million people, adding up to 19% of the total population in Vietnam, and is facing several challenges due to climate change. The challenges are, amongst others, a shortage of freshwater required for irrigation and drinking water and an increasing risk of floods. Furthermore, an increase in salt intrusion in the area threatens the agricultural activities in the region. The Vietnamese government considers the partial closure of the Ham Luong River branch as a measure to reduce the effect of these challenges. However, more research has yet to be conducted on the impact of a partial closure on the Ham Luong estuary to come to a decision.

For 10 weeks we investigated the system of interest, taking into account all the processes, functions, and the stakeholders in the region of the Ham Luong estuary. Furthermore, we built a Delft3D model of the Ham Luong estuary and made a preliminary structural design for a storm surge barrier. During this period we also went on a field trip of 2 weeks, visiting Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) and the province of Ben Tre to see the Ham Luong river with our own eyes. In HCMC we talked with a lot of experts, companies, and governmental institutions about the Mekong Delta and gained new information and perspectives. In Ben Tre, we saw the challenges that face the Mekong Delta with our own eyes. This was very important to truly understand how the area works and how the people live there. It gave a lot of insights and was an unforgettable experience.

During our stay in Vietnam, we created some very good memories, both during working days and outside of it. Staying in the city center of Hanoi was very much fun because of the vibrant way of living that takes place on almost every street. People have their businesses on the sidewalks and a lot happens around you when you walk through the city, while always feeling very safe and comfortable. This gives unique impressions around every corner. The country itself is very beautiful. There are breathtaking sceneries in mountainous areas but also along the coast, for instance at Ha Long Bay just to name one. The people are also very friendly and always try to help you if you ask them. Our Vietnamese supervisor for instance made a lot of time for us and we even went to dinner with him. And speaking about the food, this was also delicious! Also the possibility to experience the working life of water-related authorities and companies in Vietnam was an invaluable addition to our experience.