Land use change in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta: Long-term impacts of drought and salinity intrusion using satellite and monitoring data

Drought and salinity intrusion (DSI) increasingly threaten agriculture and aquaculture in coastal regions. Focusing on the Vietnamese Mekong Delta (VMD), we examined how DSI from 2000 to 2020 influences rice cropping, aquaculture area, and rice yield across seven coastal provinces. <i>In-situ</i> discharge and salinity monitoring, combined with satellite-derived land use data and yield validation, revealed the highest DSI impacts during the 2010-2011, 2015-2016, and 2019-2020 dry seasons. Local governments employed strategies such as drought-tolerant rice, improved irrigation, and revised cropping schedules to mitigate losses, yet further investments remain vital. Our findings provide evidence-based insights for managing DSI and strengthening agricultural resilience in the VMD and other vulnerable deltas worldwide.