“Serious Game” dialogue tool for groundwater extraction in Ben Tre and Soc Trang provinces

Groundwater resource in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta (VMD) face over-exploitation activities, which leads to subsidence and salinity intrusion. Several efforts to limit groundwater exploitation have been made, existing limitations. Therefore, groundwater stakeholders’ meetings are conducted to discuss deeply management and usage problems at the local level in a general forum. The "Serious Game" discussion tool simulates scenarios addressing groundwater issues and facilitates active participation and dialogue among diverse stakeholders, including policymakers, water supply units, and water users. Through rounds of “Serious Game”, participants directly observed the effects of over-exploitation of groundwater, such as subsidence and salinity intrusion, to decide on choosing irrigation-used water. The main approach is to assess participants’ consideration of groundwater management strategies for their farming activities. Research results showed that the amount of water demand in Soc Trang and Ben Tre provinces had a downward trend, which indicates changes in insights into groundwater sustainable usage. They learned how to negotiate water demands among different zones to reduce water units. Feedback from players and stakeholders contributes to the completion of the “Serious Game”. This tool is recommended for use in public awareness campaigns and community events to raise awareness of groundwater issues for local water users.