IUCN and Coca-Cola Foundation Advance Mangrove Restoration in Vietnam's Mekong Delta

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with funding from The Coca-Cola Foundation, is executing a three-year project titled "Increasing Coastal Resilience in the Mekong Delta through Mangrove Restoration and Hybrid Nature-based Solutions" (2024–2026). This initiative focuses on restoring mangrove forests and promoting sustainable aquaculture practices in Vietnam's Mekong Delta.

The project aims to expand mangrove areas inside sea dikes in Can Tho City and Ca Mau Province by integrating mangrove restoration with the conversion of traditional shrimp farming to Integrated Multi-Trophic Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (IMTA-RAS). This method is designed to increase shrimp production efficiency and reduce disease risks, while also mitigating land subsidence caused by groundwater extraction.

By November 2025, the project had assisted 21 farms in transitioning to IMTA-RAS combined with mangrove restoration. A financial analysis of the IMTA-RAS conversion has been conducted to assess the return on investment and guide future decisions.

On December 11–12, 2025, IUCN organized a two-day knowledge-sharing and networking event in Can Tho City and Ca Mau Province, titled "Unlocking Sustainable Financing for Hybrid Nature-based Solutions to Increase Coastal Resilience in the Mekong Delta." The event gathered 70 participants, including local government officials, farmers, agribusiness representatives, bankers, and media personnel. Its objectives were to showcase successful IMTA-RAS farms, raise public awareness about hybrid nature-based solutions and sustainable aquaculture, and encourage investment in these models.

During the event, the Vietnam Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Agribank) announced its ability to provide unsecured preferential loans of up to VND 300 million (approximately USD 10,000) per household for sustainable agricultural models, in line with government decrees. Agribank also offers support programs, including digital transformation initiatives and supply chain linkages. Additionally, De Heus Vietnam, part of the global animal feed supplier Royal De Heus Group, expressed its commitment to supporting farmers by providing livestock feed at reduced prices to help lower aquaculture production costs.

Despite positive initial outcomes, the project faces challenges such as farmers' limited awareness and readiness to adopt new practices. Some farmers are hesitant due to concerns about climate change impacts and the high upfront costs of conversion. To address these issues, the project plans to engage a broader range of stakeholders, including banks, agribusinesses, and local authorities, to provide stronger incentives for farmers to transition to hybrid nature-based solutions. Future efforts will also explore different models involving various aquatic species, such as fish and crabs, to identify lower-risk, more resilient options for farmers.