Transformation of Mekong Delta Economic Growth Model Adaptation to Climate Change: The Situation and Solutions
Abstract: The Mekong Delta is defined as the key agricultural economic development area of the whole country with a contribution to about 55% rice and seafood production and participates in exporting 90% rice and 60% seafood annually. However, the Mekong Delta’s agricultural economy is very vulnerable due to a high reliance on traditional production and natural resources. In fact, the transformation of the economic growth model in Mekong Delta has been faced to profound changes in the natural and social ecosystems structure. The particular concerned issue is the climate change which takes place more and more seriously affecting deeply to the daily life and producing of people in the region. By the methods of document analysis, surveys and group discussion, this article analyzes the situation of transforming the economic growth model of Mekong Delta in the past, which has been affected by climate changes as well as how climate change has affected production outcomes, social life and environmental ecology. Based on that, the author proposes suitable and feasible solutions to promote the transformation of economic growth model sustainably through developing three pillars: highly economic efficiency and the stable growth rate; the political stability and increasing social welfare; environmental safety and ecological balance. Keywords: Economic transformation, growth model, sustainable development.