This study aimed at evaluating the spatiotemporal patterns of mangrove forest variations for three ecological zones of the Can Gio biosphere reserve (i.e., core, buffer, and transition zones) and its relation to land use/land cover changes. Time series Sentinel-2 Imagery—which presents the Normalized Different Vegetation Index (NDVI), obtained through the Google Earth Engine and Overlap Similarity Algorithm—was used to characterize vegetation cover in the study area. Furthermore, the Cohen’s Kappa agreement was applied to examine the accuracy of mangrove classification, and the Mann–Kendal (MK) significance was used to analyze the spatiotemporal trends of mangrove forests. The results showed that an NDVI value greater than 0.3 recorded the reflected signal of mangrove population in the study area with an O-index greater than 0.85. A Cohen’s Kappa statistic of agreement of 0.7 and an overall classification accuracy of 83% was obtained. Regarding the trend in mangrove forest patterns, an increase in area of 669 ha and 579 ha explored at the buffer and core zones, respectively, while the largest declined mangrove area of 350 ha was investigated at the buffer zone, followed by a transition at 314 ha during the study period due to the interconversion of shrimp farming and the expansion of built-up areas. Moreover, the study also described the negative impacts of the sea-encroached urban-tourism zone on mangrove patterns in the foreseeable future. The results from this study will act as a basic fundamental authentic report for local governments in proposing strategies for the shielding of mangrove forests and economic development from negative consequences in foreseeable future.

Background and objective: Ben Tre Province in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta has been severely affected by salinity intrusion events, notably in 2016 and 2020, leading to extensive agricultural and economic losses. This study aims to evaluate the spatial and temporal impacts of salinity intrusion on agricultural land use from 2014 to 2023. Using a modified DRASTIC model, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), and Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR), the research identifies vulnerable areas and provides insights for sustainable land-use management.Methods: A modified DRASTIC model, integrating Electrical Conductivity (EC) as a key parameter, was employed to assess salinity intrusion risks. NDVI values, derived from Landsat 8 imagery for 2014 and 2023, quantified changes in vegetation cover. The GWR model explored spatial heterogeneity in the relationship between salinity risk and agricultural land-use dynamics. Validation was conducted using 200 field samples across eight agricultural land-use (ALU) types, including rice, fruit trees, cash crops, coconuts, barren land, aquaculture and water surface.Results: Salinity intrusion significantly reduced areas of rice (-4,450 ha), fruit trees (-37,785 ha), and aquaculture (-8,226 ha), while promoting the expansion of salinity-tolerant species such as coconuts (+7,635 ha) and mangroves (+51,757 ha). High-risk zones were concentrated in coastal districts, particularly Ba Tri and Thanh Phu. GWR analysis revealed substantial spatial variability, highlighting the resilience of salinity-tolerant crops adapted to saline conditions.Conclusion: This study demonstrates the critical impact of salinity intrusion on agricultural systems and emphasizes the necessity of transitioning to salinity-resilient crops. By integrating spatial analysis and adaptive modeling, the findings provide actionable recommendations for mitigating salinity risks and enhancing the sustainability of ALU in Ben Tre Province.

Background and objective: Agriculture remains a critical livelihood source for rural households in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam, where climate change exacerbates vulnerability through flooding, drought, salinity intrusion, and unseasonal rainfall. These stressors threaten the five livelihood capitals (natural, human, physical, financial, and social) outlined in the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF). This study aims to examine the differential and combined impacts of these climatic hazards on livelihood capitals among agricultural households in Thanh Phu commune, a coastal area of the Mekong Delta highly exposed to climate risks.Methods: Data were collected in January 2024 (updated as of November 2025) through structured face-to-face interviews with 200 randomly selected agricultural households across three ecological zones in Thanh Phu commune. Livelihood capitals were assessed using 88 indicators covering natural, human, physical, financial, and social dimensions. Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA), with Pillai’s Trace as the primary statistic due to violated homogeneity assumptions, was employed to test the individual and interaction effects of four climate stressors on the five interrelated livelihood capitals.Results: MANOVA revealed significant multivariate effects of all single climate stressors (p ≤ .002), with flooding, drought, and salinity intrusion showing the strongest impacts (partial η² up to 0.382). Flooding significantly affected natural, human, social, and physical capitals; drought influenced human, social, and physical capitals; salinity intrusion impacted physical and financial capitals; while unseasonal rainfall primarily affected natural and financial capitals. Interaction effects were weaker and more selective, with notable synergistic impacts from flooding-drought and flooding-salinity on financial capital.Conclusion: Climate change imposes substantial and differentiated threats to livelihood capitals in coastal Mekong Delta communities, necessitating targeted, capital-specific adaptation strategies. Prioritizing resilience in natural, physical, and financial capitals through diversified farming, infrastructure improvement, and financial support mechanisms is essential for sustainable rural development under escalating climatic risks.

There are several negative impacts on mangrove resources related to 11 existing livelihoods in Can Gio district, where socio-economic development has created many changes in livelihood conditions and ecological environment of the mangrove forests [1]. As a result, the study focuses on identifying and selecting livelihood types that have no impacts on mangrove resources based on primary data collected from 537 structured questionnaires and 45 in-depth interviews with experts, forest keepers and local households about understanding of the activities of 11 current livelihoods and environmental conditions of the study areas in the past 10 years.Qualitative data analysis, non-impact livelihood scale and AHP analysis allow the analysis and identification of 6 livelihood types appropriate for the goal of avoiding mangrove resource degradation to conserve, maintain, and sustainably develop mangrove ecosystems for Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve.

Climate change and sea level rise threaten agricultural livelihoods in Thanh Phu district, Ben Tre, with projections of 23% area inundation by 2100 affecting 59,800 residents. This study assesses effective information access pathways using the Weighted Accessibility Index (WAI) methodology to promote resilient agricultural livelihoods under climate challenges. Data were collected through structured interviews with 200 household heads across five communes in January 2024. The survey assessed two information domains: Personal Experience and Self-Directed Learning (PESD) and Social Organizations and Communities (SOC). Information source effectiveness was measured using a 5-point Likert scale. The WAI method evaluated the importance of various information sources for agricultural production and market access. PESD sources achieved higher average WAI (3.78) than SOC sources (3.75). Internet ranked highest with WAI scores of 4.06-4.15, followed by knowledge from grandparents (4.02) and Agricultural Extension Centers (4.05). Sources were categorized into top (WAI > 4.0), medium (3.5-4.0), and low-rated groups (< 3.5), with radio and self-invented knowledge scoring lowest. Findings reveal transformation in information-seeking behaviors, with farmers prioritizing reliable, accessible channels while maintaining trust in traditional knowledge and institutional support. Results provide empirical basis for developing integrated information systems combining digital innovation with traditional knowledge preservation for climate adaptation strategies.

Background and objective: Climate change represents a critical challenge to agricultural sustainability, particularly in vulnerable coastal regions. Thanh Phu District, Ben Tre Province, located in the Mekong Delta, experiences significant vulnerability to saltwater intrusion and climate variability. This study aimed to identify and rank barriers affecting farmers' adaptive capacity to climate change using Garrett's ranking methodology.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from December 2023 to January 2024 among 200 farming households across five communes in Thanh Phu District. Participants were selected using simple random sampling following Cochran's formula (n = 202, ± 7% margin of error). Data collection employed structured questionnaires containing 33 items assessing nine primary adaptation barriers. Garrett's ranking method was applied to convert ordinal rankings into quantitative scores using percentage position calculations and standardized conversion tables. Total and mean Garrett scores were calculated to establish barrier hierarchies.Results: Three barrier categories emerged based on mean Garrett scores. High-impact barriers (> 300 points) included climate change impacts on natural resources (990.95), insufficient information (345.01), and prolonged timeframes for observing adaptation outcomes (318.78). Medium-impact barriers (100-300 points) comprised insufficient social and institutional support (239.60), deficient agricultural techniques and low educational attainment (206.84), and high investment costs with financial capital deficiency (155.26). Low-impact barriers (< 100 points) encompassed elderly age and poor health (88.63), inadequate infrastructure (78.00), and restricted credit accessibility (74.54).Conclusion: Environmental and informational constraints supersede economic barriers in farmers' adaptation priorities. These findings indicate the necessity for policy frameworks emphasizing resource management and information dissemination rather than solely financial interventions. The research provides empirical evidence supporting integrated climate adaptation strategies for sustainable agricultural development in vulnerable coastal regions.