The precarious roofs by the water's edge
In recent years, Ca Mau has been heavily affected by climate change, sea level rise and landslides. Coastal and riverside landslides are developing complicatedly, threatening houses, traffic and people's infrastructure.
In Hiep Binh residential area, Thuan Hoa C hamlet, Tan Thuan commune, landslide traces are still present. Many riverside houses were swept away, the soil was deeply hollowed out into dangerous cavities. The road about 1.5m wide through the old market has disappeared, replaced by a temporary wooden bridge. Along the river, there are still rubble concrete slabs and unfinished house foundations after many landslides.
At Ganh Hao estuary, Mr. Le Thanh Loi, over 70 years old, silently watched the land in front of his house being deeply eroded by water after one night. He and his wife moved the house inside three times but have not escaped the risk of landslides. The concrete house - the biggest asset after many years of accumulation - is now located close to the water's edge. Every high tide and big wave makes his family anxious. "Wherever the landslide occurs, move there. For many years, my family has lived in such a situation" - Mr. Loi lamented.
Along the Ganh Hao estuary river, dozens of households have also been relocated many times but cannot feel secure as their houses are always facing the risk of being swept away. Mr. Nguyen Hoang Truong, a local resident, informed that landslides have occurred before, but not as serious as they are now. "The areas invested in embankment protection have been very effective. People hope that other dangerous landslide points will also be invested in soon to protect land and property" - Mr. Truong said.
According to the latest survey, more than 56km of the east coast of Ca Mau is seriously eroded. Each year, the locality loses 250 - 300ha of natural land, mainly in Tan Thuan, Tan Tien, Tam Giang, Tan An and Phan Ngoc Hien communes. In Tan Thuan commune, a landslide hotspot, the situation continues to be complicated in the first months of 2026.
According to Mr. Ta Hoang Nam - specialist of the Economic Department of Tan Thuan commune, in just the first months of the rainy season, the locality recorded 12 landslides. "Some points after only one to two nights have penetrated deep into the mainland, directly threatening people's houses, roads, power grids and telecommunications systems" - Mr. Nam shared.
Need more than 3,274 billion VND to build embankments to protect the East Sea coast
Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tung - Head of the Sub-Department of Irrigation of Ca Mau province - assessed that the current erosion rate is at an alarming level. If there are no timely solutions, many concentrated residential areas and essential infrastructure projects will continue to be threatened. For more than 56km of the East Sea coast that is seriously eroded, Ca Mau is expected to need about 3.774 billion VND to invest in building breakwaters to protect the coastline.
Besides coastal erosion, the situation of riverbank erosion in the first months of 2026 is also complicated. According to Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tung, in the immediate future, it is necessary to fully survey the terrain and geology of each area to choose appropriate technical solutions, ensuring efficiency and sustainability.
Reality shows that reinforced concrete dykes combined with soft dykes have been effective in reducing waves, retaining soil and protecting residential areas, despite large investment costs. Ca Mau Provincial People's Committee sets a target in 2026 to relocate and arrange stable housing for 40% of households in landslide areas and areas at risk of natural disasters; handle 100 river and coastal landslide points; build 50 irrigation works to serve drought, flooding and saltwater intrusion prevention and control.
The province also strives to ensure that 90% of households in areas frequently affected by natural disasters have access to information, knowledge and skills for disaster prevention and control. To achieve these goals, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requested the Ca Mau Department of Agriculture and Environment to effectively implement the Project on preventing and combating land subsidence, landslides, flooding, drought, and saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta region by 2035, with a vision to 2050 in the province. In which, prioritize handling dangerous and urgent landslide points in densely populated areas; and invest in and upgrade drainage systems to reduce flooding in urban areas.
