VietNamNet Bridge – Since 2005, the sea level of Quat Lam in Giao Thuy district in the northern province of Nam Dinh rose 20cm. Scientists say this is clearly an effect of climate change.

Under the framework of a workshop on global climate change and Vietnam’s solutions on February 28 and 29, over 100 delegates and scientists took a field trip to Giao Thuy district, Nam Dinh province.

Giao Thuy is a coastal district covering 203,000ha and has over 31km of coast, 11.4km of Red River and 15km of Go River.

According to Nguyen Van Dong, Vice Chairman of Giao Thuy District People’s Committee, since storm No. 5 in 2005, the sea level of the Bach Long – Giao Thuy coast and the Quat Lam tourist town has risen by 20cm. Surveys by the Nam Dinh Hydrometeorology Center confirmed this figure.

Local authorities have invested billions of VND to upgrade the dike system. This year the Government will allocate the district more than VND100 billion to reinforce dikes.

Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Sinh, Chairman of the Association for Natural and Environmental Protection of Vietnam, said the association has chosen Giao Xuan commune in Giao Thuy district as a focus of research on the consequences of climate change.

Ngoc Huyen