The project “EWATEC-COAST” focuses on environmental and water protection in Vietnam's coastal zones under climate change, initiated in autumn 2012. Funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Vietnam National University of Ho-Chi-Minh City (VNU-HCMC), it targets the polluted Thi Vai river and the adjacent Can Gio mangrove forest, located southeast of Ho-Chi-Minh City. Historically, industrial companies discharged untreated wastewater into the river, rendering it ecologically dead. Recent control initiatives have slightly improved water quality, but a comprehensive rehabilitation strategy is still lacking. This project aims to develop ecologically and economically viable solutions for restoring the affected water bodies, flora, and fauna, with a focus on mangroves while addressing climate change impacts. A key component is the creation of a model-based management system for sustainable water and environmental protection in the coastal zone, facilitating informed decision-making. The system will incorporate historical, current, and future meteorological data, alongside information on surface and groundwater quality, the mangrove ecosystem, aquatic organisms, and coastal protection measures.
