Ecosystem-based adaptation on the northern central coast of Vietnam: restoration and co-management of degraded dunes and mangroves

The northern central coastal region of Vietnam is strongly affected by the impacts of climate change. Dense dune forests and mangroves used to protect the population on the coast from extreme weather events such as typhoons, which are becoming increasingly frequent. However, excessive deforestation has destroyed the ecosystems to a great extent, with the result that they can no longer perform this function. Together with selected local communities, the project is restoring the dune and mangrove forests on pilot sites. This demonstrates the feasibility of ecosystem-based adaptation measures (EbA), which not only protect the population but also bolster livelihoods through sustainable business models that use the restored mangroves. The insights and approaches gained through the project are intended to serve both as a reference and to support political and non-state stakeholders involved in the implementation and expansion of EbA measures.

Project data

Countries: Viet Nam
IKI funding: 2,572,126.02 €
Duration: 04/2018 till 10/2024
Status: open
Implementing organisation: UNIQUE forestry and land use GmbH*
Political Partner: Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DARD) Quang Binh - Vietnam

Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) - Viet Nam

Quang Tri Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) - Viet Nam
Implementing Partner: Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) - Viet Nam

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State of implementation/results

In late 2021, the project was granted an extension until October 2024 as well as additional funding to recover from the severe storm damages in the pilot sites due to typhoons in October 2020. Part of the extension was the establishment of a now fully functional “best-practice nursery” currently stocking 70.000 native tree seedlings, which will be planted in Q4/2024 for coastal restoration, in line with the objectives of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.
During the 2021 Planting Season (09-12/2021) the project has successfully initiated its recovery efforts of the, during 2020 storm-induced, losses on some planting sites: In Hue province, 60 ha with 48.000 native seedlings and the help of 50 local community members were successfully planted.
In August 2022, Hue University awarded a Ph.D. to a student for completing his research on the dynamics of coastal sand dune forests in Quang Tri Province, North Central Vietnam. Unique's implementing partner IREN has actively supported the study with knowledge obtained and lessons learned from project implementation.
A national dissemination conference was held in April 2023 to promote the approach and assess upscaling options with the attendance from various sectors, districts and provinces throughout the country. It informed discussions on challenges, solutions and opportunities to upscale Coastal Forest Restoration and included visits to restoration sites and the best-practice native tree species nursery in Cam Lo –The project published a high-level peer-reviewed publication in the Springer handbook of Nature Based Solutions to Mitigation and Adaptation to Climate Change: “Restoration of Degraded Coastal Forests in Vietnam’s North Central Coast” (doi.org/…)"
The project has successfully presented its Coastal Forest Restoration efforts, with a specific focus on mangrove restoration and community involvement, during the Indo-Pacific Environmental Security Forum (IPESF) on 14th of August 2023

Latest Update:
12/2023