On 26 May, in Hue, Oxfam in Vietnam, in partnership with the Centre for Social Research and Development (CSRD), organized the launch workshop for the "Inclusive and Climate-Resilient Water Governance & Livelihoods in Vietnam” Project under Mekong Inclusion Program 3 Water Governance and Climate Resilience (IP3).

The project’s key activities include:

  • Strengthening inclusive water resource governance in Hanoi, Hue, Can Tho, and Ca Mau Province;
  • Developing and scaling up climate-resilient livelihood models in the Mekong Delta and the Sekong River Basin;
  • Enhancing capacities for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in project areas;
  • Strengthening the capacity of civil society organizations and local partners to integrate gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI) into disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation initiatives.

The project places a strong emphasis on the meaningful participation and leadership of women, ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable communities.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Thi Dinh, Director of the Centre for Social Research and Development (CSRD)

“As the implementing agency for one of the three components of the IP3 Project, CSRD will draw on the knowledge and experience gained through our long-term engagement with ethnic minority communities living in the A Sap River Basin. Challenging natural conditions have made livelihoods in the A Luoi area particularly difficult, especially for women. We will work closely with local authorities, women’s unions, and communities to promote sustainable livelihood models that respond to the needs of local women, while strengthening knowledge and skills — particularly for ethnic minority women — in developing green and circular economy initiatives based on nature-based solutions and adapted to A Luoi’s mountainous forest ecosystems. These efforts aim not only to enhance climate resilience, but also to generate stable incomes and contribute to the protection of biodiversity and the local natural environment.” – Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Thi Dinh, Director of the Centre for Social Research and Development (CSRD), introducing the project “Strengthening Climate Resilience and Water Governance Capacity for Riverine Communities in the A Sap River Basin, Hue City, Vietnam through Aquatic Biodiversity Conservation and Climate-Adaptive Sustainable Livelihood Development”, implemented in Hue City.
Pham Quang Tu, Deputy National Director, Oxfam in Vietnam

“Over the years, Oxfam and its partners have implemented Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Mekong Water Governance Project, funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). The IP1 and IP2 projects played a pivotal role in advancing Gender Equality and Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) in water resource governance across the Mekong Basin. These achievements provide an important foundation for Oxfam and its partners to build on and further strengthen during the upcoming implementation of the IP3 Project,” said Pham Quang Tu, Deputy National Director, Oxfam in Vietnam.
Andreas Johannes Gerrtis, Representative of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)

“Switzerland highly appreciates Viet Nam’s commitment to integrated water resource management and strengthening climate resilience. We are pleased that this programme contributes to national priorities through constructive partnerships and technical cooperation. IP3 focuses on inclusive, locally grounded solutions, ensuring the meaningful participation of women, ethnic minority communities, and persons with disabilities in the development of climate adaptation measures,” said Andreas Johannes Gerrtis, Representative of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
Rutmanee Ongsakul, Senior Program Manager for Development, Australian Embassy in Thailand

“The impacts of climate change are not experienced equally. Communities with the least resilience often bear the heaviest burden. Riverine communities are on the frontlines of these impacts and play a critically important role in water resource governance and climate adaptation efforts. Australia is proud to partner with SDC and collaborate with Oxfam and partners across the Mekong region to strengthen water governance and promote climate resilience through the Mekong Water Governance Programme,” Rutmanee Ongsakul, Senior Program Manager for Development, Australian Embassy in Thailand.

Viet Nam is among the world’s top 10 countries most affected by extreme weather events and is considered one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change globally. The country is home to 6.2 million persons with disabilities, 58% of whom are women — a group that is particularly vulnerable during disasters due to limited access to social protection policies and greater challenges in responding and adapting to climate change.

The IP3 Project will be implemented from 2025 to 2029, with a total budget for Viet Nam of USD 506,276 (equivalent to VND 13.34 billion), funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

Ha Thanh Lan, Water Resource Governance Thematic Lead, Oxfam in the Mekong Region

Ha Thanh Lan, Water Resource Governance Thematic Lead for Oxfam in the Mekong Region, delivered an overview presentation on the IP3 Programme being implemented across five countries in the Greater Mekong Subregion.
Vu Xuan Viet, IP3 Project Manager in Viet Nam, presented an overview of the project

Vu Xuan Viet, IP3 Project Manager in Viet Nam, presented an overview of the project
Pham Quang Khoat, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi Association of Persons with Disabilities

Pham Quang Khoa, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi Association of Persons with Disabilities, introduced the project “Strengthening Disability Inclusion in Water Resource Governance and Climate Change Adaptation in Viet Nam” in Hanoi
Van Pham Dang Tri, Director of the Mekong Institute

Van Pham Dang Tri, Director of the Mekong Institute, introduced the project “Water Resource Governance and Climate-Resilient Livelihoods in the Mekong Delta, Viet Nam”, implemented in Can Tho City

On the morning of 27 May 2026, delegates participating in the IP3 Project Launch Workshop, together with project donors, visited circular aquaculture and agricultural livelihood models in A Luoi 3 Commune, Hue City.

IP3 Launching

Ho Van Thang, a Pa Co farmer with disabilities from Can Te Village, A Luoi 3 Commune, who received support from the IP2 Project, introduced his earthworm farming model using cattle waste. The earthworms are used as feed for cage fish farming. This model has helped Thang optimize input costs while improving the livelihoods and incomes of members of the livelihood group he leads.

IP3 Launching

Workshop participants joined a field visit to the IP3 project site in A Luoi 3 Commune, Hue City, where CSRD is implementing activities in collaboration with local authorities and community members.

IP3 Launching

The delegation, together with CSRD and Hue University of Agriculture and Forestry, visited a survey and research site to develop a co-management model for aquaculture combined with the conservation of rare and high-value fish species in A Luoi 3 Commune, Hue City.

IP3 Launching

The Mekong Water Governance Programme – Phase 3 (IP3) is funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) through Oxfam, and is being implemented across five countries: Cambodia, Thailand, Lao PDR, Viet Nam, and Myanmar.

In Viet Nam, the IP3 Project is managed by Oxfam in Vietnam and implemented in partnership with three organizations: the Centre for Social Research and Development (CSRD) in Hue City; the Hanoi Disabled People’s Association (DP Hanoi); and the Mekong Institute under Can Tho University.