The overall objective of this study is aimed at measuring the vulnerability of different
social groups to salinity intrusion and related issues in coastal communities of the
Mekong delta to improve our understandings on slow-onset hazards as salinity intrusion
which receive less attention on one hand and help decision makers develop suitable
adaptation measures on the other hand. The study employed a combination of quantitative
and qualitative research methods to measure vulnerability. First, a participatory
vulnerability analysis approach was used to identify the most vulnerable groups and their
capacities. Second, by using factor analysis technique based on 512 respondents at
household level, twenty indicators belong to three elements of vulnerability such as
exposure, susceptibility and adaptive capacity were selected to construct a vulnerability
index. The results showed that salinity intrusion, freshwater scarcity, drought and tidal
influences are the most important hazards in the coastal areas of the Mekong delta and
they seem to be increased recent years. To cope with and to adapt to such hazards the
governments and local people have been developed many strategies and measures
including dyke buildings, changes in farming techniques, financial supports for
production recovery from disasters, ground water exploitation and income diversifications.
However, the current adaptation options have shown some limitations because they do not
fully consider the differences in terms of ecological, social and economic environments.
The results obtained with the help of composite indicators depicted that the vulnerability
of people highly depends on such conditions. Therefore, future adaptation strategies
should take into account these in order to identify different social groups, especially the
most vulnerable ones as the poor, minority ethnic groups and people living outside the
dyke systems. Through the study, a VAFSLO framework (Vulnerability Assessment
Framework for Slow-onset hazard) and LIWISLO approach (Living With Slow-onset
hazard) have been developed which can be used for vulnerability assessment and
management of slow-onset hazards, especially under climate change and sea level rise
contexts.