Though the Mekong River is vital to the economies of its neighboring nations, the Vietnamese Mekong delta has seen a steady drop in water flows and an acceleration of saltwater intrusion processes in recent years. Millions of delta residents, whose livelihoods rely on the Mekong River, are negatively impacted by these transboundary hydrological difficulties. The Mekong River is a vital resource for the economies of the nations along its course; nevertheless, water flows have been steadily decreasing and saltwater intrusion processes have been speeding up in the Vietnamese Mekong delta over the last several years. Millions of delta residents, whose livelihoods rely on the Mekong River, are negatively impacted by these transboundary hydrological difficulties.

Reduced precipitation, higher temperatures, and more intense weather events are all results of climate change. Many researchers, however, contend that the construction and operation of huge hydroelectric dams in the river's upper reaches are also major contributors to these changes, rather than only climate change. With its dominant position in the delta, China is accused of withholding a large quantity of water for its own development, at the expense of downstream consumers. The Mekong River Commission has pointed out that the Mekong Agreement of 1995 gives China legal rights and means to keep water for its own "reasonable and equitable usage," but that this definition is complex and difficult. Countries farther downstream, most notably Laos, exacerbate the issue by actively pursuing the development of a broad variety of dams along the main river and its tributaries.

The mediating function of Chinese dams in controlling downstream water flows is still a topic of heated discussion. While the Mekong River Commission serves as a useful information center for the Mekong nations, many people question its ability to effectively monitor the river's hydrological regimes over its entire length.The failure of downstream governments to alter the meaning of "reasonable and equitable" usage such that it is centered on regional goals as opposed to national objectives is shown by the fragmentation of the Mekong as a result of the building of large-scale hydropower projects.

However, there have been a few triumphs. One encouraging evidence that downstream nations are recognizing and reacting to harmful transboundary repercussions is the Cambodian government's ban on the construction of two mainline hydropower projects, Sambor and Stung Treng. However, given that it is a national pledge with limited jurisdictional scope, the decision may be temporary. Transboundary water issues are too complicated for individual nations to effectively address in isolation.

Agrarian communities in the delta have complicated transboundary water difficulties, and it is unclear whether Vietnam has the resources to manage them. The downstream regions of Vietnam are negatively affected by hydropower dams in the Central Highlands. Given the involvement of Vietnamese businesses in the building of the Luang Prabang dam and other dams in Laos, this puts Vietnam in an uncomfortable situation. Regardless of the motivation behind the Luang Prabang project's funding, the fact that Vietnam stands to gain from upstream advances in this manner disproves any of its potential claims against the project's detrimental effects on the delta's downstream countries.

The long-term effects of climate change on the Mekong's hydrological system are little understood. However, there is already a sizable out-migration from the delta, with the rural poor leaving for metropolitan regions in pursuit of work opportunities. However, it remains unknown how national governments will react to climate change and its consequences. Is there any chance, for instance, that Cambodia may revive its dam construction plans? Consequences for the delta's population might be dire if processes now under way there were to speed up.

The delta faces new and unexpected dangers as a result of transboundary hydrological changes. To address externalities, local actors have used a range of control and adaptive strategies. However, these regional initiatives fall short as a permanent answer to the new problems. Rather, it necessitates the unwavering will of the Vietnamese government to forward a plan that would provide a discussion platform across the Mekong to identify and address the problems of transboundary water management. Upstream and downstream nations in the Mekong River Basin must be encouraged to work together productively in order to improve the river's hydrological conditions.

The nations along the Mekong River and the Mekong River Commission need to stop doing business as usual if they want to make progress on a regional basis. The usage of hydropower projects, which might have negative transboundary effects, is one example of why it's important to increase the use of alternative energy sources. Particularly along Vietnam's coast, solar and wind energy installations provide excellent investment opportunities. While these energy development routes are making headway, the fate of millions of Mekong people remains in the balance due to the upstream nations' inconsistent generosity and their strong political resolve to further restrict the Mekong's flows.