Due to its topography and tropical monsoon climate, Vietnam is susceptible to the detrimental effects of climate change. Unfortunately, the infrastructure in the Mekong Delta Region is inadequate and unable to manage the consequences. An Giang is the upstream province of the Mekong Delta, hence the floods depth and length are more and longer than in other provinces in the region. Households in the low-lying areas, particularly in the City of Long Xuyen suffer the most from the annual flooding.
The EPIC model is the appropriate strategy employing the collaborative efforts of university participants (lecturers, students, and researchers) and provincial authorities, while university partners interact closely with grassroots communities. An Giang university lecturers, researchers, students, city authorities, and practitioners has used EPIC model to drainage systems and urban flooding in Long Xuyen City. The project aims to map inundated areas in local wards and the city centre of Long Xuyen and to propose initiatives on sustainable drainage and waterlogging management that contribute to the Action Plan on “Smart Water City” and the improved infrastructure of sustainable drainage and waterlogging management in response to climate change by 2025.
Many activities have been conducted within the project. An Giang university lecturers, city partners, and local officials in 8 wards of Long Xuyen city have collaborated effectively to determine the inadequate drainage system in many streets and the lack of complete old and new drainage systems in Long Xuyen City. Although many streets have been elevated to prevent flooding, the problem persists in other streets, especially after excessive rain. Lecturers and students participated in mapping training using GIS software and partnered with personnel in 8 wards to identify 15 inundated street segments in Long Xuyen City.