Bridging Climate Challenges: Empowering Communities in Viên An Commune, Vietnam

The Problem

Climate change severely impacts rural communities across Southeast Asia, particularly in regions where agriculture remains the backbone of local economies. Smallholder farmers are facing growing uncertainty in Vietnam, a country vulnerable to rising sea levels, typhoons, and salinity intrusion. The story of Bờ Đập Hamlet, located in Viên An Commune, Sóc Trăng Province, offers a compelling example of the challenges faced by farming communities.

Home to a predominantly Khmer population, Bờ Đập Hamlet has long relied on rice farming and vegetable cultivation. Yet life, once tied predictably to the seasons, has become increasingly unstable. Rising temperatures scorch crops before they can mature, saltwater intrusion steadily poisons once-fertile fields, and storms, now more frequent and severe, threaten homes, fields, and livelihoods in a relentless cycle of destruction.

Among the 35 households surveyed by students from the Climate Change Institute at An Giang University and Sóc Trăng Community College, over two-thirds of families fall into the poor or near-poor categories. Climate change and the instability of agricultural production were cited as some of the main reasons for economic decline, a concern echoed by most respondents. Their primary sources of income, rice and vegetables, are increasingly at risk due to the escalating cost of fertilizers and the declining reliability of harvests. Limited educational opportunities and lack of access to resources further compound the vulnerability of these households. Each season now brings uncertainty and anxiety, testing their resilience in ways unimaginable just a generation ago.

The Opportunity

While the challenges in Bờ Đập Hamlet are formidable, they are not impossible to address. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, a partnership emerged to bridge the gap between vulnerability and empowerment. Local institutions, as members of EPIC Asia, identified the critical need to equip these communities with the knowledge and tools to confront their climate realities by applying the EPIC Model.

The idea was simple but transformative: what if farmers could diversify their crops, improve their soil health, and adopt climate-adaptive farming practices? These measures could not only stabilize yields but also secure livelihoods for future generations.

This initiative sought to deliver practical, sustainable solutions rooted in the community’s resilience. It was more than just an agricultural project; it was an effort to strengthen the community’s capacity to respond to forces beyond their control. The partnership is a meaningful example under the growing EPIC Asia network, demonstrating how universities and communities can collaboratively drive adaptation.

The Partnership

At the heart of this initiative was a collaboration that combined local wisdom with students willing to lend a helping hand. Students from An Giang University and Sóc Trăng Community College joined the effort, bringing fresh perspectives and a hands-on approach. They immersed themselves in the community, conducting extensive surveys to gather insights into the socio-economic landscape and the residents’ perceptions of climate change. These surveys revealed valuable data about farmers’ challenges and the coping strategies they have developed over time.

As the partnership evolved, it became clear that the community’s knowledge was as vital as the academic contributions. Farmers shared invaluable insights into traditional methods they had used to adapt to difficult conditions. These exchanges created a foundation of mutual respect and collaboration, ensuring that the proposed solutions were practical, culturally sensitive, and responsive to real needs.

The training sessions designed by the team focused on practical and actionable strategies. These included compost production, techniques for improving soil health, and approaches to diversifying crops to withstand unpredictable weather patterns. It was not just about teaching new skills, it was about instilling confidence in the community that they could take charge of their futures.

The involvement of students through the EPIC Model highlighted how academic engagement can directly support real-world community adaptation, offering a model for other local partnerships under the expanding EPIC Asia network.

The Result

The initial outcomes of the partnership have been promising. Training sessions helped equip farmers with the skills and knowledge needed to implement climate-resilient farming practices. Many households have begun experimenting with crop diversification, a strategy that improves soil sustainability and provides a safety net against the unpredictability of single-crop dependence. Compost production techniques introduced during training have already shown early success, improving soil fertility while reducing reliance on expensive chemical fertilizers.

A farmer participating in the project remarked that the project is very effective in helping them get closer and willing to share and exchange knowledge in cultivation to apply and improve people’s livelihoods. In general, it is very easy and applicable for them, and they expect that it can be expanded to many other ethnic communities like theirs. They also noted that other ethnic communities are keen on participating in such a project’s model.

This sentiment captures how the project fostered technical knowledge, strengthened collaboration, and inspired enthusiasm for future expansion across similar communities.

Looking Ahead

The work in Bờ Đập Hamlet is far from over. While the initial training sessions laid a strong foundation, the road to resilience is a long one. Plans are underway to expand these efforts by introducing weather-resilient irrigation systems and exploring new water conservation methods. The partnership also works to strengthen the local social network, creating systems of support that can help families better withstand future crises.

As the team looks ahead, the vision remains one of empowerment and sustainability. With continued collaboration and the consistent application of the EPIC Model, the residents of Bờ Đập Hamlet are not just surviving; they are building a future rooted in resilience and hope.

This partnership contributes meaningfully to EPIC Asia’s broader mission, demonstrating how universities, local governments, and communities can work together to address climate challenges and inspire change across the region.

Partnership Contact Information

Soc Trang Community College

Dr. Xa Le

lethixa1982@gmail.com

Written by: Jonathan Kroeze
Edited by: Kay Phanthuwongpakdee