2009 was a tough year for the national economy as well as the Mekong Delta region. However, thanks to the Government’s effective solutions, many provinces in the region have managed to stem the economic downturn, maintain a high economic growth rate, stabilize their socio-economic growth and fulfill their key targets for last year.

Encouraging achievements

Last year, the Mekong Delta region’s economy grew at 10.8 percent (the country’s level was 5.2 percent) while the region’s per capita income hit US$973, a 9.3 percent increase over 2008.

Despite being affected by the global economic downturn, many positive results were made in agricultural production with the region’s rice output hitting more than 20.6 million, up 1.6 million from last year’s figure. As a result, Vietnam’s rice exports hit a record high of 6 million tones for the first time in 2009.

These encouraging results were attributed to the State’s timely support, such as providing loans for farmers to purchase machinery and agricultural materials and flexibly adjusting the price of rice for export.

It is worth noting that, progress was also made in the region’s infrastructure development. Can Tho International airport was put into operation and Rach Mieu bridge spanning the Tien River was opened. The Ca Mau and O Mon thermal power plants and the upgrading of National Highway A1 and other routes have also greatly contributed to boosting socio-development in the region.

Many key projects have been implemented in the past few years such as the second phase of Can Tho, Duong To and Phu Quoc international airports, Trung Luong-My Thuan Highway, Quan Chanh Bo canal and Long Phu and Soc Trang thermal power plants.

Many other projects will be competed in the near future such as Can Tho Bridge, and roads in Phung Hiep and south of the Hau River, making it easier for Mekong Delta provinces to develop.

In addition to the economic development, culture, and social affairs as well as health and education services have made significant progress. More than 80 percent of local health centres have doctors and the number of qualified workers has reached 30 percent. The living conditions of most people and ethnic minority groups in remote areas have been constantly improved. The number of poor households has also dropped by 1.7 percent to 9.4 percent. National defence and security remain stable.

A number of difficulties ahead

The Mekong Delta region is confronted with a number of difficulties and challenges, natural disasters, epidemics, and unsustainable agricultural production. Climate change is seriously affecting local people’s lives and production. The infrastructure conditions have still not met the requirements of a region which is considered the country’s rice granary and major fish producer. However, intellectual standards do not match up with the national average.

2010 is the last year to implement the five-year plan (2006-2010) with a view towards 2015. Therefore, the Mekong Delta provinces should make more effort to draw up future plans. They should restructure production, work closely with each other, accelerate poverty reduction, pay more attention to vocational training, apply hi-tech to agricultural models, develop new rural models, combine the processing industry with environmental protection, and come up with plans to deal with rising sea levels.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung, head of the South-west region Steering Committee says that provinces should check the State’s resolutions on agriculture, and farmers and invest in building rural roads, clinics and schools.

Hopefully in 2010, the Mekong Delta region will make a breakthrough in thinking and action, helping to make the local people wealthier and happier.