A turbulent past

The Vietnam War involving America is a well-known part of the recent world history. It is but one chapter of horror in the history of Vietnam. The country endured royal feuds, religious tensions, colonial suppression, Japanese occupation, undermining US presidential campaigns, a war with neighbouring countries and is now in a state of red capitalism with the worst of two systems: the authoritarian socialist state and the unfettered ideology of neoliberalism. The Mekong Delta is threatened by sea level rising, land subsidence, lack of fish and sediment due to dams upstream. It’s future is bleak.

Flawed plans

During the French colonial regime much of the original landscape has disappeared, the remains suffered from American bombs and napalm. It is nothing less than an ecological disaster. ‘Mekong Delta Plan’ attempts to lay down a long term vision and strategy for a sustainable future. The vision, formulated with the help of Dutch government and companies, is however very much focussed on economics and industry. Whereas landscape restauration should be part of the process to help cope with future threats. Much like the restauration of ecology on the Loess plateau. The operation focussed on restoring the ecology but improved the economy and society in the process.

Opportunities

Restoring the landscape is a chance for catharsis. Harmonized planning is lacking due to the turbulent history. By choosing a strategic location cooperation between provinces can be organized and a start of landscape restoration can be made. By restoring the landscape local people are provided with jobs and working side by side creating a landscape for all. Along with cultural and health care programs social capital can be improved, new jobs can be created and access to health care can be improved. Landscape restoration can so help improve a traumatized landscape as well as a traumatized culture and create a sense of ownership of the landscape.