In Vietnam the Mekong delta is intensively developed for agriculture. The area is one of the most productive and intensively cultivated areas in Asia. The region produces considerable quantities of rice and fish products. Some 20% (20 million) of the Vietnamese population lives in the Mekong Delta.
Why is the Mekong River important?
Today, the river is rapidly changing as economic development, urbanisation and industrialisation are transforming the basin. The Mekong River contributes significantly to this growth through the opportunities it provides, including hydropower production, agriculture, fisheries, and transport and trade.
Why is Mekong important to Vietnam?
The Mekong River has a rich agricultural history in Vietnam and Asia in general. … It has been an important area for producing much of the country’s food crops; even today it provides more than one-third of Vietnam’s food. It’s also one of the richest areas of biodiversity in the world, second only to the Amazon River.
What country is the Mekong River most important to?
From China to Vietnam, the Mekong River is the lifeblood of Southeast Asia and offers a glimpse into the long history and diverse cultures of the region. The 12th longest river in the world and the 7th longest in Asia, it flows through six countries: China, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
Why is the Mekong River important to Cambodia?
The Mekong contributes to Cambodia’s unique river system. In dry season, the Tonle Sap flows into the Mekong where the two rivers meet in Phnom Penh. … This reversal in flow of the Tonle Sap and the related flooding helps support Cambodia’s wildlife, rice farming, and even the stability of the Angkor Temple foundations.
Does the Mekong River have crocodiles?
The Mekong, its floodplains and tributaries support huge collections of unique flora and fauna including, critically endangered freshwater Irrawaddy dolphins, the world’s largest freshwater fish – the Giant freshwater stingray – giant turtles, Mekong giant catfish, waterbirds, and Siamese crocodiles.
Is it safe to swim in the Mekong River?
Despite concerns about competiting in the Mekong’s murky waters, organizers were keen to point out that while there is always a slight risk associated with swimming in rivers, the cloudy waters of the Mekong are a result of fine sediment floating in the water, rather than high levels of pollution.
What would happen if the Mekong River was threatened?
It would irreversibly change the ecosystem that over 60 million people rely on for food, and will likely result in the extinction of the iconic Mekong giant catfish and other fish species.
Why is the Mekong Delta Brown?
The fast-flowing river is a source of fish and helps transport sediments across the region, improving soil fertility for farmers. The sediments also give the river its signature muddy brown appearance.
Which is the longest river in Asia?
Yangtze River, Chinese (Pinyin) Chang Jiang or (Wade-Giles romanization) Ch’ang Chiang, longest river in both China and Asia and third longest river in the world, with a length of 3,915 miles (6,300 km).
What happened to the Mekong River?
While drought ravaged the lower Mekong Basin in 2019, there was above-average rainfall and snowmelt in China and the flow from these events was nearly all retained in China’s dams. China’s actions have been a cause of droughts over a number of years. China is impounding more water than ever before.
Is the Mekong river polluted?
The Mekong is one of the most polluted rivers in the world, transporting an estimated 40 thousand tonnes of plastic into the world’s oceans each year.
What lives in the Mekong River?
The Greater Mekong is home to some of the planet’s most endangered wild species, including the tiger, saola, Asian elephant, Mekong dolphin and Mekong giant catfish.
What is the best Mekong River cruise?
10 Best Mekong River Cruises for 2021-2022
- Vietnam, Cambodia, and the Riches of the Mekong – Cruise Only. …
- Charms of the Mekong. …
- From the Temples of Angkor to the Mekong Delta & Hanoi and Halong Bay. …
- Mekong Discovery – Round-trip Phnom Penh. …
- From Mekong River to Siem Reap. …
- Mekong Expedition – Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh.
Why is the Mekong River called the mother of all rivers?
The Mekong River is called the “mother of waters” because it is such a tremendous resource for such a large number of people.
Which city is associated with the River Mekong?
Phnom-Penh cities is associated with the river Mekong. The river flows through Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam before draining into the South China Sea south of Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon).