Abstract

Land surface subsidence in the Mekong Delta has been studied by many authors and are presented in many conferences and scientific seminars. Most publications claimed that land subsidence is caused by excessive groundwater withdrawal. This paper reviews the problem: whether the surface subsidence is caused only by groundwater extraction or by other reasons? Based on results calculated by the Lohman formula and shallow subsidence monitoring results from another study, the authors have a quite different opinion: land surface subsidence in the Mekong Delta is caused by many factors, in which groundwater extraction plays a very small role; the main cause is the consolidation subsidence of surface mud-clay layer. On this basis, the authors raise some recommendations for the exploitation and sustainable development of groundwater resources in this region in the context of high impact of climate change.