Traditional ecological knowledge is under threat in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta

Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) has long shaped how rural communities in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta (VMD) live with floods and manage natural resources. But TEK is eroding as climate change, altered flood patterns, intensive farming and rural–urban migration disrupt knowledge transmission and weaken nature-based livelihoods. While some see this as a chance to replace outdated practices with innovative ones, preserving TEK as a living resource is vital. Integrating TEK into the delta’s ‘living with nature’ strategy can support resilience and ensure future generations inherit both knowledge and adaptive capacity.