On the morning of October 11, 2026, the Women4Mangrove Phase 1 summary event took place at the Fatherland Front Hall in An Thanh commune, Can Tho City, Vietnam. The event was a meaningful moment to look back on a year of persistent work restoring the coastal mangrove ecosystem of Cu Lao Dung, hand in hand with empowering local women and developing sustainable livelihoods.
Women4Mangrove Phase 1 at a Glance (September 2025 – October 2026)
Over its first phase, the Women4Mangrove project reached a series of milestones that the whole community can be proud of:
- Up to 5 hectares of abandoned and eroded mangrove apple (Sonneratia caseolaris) forest protected and replanted
- Nearly 2,000 seedlings planted, of which 1,610 trees have firmly taken root in the mudflats
- 01 nursery and 01 community house, led and coordinated by local women
- 10 main events with more than 260 direct participants
- Presence at 7 major international forums
- 02 MoUs signed for international research cooperation
- Coverage by 05 press and television agencies
Key Achievements of Phase 1
Restoring Mangrove Forests in Cu Lao Dung
The project successfully protected and replanted up to 5 hectares of abandoned and eroded mangrove apple forest with nearly 2,000 seedlings. Among these, 1,610 trees have firmly taken root in the mudflats, thanks to the tireless joint efforts of the community and local authorities.
Community Spaces Led by Local Women
Women4Mangrove built one mangrove nursery and one community house, both led and coordinated by local women themselves. These spaces put women at the centre of mangrove conservation and community life on the island.
Events and International Forums
The project organized 10 main events, connecting with more than 260 direct participants, and shared the Cu Lao Dung experience at 7 major international forums, including events in Nairobi (Kenya), Bangkok (Thailand), Phu Quoc and Hanoi (Vietnam), Hainan (China), and Bali (Indonesia).
Elevating Local Livelihoods with OCOP Products
Local women were trained to develop OCOP products from local resources, such as mangrove apple flower tea and dried nipa palm (water coconut). Notably, the project has also researched exporting dried nipa palm flowers to international markets for functional food research.
Education and Research
Women4Mangrove released bilingual infographics that bring conservation knowledge closer to children, the elderly, and vulnerable groups. The project also signed 02 MoUs for international research cooperation and received a research networking fund sponsored by the University of Zurich (read about the University of Zurich field visit to Cu Lao Dung).
Press Coverage
The project’s activities were featured in reports by 05 press and television agencies.
Insights from RMIT University’s Centre for Nature Positive Solutions
The event was honored to welcome a delegation of guest experts from the Centre for Nature Positive Solutions (CNPS) at RMIT University, Australia: Dr. Maria Palacios, Dr. Micheli Costa, and Dr. Melissa Wartman.
The experts shared insightful perspectives on the link between ecosystems and livelihoods. They highlighted the role of mangroves in coastal protection and in supporting diverse sustainable livelihood models, such as food production, ecotourism, and co-management of forest conservation.
They also introduced methods that use satellite imagery to monitor mangrove change over time, and shared advanced restoration solutions currently applied in Australia, including:
- Biodegradable structures that help retain sediment;
- Large-scale drone seeding;
- Trials of floating wetland models.
The RMIT experts expressed their appreciation for the practical knowledge of the Cu Lao Dung community, and their wish to collaborate with the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) and the Women4Mangrove project on student exchange programs and joint research, contributing to the conservation and promotion of mangrove forests together with local people.
Phase II: Towards a Community-Led Mangrove Living Lab
Building on these achievements, the project officially launches Phase II, a 4-year roadmap, with a clear core vision:
“From a project to a self-sustaining model – community-led, where the forest generates income.”
The next focus is to upgrade the current facilities into a Mangrove Living Lab, where local people directly co-manage the mangroves, develop community-based tourism, and share indigenous knowledge.
Thank You to Our Partners and the Cu Lao Dung Community
This journey would not have been possible without the support of authorities at all levels, our partner network, and domestic and international scientists, including RMIT University and the University of Zurich.
Above all, we express our deepest gratitude to the entire community of Cu Lao Dung and An Thanh communes for stepping forward together to build a green ecosystem and a sustainable community. Learn more about why women are at the heart of mangrove conservation in the Mekong Delta.
Learn More
🌐 GEDSI Mekong: https://gedsimekong.org
🌐 Women4Mangrove: https://women4mangrove.com
📘 Facebook: Women4Mangrove
💼 LinkedIn: Women4Mangrove
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