How climate-smart farming is helping Vietnamese farmers thrive even in drought

"Drought affects our life and income. We want to plant trees, but there is no water."

For Chamalea Thi Thuynh, a smallholder farmer from the Raglai ethnic minority group in Ninh Thuan province, about 350 kilometres south of Ho Chi Minh City, climate change isn’t an abstract threat. It’s a daily struggle to keep crops alive. And she's not alone – across Viet Nam’s Central Highlands and South-Central Coast, smallholder farmers like her are grappling with increasingly harsh and unpredictable conditions. Rainy seasons arrive late or not at all. Dry spells stretch longer each year. And when the rains do come, they often bring floods instead of relief.

These shifting conditions are taking a serious toll, especially on farmers who rely on rain-fed agriculture. In the Central Highlands region, only around a quarter of farmland is irrigated, leaving many communities reliant on strained groundwater supplies. In the South-Central Coast – the country’s driest region – water shortages are a constant concern, particularly for women and ethnic minority farmers who already face systemic barriers to support and resources.

The impacts of extreme weather are hitting hard. In 2020, devastating floods swept through the Central Highlands, affecting more than 1.5 million people and causing an estimated $1.3 billion in losses. Meanwhile, rainfall across both regions has dropped sharply compared to historical averages, leaving fields parched, harvests lost and rural families facing mounting uncertainty about what the next season might bring.

"Drought has had a great impact on our coffee. Almost all of my plants dried up, their leaves and branches withered without water." – Ms. Pham Thi Hoa Dan, Dak Nong Province

These are not isolated stories – they reflect a growing reality for rural communities living on the edge of an increasingly unstable climate.

To help farming communities adapt to a changing climate, in 2020 the Government of Viet Nam, with support from UNDP and the Green Climate Fund, launched the SACCR project ("Strengthening the Resilience of Smallholder Agriculture to Climate Change-Induced Water Insecurity"). Focused on the Central Highlands and South-Central Coast, the project supports smallholder farmers to secure reliable water access, adopt climate-smart agricultural practices, and connect to vital resources like climate information, credit and markets.

A key priority is reaching those most at risk – especially women and ethnic minority farmers – who often face the steepest barriers to land, finance, training and decision-making. In the Central Highlands, where many ethnic groups rely on small-scale farming for their livelihoods, these challenges are particularly pressing. The project is working to close those gaps through inclusive and locally led solutions that build lasting resilience.

On the ground, progress is already visible. More than 1,100 climate-resilient ponds have been built or upgraded to capture and store rainwater, benefiting more than 22,000 farming households, more than half of them led by women.

These ponds were put to the test during the severe drought and extended dry season of 2024. Farmers reported that every project-supported pond retained water through the end of the season, helping to safeguard crops and livestock when it mattered most.

The ponds aren’t just securing water, they’re reducing reliance on costly groundwater pumping and cutting fuel expenses for farmers.

Under the project, irrigation systems have been improved across around 730 hectares of farmland. Last-mile connections are being installed to ensure that irrigation infrastructure reaches the most vulnerable farms. Around 200 water efficiency vouchers have been distributed – through which eligible farmers receive support for installing water-saving systems – and almost 22,000 farmers have been trained in climate-resilient agricultural practices.

or farmers like Chamalea Thi Thuynh, from Ra Giua village in Ninh Thuan, Viet Nam's driest region, the impact of the project has been life-changing: "I’m very happy – now we have enough water for growing the plants and for the cows to drink. With this, our economic status will improve."

"It was so discouraging to see our dragon fruit dry up. I’m happy that our dragon fruit now has enough water to live." – Thong Thi Mot, Tan Thuan commune in Binh Thuan.

To date, around 160 water user groups have been established to manage communal systems, with strong participation and leadership from women. But building resilience goes beyond water. The project is also equipping farmers with the knowledge and tools to better manage climate risks. Through seasonal forecasts and agro-climate bulletins, farmers are now getting localized, timely information on what to plant and when, helping to reduce losses and improve yields.

The project is also supporting farmers strengthen their access to credit and markets, critical steps for moving beyond short-term survival toward long-term sustainability. By partnering with local organizations like the Women’s Union, it is opening up new income opportunities for women and supporting their financial independence. Nearly 500 farmers, agri-cooperatives and value chain actors have participated in online and in-person training on market access, building practical skills in market analysis, business planning, product promotion, and engaging in trade events.

Thanks to this combination of water access, training and improved inputs, many farmers have reported yield increases of 15 to 30 percent.

Altogether, the project has reached more than 87, 000 people. 
For Bo Thi Hanh from Son Binh commune in Khanh Hoa province, the difference is tangible: "Thanks to farmer field schools, I have gained knowledge and skills in water management. Earlier, I used to water our crops based on experience, which often wasn't enough for our durian. Through these classes, I have learned to manage our water effectively and save 50 percent of the water." She reports strong returns: "My total revenue from durian this year is VND 400 million, and after all costs, I have a net income of VND 150 million."

Other farmers are also seeing positive results. Thong Van Duc, from Tan Thuan commune in Binh Thuan, found the season off to a promising start: "At the beginning of the dragon fruit season, we expect to harvest 13 tonnes. If the price is high, we could have a net income of several tens of millions of Vietnamese Dong (VND). Even if the price is low, we will still have some surplus."

Alongside hands-on training, farmers are receiving regular climate bulletins – shared through village loudspeakers, text messages and community meetings – helping them make smarter planting decisions, choosing the right crops at the right time to reduce risks and boost yields.
 
Reflecting on the project’s impact, UNDP Resident Representative in Viet Nam, Ramla Khalidi, highlights its significance, saying "Smallholder farmers in drought-prone regions are among the most vulnerable when extreme weather hits. Through these ponds, water harvesting systems, climate-smart training and practical support, we aim to help farmers build resilience and improve their livelihoods. The project focuses on the poor and near-poor, women-led household, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goal of leaving no one behind."

With strong local partnerships, the SACCR Project is delivering real results in some of Viet Nam’s most climate-vulnerable communities. Looking ahead, building on its successes, the project plans to replicate good practical models and attract more private-sector involvement to strengthen climate-resilient farming systems across the region.