Mekong Dispatch-April 2025
The news aggregator serving the region.
April 2025 Issue
Mekong Dispatch, originally developed as a news aggregator, understands the growing concerns over press freedom and the escalating environmental crises and now seeks to secure its future as an evolving independent platform dedicated to amplifying local voices. By prioritizing and encouraging original reporting and commentary on environmental challenges, Mekong Dispatch aims to foster greater awareness and accountability. The platform plans to expand its coverage, providing increased commentaries, in-depth journalism, and special reports highlighting the intersection of environmental issues, policy, and community resilience. We would love to hear from you. This is your free newsletter. Please click and sign up for more, including weekly dispatches — The editors.
April Highlights
Going Upstream for Lasting Solutions: Wisdom on Water, Energy, and Food from the Mekong-Korea International Water Forum by UNOSSC April 22, 2025.
Every day, tens of millions of people depend on the Mekong River for water, energy, and food. Behind this lifeline is the tireless work of thousands—across farms, power stations, research centers, and communities—ensuring these essential resources flow across Southeast Asia.
Vietnam's fortunes actually take a dramatic turn, and not for worst by James Borton April 15, 2025.
Once slapped with a staggering 46% tariff in President Donald Trump’s initial “Liberation Day” trade offensive, the Southeast Asian nation now finds itself in a much better spot — benefiting from a reduced 10% tariff rate, in line with most other countries.
Vietnam Factory Boom From First Trump Trade War Launches Sand Trade by Andy Lin and Spe Chen April 15, 2025.
A new crop of factories requires roads, and that means sand. To keep up, the country is importing from Cambodia on a massive scale.
The Lancang-mekong Cooperation enters its 10th year, six countries Forge ‘Golden Platform’ by April 7, 2025.
China is willing to coordinate closely with the five Mekong countries to promote the continuous improvement and upgrading of cooperation in various fields and create “Lancang-Mekong Cooperation 2.0”.
Environment
China and Cambodia agree on financing for a 94-mile canal linking the Mekong to the Gulf of Thailand by Sopheng Cheang April 18, 2025.
Cambodia and China have signed a $1.2 billion deal to finance an ambitious canal project that aims to boost trade efficiency by linking a branch of the Mekong River near Phnom Penh to a port on the Gulf of Thailand, the Cambodian government agency heading the project announced Friday.
Proactive measures mitigate saltwater intrusion damage in Mekong Delta by Viet Bao April 18, 2025.
The proactive implementation of measures designed to prevent saltwater intrusion has helped alleviate the impacts of salinity in the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta and secure water for domestic and agricultural use this dry season.
Vital Mekong fish corridors tracked for first time, but funding cuts threaten future research by Mongabay April 18, 2025.
The first-ever acoustic telemetry network in the Mekong River has tracked key migration corridors critical to the survival of fish in Cambodia and Laos.
Mekong Delta province receives red crowned cranes from Thailand by Voice of Vietnam April 11, 2025.
The Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap has said it is going to receive the first six red-crowned cranes from Thailand to Vietnam, as part of efforts to restore and develop the species through captive breeding and reintroduction into the wild.
Cambodia records sixth newborn rare Mekong dolphin in 2025 by The Star April 6, 2025.
Another newborn Mekong Irrawaddy dolphin has been sighted, raising the number of newborn dolphin calves in Cambodia to six so far this year, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) said in a press release on Saturday (April 5).
Geopolitics
Key projects in Mekong Delta set to commence, be inaugurated during holiday by SGGPNews April 17, 2025.
Several key projects in the Mekong Delta localities will be commenced and inaugurated on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 –2025).
China, Cambodia join hands to build a better Lancang-Mekong by Lim Menghour and Du Lan April 16, 2025.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the first Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Foreign Ministers' Meeting. The further deepening of relations between China and Cambodia will drive closer cooperation under the framework of the LMC and regional mechanisms.
Can Tho to lead Mekong Delta after provincial merger plan approved by Vietnamnet Global April 16, 2025.
The central government has approved reducing the number of provincial-level administrative units to 34. Among the planned mergers is the unification of Can Tho City, Soc Trang Province, and Hau Giang Province. The new name is expected to remain “Can Tho City,” with its political and administrative center located in the current Can Tho City.
China's Xi calls for greater cooperation with Vietnam by Reuters April 13, 2025.
Chinese President Xi Jinping called for stronger cooperation with Vietnam in industrial and supply chains and wider collaboration in emerging fields. Xi also urged strengthening coordination and cooperation through regional initiatives such as the East Asia Cooperation and the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation.
Laotian pair nabbed for Mekong meth smuggling by Puntid Tantivangphaisal April 10, 2025.
Two Laotian men were apprehended while attempting to smuggle methamphetamine concealed in oxygen tanks across the Mekong River. The police detected the drug due to its strong odor emanating from the tanks, which contained over 300,000 tablets.
Widespread support for plans for new Tonle Sap, Mekong ports by Niem Chheng April 8, 2025.
Officials and tourism industry insiders alike have described the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers as Cambodia’s “uncut gems” and shared their support for initiatives to build ports along these rivers to serve the tourism sector and transportation.
Cross-border tourism in the Mekong region strong, despite regional challenges by The Star April 5, 2025.
In a time of geopolitical tensions, cross-border tourism in Southeast Asia remains a testament to the strength of regional cooperation and the commitment of neighbouring countries to bolster their tourism sectors.
Mekong Institute Expresses Solidarity with Myanmar and Thailand Following Devastating Earthquake by Mekong Institute April 2, 2025.
The Mekong Institute (MI) extends its deepest sympathies to the people of Myanmar and Thailand following the catastrophic 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday, March 28, 2025. The earthquake, the strongest to hit Myanmar in over a century, sent tremors rippling across the region, reaching neighboring Thailand and China.
Event(s)
Mekong Day – 30th Anniversary of the 1995 Mekong Agreement by Mekong River Commission April 24, 2025.
Thirty years ago, on 5 April 1995, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand, and Vietnam came together to sign the Agreement on Cooperation for the Sustainable Development of the Mekong River Basin, known as the 1995 Mekong Agreement.