The report was released on October 16 at a seminar on the exchange of international experience on the implementation of policies on climate change adaptation and the situation in Vietnam, held in Nha Trang City by the National Assembly’s Committee for Science, Technology and Environment and Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung Southeast Asia.

Each year Vietnam loses an average of 1,800 hectares of mangrove forests in Ca Mau

According to the report, Vietnam's mangrove forests have fallen from 408,500 hectares in 1943 to 189,200 hectares in 2000, and just 168,688 hectares in 2013.

Hoang Van Thang, deputy minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that the situation is a result of human activity. The forests are threatened by a combination of elements, including climate change, the rising sea levels, stronger winds, hydropower dams and deforestation stemming from shrimp farms and resorts.

In order to improve the situation, the ministry has proposed that the government enforce its policies related to deforestation and forest protection.

Experts on the issue agree that efforts should be made to increase people’s awareness of forest protection, along with a speedier application of advanced technologies for growing mangrove forests.