According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, saline intrusion in early 2026 has largely followed long-term averages but has at times affected water supplies for farming and daily use.
From now until May, flows from the Mekong River into the delta are expected to continue decreasing.
The most severe intrusion at Mekong estuaries is forecast between March 19 and 23, when the four-gramme-per-litre salinity boundary could reach 42-55 kilometres inland along distributaries.
Along the Vam Co River system, saltwater is expected to penetrate even further.
At the mouths of the Vam Co and Cai Lon River, peak salinity periods are forecast during March 1-6, March 19-23, March 30-April 4 and April 18-21.
During these periods, the four-gramme-per-litre salinity boundary could reach 65-70 kilometres inland.
Authorities said irrigation infrastructure across the Mekong Delta has been strengthened in recent years, helping reduce the risk of widespread water shortages despite the intensifying saline intrusion.
