On March 14th, 2026, the Mekong Institute – Can Tho University organized a stakeholder consultation meeting on “Towards Urban Flood Adaptation Solutions in Can Tho City” in combination with a Photovoice Exhibition, with the participation of community representatives, local authorities, experts, and researchers from both Vietnam and abroad from Can Tho University, Australian National University, University of Melbourne, York University, Lingnan University and Work in Progress Philippines. The event also welcomed more than 30 local officials and community members currently living and working in Ninh Kieu, O Mon, and Binh Thuy wards of Can Tho City.
The consultation created an open platform for dialogue among community groups that are particularly vulnerable to urban flooding, including delivery service workers, small-scale women traders, and the Khmer ethnic community, together with representatives from local authorities, businesses, and experts. Through group discussions, participants shared experiences, initiatives, and real-life practices and pilot efforts in responding to flooding, while also identifying enabling conditions , barriers, and recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of urban flood adaptation solutions in Can Tho City.
In addition, the Photovoice Exhibition showcased photographs taken by community members themselves, emphasizing their active role in documenting and narrating their own stories. Through visual storytelling, the exhibition highlighted authentic lived experiences, everyday life, and livelihood activities, as well as community-led efforts to adapt to urban flooding. The exhibition tour, sharing sessions, and voting activities created a meaningful interactive space between community members, researchers, and other stakeholders.
The event not only fostered dialogue among communities, experts, and government agencies but also contributed to strengthened multi-stakeholder participation and collaboration in co-developing sustainable and context-specific adaptation solutions for the future resilience of Can Tho City.
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