The visit was meant to provide the Canadian Secretary of State with first-hand insights into Can Gio’s mangrove forest model amid escalating global climate change challenges, community-based forest management, and the potential to strengthen Canada–Vietnam trade and technological cooperation in forest conservation and management.

During the trip, Sarai learned about the reality of Vietnam’s mangrove ecosystems, as well as the role of forest management in climate resilience and opportunities to generate forest carbon credits.

Sarai and his delegation were received by Huynh Duc Hoan, director of the Ho Chi Minh City Special-Use and Protection Forest Management Board, who introduced the key functions and values that the mangrove ecosystem provides to local communities, residents, and the country as a whole.

“These include major roles such as coastal protection, its contribution to addressing climate change, and the value of the mangrove forest as a ‘blue carbon’ sink for Ho Chi Minh City,” Hoan said.

Hoan added that during brief discussions, Secretary Sarai showed interest in forest resource management to enhance carbon sink value, climate change issues including sea-level rise, and local livelihoods, particularly among communities contracted to protect the forest.

According to Hoan, 135 households have been assigned to protect the forest, allowing residents to both safeguard the mangrove ecosystem and harvest products within their designated management areas.

Under state policy, local residents receive partial wage support for forest protection, while also earning income from fishing and harvesting shrimp, crabs, and other aquatic resources within the forest.

In addition, households are permitted to set aside small areas to raise aquatic species to supplement their income.

The Can Gio mangroves were completely destroyed during the war before Ho Chi Minh City decided to begin restoration in 1978, and the Can Gio mangrove forest now spans 35,000 hectares.

The restoration of the Can Gio mangrove forest has brought numerous benefits, including food, livelihoods, and opportunities for recreation and tourism.

Beyond this, the Can Gio mangrove reserve is a blue carbon sink and it can store greenhouse gases for hundreds of years, making it an invaluable natural buffer that helps mitigate climate change.

The Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve also acts as a 'living green wall' protecting Ho Chi Minh City and provides a critical natural defense against coastal hazards such as tsunamis.

Joining the Thursday visit, Hoang The Anh, a representative of EarthDaily, a Canadian technology company specializing in Earth observation and remote sensing, said cooperation between Canada and Vietnam could deliver mutual benefits.

He noted that Vietnam could supply high-quality mangrove carbon credits, while Canada could contribute technologies to support forest management and ensure transparent, verifiable carbon projects.

Canada’s high-end satellite imagery and AI processing technologies are capable of interpreting data from forest ecosystems, including forest stocks, tree species composition, overall forest quality, and areas vulnerable to degradation, Anh explained.

CA$81.28 million in development funding for projects in Vietnam

During his visit in Vietnam, Secretary Sarai met with key government leaders and development partners to explore new opportunities, and to see where Canada and Vietnam’s development and trade priorities are aligned, particularly in areas like climate resilience, agriculture, and clean energy.

According to the Canadian Embassy in Vietnam, Sarai on Thursday announced an aid package worth CA$81.28 million for development projects in Vietnam, focusing on several key areas.

The funding will be used to promote private investment in social impact enterprises, helping businesses better support vulnerable groups.

It will also support financial institutions in expanding access to and improving services for women-owned and women-led small- and medium-sized enterprises.

In addition, the aid will assist communities in recovering from the impacts of recent storms, floods, and landslides through disaster risk management initiatives and climate-smart agricultural practices.

Support will also be provided to help local communities adapt to climate change while increasing investment in forest conservation.

The package further seeks to strengthen women’s political participation, promote inclusive governance, and improve access to justice.

These development cooperation projects are expected to contribute significantly to building a greener economy and reducing vulnerabilities linked to climate change in Vietnam.