Abstract

This study employed a combination of methods to provide an initial assessment of climate change (CC) status and to project future climate change trends in Vietnam. The results indicate that Vietnam is experiencing significant impacts of climate change, characterized by rising temperatures, irregular rainfall, stronger storms, and rapidly increasing sea levels. Over the past 60 years, the average temperature has increased by nearly 0.9°C, winters have become warmer, and heatwaves have become more intense. Extreme rainfall, drought, saltwater intrusion, and flooding are becoming increasingly severe, particularly in the Mekong Delta. Projections toward the end of the 21st century suggest that average temperatures could rise by 2–4°C, while sea levels may rise by up to 70 cm, posing serious threats to Vietnam’s socio-economic development and environmental security. Therefore, proactive adaptation, greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction, and integration of climate change scenarios into development planning are essential to ensure sustainable development in the context of increasing global climate variability.