The Water Agency recently brought an immersive role-playing game to the Youth Initiative Festival in Hanoi, where participants could learn about groundwater conservation in the Mekong Delta.
The Mekong Delta, Vietnam’s largest rice basket, is facing the threat of groundwater depletion and land subsidence due to overexploitation. Despite the existence of Decree 167/2018/NĐ-CP, implementation remains challenging due to a lack of data, monitoring, and awareness among stakeholders, especially the community.
In response to this challenge, a group of experts developed the “Groundwater Serious Game”—an engaging role-playing game about groundwater management. This innovative approach transforms a complex issue into a relatable and visual experience for the players.
Youth playing the game at the Youth Initiative Festival.
According to Huệ Trịnh, a consultant at The Water Agency, the irrigation and farming systems in the Mekong region are intricate and diverse. While scientific research provides valuable data, the practical experience of farmers offers a unique perspective that may not always align with academic conclusions. To address this, a project team comprising The Water Agency, Deltares, the Institute for Circular Economy Development (ICED), the University of Hanoi (HUNRE), and Wageningen University & Research (WUR) initiated the Negotiating Groundwater Serious Game project (2023–2025).
Ms. Huệ shared that the goal is to create a tool that is not only visual but also rooted in practical experiences, allowing farmers to “play” and simultaneously understand the consequences of their crop choices and irrigation methods. Through the game, players realize that every production decision directly impacts water resources and their future livelihoods.
From Game to Real-World Impact
During 2023–2025, the team conducted 30 household surveys in the former Bến Tre and Sóc Trăng provinces, trained 15 facilitators, and organized two workshops with over 60 farmers. The game also incorporated practical solutions from the Mekong Salt Lab.
“People found the toolkit interesting and easy to share. More importantly, they realized that their own irrigation and farming practices could deplete groundwater resources—the long-term ‘lifeline’ of the delta,” said Ms. Huệ.
The project team affirmed the effectiveness of Groundwater Serious Game as an educational and creative communication tool, embodying The Water Agency’s spirit of using innovation to connect communities and drive action for sustainable water management.
After successful pilot tests in the Mekong Delta, the game made its debut in Hanoi during the Youth Initiative Festival. City students and youth had the opportunity to play and provide feedback, helping the team improve the game’s accessibility and user-friendliness.
“In the future, we hope to bring the game to more universities, water forums in Vietnam, and eventually, international communities,” shared Ms. Huệ. “The game not only enhances understanding of irrigation systems and groundwater extraction but also creates a multi-stakeholder dialogue platform—involving farmers, scientists, and policymakers—to collectively build sustainable solutions.”
Emphasizing the importance of responsible water usage, The Water Agency representative added, “Water is not always readily available, and if we use it irresponsibly, we will burden future generations.” The team’s key message is to promote water conservation, smart usage, and sustainability for the benefit of families, communities, and the ecosystem.
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