In the sweltering heat of Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, a silent but deadly threat is spreading. The city of Cần Thơ recorded nearly 200 cases of dengue fever in July 2025 alone, reaching what health officials describe as an alert threshold for a community outbreak. This sharp rise, coupled with a similar surge in neighboring Vĩnh Long Province, has prompted urgent calls for action as hospitals struggle to manage the influx of patients, many of them children.
A Growing Crisis in Cần Thơ
The numbers paint a stark picture. According to the Cần Thơ Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the city saw a dramatic increase from an average of 40 cases per month in the first five months of 2025 to around 100 in June, before nearly doubling to 200 in July. By July 27, the cumulative total for the year stood at 1,188 cases, with the former Cần Thơ area accounting for 561 of them—a rise of 226 compared to the same period in 2024. While no deaths have been reported, the rapid escalation has raised alarm bells.
Dr. Hà Tấn Vinh, deputy director of the centre, emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that the July figures indicate a need for immediate response. The Cần Thơ City Pediatrics Hospital, a key facility in the region, has been particularly hard-hit, treating 554 in-patients with dengue fever in the first seven months of 2025—a 51 percent increase year-on-year. Among these, 59 cases were classified as severe, with children aged nine to 16 bearing the brunt of the illness. 
Dr. Nguyễn Huỳnh Nhật Trường, head of the hospital’s Dengue Department, highlighted the heightened risks for patients experiencing a second infection. The virus, transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, can cause more severe symptoms in subsequent exposures, often leading to complications such as dengue hemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome. As the rainy season persists in the Mekong Delta, creating ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes, health workers fear the situation could worsen without swift intervention.
Vĩnh Long Province Under Strain
The crisis extends beyond Cần Thơ. In Vĩnh Long Province, also in the Mekong Delta, health officials reported nearly 2,140 cases of dengue fever in the first seven months of 2025, a staggering increase of over 1,140 cases compared to the same period last year. Of these, 48 were severe, requiring intensive care. Vĩnh Long General Hospital has seen a sharp rise in hospitalizations in recent weeks, with its Department of Infectious Diseases treating nearly 150 cases so far this year.
Dr. Trần Chí Công, deputy head of the hospital’s Pediatrics Department, urged residents to take proactive measures and seek medical attention at the first sign of symptoms, which include high fever, severe headache, and joint pain. Meanwhile, Dr. Nguyễn Quang Vinh, deputy head of the Department of Infectious Diseases, stressed the importance of early diagnosis. He noted that medical facilities in the province are equipped to test for dengue within one to two days of fever onset, a critical window for reducing the risk of severe illness or death through timely treatment.
Health Authorities Mobilize
In response to the escalating outbreak, Vĩnh Long Province’s Department of Health has ramped up its efforts to contain the spread. Director Hồ Thị Thu Hằng outlined a multi-pronged approach, including enhanced epidemic monitoring at the grassroots level and ensuring that health facilities are stocked with necessary medicines, supplies, and chemicals to manage outbreaks. Collaboration with local authorities and organizations has also intensified, with public awareness campaigns encouraging residents to eliminate mosquito breeding sites around their homes—such as stagnant water in containers or discarded tires—and to use protective measures like bed nets and repellents.
These efforts mirror broader challenges across Vietnam, where dengue fever remains a persistent public health issue, particularly in the humid, tropical south. The Mekong Delta, with its dense population and extensive waterways, is especially vulnerable during the monsoon months, when mosquito populations surge. While Cần Thơ and Vĩnh Long are currently in the spotlight, other provinces in the region are also reporting rising cases, prompting fears of a wider epidemic if containment measures falter.
The Human Toll and Community Response
Beyond the statistics, the outbreak is taking a profound toll on families and communities. At Vinh Long General Hospital, the wards are filled with anxious parents watching over children battling high fevers and debilitating pain. The emotional and financial burden of treatment weighs heavily, particularly for rural families with limited access to healthcare resources. Yet, amidst the crisis, there is a growing sense of solidarity as local leaders and health workers rally to educate residents on prevention.
The surge in dengue cases serves as a stark reminder of the intersection between environmental conditions and public health in the Mekong Delta. Climate change, with its impact on rainfall patterns and temperatures, is exacerbating the conditions that allow mosquitoes to thrive. Urbanization and inadequate waste management further compound the problem, creating breeding grounds in densely populated areas. For now, the immediate focus remains on curbing the current outbreak, but long-term strategies—ranging from improved infrastructure to community-driven initiatives—will be crucial to preventing future crises.
As the Mekong Delta battles this wave of dengue fever, the resilience of its people is being tested. Health officials continue to monitor the situation closely, hopeful that early interventions and public cooperation will stem the tide. Yet, with the rainy season far from over, the question looms: can the region act swiftly enough to avert a larger catastrophe?
