Deep in the UNESCO-recognized lush mangrove forests of Cần Giờ, a coastal suburban district of Ho Chi Minh City, off-grid salt farmers rely on government subsidized solar panels to make a living. Solar power is used sparingly to cook, charge phones, watch TV and sometimes to power water pumping machines for salt production, which are traditionally fueled by diesel.
Yet its remoteness, strong winds, heavy rain and high salinity makes powering the island difficult. Despite receiving government subsidies, hamlet residents are struggling with maintenance costs and device deterioration.
Watch a VOV (Voice of Vietnam) documentary on the challenges of powering the remote salt-making island of Thiềng Liềng below.
This story was produced with support from Internews’ Earth Journalism Network. It was originally published on VOV on March 29, 2025.
