On 16 August 2025, The Water Agency (TWA) joined the United Nations Viet Nam “Local Youth Initiatives Fest for SDGs” in Hà Nội as part of the International Youth Day celebrations. More than thirty youth‑led and youth‑focused groups came together to exchange ideas and showcase their solutions for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). TWA’s booth stood out by putting people at the heart of the conversation and inviting everyone to take part in a hands‑on learning experience.
Hands‑on learning with the Groundwater Serious Game
At the center of the booth was the Groundwater Serious Game, an interactive simulation that puts players in the shoes of farmers. Over the course of three sessions, each lasting about an hour, twenty young participants played the game in both Vietnamese and English. The bilingual format helped everyone feel welcome and enabled a wider exchange of experiences.
During the sessions, players decided which crops to grow, how to manage water on their farms and whether to invest in technologies like drip irrigation or rainwater storage. The game presented realistic challenges such as droughts, saltwater intrusion and changing market prices. Players quickly learned that each farm’s choices affected the entire watershed. One participant observed that “maximising profit alone leads to groundwater loss for everyone,” while another noted that when groundwater is depleted “the economy also declines.”
What participants learned
Feedback from the event was very positive. On average, participants rated the experience 4.8 out of 5. They appreciated the chance to work together and discovered how cooperation leads to better outcomes for communities. Many said the activity was “harder than expected” because it required them to balance profit with sustainability. When asked what they would do differently next time, most said they would invest in water‑saving solutions earlier and talk to other farmers more from the start.
Key lessons from the sessions include:
- Strategic planning under limited resources – players learned to make careful decisions about crops, investments and timing.
- Collaborative negotiation – the game showed that success depends on talking with neighbours and finding shared solutions rather than acting alone.
- Risk awareness – participants saw how droughts, floods and market shocks can threaten livelihoods and why preparation is important.
- Systems thinking – by seeing how individual actions affect the whole region, players gained a deeper understanding of the links between water, farming and economic wellbeing.
Looking ahead
The Local Youth Initiatives Fest highlighted the energy and creativity of Viet Nam’s youth. TWA’s booth demonstrated that interactive tools like the Groundwater Serious Game can make complex topics accessible and engaging. The strong response from participants shows that young people are ready to take the lead on water sustainability when given the right opportunities.
TWA will continue to work with UN Viet Nam, UNESCO and local partners to scale up these efforts. Plans include developing training for new facilitators, adapting the game for different regions and exploring digital versions to reach more communities. Organisations interested in using the game or collaborating on youth‑oriented water projects are invited to get in touch with the TWA team. Together, we can support the next generation of leaders in building a more sustainable and water‑secure future for the Mekong Delta and beyond.
