Following are five important steps taken by the French in order to develop the Mekong Delta Region:
1. The French colonial government began to build large canals in the Mekong delta region.
2. Infrastructure projects were undertaken to ensure easy and smooth movement of goods from one part to the other part of the country.
3. The French augmented rice production in the region by building an extensive irrigation system (canals and earthworks) through forced labour. Three fourths of the increased production was exported, and thus by 1931, Vietnam became the third largest exporter of rice in the world.
4. Work was started on the Trans Indo-China rail link which would connect the northern and southern parts of Vietnam and China.
5. A second line was built between Vietnam and Siam (Thailand) through Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia.
