Coastal morphological changes in the Red River Delta under increasing natural and anthropic stresses

River deltas are the best place to study intense human–earth interactions and the resultant morphological changes and sedimentary records. The coastal evolution history of the Red River Delta (RRD) is examined by time-series analysis of multiple coastline locations. We find that spatiotemporal variation in seawall locations and vegetation lines are obviously site-specific due to intense human interference, while changes in 0 m isobaths are highly dependent on external stresses. Coastal erosion and deposition patterns are determined firstly by sediment inputs from different distributaries, and secondly by sediment redistribution with tides, waves, and longshore currents. The causes of chronic erosion along the Hai Hau coast include swift distributary channels, negligible sediment supply by the regional longshore current, and continuous sediment export by local wave-generated longshore and offshore currents. The area of intertidal flats decreased significantly due to land reclamation and decelerating coastal accretion. The area of mangrove forests decreased first due to human deforestation, and then increased gradually due to artificial plantation. Poorly designed coastal infrastructures may increase risks of coastal erosion and flooding disasters. More coastal sectors in the RRD may turn into erosion due to continuous decrease in riverine sediment discharges, deserving more attention on proper coastal protection and management.