“Breaking the waves” presents a study of the impact, efficiency and sustainability of the “Community-based Mangrove Reforestation and Disaster Preparedness Programme” that has been implemented by Viet Nam Red Cross (VNRC) since 1994. This report and its sister publication (“Planting protection”) are both results of a programme evaluation conducted in January 2011. This report presents the achievements made by the overall programme, and includes case studies of five communes, which present findings in greater detail and make the calculation of costs and benefits more transparent. Published in 2011.