Environment

On the journey toward Net Zero, alongside efforts to curb emissions, harnessing and accumulating carbon credits from nature is an effective solution. Recently, Vietnamese scientists have identified a natural carbon source with large reserves and high average storage capacity within mangrove forest ecosystems.

From January 1, 2026, Ha Noi officially rolled out a series of measures to curb the use of single-use plastics at markets, convenience stores, hotels and tourist sites, marking the start of a roadmap to reduce plastic waste and move towards sustainable consumption. After more than a week of implementation, many establishments have begun to comply with the regulations, but reality suggests there will still be considerable challenges before the policy fully takes effect.

After one year of implementing the Project on one million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice associated with green growth, farmers in the Mekong Delta have boldly changed their production mindset, so that Vietnamese rice has begun to acquire a “green identity” in the international market.

Facing increasing air pollution, Ha Noi has chosen a new direction: controlling traffic emissions through institutional measures, the application of artificial intelligence (AI), and monitoring technologies in order to enhance the effectiveness of urban management.

The carbon credit market is a key policy instrument that helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions through market-based mechanisms. However, for businesses to participate in the carbon market in a sustainable manner, relevant authorities need to promptly roll out concrete plans, solutions and an appropriate legal framework.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has officially launched the Viet Nam Agricultural Product Traceability System.

In the face of increasingly severe environmental pollution, green urban development not only reflects businesses’ responsibility in minimising negative impacts on the environment, but also meets residents’ growing demand for an all-round improvement in quality of life.

With the goal of fulfilling the commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and the strong shift towards green energy, self-produced and self-consumed rooftop solar power is emerging as one of the most effective solutions for households and businesses.

In 2022, the pilot scheme to develop raw material zones launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment was officially initiated. Following investment, these raw material zones have played a leading role in production, while also linking the “four stakeholders” — farmers, enterprises, scientists, and the state — in the development of modern agriculture.

A new circular issued by the Ministry of Construction clearly defines the boundaries and scope of maritime areas in Nghe An, contributing to improved effectiveness and efficiency in the management of maritime activities.

Temperatures at the peak of Fansipan (Lao Cai Province) dropped below zero on the morning of January 7. Combined with rainfall, the cold caused the water to freeze, forming ice that blanketed the area in white.

Ha Noi aims to cut average annual PM2.5 concentrations by around 20% by 2030 compared to 2024 levels, lowering them to below 40 µg/m³, as air pollution remains a serious challenge for the capital and other major urban areas.

In 2025, climate change has become more extreme and natural disasters have become more frequent; many rivers continue to be polluted, and the sky in major cities has been covered in a layer of fine dust smog on many days. Meanwhile, green development has been becoming a mandatory trend. These intertwined challenges require higher levels of operational capacity and action.

A positive sign in tackling air pollution in urban areas, especially Ha Noi, is the clear political determination affirmed from the central to local authorities.

Urbanisation in Viet Nam is gathering pace, but it also brings a host of challenges, including overloaded infrastructure, environmental pollution, heightened disaster risks and climate change. This reality underscores the urgent need to renew thinking and reform planning and governance approaches in urban development.

The Berlin State Office for Development Cooperation (Germany) has decided to provide funding for long-term access to clean water for at least 8,000 affected students, teachers and families in a show of solidarity with flood victims in Viet Nam.

In the face of climate change posing ever-greater challenges to Viet Nam, mastering and applying modern forecasting technologies has become a crucial strategy. This approach not only helps minimise loss of life and property but also affirms the nation’s self-reliant capacity in science and technology for disaster prevention and control.

In 2025, natural disasters struck relentlessly and with unprecedented ferocity, surpassing many historical records and causing severe damage across the country. Alongside the decisive involvement of the entire political system, international resources were mobilised promptly and effectively, helping disaster-affected people stabilise their lives and resume production at an early stage.

The Ministry of Finance, in coordination with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), organised a workshop on strategies for clean energy development and investment frameworks for provincial-level industrial zones in Dong Nai Province on December 26.

Transport vehicles are among the sources of greenhouse gas emissions, fine particulate matter and toxic gases that adversely affect human health. The rapid growth in the number of vehicles has created an urgent need to strengthen the capacity of competent authorities to control vehicle emissions.