Environment

From June 1, E10 petrol will be adopted nationwide, replacing existing petrol grades, except E5 RON92. This measure is part of the Vietnamese government’s roadmap to reduce emissions from fossil fuels.

A line-up of Vietnamese artists joined the first 1,000 ticket holders in planting more than 1,000 trees at the Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve, helping to spread the message of environmental protection and sustainable ecosystem development, as part of the Trang An–Ninh Binh Forestival 2026 Music and Creativity Festival, on May 29.

Amid concerns that the use of E10 biofuel petrol (comprising 10% ethanol and 90% mineral petrol) could affect car and motorbike engines, regulatory agencies and businesses have confirmed that they have not received any negative feedback regarding this fuel, while studies and trials have concluded that E10 petrol is suitable for most vehicles currently in circulation.

From June 1, E10 biofuel will go on sale nationwide. Prior to the large-scale rollout, technical assessments and pilot trials confirmed that the fuel poses no significant risks to modern vehicle engines.

Viet Nam is widely recognised as one of the world’s most biodiverse countries, home to numerous internationally significant protected areas, unique and renowned natural landscapes, diverse forest, marine and wetland ecosystems, as well as many endangered, rare and precious species and valuable genetic resources.

Experience across many localities shows that a shift in mindset among Party committees when directing urban planning is a central solution to safeguard communities during natural disasters and promote sustainable socio‑economic development.

On May 28, in Ha Noi, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, in coordination with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the British Embassy in Viet Nam and the World Economic Forum (WEF), organised the launch ceremony of the National Blue Carbon Action Partnership (NBCAP) Programme and the first meeting of the NBCAP Viet Nam Implementation Working Group.

From July, Viet Nam will officially implement a legal framework for forest carbon credit transactions when Government Decree 180/2026 on forest carbon absorption and sequestration services takes effect.

A cooperation programme under the KOICA IBS project was launched in Luu Kiem ward, Hai Phong city, on May 26 with a view to promoting circular agriculture, environmental treatment and sustainable development.

The Australian Government has announced a commitment of up to 10 million USD to venture capital firm Do Ventures Fund II, providing capital for climate-focused Vietnamese businesses and strengthening Viet Nam’s climate investment market to attract greater private finance.

The government has issued Decree No. 180/2026/ND-CP on forest carbon sequestration and storage services.

Launched in 2021 with funding from the Norwegian people through WWF-Norway and WWF-Viet Nam, the “Hue – Plastic Smart City in Central Viet Nam” project aims to help Hue protect rivers, wetlands and coastal ecosystems from plastic pollution while building the city into a model plastic-reduced urban area in central Viet Nam.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, in coordination with the Hai Phong City People’s Committee and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), organised a rally in response to the International Day for Biological Diversity 2026 in the port city on May 22.

E10 biofuel will officially be distributed nationwide from June 1 under the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s roadmap on energy transition and environmentally friendly fuel use.

As many countries are making substantial investments in marine biological databases and indigenous genetic resources, the establishment of a DNA database for Viet Nam’s marine organisms represents an important step towards enhancing the nation’s capacity for fundamental scientific research, while also laying the groundwork for interdisciplinary studies.

In the context of implementing the commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, Viet Nam’s forestry sector is facing a dual historic mission: to accelerate its development to become a spearhead economic sector with global competitiveness while affirming its role as a core “carbon sink”, firmly protecting national ecological security.

Biodiversity loss in Viet Nam has reached alarming levels in recent years. Fields, forests, and wetlands that once served as habitats for numerous rare bird species, including many listed on the IUCN Red List, have continued to shrink or disappear.

Amid the vast Truong Son forests rises U Bo Peak, the “roof” of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in Quang Tri Province. In this place of year-round mist and drifting moisture stands a forest protection station safeguarding the forest heritage.

Viet Nam is facing a heightened risk of forest fires amid prolonged hot and dry weather, prompting authorities to step up prevention and response measures nationwide.

Viet Nam is undergoing a strong transformation, shifting from a traditional energy-dependent economy to a green, low-emission growth model. Its commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 is no longer merely a political declaration, but is increasingly being translated into concrete and decisive actions.