Environment

From June 2025 to the end of 2028, Vietnam's domestic carbon exchange will operate on a pilot basis, aiming for official operation by February 2029. In an interview with reporters from Nhan Dan Newspaper’s weekly publication, Dr Tang The Cuong, Director of the Department of Climate Change under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, clarified both opportunities and challenges in achieving this goal.

Large-scale installations by internationally acclaimed Japanese artist Hiroshi Fuji featuring dinosaurs and various creatures made from discarded toys are being introduced to the public at an art exhibition in Hanoi entitled ‘Plastic Dinoland’.

Following the resounding success in Ho Chi Minh City and Hue, the art programme entitled “Hoa va rac” (Rejoice and Refuse) is expected to delight the capital's citizens through two performaces at the Hanoi Opera House on April 12 and 13.

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) on April 8 released it’s latest report assessing the readiness of Asia-Pacific economies to tackle climate-related challenges, with Vietnam identified as one of the 11 countries most vulnerable to climate change from a macroeconomic perspective.

Vietnam is recognised as a country with a relatively comprehensive legal framework for preventing the hunting, trapping, and capturing of wildlife. However, some overlapping and unclear provisions can make it difficult to handle violations effectively.

Truong Quang Trung, Director of the Quang Tri Provincial Special-use Forest Management Board, on April 4, announced the completion of a survey on the ancient natural apricot forest in the Trieu Nguyen Commune, Dakrong District, Quang Tri Province. The forest, which contains rare ancient apricot trees, has now been officially recognised.

Control Union Vietnam on April 4 awarded the Carbon Neutral Certificate for 2023 to TH Milk Joint Stock Company and Nui Tien Pure Water Co., Ltd, both under TH Group.

Waste is an inevitable part of modern life, and as life continues to develop, the challenge of waste management becomes increasingly urgent. We can no longer rely on outdated methods; waste management requires a new, integrated approach from public awareness and technical infrastructure to policy mechanisms, thus transforming waste from an environmental burden into a valuable resource for sustainable development.

A seminar on climate change action programmes in Vietnam was held in Ho Chi Minh City on April 3, co-organised by Belgium’s Flanders Investment and Trade and the Vietnam Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Climate Change.

A delegation from the Ministry of Finance led by Deputy Minister Ho Sy Hung has attended meetings with French agencies to learn experiences to prepare for the coming launch of a pilot carbon trade exchange in Vietnam.

A programme themed ‘HiGreen Truong Sa’ was launched in Hanoi on April 2 by the Military Commercial Joint Stock Bank (MB) in coordination with the Naval High Command in Hanoi.

Amidst an increasing number of export markets implementing legal timber regulations, particularly major importers such as the United States, the European Union, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, Vietnamese wood enterprises must proactively secure domestic raw material sources towards strengthening supply chain management and enhancing their competitiveness in the global market.

The sustainable potato production linkage project, implemented under a public-private partnership (PPP) model between the National Agricultural Extension Center (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) and enterprises PepsiCo Foods Vietnam and Syngenta Vietnam, has delivered remarkable results.

The Environmental Protection Law of 2020 significantly sh ifts waste management thinking. Instead of viewing waste as a burden, the law considers it a resource—an input material for the circular economy.

Vietnam is among the countries with high level of water usage, while the ability to regenerate water resources is under great pressure from climate change, rapid urbanisation and population growth. In this context, wastewater (especially industrial wastewater), if treated and reused effectively, will help reduce exploitation from natural water sources, protect ecosystems, and reduce environmental treatment costs.

Scientists worldwide have explored various methods to accurately predict when and where an earthquake will occur. However, to date, no country has been able to forecast earthquakes with precision or determine how to completely prevent their destructive impact.

Representatives of the Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Climate Change (IMHEN) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO) of Belgium have inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on scientific research and technological development cooperation in urban climate, climate change, sustainable energy, and water resources management.

The campaign titled “Gop la va rung – Vi mot Viet Nam xanh va phat trien ben vung” (Contribute leaves to mend forests – For a green and sustainable Vietnam) aims to plant approximately 36,000 trees, equivalent to restoring 60 hectares of forest, in Son La Province in 2025.

Saline intrusion is currently at its peak in the Mekong Delta. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, in March 2025, besides the saline intrusion event from March 12-15, another is forecasted to occur from March 27-30. The 4g/l saline intrusion level in the Mekong River estuaries may penetrate 42-58 km inland, which is 2-10 km less than the previous year.

The nationwide program to eliminate inadequate houses for poor and near-poor households is being urgently implemented, demonstrating the Party and State's commitment to ensuring stable housing for the people. This effort reflects humanitarian values and the spirit of mutual support within the community. Alongside this initiative, support programs for production, business, and job creation have also begun to show clear effectiveness.

On March 26, more than 1,000 domestic and international youths participated in the "Walk for People and the Planet" event, held at Vietnam National University of Forestry , in response to Youth Month and to contribute to the commitment of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 .

The initiative of planting and protecting forests is developing strongly in the mountainous areas of Phu Yen Province.

On March 25, in central city of Da Nang, the Management Board of the Son Tra Peninsula and Da Nang's Tourist Beaches, coordinated with the Vietnam-Japan Education System, to open the marine environmental festival entitled "Green Da Nang – Clean Seas."

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE) held a ceremony on March 24 to mark World Meteorological Day 2025, under the theme "Closing the Early Warning Gap Together."

Over the past three years, more than one million new trees have been planted throughout Vietnam with carefully selected species suitable for each area under the “Song khoe gop xanh” (Live Healthy, Contribute Green) programme.

Vietnam saved 448,000 kWh of electricity, equivalent to approximately 942.2 million VND (36,800 USD), during Earth Hour 2025, which took place from 8:30 to 9:30 pm on March 22, according to the National Power System and Market Operation Company (NSMO).

About five years ago when the movement to limit the use of polluting plastic products was growing, many alternatives were introduced into daily life. However, environmentally friendly products made from bamboo, rattan, coconut fibre, water hyacinth, sedge, banana leaves, paper, cotton fabric and so on, have increasingly disappeared from the market.

On our planet, water is undoubtedly one of the most crucial resources. Without water, life cannot exist. However, it is alarming that water’s essential role is often overlooked, if not entirely forgotten.

In recent years, in addition to forest carbon credits, many investors have shifted their focus to blue carbon credits, which refers to a type of carbon absorbed by marine ecosystems.

In response to Vietnam’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, Nhan Dan (People’s) Newspaper has officially launched a column on the Net Zero Journey.