The Vietnamese Government has over the past time exerted a great deal of effort in addressing plastic waste in oceans by introducing various policies and regulations to tackle the scourge.
A fish model made of environmentally-friendly material is set up at My Khe beach in Da Nang city, which enables locals and tourists to collect plastic waste. It aims to raise public awareness of plastic pollution in the ocean (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - The Vietnamese Government has over the past ﷽time exerted agreat deal of effort in addressing plastic waste in oceans by introducingvarious policies and regulations to tackle the scourge.
Policies on reducing plastic waste inoceans Torealise the target 14.1 stated in the 2030 Agenda of the United Nations onreducing ocean plastic pollution, the 12th Party Central Committee issued ResolutionNo 36-NQ/TW regarding Vietnam’s sustainable maritime economic developmentꦅ to2030 with a view to 2045, while the Prime Minister issued Decision No1746/QD-TTg approving the national action plan on ocean waste management to2030.
Thecountry set itself a target of preventing, controlling, and significantlymitigating marine pollution and playing a pioneering role in the region inreducing plastic waste in oceans. TheMinistry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) has been ordered to prepareand carry out cooperation initiatives at regional and international forums aswell as promote the formation of partnerships in ocean plastic waste preventionand combat. Aproject in Vietnam to reduce plastic waste in oceans was approved in July, sponsoredby the German Ministry of the Environment, Nature Conservation, and NuclearSafety. Itis designed to build guiding documents and implement prioritised policies onplastic waste and communications, to raise public awareness and change attitudestowards plastic waste.
Garbage in Hon Son in Lai Son island commune in Kien Hai district of Kien Giang province (Photo: VNA)
Theproject will be rolled out in seven localities in the central region and the MekongDelta and the three marine protected areas of Cu Lao Cham, Con Dao, and PhuQuoc. Vietnam’sefforts in joining hands with the international community to reduce oceanplastic waste has also received support from international organisations via thecreation of projects. WorldWide Fund for Nature (WWF) Vietnam Country Director Van Ngoc Thinh said the WWFappreciates the Vietnamese Government’s engagement and commitment in activitiesto cut plastic waste and protect marine ecosystems and environments.
Measures taken to cut plastic waste in oceans
Relevantagencies have been urged to compile a project on Vietnam’s participation in talks for a global deal tostop plastic waste at sea for submission to the Prime Minister for approval inthe second quarter of 2021, and to prepare for the fifth meeting of the UNEnvironment Assembly, slated for February next year. TheVietnam Administration of Sea and Islands will partner with coastal localitiesand international organisations in the future on rolling out action plans andtasks related to reducing the amount of plastic that is washed into the world’soceans. Raisingpublic awareness has a significant role to play in cutting plastic waste in oceans,to create positive change in consumer behaviour, especially by women, therebyencouraging the use of environmentally-friendly products and the collection andrecycling of plastic products.
Garbage in Dam Nai coastal area in Ninh Thuan (Photo: VNA)
Inaddition, policies and regulations need to be strengthened to create a clearand effective legal corridor, in keeping with the circular economy, digitaltransformation, and corporate social responsibility. Closecooperation with international organisations and development partners, plus thesharing of information and experience between countries and territories inplastic waste management, have also brought positive results. MoNREhas also taken part in the Global Plastic Action Partnership and will kick-startprogrammes on plastic and reducing plastic waste in oceans./.
“It is time for us to take drastic and effective action to change models of production and the consumption of traditional plastic products in a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly manner,” Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung has said.
A project named “Humanitarian Aid and Post-Flood Recovery in Central Vietnam”, funded by the Dutch Relief Alliance under the Foreign Ministry of the Netherlands, was launched in the central province of Quang Nam on December 29.
Nestle Vietnam has recently been honoured for its contributions to environmental protection in the 2017-19 period by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE).
The Deposit Return System is seen as a potential instrument for effectively advancing Vietnam’s vision of a circular economy, as outlined in Article 142 of the 2020 Law on Environmental Protection.
The figures were highlighted in a Pre-Feasibility Study on a DRS tailored for single-use beverage packaging in Vietnam, conducted by Eunomia Research & Consulting.
Young people should not view AI as salvation but rather as a tool under human control. Young creators should focus on learning and accumulating practical knowledge, using AI as a tool to carry out artistic projects in the most effective and cost-efficient manner.
Saigon Hi-Tech Park’s ambitious 50% renewable energy goal far exceeds the city’s 15% target, positioning the park as a trailblazing “living lab” for sustainable energy solutions.
Vietnam's economic losses from natural disasters are estimated to account for 1 to 1.5% of GDP annually - a steep price that will continue to rise unless the country takes strong action.
Wutip, the first storm in the East Sea so far this year, has wreaked havoc across central Vietnam, claiming lives, displacing residents, and causing widespread damage to houses, crops, and infrastructure, the Department of Dyke Management and Disaster Prevention and Control reported as of 6:30 pm on June 13.
The tremor occurred at 7:39:46 am (Hanoi time), with the epicentre located at latitude 14.924°N and longitude 108.236°E, at a depth of approximately 8.1 kilometres. The natural disaster risk level was classified as 0 – the lowest on the scale.
Addressing a session on “Accelerating Financing for Resilience: Tailored Solutions for Disaster Risk Reduction,” Deputy Minister Hiep emphasised Vietnam's proposal in building sustainable financing in response to natural disasters, which aligns with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction's goals.
Vietnam has demonstrated its strong commitments by participating in global sustainable development forums, signing multiple free trade agreements, and attracting support from international partners for the implementation of the SDGs.
The fight against plastic pollution could not succeed through isolated efforts, but it must be a collective endeavour involving the entire political system, businesses, citizens, and the international community, said Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy.
Lang Son Global Geopark, with its outstanding geological values, cultural heritage, and unique natural landscapes, represents a valuable addition to UNESCO’s global geoparks system.
In 2019, Quang Ninh became one of the first localities in Vietnam to launch a province-wide campaign against plastic waste, mobilising the participation of the political system, the business sector, and the general public. Other localities—such as Hai Phong, Da Nang, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City—have also effectively implemented waste-sorting initiatives at source, along with models for plastic-free markets and urban areas.
This year’s World Oceans Day on June 8 is themed 'Wonderful Oceans: Sustaining What Sustains Us', while World Environment Day is on June 5 with the theme: 'Beat Plastic Pollution'.
According to Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment Le Huu Toan, a fire prevention and control plan has been in place since the dry season began, including round-the-clock patrols and rapid-response teams to snuff out fires before they could spread.
Renowned artists including Ha Anh Tuan, Den Vau, and Phan Manh Quynh, along with many directors and attendees, took part in planting hundreds of rare tree species such as mun (Diospyros mun) and cho chi (Parashorea chinensis) in the Thung Bong area of the Cuc Phuong National Park, contributing to forest ecosystem restoration.
The dispatch noted that since the beginning of 2025, natural disasters have claimed 29 lives and left several others missing. A total of 67 houses have collapsed, and 2,342 homes have been unroofed or damaged.
Its Forest Protection Sub-department has applied various specialised software and information technologies in forest management and protection and fire prevention.
In 2005, Nghe An had 570 captive bears, the largest number in Vietnam. Thanks to efforts by local authorities, forest rangers, and rescue forces, the number has fallen to just 15.
A fish model made of environmentally-friendly material is set up at My Khe beach in Da Nang city, which enables locals and tourists to collect plastic waste. It aims to raise public awareness of plastic pollution in the ocean (Photo: VNA) 
Garbage in Hon Son in Lai Son island commune in Kien Hai district of Kien Giang province (Photo: VNA) 
Garbage in Dam Nai coastal area in Ninh Thuan (Photo: VNA) 
