Ha Long-based shop displays innovative solutions for plastic pollution reduction
A shop of the “Ending Plastic Pollution Innovation Challenge” (EPPIC) which displays innovative products and services aimed at reducing plastic pollution was opened in Ha Long city, northern Quang Ninh province, on January 7.
Delegates cut the ribbon to open the EPPIC shop in Ha Long city, Quang Ninh province, on January 7 (Photo: quangninh.gov.vn)
Quang Ninh (VNA) – A shopof the “Ending Plastic Pollution Innovation Challenge” (EPPIC) which displays innovative products and servicesaimed at reducing plastic pollution was opened in Ha Long city, northern QuangNinh province, on January 7.
Thisactivity looks to assist innovative solutions for environmental protection tobe implemented in reality so as to improve local residents’ awareness andbehaviours relevant to single-use plastic items.
The items on show, made fromenvironmentally friendly materials, were among the winners of the EPPIC competitionfor the ASEAN region, which sought solutions to plastic pollution in Ha LongBay of Vietnam and Samui Island of Thailand. This contest was organised by theUnited Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Vietnam Administration ofSeas and Islands (VASI), with support from the Norwegian Government.
The items on show were all made from environmentally friendly materials (Photo: baoquangninh.com.vn)
Addressing the opening ceremony, Patrick Haverman, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Vietnam,noted by taking joint actions through EPPIC activities, Vietnam and other ASEANcountries can have a chance to change and transform from one of the world’s biggestplastic polluters into a leading driving force for reform to combat plasticpollution and waste.
Luu Anh Duc, Deputy Director of the departmentfor international cooperation at VASI, expressed his hope that the EPPIC shopwill not only be a place for showcasing environmental protection products butalso become a dynamic forum for the individuals, businesses, and organisations attentive to environmental issues, including plastic waste, therebyhelping promote sustainable development./.
A social network campaign called “Plastic-19 Lockdown Challenge” was launched by UNESCO and the Centre for Supporting Green Development (GreenHub) on October 15 to inspire the community to reduce the use of plastics.
The Department of Natural Resources and Environment of central Da Nang city organised a workshop to introduce the “Clean cities, blue ocean” (CCBO) programme on November 2.
A seminar on marine pollution control was held in both in-person and online forms on November 30 by the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV) and the Embassy of France in Hanoi.
A national forum on marine plastic waste management for sustainable fishery development took place on December 23, offering opportunities for sides involved to discuss activities in implementing the sector’s action plan for such management during the 2020-2030 period.
An exhibition on plastic waste reduction opened in Hanoi on January 7, aiming to help change citizens' mindset and behavior regarding the use of plastic bags and other single-use plastic products.
Under the directive, the PM instructed relevant agencies to regularly inspect, supervise and proactively implement disaster prevention, response and rescue measures in line with their assigned roles and mandates, ensuring readiness, avoiding passivity or delays, and maintaining operational continuity amid ongoing political and administrative restructuring at levels.
According to Dr. Vu Anh Tuan, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam Space Centre and head of the project, this is the first study in Vietnam to simultaneously employ Sentinel-2 satellite data, advanced machine learning algorithms, and the Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud computing platform to model and monitor key seawater quality parameters.
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.