Brussels (VNA) - Belgium’s Antwerp Zoo has announced its involvement in a global initiative to reintroduce the critically endangered Vietnam pheasant into its native habitat.
This rare bird, a symbol of Vietnam’s rich biodiversity, is teetering on the brink of extinction due to habitat destruction and poaching.
As part of the campaign, Antwerp Zoo will contribute two young birds and conduct genetic research to ensure the released population maintains healthy diversity.
The ultimate goal is to establish three sustainable populations of pheasant at different locations in the forests of central Vietnam that can sustain themselves without further human help, said Jan Dams, head of the project.
Discovered in the late 19th century, the Vietnam pheasant once inhabited Vietnamese lowland forests along rivers. However, years of war and deforestation devastated its habitat, pushing the species to the brink of extinction. For the past 25 years, there have been no confirmed sightings of the bird in the wild.
In 2024, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) officially classified the Vietnam pheasant as "Critically Endangered – Possibly Extinct in the Wild." However, hope endures as around 1,000 Vietnam pheasants are currently safeguarded in zoos across the globe, forming a vital foundation for species restoration.
ඣ The non-governmental organisation Viet Nature has built a centre for the bird, adjacent to a nature reserve where the species once occurred. It will continue to breed specimens from participating zoos and will set up an educational project to involve the local community. /.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) on June 21 added Cat Tien National Park in southern Vietnam to its Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas. This made Cat Tien become the first national park and the second conservation area in Vietnam to receive the prestigious designation.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature recently added Cat Tien National Park in southern Vietnam to its Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas, making it the 72nd in the world and the second in Vietnam to achieve the distinction.
Mariam Sherman, World Bank Country Director for Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, said the World Bank remains committed to working with the Vietnamese government to develop the next phase of climate resilience and transformation for the Mekong Delta.
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.
