Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on April 1 issued a directive ordering measures be taken to cope with the current heat waves, drought, water shortages, and saltwater intrusion which have hit several localities.
Rice-shrimp farming in An Minh district, the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang, is a climate change adaptation model. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Prime MinisterPham Minh Chinh on April 1 issued a directive ordering measures be taken tocope with the current heat waves, drought, water shortages, and saltwater intrusion whichhave hit several localities.
The directive noted that due to ElNino impact, so far this year, many regions nationwide have faced a low rainfall, high temperatures, prolonged heat waves, drought, watershortages, and saltwater intrusion, especially in the Mekong Delta, central,and Central Highlands regions.
It cited specialised agencies as forecastingthat average temperatures may be higher than previous years’,especially in summer. Many heat waves will occur and tend to become more severethan average. Meanwhile, the flood season is unlikely to come early in thenorthern region, and flows into large reservoirs on the Da River could be 30 -40% lower than average. Heat waves, drought, water shortages,saltwater intrusion, particularly in the central and southern regions, are also looming.
The Cai Lon - Cai Be irrigation system, invested with over 3.3 trillion VND in the first phase, has helped ensure water supply in Kien Giang province. (Photo: VNA)
Tominimise impact on economic activities and people’s life, PM Chinh demandedthe chairpersons of the People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-runcities, ministers, and heads of relevant agencies keep a close watch on thesituation while boosting the implementation of timely and effective measuresagainst natural disasters and extreme weather conditions, especially heat waves,drought, and saltwater intrusion.
Localitieswere told to comply with instructions from the Ministry of Agriculture andRural Development, other ministries, and sectors.
In the directive, the Governmentleader also assigned tasks to relevant ministries and media agencies./.
Measures to tackle water resource-related challenges in Vietnam were the centre of discussion at a workshop held in the northern province of Vinh Phuc on December 6.
The Mekong Delta, known as Vietnam’s largest rice granary, is currently confronting significant challenges in terms of water security. A comprehensive management solution is needed to address this issues, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
Saltwater intrusion up rivers is estimated to affect 29,260ha of rice sown in areas not zoned for the crop in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta as the region enters the peak dry season.
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan on March 21 called on international partners to support the Vietnamese Government in carrying out nature-based agricultural models and projects in the Mekong Delta which has been hard hit by climate change.
Keppel Corporation and Tien Phong newspaper on March 22 held a ceremony to hand over a water filtration system to people in Tan Thuy commune, Ba Tri district, the southern province of Ben Tre.
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.
Rice-shrimp farming in An Minh district, the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang, is a climate change adaptation model. (Photo: VNA) 
The Cai Lon - Cai Be irrigation system, invested with over 3.3 trillion VND in the first phase, has helped ensure water supply in Kien Giang province. (Photo: VNA) 
