Hai Phong (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phucstressed on October 15 that the Government will take more drastic actions toprotect the environment, including returning imported containers of waste totheir source countries.

The PM made the statement while he and otherNational Assembly (NA) deputies of the northern port city of Hai Phong weremeeting with constituents in Thuy Nguyen district.

At the event, held ahead of the NA’s 8thsession, Doan Cong Thuc, a resident in Thuy Nguyen’s Nui Deo township, voicedhis concern about environmental pollution, saying that although the Governmenthas paid attention to this issue, many businesses still ignore the propertreatment of toxic waste.

He called on the PM to push ahead with buildingstrict penalties, being more resolute in addressing this problem thoroughly,and attracting investment to developing modern waste treatment plants.

Thuc also suggested the Government step up theinspection of plastic product manufacturers and shut down unqualified oneswhile encouraging the development of alternatives to plastic items so as tominimise the use of plastics.

In response, PM Phuc highlighted the developmenttriangle of economy, society and environment, noting that Vietnam will notexchange the environment for economic benefits.

The Government will take more drastic actions indealing with waste, water pollution and plastic rubbish to protect people’sliving environment, he said, stressing the viewpoint of not importing wasteinto Vietnam and resolutely returning containers of waste that have beenimported into the country.

He also pledged policies to help plasticproducers switch to manufacturing other products and discourage consumers fromusing single-use plastic items.

At the meeting, the PM also replied to localvoters’ opinions concerning many other aspects, including education and supportfor small- and medium-sized enterprises.

Meetings between NA deputies and voters are regularactivities before and after each biannual session of the parliament. The14th-tenure NA is scheduled to open its 8th session later this month.

Also on October 15, PM Phuc attended the openingceremony of Hoang Van Thu Bridge on the Cam River in Hai Phong city.


The bridge, with its main span measuring 200metres in length – the longest span in Vietnam at present, runs through ThuyNguyen, Hong Bang and Ngo Quyen districts. It is 33.5 metres wide, consists offour lanes, and has the design speed of 80km per hour.

PM Phuc said Hoang Van Thu Bridge, a new symbolof the city, is of critical importance to the expansion of Hai Phong’sdevelopment space to the north of the Cam River. He added the bridge,completely designed and built by Vietnam, also proved the capacity of domesticengineers and workers./.