Vietnam strengthens protection of environment, sea, and ocean

With half of its population living in low-land and coastal areas, Vietnam is one of the countries most vulnerable to and seriously affected by climate change, environmental pollution, and rising sea level. This makes it harder for Vietnam to reduce poverty and realize its millennium development goals and sustainable development goals, and calls for practical and prompt solutions.

The Vietnamese Sea and Island Week and Action Month for the Environment in response to World Ocean Day (June 8) and World Environment Day (June 5) has been launched in Nghe An province. Vietnam’s Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dang Quoc Khanh, said: "World Environment Day and World Ocean Day give us an opportunity to show our determination, heighten our awareness, and take action together to meet challenges, prevent pollution and environmental degradation, sustainably exploit marine resources, ensure ecological balance, and replace plastic bags with environment-friendly products."

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has adopted a Strategy for Sustainable Exploitation and Use of Natural Resources and Protection of Sea Environment and Islands until 2030 with a Vision to 2050. The Strategy has 4 goals including biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation, and natural resource prevention, survey, and scientific research.

Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Vo Tuan Nhan said: "The strategy is of great importance. It shows Vietnam’s determination and strategic vision in implementing the Party and State guidelines and direction on sustainable development of sea and islands and sustainable exploitation and use of natural resources on the basis of harmoniously combining coastal regions, islands, peninsulas, seas and air spaces under Vietnam’s national sovereignty jurisdiction."

In response to World Environment Day, many activities have been implemented. For example, Ben Tre province has collected, classified and treated plastic waste for recycling, and raised funds for environmental protection.

Ms. Nguyen Thanh Hien, Vice Chairwoman of Ben Tre province’s Women's Union, said: "These activities have been duplicated and expanded. Such models as "green house, turning scrap waste into money” has encouraged Women’s Union members to sort waste and use the money from collecting waste to support orphans and disadvantaged women."

Vietnam is one of the countries with the most plastic waste and discarded plastic bags. The Vietnamese Government and people have been making efforts to control plastic waste to protect the environment by sustainably exploiting and using marine and island resources.