16 organisations call for strict handling of wildlife trafficker
16 organisations in wildlife protection in Vietnam signed a letter calling for strict trial of Nguyen Mau Chien, the suspected mastermind of a trans-national rhino horn trafficking ring.
Hanoi (VNA) – The Education for NatureVietnam (ENV) on January 22 revealed that 16 international and social organisationsin wildlife protection in Vietnam signed a letter calling on Vietnamese lawenforcement agencies to strictly handle Nguyen Mau Chien, the suspectedmastermind of a trans-national rhino horn trafficking ring.
Chien also has links with the illegal smuggling and traffickingof other animals. His trial will be held on January 26 in Hanoi, with twocharges of transporting and stockpiling banned goods under the Article 155 ofthe Penal Code.
Among the organisations that signed the letter are theCentre of Hands-On Actions and Networking for Growth and Environment, the ENV,Freeland, Free the Nears, TRAFFIC, WildAct Vietnam, the World Animal Protectionand the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources inVietnam.
In the letter, the organisations expressed theirbelief that an accurate judgment will be made, deterring anyone who harmswildlife and showing the determination of Vietnam in combating wildlife crimes.
The organisations also pledged to accompany Vietnamand support the country’s efforts in fighting illegal trading of wild animals.
Bui Thi Ha, ENV Vice Director said that this is achance for Vietnam to turn its commitments into actions to eliminate wildlifetrafficking.
Earlier at Chien’s trial on November 27, 2017, the judgingcouncil asked for supplementary investigation to clarify the origin of some seizedexhibits and conflicts in defendants’ statements.
Chien, who was arrested in April, 2017, is allegedlythe head of a wild animal trafficking ring from Africa to Vietnam. In 2007, hewas arrested and punished in Tanzania for illegally transporting wild animals.
He is suspected to have links to illegal trading oftigers and tiger caging in Thanh Hoa. In the last five years, his ring is believed to have expanded its operations in Africa, focusing on rhino horn,elephant tusks and pangolin scales trading.
In September 2017, in a visit to Vietnam, a delegationof the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Faunaand Flora (CITES)’s Secretariat and Vietnamese authorities reviewed the ratioof arresting and prosecuting of wildlife crimes. CITES recommended that Vietnamstrengthen efforts in trying and apply stricter punishments for the crimes.-VNA
The 11th annual Hanoi Half Marathon returned to the capital city on December 10 with the theme “Run for Bears – End Bear Farming”, attracting hundreds of runners from 43 countries.
IUCN plans to launch a communication campaign to promote the non-use of plastic bags as a prelude to its sea turtle conservation programme on Ly Son Island in 2018.
As many as 27 wild animals were released into their natural habitat on January 11 by the Wildlife Rescue and Protection Centre at the Chu Mom Ray National Park in the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum.
The police of Ha Long city, the northern province of Quang Ninh, has decided to start legal proceedings in a criminal case of illegally transporting endangered and rare animals.
Thai police have arrested a Thai Vietnamese for his links with a case of trafficking of 14 rhino horns from South Africa to Thailand in December 2017, local media reported.
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.
Illustrative image (Source: VNA) 
