9 billion USD needed to tackle plastic pollution in Vietnam
To achieve its targets of reducing plastic leakage by more than 43% by 2030 and cutting marine plastic waste by 75%, Vietnam will need approximately 8-9 billion USD in funding over the next five years.
Hanoi (VNA) -ꦦ In recent years, Vietnam has made significant progress in reducing plastic pollution and gradually improving its national image, moving its name off the list of the world’s top plastic-polluting countries.
However, to continue its commitment to tackling plastic pollution, such as reducing plastic leakage by more than 43% by 2030 and cutting marine plastic waste by 75%, experts from KPMG - one of the world’s largest auditing firms - estimate that Vietnam will need 8-9 billion USD in funding over the next five years.
Maintaining commitments to plastic waste reduction
At a workshop launching the National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) programme, jointly organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Vietnam on July 9, a KPMG representative cited a World Bank (WB) report stating that Vietnam has been one of the major contributors to ocean plastic pollution in recent years.
According to the WB, Vietnam generated about 3.7 million tonnes of plastic waste in 2018. This figure is projected to reach 7.6 million tonnes by 2030.
Only 0.4 million tonnes are recycled, while most of the plastic is incinerated, dumped, or landfilled.
According to Ramla Khalidi, UNDP Resident Representative in Vietnam, since its launch in 2020, NPAP Vietnam has connected over 200 organisations and supported more than 160 plastic pollution reduction projects.
This initiative has driven over 570 innovative solutions, mobilising a total investment of more than 1 million USD.
Action needed to reduce plastic pollution (Photo: Vietnamplus)
In addition, the UNDP will also support the activities of the partnership group during the second half of 2025 to realise commitments on reducing plastic waste and plastic pollution.
On July 9, the NPAP officially launched its policy technical group. This mechanism is designed to promote consistency among legal frameworks related to plastic action and circularity.
The group brings together 15 members, including policymakers, businesses, researchers, and development partners.
Ho Kien Trung, Deputy Director of the Department of Environment and Head of the NPAP Vietnam policy technical group, said in the coming period, the group will work closely with NPAP’s two technical groups, namely innovation and finance, and gender equality and social inclusion, to strengthen an integrated and comprehensive approach to tackling plastic pollution in Vietnam.
According to Vu Duc Dam Quang, Deputy Director of the Department of International Cooperation under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, this is a crucial moment for Vietnam to proactively shape proposals in line with domestic conditions, while playing an active role as a member of the Asia-Pacific region in the process of developing the Global Agreement.
He also stated that the official launch of the NPAP policy technical group on July 9 marks a continuation of Vietnam’s commitment to addressing the growing challenges of plastic pollution through shared responsibility, as well as mobilising resources and policy solutions.
He added that in recent years, Vietnam has worked closely with international partners, non-governmental organisations, and businesses to implement programmes and projects aimed at reducing plastic pollution.
As a result, Vietnam has achieved notable progress in mitigating plastic pollution and gradually improving its national image, moving its name off the list of the world’s most plastic-polluting countries./.
Plastic waste in tourism may seem like a minor issue, but on the path toward sustainable development, it is not. The environmental repercussions of this pollution menace not only tarnish the image of destinations and diminish national competitiveness but also result in far-reaching and unpredictable consequences.
In the face of challenges posed by climate change, plastic pollution, and overexploitation, protecting the ocean is key to safeguarding the planet’s future and that of generations to come. Over the past time, Vietnam has launched various marine environment protection programmes, including reducing ocean plastic waste, developing a sustainable blue economy, increasing patrol and monitoring of aquatic resources, and raising public awareness about the importance of conserving marine and island ecosystems.
Experts said adopting a circular economy in the sector aims at eliminating raw materials and microfiber pollution, increasing product lifecycles, recycling efficiently, utilising efficient raw materials and fuels, and transitioning to renewable energy. The foundation, they stated, lies in the removal of raw materials and plastic microfiber emissions.
World Environment Day 2025, initiated by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), is themed “Beat Plastic Pollution”, calling on the global community to take bold action in tackling plastic waste - one of the most urgent environmental challenges today. In recent years, Vietnam has issued and implemented numerous key policies, programs, and strategies aimed at improving plastic waste management and minimizing plastic pollution.
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.
Seraphin is the first modern waste-to-energy plant in Vietnam fully invested, designed, built, and supervised by a domestic private enterprise, demonstrating the ability of Vietnamese companies to master advanced technologies.
The award is a key initiative under the ASEAN Senior Officials on the Environment (ASOEN), aiming to recognise and reward schools with outstanding achievements in environmental education, environmental protection, and sustainable development. This year’s award centres around the theme “Plastic-Free Schools”, aligning with the United Nations’ call to “end plastic pollution.”
With the state budget covering only a fraction of costs, Vietnam expects to mobilise an additional 2.7–6 billion USD annually from non-budget sources, a significant challenge that underscores the need for global partnerships in finance, technology, and capacity-building.
Asian elephants are not only vital to biodiversity but also deeply rooted in the culture and beliefs of many nations, Nam said, adding that the elephant populations are experiencing severe declines, with Vietnam having fewer than 200 wild elephants left, scattered across provinces, with Dong Nai as a critical stronghold.
The agreement provides a bilateral legal framework enabling Vietnamese organisations and businesses to register greenhouse gas emission reduction projects and generate carbon credits that are recognised and transferable to Singapore.
By August 2025, Vietnam has eliminated around 240 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent through the management and phase-out of substances controlled under the Montreal Protocol.
The Deposit and Return System” (DRS) requires consumers to pay a small deposit when purchasing bottled or canned beverages, which they will reclaim when returning empty containers to designated collection points.
The yellow-cheeked gibbon, scientifically named Nomascus gabriellae, belongs to group IB in the list of endangered, precious and rare species according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment’s Circular No 27/2025/TT-BNNMT.
The elongated tortoise is one of the most beautiful and rare terrestrial tortoise species, listed in both the Vietnam Red Data Book and the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
The Con Dao National Park in Ho Chi Minh City has received five Nicobar pigeons (Caloenas nicobarica), a rare and endangered bird species, from the Con Dao Special Zone Economic Division after they were found injured and disoriented by local residents.
For many residents, the greatest expectation from LEZs is cleaner air. Vehicle exhaust has long been a pressing environmental issue for the city. Under current plans, by 2030 HCM City will have around 11.4 million motorcycles and 1.3 million cars.
The addition of nine new species not only expands the biodiversity database but also highlights the effectiveness of applying science and technology in biodiversity monitoring. This provides an important basis for developing strategies to conserve, restore, and sustainably manage the special-use forest ecosystem.
Hoa Lu was among 10 outstanding cities to receive the ESC Awards, which recognises its notable initiatives in sustainable tourism, environmental education, and awareness-raising in schools. The award highlights cities that demonstrate exceptional commitment to maintaining green, clean, and liveable environments.
At AMME-18, delegates approved six new ASEAN Heritage Parks, bringing the total number under the bloc’s protection to 69. Notably, Vietnam had three national parks recognised at the event, including Pu Mat National Park in the central province of Nghe An, Dong Nai Culture and Nature Reserve in the southern province of Dong Nai, and Xuan Thuy National Park in the northern province of Ninh Binh.
This event is expected to be an important foundation for member countries to build a unified and decisive voice at the upcoming 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Over the past two years, numerous models have been launched, utilising technology and eco-friendly methods to reduce emissions while enhancing productivity and farmers’ incomes.
The municipal People’s Committee on August 29 opened the floor to public feedback on the draft, which enforces stricter emissions standards in line with Article 28 of the Capital Law.
As of 4am on August 31, the tropical depression is predicted to be in central Laos, moving west-northwest at 20km per hour and easing further into a low-pressure area.
