A rare Javan rhino photographed in December 2005. Photo: WWF
Seven wildlife protectors have been awarded for their dedicated contributions at a ceremony held in Hanoi on October 14.
The honour went to customs officer at Tan Son Nhat international airport Huynh Quoc Thang, forest ranger Nguyen Huu Hoa from central Thua Thien-Hue, environmental policemen Nguyen Duy Toai from northern Bac Kan province, Nguyen Trong Khoi from southern Dong Nai province and Tran Huu Hong from central Nghe An province.
Journalists Do Doan Hoang from Lao Dong (Labour) newspaper and Le Thi Hong Van from Nhan Dan (People) newspaper received the awards.
Addressing the event, Vu Thi Quyen, head of the Education for the Nature of Vietnam (ENV) , said the seven individuals represent millions of animal rights activists and their concerted effort has positively impacted on the nation’s ecological conservation.
According to Director of the Biodiversity Conservation Department Pham Anh Cuong , in recent years, law enforcers have cracked down hard on wildlife trafficking, while a growing public support towards animal protection has been noticed.
Vietnam’s diverse ecosystem has long been threatened by rampant poaching and smuggling for food, traditional medicines and fine art demand at home and abroad.
From 2014 to the end of August 2015, ENV recorded 12 illegal trading cases involving rhino horns and 34 others in ivories. In August only, 10 tonnes of these banned goods had been seized. In 2010, the last local Java rhino in Vietnam was killed for its horn.
The event was coordinated by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the Freeland Foundation and the ENV as part of a USAID-funded programme to combat wildlife trafficking in Asia.-VNA
An annual wildlife conservation camp is taking place at the Hon Me Wildlife Rescue Station in the southern province of Kien Giang, drawing the participation of 40 students from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
A four-day training course is taking place in Da Lat city in central Lam Dong province through August 14 to boost law enforcement activities of forest rangers while fighting wildlife crime.
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.
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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.
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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.
The dispatch noted that since the beginning of 2025, natural disasters have claimed 29 lives and left several others missing. A total of 67 houses have collapsed, and 2,342 homes have been unroofed or damaged.
A rare Javan rhino photographed in December 2005. Photo: WWF
