Netherlands ready to assist Vietnam in sustainable sand mining, water management
Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dang Quoc Khanh on March 18 had a working session with visiting Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management Mark Harbers, who expressed his country’s readiness to assist Vietnam in offshore sand mining, groundwater management, and mineral exploitation.
Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dang Quoc Khanh (R) and Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management Mark Harbers at the meeting in Hanoi on March 18. (Photo: baotainguyenmoitruong.vn)
Hanoi (VNA) – Minister of Natural Resources andEnvironment Dang Quoc Khanh on March 18 had a working session with visiting DutchMinister of Infrastructure and Water Management Mark Harbers, who expressed hiscountry’s readiness to assist Vietnam in offshore sand mining, groundwatermanagement, and mineral exploitation.
Harbers spoke highly of the active moves by the VietnameseMinistry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) to protect the environment,especially nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation.
He shared opinions about the cooperation programmes onsustainable offshore sand mining, sustainable groundwater management in the MekongDelta, the exploitation of essential minerals, and activities at the InternationalPanel on Deltas, Coastal Areas and Islands.
These are strengths of the Netherlands, and it is ready toassist and share its policies, experience, techniques, and financial solutionswith Vietnam, the minister stressed.
With regard to sustainable offshore sand mining, Khanh agreedwith his guest on the need to quickly issue guidance for the projects onseeking offshore sand sources.
Talking about sustainable groundwater management in the MekongDelta, he noted that the geographical location has made this region vulnerableto climate change and extreme weather conditions. Given this, the MoNRE hopesto receive assistance and experience from the Netherlands to devise water storagesolutions to help solve water excess in the flood season and water scarcity inthe dry season there, thus balancing water resources and boost sustainabledevelopment in the Delta.
The Phu Ninh waterworks in Quang Nam province (Photo: VNA)
In terms of activities at the International Panel on Deltas, CoastalAreas and Islands, the Vietnamese minister considered this as a good platformfor sharing knowledge about climate change adaptation.
The MoNRE’s Department of Climate Change, Department of WaterResources Management, and Vietnam National Mekong Committee Standing Office willcoordinate with the Netherlands to work out proposals for improving the nationalcapacity to make use of water resources amid climate change and give livelihoodsupport to residents in the Delta, he added.
At the meeting, the two ministers also discussed the buildingof a programme marking the 15th founding anniversary of the framework on climate change adaptation and water resourcesmanagement between the two countries. They said this is an occasion for countries in the region and theworld to learn about the two sides’ efforts to comply with international commitmentson climate change response./.
The year 2023 was an important milestone in the Vietnam-Netheralnds relations as the two countries celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic ties.
Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dang Quoc Khanh discussed cooperation in environment and energy with Ambassador of the Netherlands to Vietnam Kees van Baar in Hanoi on March 4.
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha received Canadian Ambassador for Climate Change Catherine Stewart and Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam Shawn Perry Steil in Hanoi on March 14.
A legal and technical writeshop was held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Vanuatuan Government in Ha Long city, the northern province of Quang Ninh, on March 16 - 17 to look into the proceedings of the International Court of Justice (ICJ)’s advisory opinion on climate change.
Climate change, sea level rise, saltwater intrusion and unsustainable water use fuel the water scarcity risks in Vietnam, said Tong Ngoc Thanh, director general of the National Centre for Water Resources Planning and Investigation (NAWAPI).
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.
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.
Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dang Quoc Khanh (R) and Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management Mark Harbers at the meeting in Hanoi on March 18. (Photo: baotainguyenmoitruong.vn) 
The Phu Ninh waterworks in Quang Nam province (Photo: VNA) 
