Environment and natural resources
Climate change
ASEAN energy cooperation: the only way to prevent ‘lights out’ in the region
The countries comprising Southeast Asia have witnessed steady economic growth and improving living standards since the Asian Financial Crisis. Having weathered the global fiscal and financial crisis better than most other parts of the world, Southeast Asia has become the third-fastest growing region in the ...
New compensation regulations
Aquaculture farmers directly affected by natural disasters and epidemics will receive compensation totalling as much as US$2,600 per hectare, according to Decree No 2 issued by the Government last week. The decree, to take effect from February 25, will regulate compensation forms and levels to help farmers ...
Experts call for water storage for Mekong Delta
Environmentalists have underscored the importance of finding ways to store and share water resources in the Mekong Delta as climate change is inflicting huge damage on the arable delta. At a seminar in Can Tho City on January 10, they agreed this was a measure to ...
Vietnam facing water security challenges
Vietnam’s demand for water is skyrocketing while water resources are being depleted, certain river basins are being overexploited and competition for water resources is soaring. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment said in a report that the basins of some rivers like Ma, Huong and ...
South put on evacuation alert
The Interior Ministry has instructed governors of the southern provinces to prepare evacuation plans as the region is being battered by torrential rain. Interior permanent secretary Grisada Boonrach said on January 2 the ministry has ordered the plans be devised as the Thai Meteorological Department has ...
Int'l community supports Vietnam’s climate change response
Vietnam is one of the countries worst hit by climate change. In 2016, the national climate change strategy has received strong support from the international community. The Global Climate Index indicates that Vietnam ranks 5th among countries most affected by natural disasters, which kill hundreds of ...
Climate change triggers new diseases in Vietnam
Scientists have found connections between climate change and the appearance of new diseases, especially vector borne diseases, including dengue fever and malaria. Vietnam is among five countries in the world to suffer the most from climate change. According to the Central Steering Committee on Fighting and ...
New index for VN climate resilience
Protecting, maintaining and restoring ecosystems, especially water systems, is among the most urgent tasks for strengthening the country’s resilience to climate change, said Dr Trần Văn Giải Phóng, technical specialist at the Institute for Social and Environment Transition. He spoke at a workshop of a ...
WB helps Laos to upgrade rural roads
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors is providing US$25 million credit for Laos to strengthen its road maintenance systems and improve road connectivity throughout the country. The credit comes from the International Development Association, according to a report published on the World Bank’s Board ...
Mekong River Delta wastes 140,000 tons of fertilizer a year
The Agricultural Environment Institute estimates that the volume of fertilizer unnecessarily used in agricultural production in Mekong Delta is around 140,000 tons a year. Mai Van Trinh, head of the institute, said that the abuse of plant protection chemicals in cultivation is becoming more common ...