Plastic waste pollution in the tourism industry is becoming an increasingly urgent environmental challenge for many destinations across Vietnam. As tourist numbers continue to rise, so does the volume of disposable plastic generated through travel activities, creating mounting pressure on local ecosystems, public infrastructure, and destination management. Without timely and effective intervention, plastic pollution could significantly damage environmental quality, reduce visitor satisfaction, and threaten the long-term sustainability of the tourism sector.

Across Vietnam, biotechnology is gradually transforming agriculture from traditional, chemical-dependent practices into a greener, more sustainable model. On lands once considered barren, dry, and unsuitable for productive cultivation, farmers are now witnessing remarkable changes through innovative biological farming solutions. From passion fruit farms in Dak Lak to strawberry gardens in Lam Dong, these new agricultural approaches are reducing costs, increasing yields, restoring soil health, and helping realize Vietnam’s broader vision of green development and Net Zero 2050.

As part of the vibrant “Sac Sua Huong Tra – Da Nang 2026” Festival, Huong Tra Ward in Da Nang officially inaugurated the innovative “Listening Station Where Birds Tell Stories” on April 26, introducing a remarkable blend of nature, technology, art, and community engagement. More than just a cultural attraction, this project represents a creative environmental initiative designed to deepen public appreciation for biodiversity while fostering sustainable conservation awareness, especially among younger generations.

Vietnam’s mineral resources remain a vital foundation for national development, particularly as demand for construction materials continues to rise alongside major infrastructure expansion. From transportation networks to urban development, minerals such as sand, stone, and other building materials are essential to economic progress. However, maximizing this strategic resource requires more than extraction alone—it demands a careful balance between economic efficiency, transparent governance, and environmental sustainability. Recent reforms in Vietnam’s geological and mineral laws are creating important opportunities to improve resource management, but long-term success will depend on implementation, oversight, and responsible exploitation.

At Ba Lat estuary in Ninh Binh Province, where the Red River meets the East Sea, Xuan Thuy National Park unfolds as one of Vietnam’s most remarkable ecological treasures. In the early morning, as the tide recedes, fertile mudflats gradually emerge beneath golden sunlight, revealing a landscape constantly shaped by water, sediment, and time. This serene coastal region is far more than a scenic wetland—it is a living system where mangrove forests, migratory birds, and local communities coexist in a delicate balance. Today, Xuan Thuy stands at the center of an important national conversation about conservation, green growth, and sustainable coastal development.

As climate pressures intensify across Vietnam, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is urging provinces in the Central region, Central Highlands, and Mekong Delta to rapidly implement stronger drought and salinity prevention measures to protect agricultural production. With the 2026 summer-autumn crop season approaching, water scarcity and saltwater intrusion are emerging once again as major threats to food security, rural livelihoods, and long-term climate resilience. Recent assessments indicate that approximately 10,700 to 16,400 hectares of crops in Central Vietnam and the Central Highlands may face significant risk from drought and salinity if preventive action is not taken quickly.

As climate change intensifies and extreme weather events become increasingly unpredictable, Vietnam’s meteorological sector is undergoing a critical digital transformation to strengthen forecasting accuracy, disaster preparedness, and public safety. Facing growing exposure to typhoons, floods, droughts, and localized severe weather, the country is rapidly integrating artificial intelligence (AI), Big Data, IoT systems, radar, and satellite technologies into forecasting operations. This shift is not simply a technological upgrade—it represents a strategic evolution in how Vietnam prepares for climate risks and protects lives, infrastructure, and economic stability.

As Phong Nha–Ke Bang prepares for its transformation into Southeast Asia’s first transboundary World Natural Heritage site, the responsibility of protecting its vast forest ecosystem is entering a more demanding era. Spanning more than 123,000 hectares of special-use forest and over 3,000 hectares of protective forest, this globally significant landscape is not only one of Vietnam’s richest biodiversity strongholds but also a symbol of international conservation responsibility. Yet while ecological expectations are rising, the people tasked with defending this “green shield” are facing major institutional and operational challenges.

Vietnam has made notable progress in environmental protection over recent years, with important gains in forest conservation, waste management, and industrial pollution control. National forest coverage has remained stable at approximately 42 percent, urban solid waste collection and treatment rates have reached over 97 percent, and most active industrial zones now operate centralized wastewater treatment systems that meet regulatory standards. These achievements demonstrate that environmental governance is increasingly embedded in national development priorities. Yet beneath this progress lies a critical reality: Vietnam’s environmental challenges are growing more complex, and long-term sustainability will depend on whether the country can generate sufficient financial, institutional, and social resources to move from policy ambition to systemic transformation.

Tram Chim National Park in Dong Thap Province—one of Vietnam’s most important wetland ecosystems and a globally recognized Ramsar site—is entering a critical phase of conservation management as authorities intensify efforts to protect its recovering biodiversity from fire risk, human pressure, and climate challenges. On April 18, provincial leaders and relevant agencies conducted a major field inspection of forest fire prevention and ecological management at the park, underscoring the growing urgency of preserving this internationally significant wetland while balancing conservation, tourism, and local livelihoods.