(VEN) - Ha Long City in the northeastern province of Quang Ninh is facing environmental problems due to the growing number of visitors drawn by its world-famous emerald waters and thousands of towering limestone islands. Ha Long City will diversify tourist attractions to ease pressure on the core area of Ha Long Bay The number of visitors to Ha Long has increased yearly to reach 3.14 million in 2016 (up 22 percent from 2015) and 3.92 million in 2017 (up 24.7 percent from 2016). Almost 29,000 people visited Ha Long Bay daily during the peak season so far this year, creating growing pressure on the world heritage preservation site. Ho Quang Huy, Deputy Chairman of the Ha Long City People’s Committee told Vietnam Economic News that the committee has worked with the Ha Long Bay Management Unit, the Vietnam Tourism Association (VITA), the provincial departments of transport and tourist, and vessel associations to improve the community’s awareness of … [Read more...] about Environmental protection in Ha Long Bay: A top priority
Environmental
Minister grilled over achy environmental pollution in Vietnam
The Hanoitimes - Local administrations are urged to conduct surveys on sources of waste discharge and select suitable models for treatment in the direction of mobilizing investment from all economic sectors. National Assembly (NA) deputies questioned the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha about the long-lasting serious environmental pollution and asked for the solutions on the first day of the Q&A session October 30 at the NA’s on-going sitting. Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha. Photo: VNA Answering deputy Tran Tat The’s question about serious pollution in Nhue and Day rivers in Hanoi, Minister Tran Hong Ha said that pollution of rivers, especially those flowing across several localities, should be addressed at the root of the problem. Minister Ha added that a master plan is needed for solving pollution in river basins, including the Nhue and Day rivers, and the Ministry of Natural Resources and … [Read more...] about Minister grilled over achy environmental pollution in Vietnam
Modest results seen from environmental protection efforts
Modest results seen from environmental protection effortsBy Thuy Dung A worker is seen with hospital waste bins in this file photo. The expenditure for environmental protection amounted to VND72.42 trillion in 2013-2018, or VND14.5 trillion annually - PHOTO: TL HANOI - The expenditure for environmental protection amounted to VND72.42 trillion in 2013-2018, or VND14.5 trillion annually. However, the use of budgets in some units has been scattered, ineffective and sometimes not for the purpose of environmental protection, heard attendees at a workshop on green fiscal reform in Hanoi on October 25. Dr. Le Thi Thuy Van, head of the Department of Science Management and International Cooperation, Financial Strategy and Policy Institute under the umbrella of the Ministry of Finance, said annual State budget allocations for environmental activities amounted to more than 1% of total expenditures in the State budget expenditure estimate. "The total State budget for environmental … [Read more...] about Modest results seen from environmental protection efforts
Southern provinces want environmentally-friendly LNG power, not coal power
Viet Nam News HÀ NỘI — The building of new thermopower plants has recently become a cause célèbre in the country as economic demands and environmental concerns face off, especially with a number of localities rejecting central Government-approved plants. Việt Nam needs an enormous amount of energy to feed one of the fastest growing economies in the world, and coal-fired thermopower plants are usually favoured by governments as the most affordable option that can guarantee a cheap supply of electricity, however, environmentalists and the public have been arguing that the perceived ‘low costs’ have not accounted for costly long-term consequences that these plants dealt to the environment and people’s health. According to the revised National Power Development Master Plan VII (for the period 2016-30), the installed capacity of the whole coal-fired power of the country would reach 55,300MW by 2030, with 14,600MW supplied by 11 projects … [Read more...] about Southern provinces want environmentally-friendly LNG power, not coal power
Environmental protection tax on many commodities next year
Viet Nam News HÀ NỘI — Lawmakers have decided to raise the environmental tax on a number of commodities from January 1, 2019. This is part of the National Assembly’s Resolution 579/2018/UBTVQH14 on environmental protection. The adjustments will focus on petroleum products, coal and plastic bags, among others. The tax on anthracite coal, which is often referred to as hard coal and has the highest energy density of all types of coal, will increase from VNĐ20,000 (US$0.85) per tonne to VNĐ30,000. As for other types of coal, the tax will rise from VNĐ10,000 to VNĐ15,000 per tonne. HCFCs, ozone-depleting substances and powerful greenhouse gases, will be levied at VNĐ5,000 per kilo, up VNĐ1,000 from the current level, while plastic bags will be taxed at VNĐ50,000 per kilo, up from the current VNĐ40,000. Lawmakers have also increased environmental protection taxes on gasoline by VNĐ1,000 to VNĐ4,000 per litre, while … [Read more...] about Environmental protection tax on many commodities next year