Microplastics on the marine environment

Illustrative image (Photo: baotainguyenmoitruong.vn) Quang Nam (VNA) – The Management Board of the Cu Lao Cham World Biosphere Reserve in Hoi An city in central Quang Nam province is working hard on monitoring plastic waste in order to protect aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity in the area. The move is hoped to contribute to conserving biodiversity, creating sustainable livelihoods for locals. According to the communication and community development section under the management board, monitoring plastic waste in marine ecosystems has helped provide comprehensive data on the status of coral reefs, the habitat of aquatic species, the impact of plastic waste, and livelihood on marine ecosystems. The  Cu Lao Cham World Biosphere Reserve, home to over 300 species of corals belonging to 40 genera and 17 families, is one of the most diverse marine ecosystems in Vietnam. Along with the conservation of coral reefs and undersea ecosystems, the area’s management board … [Read more...] about Plastic waste monitoring helps protect aquatic ecosystems in Cu Lao Cham

At the meeting ( Photo: SGGP) Today, the Ho Chi Minh City National Assembly deputies delegation had a meeting to supervise the implementation of the Housing Law in the city for the 2016-2021 period to the branch of the State Bank of Vietnam in HCMC and the branch of the Bank for Social Policies in HCMC, the Department of Construction and Department of Natural Resources and Environment. At the conference, Huynh Thanh Khiet, Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction, said that in the period 2016-2021, nearly 15,000 apartments in 19 social housing projects were completed. In the next phase between 2021 to 2025, the southern metropolis planned to implement 25 projects with a total of more than 28,600 apartments. With nearly 15,000 apartments in 19 social housing projects, Ho Chi Minh City can satisfy the housing needs of a part of low-income people, civil servants, and public employees with housing difficulties. Accordingly, the number of social housing has not … [Read more...] about Low-income earners hardly access loans for buying social houses

Vo Tien Dung, vice director of Hanoi-based Halcom Vietnam, said his business has been cooperating with German, Finnish and Japanese companies for the last 23 years, but has yet to find the best technologies to deal with Vietnam’s waste problems. It is difficult to treat typically unsorted and highly humid waste in Vietnam. For example, trash in Europe has a humidity level of around 20%, while trash in Vietnam could have a humidity level of 60-70%, he added. Even the ongoing waste-to-energy plants in Hanoi and Can Tho would need more time so their effectiveness could be evaluated, Dung said. Treating unsorted trash without the same humidity conditions as in other countries would make it hard to meet efficiency and emission standards, he added. Nguyen Quang Huan, member of the National Assembly’s Committee for Science, Technology and the Environment, said he was concerned about waste-to-energy plants. He said such technology still produces pollutants, and is merely cleaning the … [Read more...] about No ideal waste treatment technology for Vietnam yet

The central city topped the ranking for cities and provinces, scoring 0.6419 points, 0.1545 higher than the 2020 ranking released last year. Thua Thien Hue came in second place again with 0.5872 points, and Ho Chi Minh City climbed two spots to rank third. The top ten also included Bac Ninh, Lang Son, Ninh Binh, Quang Ninh, Thai Nguyen, Binh Phuoc and Bac Giang. The Ministry of Finance led the rankings of 17 ministries and ministry-level agencies providing public services, gaining 0.6321 points, 0.13 higher than the previous ranking. It was followed by the Ministry of Planning and Investment and Vietnam Social Security. Also in the top ten were the State Bank of Vietnam, the ministries of Trade and Industry; Information and Telecommunications; Environment and Natural Resources; Culture, Sports and Tourism; Transport; and Home Affairs. Claiming 0.4736 points, the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology rose two spots to rank first among nine ministries and ministry-level … [Read more...] about Da Nang, Finance Ministry top Digital Transformation Index

He asked the Government to send the dossier of the draft law to the N.A. Committee for Economic Affairs and the N.A. Standing Committee before September 1 to seek feedback from full-time legislators. The MoNRE should work harder to build reports on economic, social, environmental impacts as well as impacts on national defense and security, and the domestic business environment. Apart from the document, relevant laws need to be adjusted too, Hue stressed, adding that the N.A. Committee for Economic Affairs and the MoNRE should play the key role to help the legislature and the government mobilize contributions of people and scientists to the bill. Emphasizing the significance of the communication work, the top legislator assigned the Committee for Economic Affairs to coordinate with the N.A. General Secretary to sketch out a project in this regard. MoNRE Minister Tran Hong Ha said opinions of groups affected are being collected to serve the amendment, adding that the ministry has … [Read more...] about Amendments to draft revised land law expected to be done in 2023: N.A. Chairman

Hanoi - Vietnam’s GDP growth is forecast to expand 7.5 percent in 2022 and 6.7 percent in 2023, with resilient manufacturing and a robust rebound in services serving as the driving forces for economic recovery. At the press conference to release the report. (Photo: WB Vietnam) According to the latest economic update by World Bank (WB) for Vietnam, the country’s economy expanded 5.2 percent in Q4 of 2021, and respectively 5.1 percent and 7.7 percent in Q1 and Q2 of 2022. Inflation is projected to average 3.8 percent over the year. Carolyn Turk, WB Country Director for Vietnam, said that the bi-annual report “lays out a set of policy recommendations that could help mitigate the impact of these risks and make the economy more resilient going forward.” Titled “Taking Stock: Educate to Grow”, this edition underlines transforming the higher education system as the key to boosting the country’s productivity and achieving its development goals, in the context where the … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s economic growth forecast at 7.5 pc in 2022: World Bank

The following are some of the year's highlights. As one of the leading international schools in Vietnam, ISHCMC has a rich 28-year history of student achievement. The class of 2022 was no exception, with one student, Seoyeon Hong, achieving a perfect score of 45 points in the IB Diploma. ISHCMC Director of Admissions and Market Growth Mike Hebert said, “The result puts her in the 99.7 th percentile amongst students studying the IB Diploma Programme globally. That is a true testament to the education that students at ISHCMC are receiving and one that the whole community is proud of”. Seoyeon Hong, who achieved a perfect score “The result puts her in the 99.7th percentile amongst students studying the IB Diploma Programme globally. That is a true testament to the education that students at ISHCMC are receiving and one that the whole community is proud of” - Mike Hebert Another student that has achieved greatness under ISHCMC’s educational … [Read more...] about Students who are flourishing at ISHCMC

The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has consulted the Government not to include 14,120 MW of coal-fired power in the national power master plan (PDP8). — Photo ndh.vn The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has consulted the Government not to include 14,120 MW of coal-fired power in the national power master plan (PDP8) to achieve the goal of net zero emissions by 2050. Local media consider such a change a “revolution” in the electricity and environment of the country. The MoIT said in a written report to the Government Standing Committee that of 14,120 MW of coal-fired thermal power, State corporations had invested in 8,420 MW. Specifically, Electricity of Vietnam was assigned 3,600 MW, including Quang Trach II, Tan Phuoc I and II projects. The Vietnam Oil and Gas Group has been given 1,980 MW for the Long Phu III project. Vietnam Coal and Mineral Industries Group has been assigned 2,840 MW, including Cam Pha III, Hai Phong III and Quynh Lap I assignments. In … [Read more...] about Power Plan VIII to remove more than 14 GW of coal-fired power