Experts are urging the building of a master plan on preserving marine biodiversity in its true sense to improve the efficiency of the work in the country.

 The National Action Plan on Air Quality Control by 2020, which aims to strictly monitor sources of exhaust fumes, especially industrial fumes, has been approved Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

As climate change has ratcheted up in increments of severity in Vietnam over recent years, Vietnam and the US are stepping up their co-operation in environmental protection and response to climate change.

 How climate change and water management are becoming issues of national security in Vietnam and solutions for the country were the topic at a panel discussion held by the Stimson Center in Washington DC in late May.

 The capital may lose its green lungs as many lakes in Hanoi are disappearing because of construction or have been heavily polluted by households waste for years.

 The U Minh Ha cajuput forests in the southernmost province of Ca Mau were reopened on June 1 after being closed for nearly six months during the high fire-risk dry season, according to the provincial Forest Ranger.

 The violations of the endangered species act in Vietnam will face higher punishments as prescribed in the 2015 revised Penal Code, which is scheduled to take effect from July 1, 2016, said an officer from the Ministry of Public Security.

 Endangered Asian openbill storks, which are listed as especially rare in Vietnam’s Red Book, have been spotted in paddies in Ban Qua and Ban Vuoc communes in Bat Xat, the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai.

 Hundreds of ancient trees in Tra Vinh city, which is described as the "Green City" of the Mekong Delta region, could be at risk of death, experts warn.

 The Prime Minister has signed off on an action plan for an integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) strategy in Vietnam up to 2020.

 The Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development has proposed PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc suspend a project on hydropower plants in the Central Highlands Province of Dak Lak to protect the local environment and wild animals.

 Leaders from across major sections of Vietnamese civil society are taking on a new role in a nation-wide campaign to promote zero tolerance of wildlife crime through consumer behaviour change.

 Vietnam’s power needs could be fully met by renewable energy by 2050, according to a new report by World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) – Vietnam and Vietnam Sustainable Energy Alliance.

An official from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has claimed the ministry will announce the official cause of the mass fish deaths when the investigation is finally finished, denying that they are burying the news.

 The Animals Asia Foundation (AAF) has pledged 50,000 USD of aid to save elephants in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak between 2016 and 2017.

 Vietnam and the United States issued a joint announcement on climate change partnership on May 23 (Vietnam time), emphasising the need to combat global climate change.

 Many scientific and technological solutions have been invented and applied in the past five years to cope with climate change and settle Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin consequences in Vietnam.

 Pangolin hunters and smugglers could face a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison under the Penal Code No 100/2015/QH13, as from July 1, 2016, according to Nguyen Van Thai, Director of Save Vietnam’s Wildlife.

On May 17 the General Department of Environment decided to impose nearly VND4 billion ($190,000) fines on three companies for polluting the Buoi River by discharging untreated wastewater.

Tens of tons of dead fish have been taken out of HCM City’s Nhieu Loc-Thi Nghe canal after the downpour on the afternoon of May 16. The authorities said the fish had been killed by toxic waste, which flowed into the canal via rainwater.