“Global challenges – local actions”

Fourteen pupils from Soc Trang province present their experience with environmental challenges during the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) natural resources and rural development sector network meeting in Ho Chi Minh City.

Opinions split over feasibility of smoking ban in Viet Nam

Last month, Viet Nam News asked its readers whether they think Viet Nam’s target to have at least 80 per cent of the city’s public places to be smoke-free by 2010 is feasible or not.

Seminar on climate change held in Hanoi

A seminar entitled “A Handbook of Cities Adapting to Climate Change” was jointly held by the World Bank in Vietnam and the People’s Committee of the City of Hanoi.

Da Nang receives int’l climate change assistance

The central port city of Da Nang has signed an agreement with the multi-national Institute for Social and Environmental Transition (ISET) and the UK-based Challenge to Change (CtC), regarding a project to increase its ability to cope with and respond to natural disasters.

Solar stoves prove healthier, cheaper

Solar stoves and hot plates to boil water have made the environment of a village near Da Nang City cleaner.

Raising public awareness of climate change

Poor understanding of climate change among a majority of citizens is hindering national efforts to cope with the issue, said Tran Thuc Vien, head of the National Institute of Hydrometeorology.

Seminar on water pollution held in Thai Nguyen

A seminar on sharing experiences in controlling water environment pollution was held in northern mountainous Thai Nguyen Province on Feb. 20, 2009.

Green walls’ to fight rising seas

Northern Hai Phong port city is intensifying efforts to expand plantation of submerged forests along its coastline in a bid to boost defences against storms and the rising sea level.

Conference promotes clean development in Viet Nam

International and domestic experts gathered in Ha Noi yesterday, 19 February, 2009 to discuss methods for the development of a Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) market in Viet Nam. The CDM is a flexible financing mechanism under the Kyoto Protocol that allows countries with binding emissions reduction targets to develop projects in developing countries.

Denmark backs Vietnam’s efforts to protect environment

Denmark is considering giving financial support to projects in Vietnam that make use of the clean development mechanism (CDM) to introduce a sustainable environmental protection programme, according to Danish Ambassador Peter Lysholt Hansen. During 2007-2009, the Danish government agreed to provide USD 380,000 for CDM projects in Vietnam.