Law on Environmental Protection

The Law specifies that environmental protection should be in harmony with economic development, social protection, biodiversity protection and adapting to climate change. The revised law replaces a previous version published in 2005 and states that protecting the environment is the responsibility of all agencies, organisations, households and individuals; that organisations and individuals that benefit from the environment are responsible for providing financial support for environmental protection activities; and also outlines a polluter-pays principle.


It recommends that the development and use of clean and renewable forms of energy be encouraged to reduce GHG emissions and to protect the ozone layer. It also specifies that a road map is to be developed so that Vietnam may take part in global GHG mitigation activities that are appropriate with respect to the country's socio-economic circumstances and the international treaties of which Vietnam is a member.


The law requires the development of a National Environmental Protection Plan to assess current environmental status, and environmental and climate change forecasts. Seven decrees are currently being developed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to guide the implementation of the law.