Law on Environmental Protection No. 72/2020/QH14

This Law specifies that environmental protection should be in harmony with economic development, social protection, biodiversity protection and climate change adaptation. 

It states that environmental protection is a key factor for sustainable socio-economic development. It specifies that environmental protection harmonises with social security, protection of children's rights, promotion of gender equality and protection of the human right to live in a pure environment. The law states that environmental protection is the right, obligation and responsibility of every agency, organisation, residential community, household and individual; 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 shall be developed so that Vietnam may take part in global GHG mitigation activities that are appropriate with respect to the country's national circumstances and international treaties.
 
The Law requires the development of a National Environmental Protection Plan to assess current environmental status, and environmental and climate change forecasts. 

The revised Law replaces a previous version published in 2014 and provides for more details for implementation. Compared to the 2014 version, the revised Law makes, inter alia, the following adjustments:

and notably