Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has instructed relevant ministries and localities to urgently implement air quality management projects in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to address rising pollution levels.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. Photo: Nhat Bac
The directive was made during a meeting of the Government Party Committee Standing Board and the Government Standing Committee, chaired by the Prime Minister on the afternoon of December 5.
The agenda focused on the draft report to the Politburo concerning unresolved issues such as Ho Chi Minh City’s flood prevention project and other environmental and climate-related initiatives.
The Prime Minister urged agencies to promptly finalize the report and documentation, incorporating feedback from the meeting to ensure it meets both quality and timeline requirements.
The Mekong Delta, Vietnam’s most fertile and culturally rich region with vast agricultural potential, is facing severe environmental threats including land subsidence, river and coastal erosion, flooding, drought, and saltwater intrusion.
This region accounts for 12.8% of the country’s land area, nearly 18% of the population, and contributes 95% of Vietnam’s rice exports, 60% of seafood, and 65% of fruit exports.
The Prime Minister stressed that the overarching principle in designing the action plan must be "nature-based adaptation" - solutions that are flexible and effective in the face of climate change.
A corner of Ca Mau province. Photo: Hoang Giam
He requested that the report include a detailed analysis of the situation and root causes, along with political, legal, and practical justifications. It should also clearly define the objectives, guiding principles, tasks, and timelines for combating erosion, flooding, drought, and salinization.
Crucially, the Prime Minister called for a review and amendment of relevant mechanisms and policies to ensure funding and resources - especially by engaging citizens, businesses, and non-state capital. He emphasized that at least 35% of funding should come from non-governmental sources.
He also highlighted the importance of launching scientific and technological programs, expanding successful new technologies, and implementing non-structural solutions such as population resettlement, and the planting and protection of coastal and mangrove forests.
Regarding the long-delayed flood prevention project in Ho Chi Minh City, the Prime Minister noted that most major obstacles have now been resolved.
The Politburo has issued Conclusion No. 77 and the National Assembly has adopted a resolution providing special mechanisms and policies to remove legal bottlenecks affecting the implementation of environmental and climate projects.
According to the Party Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Ho Chi Minh City project is now progressing smoothly and no longer requires Politburo intervention.
Skyscrapers in Hanoi shrouded in smog. Photo: Thach Thao
Additionally, the ministry has reviewed and compiled other environment- and climate-related projects across the country.
The Prime Minister has also approved a national action plan for pollution remediation and air quality management for the period 2026–2030, with a long-term vision extending to 2045.
Regarding this initiative, the Prime Minister praised the efforts of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and expressed basic agreement with the draft report prepared for the Politburo.
He asked that feedback from the meeting be fully incorporated to finalize the section on the Ho Chi Minh City flood prevention project.
Most notably, he stressed the need for unified nationwide direction and immediate deployment of pollution control and air quality management projects in key cities - starting with Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
He also instructed that if current laws allow for implementation, then projects should proceed without delay. If additional mechanisms or policies are needed, relevant ministries must submit proposals to the Politburo for consideration.
Vietnamnet.vn
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