Environment

Locals axe forest to plant pepper

A large area of protective pine forest in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai has been destroyed by local farmers to clear land for pepper and coffee plantations.

Ca Mau sinking with water table

Southernmost Ca Mau Province is in danger of sinking below sea level in the next few decades due to over-exploitation of underground water if something isn't done urgently.

Boras pledges to fund Da Nang eco project

Vice chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee Nguyen Ngoc Tuan has revealed that the central city will co-operate with Sweden's Boras City on a three-year environmental project.

Endangered catfish caught in Tien River

A local man caught a critically-endangered 63kg Mekong catfish (Pangasianodon gigas) early yesterday morning while fishing in the Tien River in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Dong Thap.

Clouds cover VN weather forecasting

Viet Nam has so far only accomplished 30 per cent of the workload to modernise weather forecasting technology and upgrade monitoring systems.

When the forests have no more trees

Deforestation in the Central Highlands is a growing problem - one that's not only affecting the environment. The area's ethnic people have long built wooden tombs and coffins to house their dead, but with the forests disappearing, they've been forced to switch to tin and cement.

Polluting British firm ignores ‘stop' order

British wooden furniture maker Rochdale Spears is continuing operations in southern Binh Duong Province despite being ordered to halt production due to pollution concerns, according to local authorities.

Environmental impact studies lacking impartial approach

Deputy Director of the Viet Nam Environment Administration Le Ke Son spoke to Cong An Nhan Dan (People's Police) newspaper about environmental impact assessments for hydro-power plants.

Savvy spending key to climate fight

Viet Nam was yesterday urged to improve its management of financial support from international organisations to effectively deal with the impacts of climate change.

Provinces formulate environmental plan

Provinces in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta are taking steps to address urgent environmental issues by developing urban zoning plans and improving human resource training.

Resorts suffer as beach disappears

Hoi An's lucrative tourism sector is facing major fears about the impact of erosion along the ancient town's famous coastline, with dozens of resorts in danger of disappearing underwater in the future.

Climate Change

Ca Mau sinking with water table

Southernmost Ca Mau Province is in danger of sinking below sea level in the next few decades due to over-exploitation of underground water if something isn't done urgently.

Disasters

Natural disasters cause huge economic damage

Economic damages caused by natural disasters during 2008-12 accounted for 1.5 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product, 0.5 per cent higher than the 2003-07 period.

Pollution

Polluting British firm ignores ‘stop' order

Hightlight

First Korean-language newspaper hits shelves

The Vietnam-Korea Times – Viet Nam's first Korean language newspaper made its debut in Ha Noi yesterday.

New industrial zone to lure Japanese firms

Construction of the Phu My 3 Industrial Zone starts today in the south-eastern province of Ba Ria Vung Tau to predominantly house Japanese companies. Viet Nam News spoke to Nguyen Thi Thao Nhi, CEO of the Thanh Binh Phu My Joint Stock Company, the major investor in the zone, about its strengths and commitment to the province's development.

Classical guitarist to entertain