The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the UNDP inaugurated the Vietnam Circular Economy Network within the framework of a conference kicking off the development of a national action plan to implement Vietnam’s circular economy, held on June 28. Implemented and built in 2021 with support from the embassies of Norway, the Netherlands, and Finland in Vietnam, the network will contribute to perfecting institutions and policies and accelerating the transition to an effective circular economy in all socio-economic fields.

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha presented an address at a conference on the circular economy.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will finish the National Strategy on Climate Change to 2050, develop an Action Plan to reduce methane emissions by 2030, and implement the National Green Growth Strategy, among other tasks, as a part of Vietnam's COP26 commitments. The greatest challenge for the country is a lack of relevant human resources.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has said that the draft Decree on the Law on Environmental Protection cements the policy of reforming administrative procedures, with many cut compared to current regulations.

A draft Decree guiding the Law on Environmental Protection, which the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is consulting on, introduces many types of environmental permits and complex procedures that create difficulties for businesses.

At a meeting with leaders of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment on August 19 regarding the amended Land Law, National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue said there remain shortcomings and limitations in land management and use. It is therefore necessary to carefully consider the amendments to better ensure the rights of land users.

Vietnam’s natural area totaled 33,131,713 hectares as of December 31, 2019, of which unused land was 1,230,815 hectares. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) will propose mechanisms, policies, and measures to strengthen land management and improve land use efficiency while conducting land use planning for the 2021-2030 period and building a socio-economic development strategy to 2030 and vision to 2045.