ASEAN honours two Vietnamese cities for sustainable environment efforts
Hoa Lu was among 10 outstanding cities to receive the ESC Awards, which recognises its notable initiatives in sustainable tourism, environmental education, and awareness-raising in schools. The award highlights cities that demonstrate exceptional commitment to maintaining green, clean, and liveable environments.
Hai Phong city is honoured at the 5th Certificate of Recognition (COR) ceremony. (Photo: VNA)
Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – 𒉰Two Vietnamese cities, Hoa Lu and Hai Phong, have been honoured at the 6th ASEAN Environmentally Sustainable Cities (ESC) Awards and the 5th Certificate of Recognition (COR) ceremony, respectively, held in Langkawi, Kedah State of Malaysia.
The events, part of the 18th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment (AMME-18) from September 2–4, underscored Vietnam’s continued commitment to environmental protection and sustainable development.
Hoa Lu was among 10 outstanding cities to receive the ESC Awards, which recognises its notable initiatives in sustainable tourism, environmental education, and awareness-raising in schools. The award highlights cities that demonstrate exceptional commitment to maintaining green, clean, and liveable environments.
At the same ceremony, Hai Phong was presented with a COR in the category of “Biodiverse and Green Urban Areas,” acknowledging its efforts to conserve biodiversity and expand urban green spaces.
Hoa Lu city is among among 10 outstanding cities to receive the ESC Awards. (Photo: VNA)
Malaysia’s Acting Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Johari Abdul Ghani said the achievements were a source of pride for the awarded nations and an inspiration for ASEAN’s collective efforts towards a greener, more sustainable future.
He also congratulated Vietnam on having three national parks recognised as ASEAN Heritage Parks on this occasion: Pu Mat National Park in Nghe An province, Dong Nai Culture and Nature Reserve in Dong Nai province, and Xuan Thuy National Park in Ninh Binh province.
Malaysia’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability emphasised that the awards testify to the strong commitment of ASEAN cities to protecting the environment amid rapid urbanisation, while reinforcing the bloc’s determination to share best practices and collaborate towards a greener future./.
The "Hoa Phuong Do" train is a tourism product deeply rooted in the unique identity of Hai Phong, and it is expected to become a new favourite for visitors.
The agreement provides a bilateral legal framework enabling Vietnamese organisations and businesses to register greenhouse gas emission reduction projects and generate carbon credits that are recognised and transferable to Singapore.
By August 2025, Vietnam has eliminated around 240 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent through the management and phase-out of substances controlled under the Montreal Protocol.
The Deposit and Return System” (DRS) requires consumers to pay a small deposit when purchasing bottled or canned beverages, which they will reclaim when returning empty containers to designated collection points.
The yellow-cheeked gibbon, scientifically named Nomascus gabriellae, belongs to group IB in the list of endangered, precious and rare species according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment’s Circular No 27/2025/TT-BNNMT.
The elongated tortoise is one of the most beautiful and rare terrestrial tortoise species, listed in both the Vietnam Red Data Book and the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
The Con Dao National Park in Ho Chi Minh City has received five Nicobar pigeons (Caloenas nicobarica), a rare and endangered bird species, from the Con Dao Special Zone Economic Division after they were found injured and disoriented by local residents.
For many residents, the greatest expectation from LEZs is cleaner air. Vehicle exhaust has long been a pressing environmental issue for the city. Under current plans, by 2030 HCM City will have around 11.4 million motorcycles and 1.3 million cars.
The addition of nine new species not only expands the biodiversity database but also highlights the effectiveness of applying science and technology in biodiversity monitoring. This provides an important basis for developing strategies to conserve, restore, and sustainably manage the special-use forest ecosystem.
At AMME-18, delegates approved six new ASEAN Heritage Parks, bringing the total number under the bloc’s protection to 69. Notably, Vietnam had three national parks recognised at the event, including Pu Mat National Park in the central province of Nghe An, Dong Nai Culture and Nature Reserve in the southern province of Dong Nai, and Xuan Thuy National Park in the northern province of Ninh Binh.
This event is expected to be an important foundation for member countries to build a unified and decisive voice at the upcoming 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Over the past two years, numerous models have been launched, utilising technology and eco-friendly methods to reduce emissions while enhancing productivity and farmers’ incomes.
The municipal People’s Committee on August 29 opened the floor to public feedback on the draft, which enforces stricter emissions standards in line with Article 28 of the Capital Law.
As of 4am on August 31, the tropical depression is predicted to be in central Laos, moving west-northwest at 20km per hour and easing further into a low-pressure area.
Known as the “land of birds,” Thung Nham Bird Park, situated within the Thung Nham Ecotourism Area in Ninh Binh province, is the largest natural bird sanctuary in northern Vietnam and is actively managed and preserved.
As of 7pm on August 30, the storm is forecast to be on the mainland of central Ha Tinh and Quang Tri provinces, moving west-northwest at 20km per hour.
The Dugong (sea cow) population in HCM City’s Con Dao Island, the only known habitat of the species in Vietnam, is facing an alarming decline and could disappear entirely without timely intervention, according to conservation experts and local authorities.
This woody climbing shrub can grow up to five metres tall. Its leaves are alternate, obovate or oval in shape, while its flower clusters grow at branch tips or leaf axils, with funnel-shaped, dark purple corollas.
The Nha Trang Bay Management Board is authorised to retain 80% of the collected fees to fund its management activities, ensuring effective conservation and sustainable development of the bay’s natural heritage.
Typhoon Kajiki and its subsequent circulation left five dead, three missing, 47 injured and a trail of destruction across northern and central Vietnam by 16:00 on August 27.
