A species of mossy frog (Photo: baotainguyenmoitruong.vn)
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam discovered 158 new speciesduring 2021-2022, according to a report recently released by the World Wide Fund for Nature(WWF).
During theperiod, scientists foundout 380 new species of vascular plants and vertebrate animals in the Greater MekongSub-region, which includes Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.
Specifically,there were 290 new species of plants, 19 of fish, 24 ofamphibians, 46 of reptiles, and one species of mammal.
Some ofthe newly discovered species in Vietnam are highly regarded by scientistsworldwide, including Cat Ba begonia (Begonia catbensis) found on the limestone hillsof Cat Ba National Park, frog species Quasipaa taoi on Ngoc Linh mountain - thehighest peak in central Vietnam, and Intermedius sunbeam snake in a localitywithin the central Truong Son region of Vietnam.
This areais considered part of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, harbouring globallyiconic and endangered species such as tiger, Asian elephant, Sunda pangolin,and giant freshwater stingray. It is also a place where new species have been discoveredsince 1997, with a total of 3,390 species identified so far, including vascularplant, fish, amphibian, reptile, bird, and mammal.
The reportalso calls for urgent actions to reduce the risk of species extinction and endwildlife trafficking in Vietnam and the region.
To preventthe decline and extinction of species in Vietnam, the Biodiversity ConservationPartnership funded by the United States Agency for International Development(USAID) is promoting "rewilding" activities in national parks andnature reserves across the country. Through this initiative, it has conductedin-depth scientific analyses on certain animal species, particularly in Vietnam's Truong Son region, to gather necessary information for creatingviable breeding populations that can be reintroduced into the wild after 10-15yꦺeaꦆrs. The partnership plans to establish rescue centres with the necessaryconditions to care for priority species under captive conditions, particularlyin central Vietnam.
The WWF report (Photo: baotainguyenmoitruong.vn)
In the near future, the Ministry ofNatural Resources and Environment will work closely with relevant ministries,departments, localities, and organisations to fine-tune legal documents on natureconservation and biodiversity, and develop guidelines and directives on restoringnatural ecosystems to contribute to biodiversity conservation, disasterprevention, climate change adaptation, and sustainable development. Theministry will also continue enhancing the capacity of the State managementagencies and the contingent of officials responsible for nature conservationand biodiversity, while building and carrying out mechanisms for coordinationbetween State management agencies, political-social organisations, and developmentpartners in the field./.
Four new species of camellia (a genus of flowering plants in the family Theaceae) and Begonia (a genus of perennial flowering plants in the family of Begoniaceae) – have been found in Bidoup-Nui Ba National Park in Lam Dong province by a group of Vietnamese and international scientists and researchers.
As many as 91 new species were discovered in Vietnam in 2020, including 85 endemic species, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in its report issued on January 26.
Floodwater levels in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta are high and will continue to rise this month, especially in upstream areas, according to the hydraulic works management and construction department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.
Conservation efforts to restore habitat and boost the population of red-crowned cranes in Tram Chim National Park are finally showing progress, with the cranes and many other rare wild birds coming back to the park.
Torrential rains from the night of July 31 to early August 1 triggered flash floods and landslides across several communes in Dien Bien province, leaving at least two people dead and eight others missing.
Transitioning to a circular economy not only offers a sustainable development path for Ho Chi Minh City but also serves as a pivotal step toward establishing a fully green economy.
An exhibition featuring 100 green, recycled, and circular economy models and products from 50 businesses and educational establishments took place in Ho Chi Minh City on July 31, as part of the local green transition forum and recycle day 2025.
Regional solidarity and cooperation are the key factor for the effective implementation of wildlife protection regulations. Only through sustainable cooperation, innovative approaches, and collective action can biodiversity be safeguarded for the present and future generations, an Vietnamese official has said.
Hanoi has approved a comprehensive plan to restore the environmental quality and develop four major urban rivers – the To Lich, Kim Nguu, Lu, and Set reverine environments.
The Javan pangolin is listed in Vietnam’s Red Book as critically endangered and is protected under Group IB – a category reserved for forest species facing an extremely high risk of extinction and requiring strict conservation measures.
As a key member of the core group of 18 countries, initiated by Vanuatu, Vietnam engaged in advocating for the UN General Assembly’s Resolution N.77/276, requesting for the ICJ’s advisory opinion. Following the resolution's adoption, Vietnam fully participated in all procedural steps for the first time, from submitting written proposals to presenting directly at the court’s hearings.
The wild elephant population in Da Nang includes a full developed herb of mature males, females, and calves. To date, the herd has grown to nine individuals.
Conservation efforts here have become a model, helping to save millions of turtle hatchlings and promoting Con Dao as a member of the Indian Ocean-Southeast Asia Turtle Site Network.
As part of its drive to fulfil its net zero emissions commitment by 2050, Vietnam is fast-tracking the development of a legal corridor to launch a pilot carbon market by the end of 2025, according to the Department of Climate Change.
Under the plan, from 2025 to 2026, the city will complete mechanisms and policies to support businesses in switching to green vehicles, expand the electric and green-energy bus network, and build charging stations. The targeted proportion of green buses is set at 10% in 2025 and 20–23% in 2026.
Storm Comay, the fourth in the East Sea this year, was at around 16.7 degrees North and 118.3 degrees East, in the east of the East Sea's northern waters as of 4am on July 24.
The disaster risk warning level for flash floods, landslides, and ground subsidence due to heavy rains and flows is rated at level 1, except in Nghe An, where it is raised to level 2.
A species of mossy frog (Photo: baotainguyenmoitruong.vn) 
The WWF report (Photo: baotainguyenmoitruong.vn) 
