Environment

A rare sea turtle weighing about 70kg was returned to the sea in Ca Mau province on September 29 after being accidentally caught in a fishing net.

The project, running through September 2028 in Hanoi and across Vietnam, aims to strengthen the country's capacity in hydrometeorological forecasting, particularly quantitative precipitation forecasting, to support early warning and disaster prevention.

According to wildlife rescue workers, treating injuries is only the first step. Full rehabilitation means rebuilding an animal's physical condition and retraining it to forage, move and adapt on its own before release.

At the discussion session, representatives of the ministry, offshore wind developers, equipment manufacturers and international financial institutions, including CIP, Siemens and KfW, discussed Vietnam’s offshore wind investment potential and the Vietnamese Government’s plans to achieve an offshore wind capacity target of 17GW by 2035, including measures to attract international investment to the country.

The animals included two elongated tortoises (Indotestudo elongata) and a Bengal monitor (Varanus bengalensis), all of which were found and reported by local residents.

The floods submerged and damaged 22,499ha of rice, crops and vegetables, along with 2,172ha of other crops. A further 1,175.62ha of aquaculture areas were affected. Some 1,999 metres of irrigation canals were eroded or damaged, while 15 schools were flooded.

Prolonged heavy rains from September 13–17 have caused flooding and landslides, damaging homes, crops, roads and infrastructure in Phu Tho and Thanh Hoa provinces, with local authorities mobilising forces for emergency response.

Authorities urged residents in the eight provinces and cities - Son La, Phu Tho, Lao Cai, Tuyen Quang, Thai Nguyen, Quang Ninh, Thanh Hoa and Nghe An - to remain alert for a high risk of flash floods and landslides on September 17.

Although not particularly intense, the tropical depression is expected to bring rain over a very large area covering many provinces and cities in the north and central regions.

Covering a total area of 3,182ha, the conservation area comprises 3,016.81ha of natural forest, 64.25ha of plantation forest and 100.94ha of land without forest, with no water surface area. It is located in the Ly Thuong Kiet, Tam Chuc and Nguyen Uy wards of Ninh Binh province.

From September to November, El Niño is expected to remain at strong to very strong levels, with a 100% probability. Of this, there is a roughly 7% probability of a strong El Niño and a 93% probability of a very strong one.

Vietnam’s strategic orientation for sustainable development, approved by the Prime Minister in 2004, included waste treatment technologies, clean energy, recycling and environmental protection.

The “Plastic Circularity Journey 2026” was launched in Ho Chi Minh City on August 26, promoting public-private cooperation to realise the circular economic model by connecting supply chains, innovation, and resources for green growth.

Upon completion, the project is expected to help improve environmental sanitation, protect groundwater, surface water and the marine environment, and safeguard public health.

Sectors such as semiconductor manufacturing, nuclear power, science and advanced technologies are playing an increasingly important role in national competitiveness and economic development of each country. They also offer considerable room for Vietnam and the RoK to expand professional exchanges, share experience and promote cooperation, particularly among their energy experts.

Instead of waiting for heatwaves to cause serious impacts, the model uses meteorological and hydrological forecasts to trigger early decisions, allocate resources and protect vulnerable communities before risks peak.

The Gulf of Tonkin, including Bach Long Vi, Van Don, Co To and Cat Hai special zones and Hon Dau island, as well as coastal areas of Quang Ninh and Hai Phong, will be affected. The disaster risk level is forecast at Level 3.

Local authorities evacuated 2,965 households, including 2,736 in Lang Son, 27 in Quang Ninh, 80 in Bac Ninh and 122 in Thanh Hoa.

A total of 1,065ha of crops were inundated or damaged, including 560ha in Lang Son, 455ha in Bac Ninh and 50ha in Quang Ninh. Some 290 landslide and inundation sites in Lang Son disrupted traffic.

Local authorities contacted 1,620 vessels with 4,499 crew members, ensuring no vessels remain unreachable or are operating in dangerous areas.