Ho Chi Minh City has asked the World Bank to continue lending 450 million USD for the second phase of its environmental sanitation project (Nhieu Loc-Thi Nghe Basin), according to the city's Transport Department.

Three European Union (EU)-funded projects worth 3 million EUR, which aim to support Vietnam and its neighbouring countries in combating illegal wood exploitation, were officially launched at a ceremony in Hanoi on February 18.

An influx of saline water will flow 40-60km inland into the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta's coastal provinces next month, according to the Southern Irrigation Science Institute.

Suspect goods seized by Ho Chi Minh City’s customs officials have been identified as three African ivory tusks weighing a total of 4.2 kg, the Institute of Tropical Biology reported on February 17.

Phu Quoc island district of the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang is taking all necessary measures to prevent forest fires as the dry season is nearing.

Vietnam’s ever increasing energy demands mean developing renewable energy is a top priority in its national climate change strategy and efforts to minimise greenhouse gas emissions, radio The Voice of Vietnam (VOV) said.

Transforming Ho Chi Minh City into a low-carbon emission metropolis was discussed at an international workshop in the city on February 14, as part of its partnership with the Japanese city of Osaka.

The southern province of Dong Nai will work to install qualified waste water treatment systems in all 28 operating industrial parks (IPs) in the locality as part of effort to prevent environmental pollution.

Vietnam has been advised to call for capital from different investment sources to develop waste water treatment projects, or the State will have to pay 780 million USD a year, equal to 1.3 percent of the GDP, to cover the economic losses caused by the poor hygiene. Report by the English news website VietNamNet Bridge.

Hanoi pursues the consistent policy of offering incentives for enterprises which apply advanced technologies in waste treatment in the capital, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Vu Hong Khanh has said.

The Central Highlands region and its neighbouring provinces have cancelled 167 small hydroelectric projects and rejected 75 potential locations for building hydropower plants after concluding that they may seriously affect the quality of life of local residents.

Experts from many Vietnamese universities and government agencies participated in a workshop on the environment and the management of river basin in Bangkok from February 8-9.

The Steering Committee for Forest Fire Prevention has asked localities in the southern province of Dong Nai, which is facing high risk of forest fires, to take measures against the situation, especially in the 2014 dry season.

Forests in the Central Highlands region are shrinking rapidly, losing nearly 130,000 hectares during the 2007-12 period due to shortcomings in management and protection.