Law marks new step in protecting water resources

The Law on Water Resources 2023, officially effective from July 1, marks a leap forward in mindset, approach, and changes in water resources management methods to ensure that they are managed as national assets that belong to the entire people, said insiders.

Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)
Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – The Law on Water Resources 2023, officially effective from July 1, marks a leap forward in mindset, approach, and changes in water resources management methods to ensure that they are managed as national assets that belong to the entire people, said insiders.

According to Chau Tran Vinh, Director of the Department of Water Resources Management under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, with 10 chapters and 86 articles, the law institutionalises the new viewpoints, principles, and policies of the Party and the State regarding the management and protection of water resources.

Vinh emphasised that one of the core principles of the law is to address overlaps, conflicts, and gaps in existing laws to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the state management of water resources, thus ensuring national security in this field.

The law underlines the importance of promoting national water resources governance based on digital technology, through the national water resources monitoring system, national water resources databases, and decision-support systems, he added.

It mentions the aspiration to revive "dead rivers" in Vietnam as it introduces numerous regulations and policies related to the work and outlines financial mechanisms and policies for water resources restoration activities.

Vinh emphasised the need to enhance the responsibility of agencies, officials, and civil servants in handling administrative procedures related to water resources, ensuring prompt, timely, transparent, and public processes, as well as promoting the application of information technology in handling administrative procedures concerning water resources.

The ministry will also organise conferences to popularise information related to and regulations of the law across the country, thus clarifying the responsibilities of authorities of various levels and sectors in the water resources management./.

VNA

See more

UNESCO Representative to Vietnam Jonathan Wallace Baker and Japanese Ambassador Ito Naoki at the signing ceremony (Photo: baoquocte.vn)

UNESCO, Japan sign deal to bolster Vietnam’s disaster early warning

Climate change adaptation remains a top priority in Vietnam’s development strategy and national security outlook through 2050. Vietnam will maintain close cooperation with Japan, UNESCO and other partners to guarantee the project’s effectiveness and advance common goals.

The German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ)'s Managing Director Thorsten Schäfer-Gümbel speaks at the working session with the Vietnamese-German University. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Germany step up collaboration on energy transition, green hydrogen

Schäfer-Gümbel praised the strong commitment of Vietnamese partners to sustainable energy goals. He noted that the long-standing development cooperation between Germany and Vietnam is evolving, with energy transition emerging as a strategic area of collaboration in addressing global challenges.

Cat Ba langur is an extremely rare primate species found exclusively in the humid tropical forests of Cat Ba island (Photo: VNA)

Belgian TV spotlight: Vietnam's wild nature reborn

Through the lens of “Le Jardin Extraordinaire”, Vietnam was portrayed not simply as a travel destination but as a still-emerging realm of discovery: a nation whose nature, though heavily wounded in the past, demonstrates extraordinary powers of recovery, quietly upholding its pristine essence against the pressures of time.

The macaque, scientifically known as Macaca arctoides. (Photo: VNA)

Quang Tri receives endangered stump-tailed macaque

The Cam Lo-Dong Ha forest protection unit in the central province of Quang Tri has received a rare stump-tailed macaque, a species listed as endangered, precious and rare in the Vietnam Red Data Book.

At a ceremony to donate 100,000 trees to the Naval Region 4 (Photo: HANE)

Tree planting programme spreads green momentum in islands

The Ho Chi Minh City Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment (HANE) on January 11 announced 10 outstanding green programmes and activities carried out in 2025, including a programme to plant 1 million trees in Vietnam’s island areas.

Lam Dong releases hundreds of wild animals into the wild. (Photo: VNA)

Lam Dong releases hundreds of wild animals back into the wild

According to the Ta Dung National Park Management Board, the park has for years served as a trusted destination for authorities and residents to hand over and release wildlife. Such actions not only contribute to biodiversity conservation but also help reduce illegal hunting and captivity of wild animals.

According to the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Environment, air quality index (AQI) readings have at times reached poor and very poor levels. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi targets 20% reduction in PM2.5 levels

Hanoi has affirmed its commitment not to trade environmental protection for economic growth. The city is moving to establish low-emission zones (LEZs) as a core measure to control emissions and promote green, sustainable urban development.