Environment

Netherlands ready to assist Vietnam in sustainable sand mining, water management

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dang Quoc Khanh on March 18 had a working session with visiting Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management Mark Harbers, who expressed his country’s readiness to assist Vietnam in offshore sand mining, groundwater management, and mineral exploitation.
Netherlands ready to assist Vietnam in sustainable sand mining, water management ảnh 1Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dang Quoc Khanh (R) and Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management Mark Harbers at the meeting in Hanoi on March 18. (Photo: baotainguyenmoitruong.vn)
Hanoi (VNA) – Minister of Natural Resources andEnvironment Dang Quoc Khanh on March 18 had a working session with visiting DutchMinister of Infrastructure and Water Management Mark Harbers, who expressed hiscountry’s readiness to assist Vietnam in offshore sand mining, groundwatermanagement, and mineral exploitation.

Harbers spoke highly of the active moves by the VietnameseMinistry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) to protect the environment,especially nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation.

He shared opinions about the cooperation programmes onsustainable offshore sand mining, sustainable groundwater management in the MekongDelta, the exploitation of essential minerals, and activities at the InternationalPanel on Deltas, Coastal Areas and Islands.

These are strengths of the Netherlands, and it is ready toassist and share its policies, experience, techniques, and financial solutionswith Vietnam, the minister stressed.

With regard to sustainable offshore sand mining, Khanh agreedwith his guest on the need to quickly issue guidance for the projects onseeking offshore sand sources.

Talking about sustainable groundwater management in the MekongDelta, he noted that the geographical location has made this region vulnerableto climate change and extreme weather conditions. Given this, the MoNRE hopesto receive assistance and experience from the Netherlands to devise water storagesolutions to help solve water excess in the flood season and water scarcity inthe dry season there, thus balancing water resources and boost sustainabledevelopment in the Delta.

Netherlands ready to assist Vietnam in sustainable sand mining, water management ảnh 2The Phu Ninh waterworks in Quang Nam province (Photo: VNA)
In terms of activities at the International Panel on Deltas, CoastalAreas and Islands, the Vietnamese minister considered this as a good platformfor sharing knowledge about climate change adaptation.

The MoNRE’s Department of Climate Change, Department of WaterResources Management, and Vietnam National Mekong Committee Standing Office willcoordinate with the Netherlands to work out proposals for improving the nationalcapacity to make use of water resources amid climate change and give livelihoodsupport to residents in the Delta, he added.

At the meeting, the two ministers also discussed the buildingof a programme marking the 15th founding anniversary of the framework on climate change adaptation and water resourcesmanagement between the two countries. They said this is an occasion for countries in the region and theworld to learn about the two sides’ efforts to comply with international commitmentson climate change response./.
VNA
#Netherlands #Mark Harbers #sand mining #water management #climate change #Mekong Delta #Vietnam National Mekong Committee #updated Vietnam news #Vietnamplus #Vietnam News Agency Netherlands Vietnam
Follow VietnamPlus

Related News

See more

Construction workers reinforce steel and pour concrete to cover the underground drainage channel, helping collect rainwater and tackle flooding in Da Nang. (Photo: VNA)

A new “shield” against climate change

Smart urban areas are no longer simply about technology; they are becoming a tool that enables authorities to forecast risks, adapt quickly and protect their residents.

Vietnam is exerting efforts to cope with climate change. (Illustrative photo: VNA)

Vietnam approves carbon credit pact with Singapore under Paris Agreement

Signed on September 16, 2025, the Implementation Agreement on carbon credits collaboration under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on climate change affirms Vietnam and Singapore’s pioneering role and commitment to close cooperation in the international carbon market, making a substantive contribution to global climate response.

A view of Vo Cuong ward, Bac Ninh province (Photo: VNA)

Bac Ninh earmarks over 1.7 billion USD for environmental protection

By 2030, Bac Ninh aims to ensure that all operating industrial clusters and industrial parks have centralised wastewater treatment systems meeting standards, while at least 95% of wastewater in Grade-I urban areas and 70% in Grade-II urban areas is collected and treated to required standards.

Many inland canals in Can Tho city dries up following a prolonged period of extreme heat. (Photo: VNA)

Government adopts action programme on environmental protection, climate resilience

The programme aims to translate the Party's orientations into concrete actions while strengthening environmental governance, enhancing climate resilience, and promoting a green, circular and low-carbon economy. It will serve as the basis for ministries, sectors and localities to formulate implementation plans for the 2026–2030 period, with a vision to 2045.

Dray Sap Waterfall lies within the UNESCO Dak Nong Global Geopark in Nam Da commune, Lam Dong province. (Photo: VNA)

Lam Dong steps up efforts to retain UNESCO global geopark status

Covering nearly 4,760 square kilometres across 22 communes and wards in western Lam Dong (equivalent to 73.1% of the former Dak Nong province's natural area), the geopark was shaped by millions of years of geological activity and successive volcanic eruptions.

A stump-tailed macaque (Macaca arctoides) is handed over to the Cam Lo–Dong Ha forest ranger station in Quang Tri province on January 27, 2026 (Photo: VNA)

Rare primate handed over to Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park

A stump-tailed macaque (Macaca arctoides) was handed over to the Centre for Rescue, Conservation, and Development of Creatures under the Management Board of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park in Quang Tri province on July 21, for rehabilitation and eventual release into the wild.

Two Red Lories (Eos rubra) found among the 104 wild animals being kept without documentation proving their lawful origin in Phuoc Thanh commune, Tay Ninh province. (Photo published by VNA)

Criminal proceedings launched against case of illegal keeping, trading of 104 wild animals

They recorded a total of 104 wild animals, comprising 92 African spurred tortoises (Geochelone sulcata) of various sizes, six Red Lories (Eos rubra) and six Green-cheeked Parakeets (Pyrrhura molinae). Authorities said the animals are subject to management under Vietnam's forestry legal regulations and are listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

BUYO Bioplastics' biodegradable plastic products are made from brewer's grains and sugarcane bagasse. (Photo: nhandan.vn)

Vietnam urged to shift from plastic waste treatment to full life-cycle management

For years, efforts to tackle plastic pollution in Vietnam have focused mainly on waste collection, recycling and disposal. However, as sustainable development and green trade standards become increasingly important, specialists argued that a broader approach is needed, covering everything from product design and material selection to production, consumption and recycling.