Vietnam

‘Khoảng trống’ dữ liệu chất lượng không khí Hà Nội

VN Express | Local Language | News | Dec. 5, 2025 | Pollution

Four years after the initial nationwide PM2.5 study led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyễn Thị Nhật Thanh, Hanoi still faces significant spatial and temporal gaps in air quality monitoring. Despite having 37 state-managed monitoring stations concentrated in the city center, suburban areas with rising pollution levels lack fixed stations for accurate data collection. Many stations experience frequent data interruptions, delaying public warnings and limiting effective pollution management.

Hanoi’s air quality monitoring network includes both fixed, high-cost standard stations and numerous lower-cost sensor stations with less reliable data. Currently, only six fixed stations operate in Hanoi, fewer than international standards require for a city of its size and pollution level. Public access to data is limited, with only 18 of 61 surveyed stations releasing information in 2024. Maintenance issues and funding delays further contribute to data gaps, evidenced during a severe pollution episode in October 2024 when many stations failed to provide data.

To address these challenges, the National Environmental Monitoring Plan aims to add 98 continuous automatic monitoring stations nationwide by 2030, including six new sites in Hanoi’s residential and industrial districts. Experts highlight the need for improved coordination, sustainable funding, and enhanced data sharing among agencies to maintain station operation and ensure reliable continuous monitoring. Complementary approaches such as satellite data, low-cost sensors, modeling, and machine learning are recommended to fill data gaps and better forecast air quality.

Long-term investments should prioritize fixed stations positioned strategically across urban, traffic, industrial, and rural zones based on emission sources and pollution levels rather than population alone. Building a stable, comprehensive monitoring network is crucial to support policy decisions and improve air quality management in Hanoi amid increasing pollution and urban growth.

Vùng Cảnh sát biển 2 xử phạt 87 tàu cá vi phạm quy định về khai thác thủy sản

Bao Dien Tu | Local Language | News | Dec. 5, 2025 | Regulation

From October 15 to December 2, Coast Guard Region 2 coordinated with local authorities and military commands in Quảng Trị, Quảng Ngãi, Gia Lai, and Đà Nẵng to launch an intensive campaign against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The campaign involved organizing 247 legal outreach sessions targeting thousands of residents, boat owners, and fishermen to disseminate information and raise awareness on combating IUU fishing.

The region deployed 23 vessels for patrol, inspection, and control missions, inspecting 306 fishing vessels at sea. As a result, 87 vessels were fined for violating fisheries exploitation regulations, and 4 vessels were detained due to serious or suspected violations. Outreach efforts also reached 399 fishing vessels with over 3,100 crew members, aiming to educate those involved in fishing activities about compliance with legal and regulatory frameworks.

Looking ahead, Coast Guard Region 2 plans to intensify patrols, inspections, and preventive measures to completely eliminate IUU fishing violations before the European Commission's upcoming fifth inspection visit. Coordination with Border Guard forces and Fisheries Departments will be strengthened to manage vessel activity near boundary lines and ports. The region will continue extensive publicity and legal education to promote adherence to state laws and protect the country’s maritime sovereignty and security.

Đề xuất quy định mới về Giấy chứng nhận đủ điều kiện sản xuất, lắp ráp ô tô

Bao Dien Tu | Local Language | News | Dec. 5, 2025 | Regulation

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has proposed new regulations to amend Decree No. 116/2017/ND-CP, which governs conditions for automobile manufacturing, assembly, importation, and warranty services in Vietnam. After seven years of implementation, the Ministry identified several issues requiring updates, including the non-application of business conditions to manufacturers focused solely on exports and the need to standardize and simplify forms related to the Certificate of Eligibility for automobile manufacturing and assembly. The proposal also includes changes reflecting organizational restructuring by replacing certain governmental unit names.

The draft decree consists of three articles aimed at amending, supplementing, and replacing specific articles and forms in the original Decree No. 116/2017/ND-CP. Notably, it standardizes the use of a single form for the Certificate of Eligibility across issuance, replacement, and re-issuance processes, and underscores that inspections and on-site assessments must be formally recorded.

The proposed procedure for issuing the Certificate of Eligibility involves enterprises submitting dossiers to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, which must either request additional information within five working days if incomplete or notify the enterprise to prepare for inspection within the same timeframe if complete. The inspection must occur within 15 working days, and results will determine whether the Certificate is granted or declined, with written reasons provided for refusals. Certificates can be received directly at the Ministry or through postal or other means. The Ministry is currently seeking public feedback on this draft via its electronic information portal.