Vietnam Aims to Clean up 100 Polluted Places by 2015

Vietnam has set a target to improve the environment in 100 polluted areas until 2015 as part of a national target program on managing and improving environmental pollution during the 2011-2015 period. The program will be carried out in 11 provinces nationwide, comprising the northern provinces of Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang, Thai Nguyen, Lang Son, Nam Dinh and Thai Binh and the central provinces of Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh and Quang Tri. It is also expected to ease the environment pollution caused by chemicals in these areas during wartime and pesticide residues. In the coming years, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment plans to build a toxic waste treatment center in the central region with a total investment of VND2 trillion ($95.24 million) in a move to deal with the serious environment pollution. Environment pollution remains an obstacle for the country’s socioeconomic development. Vietnam has lost at least 1.5%-3% of its gross domestic product (GDP) to environment pollution that has been rising rapidly for many years, experts noted. (Cong An Nhan Dan –People’s Police Feb 15, Dai Bieu Nhan Dan – People’s Deputies Feb 15, Tuoi Tre –Youth Feb 15)