As HCM City looks to unlock the tourism potential of its only coastal district, questions are mounting over how to reconcile growth ambitions with the need to safeguard one of Việt Nam’s most sensitive ecological zones.

Once choked with sewage and stench, the Tô Lịch and Lừ rivers are slowly recovering as a hidden network of tunnels, robots and treatment plants redirects wastewater beneath the city’s streets.

A rare green sea turtle was released back into its natural habitat at Cửa Việt beach in the central province of Quảng Trị on June 8 following a joint effort by local authorities, the Cồn Cỏ Island Marine Protected Area Management Board, competent forces and local residents.

Việt Nam’s emissions trading system was recognised by the World Bank for the first time in its State and Trends of Carbon Pricing 2026 report. Under the current roadmap, Việt Nam plans to pilot the system starting with around 110 major firms in the thermal power, steel and cement industries.

Authorities are pushing new irrigation methods, reduced chemical use and carbon-monitoring systems as part of a broader effort to transform the agriculture sector into a lower-emission, export-oriented industry.

Speaking to a VietnamPlus online newspaper on World Environment Day 2026, Dr. Tăng Thế Cường, Director General of the Department of Environment under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, emphasised that strengthening institutions and policies, modernising environmental governance through data, science and technology, and mobilising the whole of society will be key to building a green, prosperous Việt Nam.

A local fisherman on Sunday discovered the turtle entangled at the bottom while checking fishing nets.

Việt Nam is looking to unlock the vast potential of its nearly 8,000 reservoirs to drive sustainable aquaculture growth, boost rural livelihoods and strengthen the fisheries value chain.

After determining that the animal was healthy enough to return to its natural habitat, the authorities released it back into the sea.

Sea turtles are at high risk of extinction because of marine pollution, climate change, and human overexploitation.

The species belongs to Group IB — a category of endangered and rare forest wildlife species given the highest level of protection in Việt Nam, with all forms of commercial exploitation and use strictly prohibited.

Meteorological and hydrological expert Nguyễn Ngọc Huy speaks to Việt Nam News reporter Thu Vân about forecasts pointing to a near-certain El Nino this year, warning that prolonged heatwaves, severe drought, saltwater intrusion and mounting pressure on agriculture, energy and water resources could pose major challenges for Việt Nam through 2027.