The events, part of the 18th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment (AMME-18) from September 2–4, underscored Vietnam’s continued commitment to environmental protection and sustainable development.

Hoa Lu was among 10 outstanding cities to receive the ESC Awards, which recognises its notable initiatives in sustainable tourism, environmental education, and awareness-raising in schools. The award highlights cities that demonstrate exceptional commitment to maintaining green, clean, and livable environments.

At the same ceremony, Hai Phong was presented with a COR in the category of “Biodiverse and Green Urban Areas,” acknowledging its efforts to conserve biodiversity and expand urban green spaces.

Malaysia’s Acting Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Johari Abdul Ghani said the achievements were a source of pride for the awarded nations and an inspiration for ASEAN’s collective efforts towards a greener, more sustainable future.

He also congratulated Vietnam on having three national parks recognised as ASEAN Heritage Parks on this occasion: Pu Mat National Park in Nghe An province, Dong Nai Culture and Nature Reserve in Dong Nai province, and Xuan Thuy National Park in Ninh Binh province.

Malaysia’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability emphasised that the awards testify to the strong commitment of ASEAN cities to protecting the environment amid rapid urbanisation, while reinforcing the bloc’s determination to share best practices and collaborate towards a greener future.

Implementation of ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community goals under review

The Ministry of Home Affairs on August 21 chaired a national conference on ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Blueprint implementation in Vietnam.