Indicators of sediment, dissolved chemicals and micro-organisms in rivers and canals are two or three times higher than the allowable levels, badly affecting people’s health.

Currently, Vietnam’s urban and rural areas are confronting serious water, soil and air pollution. In the Me Kong River Delta alone, more than 12,000 businesses every year discharge over 40 million m² of industrial hazardous waste water. Every year, the locality also uses more than 2 million tonnes of chemical fertilizers and nearly 500,000 tonnes of pesticides from which hazardous chemical residues soak into the soil, streams and rivers, polluting the environment. The pollution of rural water resources, particularly those in craft villages, is at an alarming level.

According to experts, industrial and hospital waste discharged into rivers pose an unpredictable threat to people’s lives, particularly those who live close to industrial areas. Recently the pollution of rivers and underground water has become more aggravated. Pesticide residue, other chemicals and pathogenous micro-organisms have been found in drinking water, animals and vegetables. Heavy metals in waste discharged from Lam Thao phosphate fertilizer plant in Phu Tho province have polluted the water resources, causing cancers in local people.

More alarmingly, only 70-80 percent of urban garbage has been collected and uncollected rubbish has become a major cause of environmental pollution in rural areas. In some localities, local households just throw away the dead chickens or ducks that have contracted the H5N1 virus without burying or burning them. This is a source of infectious diseases which will affect their own health and the communal environment.

In order to mitigate environmental pollution in urban and rural areas, first of all, relevant ministries, sectors and local authorities will focus on dealing with serious polluters. Strict measures will be implemented first in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, craft villages and industrial zones. Businesses having no wastewater and rubbish treatment scheme will not be granted a business licence. Inspection activities will be accelerated to find and stop the operation of enterprises that cause serious environmental pollution. Information, education and communication activities will be promoted to strengthen awareness of environmental protection among business people and people in general.

Vietnam will positively participate in the campaign to cope with climate change and global warming. First of all, efforts will be made to mitigate hazardous fumes discharged into the air. In urban areas, exhaust fumes will be reduced by using replaceable fuel. Smoke from chimneys in industrial zones and rural brick kilns will be treated. Trees, particularly those which can produce more oxygen will be planted.