The ministry said that over the past decade, Vietnam’s environment has been considerably degraded due to high rates of economic growth, rapid industrialization and urbanization, and wanton exploitation of natural resources.

Economic losses caused by environmental pollution are estimated to be equal to 0.3 percent of the country’s GDP by 2010 and 1.2 percent by 2020. The experience of many countries shows that within ten years, environmental pollution increases by five fold if GDP doubles.

The steel industry has the most harmful impact on the environment in Vietnam, said Prof. Dr. Phan Dang Tuat, Director of the Institute for Industrial Policy Strategy.

Only three out of nine industrial parks around Hanoi have invested in waste water treatment systems and up to 60 percent of the IPs’ waste has not yet been properly processed, according to the Department of Safe Techniques and Industrial Environment under the General Department of Environment (GDE).

The GDE has devised a plan to treat chemical-borne environmental pollution in the entire country and is modifying regulations on managing imported waste.