Promoting carbon neutrality has become an urgent requirement for advancing sustainable agriculture and realizing Vietnam’s commitment to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. Strengthening understanding of greenhouse gas measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems, as well as the carbon credit mechanism, is a crucial step for the agricultural sector to actively engage in the carbon market and foster a genuine green transition.

As the digital economy continues to reshape global trade, Vietnam’s agriculture stands at a crucial crossroads, full of opportunities yet facing multiple challenges. Digital transformation is widely regarded as the key to strengthening competitiveness, expanding market reach, and building sustainable agricultural brands. However, technological infrastructure, digital skills, and investment costs remain major obstacles.

That is the central message of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction and the ASEAN Day for Disaster Management 2025. This year’s commemorative activities focus on young people, the future stewards of the nation, with the belief that investing in youth today means laying the strongest foundation for a safer and more sustainable tomorrow. Equipping the younger generation with knowledge, skills, and awareness in disaster prevention and response is an investment in the collective “resilience” of the entire community.

On October 8 in Hanoi, Acting Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Duc Thang received Mr. Pekka Voutilainen, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Finland to Vietnam.

This was affirmed by Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep during a meeting with Ms. Pauline Tamesis, UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam, on September 24 at the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE) headquarters. Lessons learned from Typhoon Yagi and recent natural disasters underscore the importance of accurate situation assessment, proper planning, and timely assistance. This also serves as a basis for strengthening cooperation between Vietnam and the United Nations to enhance disaster response capacity amid complex climate change developments.

On 23 September, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Thanh Nam met with Mr. Adham Omar, Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of Egypt in Vietnam, at the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. During the session, Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam highlighted the significant untapped potential and opportunities in agricultural cooperation between Vietnam and Egypt, following up on Vietnamese President Luong Cuong’s recent official visit to Egypt and aiming to boost bilateral agricultural trade.

On September 23, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Acting Minister Tran Duc Thang received and held talks with Ms. Mariam Sherman, World Bank (WB) Division Director for Vietnam, Cambodia and Lao PDR. The discussions centered on key projects in agriculture, irrigation, climate change, and fisheries, while also charting the direction for a high-level strategic cooperation framework in the years ahead.

Environmental education in schools is not simply about imparting knowledge, it is a tool to shape sustainable habits and behaviors among future generations. On September 19, in Hanoi, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment launched the ASEAN Eco-School Award 2025 under the theme “Plastic-free schools”, accompanied by a dialogue of the same name.

Digital transformation has been identified as one of the eight top priorities of the National Digital Transformation Program to 2025, with a vision to 2030, opening opportunities to restructure the agricultural sector toward value-added, sustainable growth, and deeper integration into the digital economy. At the Forum on “Digital transformation and innovation in agricultural development and environmental protection”, organized by the Trade Promotion Centre for Agriculture (under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) on September 18, in Hanoi, policymakers, experts, and businesses presented a range of substantive perspectives and proposals. These viewpoints sketched a comprehensive picture of the requirements, conditions, and pathways for advancing agricultural digital transformation in line with the objectives of green development and ecological sustainability.

On September 16, the governments of Vietnam and Singapore officially signed an agreement to implement Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on climate change. The signing ceremony was held online, attended by Vietnam’s Acting Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Duc Thang and Singapore’s Minister for Environment and Sustainability and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations Grace Fu. The agreement establishes a bilateral legal framework, paving the way for emissions reduction projects in Vietnam to be recognized and participate in the international carbon credit market.

On September 16 in Hanoi, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Quy Kien received and held talks with Mr. Yasuhide Nakayama, former Minister of Defense of Japan. The meeting took place in an open and constructive atmosphere, reflecting the determination of both sides to promote comprehensive cooperation, particularly in high-tech sectors, green agriculture, and environmental protection.

On September 15, in Hanoi, Acting Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Duc Thang met with Mr. Julien Guerrier, the European Union Ambassador to Vietnam. The meeting took place in an open and candid atmosphere, where both sides discussed new directions for cooperation in agriculture, trade, and environmental protection, aiming for sustainable development and balanced bilateral benefits.

This was the focus highlighted by Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien during a meeting on September 11 in Hanoi with Mr. Wilson Gambogi Pinheiro Taques, Representative of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock of Brazil on Embrapa’s Board (Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation). The discussion aimed to enhance bilateral cooperation across agriculture, agricultural trade, and on-site processing, while exploring the development of a joint Vietnam-Brazil brand to increase product value and stabilize supply chains.

On September 9, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Acting Minister Tran Duc Thang received a delegation from the Oregon State House of Representatives, led by Mr. Daniel Nguyen, visiting Vietnam for official talks. The meeting provided an opportunity to deepen collaboration between Vietnam’s agricultural and environmental sectors and the state of Oregon, contributing to a stronger comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and the United States in the new phase.

On September 4, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Hoang Trung met with Ms. Kanni Wignaraja, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General, UNDP Deputy Administrator, and Director for the Asia-Pacific Region. The meeting underscored the crucial role of UNDP in supporting Vietnam’s sustainable development goals, environmental protection, and green transition efforts. The discussions came as Vietnam is preparing to finalize its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) and implement programs on waste management and green energy development.

On September 3, at the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Acting Minister Tran Duc Thang held talks with the Cuban Minister of Agriculture, Ydael Jesús Pérez Brito. Both sides affirmed that agriculture remains a central pillar of bilateral cooperation. Building on the positive outcomes of pilot rice production models and the potential to expand into other areas, the two countries expressed their determination to deepen collaboration toward food security and sustainable development.

On August 27, 2025, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Hoang Trung met with representatives of Dragonberry Produce (United States) following the company’s success in introducing fresh Vietnamese lychees into major U.S. retail chains. Both sides agreed to jointly establish a post-harvest packing and treatment facility in northern Vietnam, standardize irradiation procedures, expand the export portfolio to passion fruit and guava, and promote the creation of the “Vietnam specialty produce” brand for distinctive Vietnamese agricultural products.