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.

On August 27 in Hanoi, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Hoang Trung received a courtesy visit from the delegation of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia, led by Major General TNI., MAR. (Ret.) Sturman Panjaitan, Member of Parliament and Vice Chairman of the Committee. The meeting took place at a time when Vietnam-Indonesia relations are entering a new phase of development in 2025, underpinned by the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the milestone of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties. Both sides shared practical experiences and discussed key directions for cooperation in agriculture, environment, and sustainable development.

On August 19 in Ha Noi, Acting Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Duc Thang received Ms. Pauline Tamesis, the UN Resident Coordinator in Viet Nam. Taking place as Vietnam is finalizing its third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) in preparation for COP30, the meeting underscored not only Vietnam’s political determination in responding to climate change but also the UN’s long-term commitment to supporting the country through finance, technology, and policy cooperation towards the Sustainable Development Goals and Net Zero.

From the tea-covered hills stretching across Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh (now part of Quang Tri), and Quang Tri provinces, a research team from the University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University conducted a large-scale investigation to decode the diversity of local tea germplasm. Using 31 tea accessions collected from four provinces, analyzed for morphological traits and genetic diversity using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers, the team constructed a comprehensive overview of morphological variation and genetic relationships among tea accessions in the North Central region. The findings not only add essential data to Vietnam’s tea germplasm database but also provide a scientific basis for conservation and sustainable development of this culturally significant crop.

As the world accelerates efforts to implement the Paris Agreement and prepares for COP30, Vietnam and Switzerland have agreed to develop a roadmap for cooperation on carbon credit mechanisms. A meeting between Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Le Cong Thanh and Mr. Aldo de Luca, Deputy Head of Mission, Counsellor of the Swiss Embassy in Vietnam, on August 7 in Ha Noi marked a new step forward, opening opportunities for both sides to move toward formal negotiations as early as September.

With tens of thousands of products rated three stars or higher across the country, the “One Commune, One Product” (OCOP) program has increasingly affirmed its role in rural economic development since its inception. Beyond improving local incomes, OCOP has opened new directions for regional specialties, traditional craft villages, and community-based tourism. However, the program continues to face challenges related to production scale, quality standards, and international market access.

On July 24, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Hoang Trung received Mr. Wang Xiangang, Deputy Secretary of the People’s Government of Yunnan Province (China). The meeting came at a time when agricultural and environmental cooperation between Viet Nam and China is entering a new stage, aligned with sustainable development goals and the green trade agenda in the region.