Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, issued on December 22, 2024 by the Politburo, identifies science, technology, and innovation as key drivers of rapid and sustainable national development. It also underscores the need to improve institutional frameworks, strengthen investment in basic research, and better leverage high-quality human resources. Drawing on his experience in agricultural research, Nguyen Duy Phuong, Ph.D., Head of the Molecular Pathology Department at the Agricultural Genetics Institute, shared with Agriculture and Environment Magazine that while institutional reforms are moving in a positive direction, a deeper concern remains: how to build and retain a strong scientific workforce—especially younger researchers—who will ultimately determine whether the Resolution can be realized in practice over the long term.

Vietnamese officials, international organizations and experts have called for a structured and feasible roadmap to gradually reduce the dog and cat meat trade in Viet Nam, citing risks to public health, animal welfare and the need for a One Health approach, amid ongoing challenges in animal quarantine and rabies control.

On January 27, the third Technical Meeting of the Companion Animals Working Group under the One Health Partnership (OHP) was held to further identify policy and implementation gaps, share domestic and international experience, and discuss and provide feedback on a draft roadmap to reduce and gradually end the dog and cat meat trade, alongside efforts to eliminate rabies in Viet Nam by 2030.

As Viet Nam’s agricultural sector faces growing pressure to shift toward greener, more efficient and climate-resilient growth models, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Thanh Nam said that developing a circular economy technology transfer project, with a focus on promoting public–private partnerships, is a necessary step to lay the groundwork for sustainable agricultural development in the coming period.

On January 12, during a working session between the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and a delegation from Son La province led by Deputy Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Cong, compliance with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) for Son La’s coffee-growing areas was identified as an urgent issue.

As the world faces mounting challenges from climate change, food insecurity, resource depletion and widening nutrition inequality, transforming food systems toward greener, low-emission and sustainable pathways has become an urgent task rather than a long-term aspiration, including for Viet Nam.

The technical discussion session held on the morning of January 9, as part of the ISG 2025 Conference themed “Advancing a green, low-emission and sustainable food systems transition: Cooperation and innovation,” focused on reviewing implementation progress and clarifying key pillars of Viet Nam’s National Action Plan for a transparent, responsible and sustainable food systems transformation (FST-NAP) through 2030. Through policy updates, FAO’s technical support orientations and in-depth group discussions, the session identified critical bottlenecks and priority actions aimed at translating strategic commitments into tangible outcomes on the ground.

Through the launch ceremony of the Viet Nam Agricultural Product Traceability System on December 26, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment aims to operationalize major policy orientations on digital transformation and agricultural value chain management. The initiative is designed to effectively implement the pilot traceability program for durian, raise awareness and accountability among stakeholders across production and supply chains, and promote the application of science and technology to enhance transparency, ensure food safety, and gradually expand traceability to a wider range of agricultural products.

On December 12, during a meeting with Mr. Tsutomu Takebe, Special Advisor to the Japan–Viet Nam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance and former Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan, Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Duc Thang affirmed that high-quality human resource development is a key pillar for elevating agricultural cooperation between Viet Nam and Japan. In a context where the two countries demonstrate clear complementarities in labor and technology, cooperation in education and training linked with practical experience and entrepreneurship has been identified as a strategic direction.

In his presentation at the workshop “Developing and enhancing the value of Shan Tuyet tea” hosted by the Journal of Agriculture and Environment, Dr. Nguyen Cong Han, founder of Dragon Tea Suoi Giang, offered a convincing perspective on the scientific foundations and technological innovations needed to unlock the full potential of this unique tea heritage.

At the workshop “Developing and enhancing the value of Shan Tuyet tea,” organized by the Agriculture and Environment Magazine in Lao Cai, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Anh Tuan, Director of the Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Post-Harvest Technology, emphasized that the future of Shan Tuyet tea lies not only in its unique raw material areas, but also in how science and technology can pave the way for a more diverse and sustainable product ecosystem.

On December 5, the 4th Meeting of the Food Safety Technical Working Group (FSTWG) was convened under the co-chairmanship of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), and development partners within the One Health Partnership (OHP) framework.

Amid climate change, declining land resources, and increasingly stringent requirements from the food processing industry, potato breeding and seed production are facing a pressing need for innovation. In an interview with the press, Assoc. Prof., PhD Nguyen Xuan Truong, Director of the Institute of Biology and Agricultural Technology, said that the application of greenhouse-based soilless cultivation systems, combined with IoT and AI, not only improves potato seed quality but also lays the groundwork for developing a modern and sustainable agricultural value chain in Viet Nam.

At the workshop “Regional linkages - Promoting green value chains in Vietnamese agriculture,” Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien emphasized that the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will prioritize advancing regional linkage strategies and developing comprehensive cooperative models centered on farmers, businesses, scientists, and local authorities.

Throughout Viet Nam’s development journey, communities have always been the foundation of its sustainable strength. In particular, in agriculture and the environment, the direct participation of local people has played a crucial part in maintaining livelihoods and conserving and restoring natural values.

Agriculture has been the green thread weaving together Viet Nam’s resilience, ingenuity, and aspirations throughout its remarkable development journey. From the fertile plains of the Mekong Delta to the misty mountainous regions in the North, and from the Southern rice paddies to the coffee hills of the Central Highlands, Viet Nam’s agricultural transformation is a testament to overcoming adversity, embracing innovation, and stewarding the land for future generations. Since the landmark Doi Moi reforms of 1986, the World Bank has been a steadfast partner, providing not only financial support but also global expertise, policy guidance, and a shared vision for sustainable growth.

Vietnam’s agriculture has long stood at the heart of the country’s remarkable social and economic transformation. In less than four decades, the country moved from food shortages and dependency on aid to becoming a powerhouse in global agricultural markets. This transition is more than a story of increased yields or rising exports—it is about the interplay of visionary policy reforms, farmer empowerment, global integration, and the strategic use of partnerships that have collectively reshaped Vietnam’s development trajectory.