Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Hoang Hiep on April 20 called for faster administrative procedures and closer coordination with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to remove bottlenecks and accelerate the Japan-funded Ben Tre Water Management Project.

The national conference on fisheries science, technology and fisheries surveillance 2026 is being organized to assess the current state of scientific and technological development in the sector, providing a scientific basis for defining major orientations for science, technology and innovation. The event will also support the development of mechanisms, policies and key tasks to advance the fisheries sector, contributing to both sectoral and national economic growth in the 2026–2030 period, with a vision to 2035.

Viet Nam and the United States agreed to strengthen cooperation in sustainable agriculture, the circular economy, digital transformation, natural resource management and climate change response, as part of efforts to promote green growth and achieve net-zero emissions.

On April 16, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, in coordination with the Embassy of Canada in Viet Nam, held a conference to review the “Safe food for growth” (SAFEGRO) project, assessing its results, impacts and effectiveness over the 2020–2026 period. The event also aimed to share lessons learned and project outputs to support the continuation and scaling up of effective models, contributing to improved sustainability and effectiveness in ensuring food safety in Viet Nam.

Viet Nam has welcomed U.S. support in strengthening health security, describing it as a key foundation for controlling cross-border diseases and promoting sustainable agricultural development. The two sides agreed to expand cooperation in surveillance, early warning, vaccine research, and implementation of the Global Health Security Program.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien on April 10 presented the “For the cause of Agriculture and Environment” insignia to Dr. Pawin Padungtod, Senior Technical Coordinator of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Viet Nam, in recognition of his contributions to advancing the One Health approach, strengthening veterinary systems, and promoting sustainable livestock production.

National Assembly on April 8 approved the appointment of  Standing Deputy Minister Trinh Viet Hung as Minister of Agriculture and Environment for the 2026–2031 term, with all deputies present voting in favor.

At a regular press briefing on April 1, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien said the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is stepping up the application of remote sensing technology in resource and environmental monitoring to improve governance capacity, enhance early warning systems, and support policymaking. The move comes as the sector maintains growth momentum, with agro-forestry-fishery exports rising 5.9% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026. Officials said advancing science and technology would serve as a key foundation for sustainable development in the coming period.

At the first National Conference on Science and Technology for Livestock and Veterinary Development, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien said science and technology are not only drivers of growth but decisive factors shaping productivity, quality and the sector’s position. He also outlined key priorities for research institutions, regulators and businesses in the coming period.

Viet Nam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and partners from the U.S. state of Ohio have signed a memorandum of understanding on soybean cooperation, aiming to expand trade, secure feed supply chains, and promote technology transfer, Deputy Minister Hoang Trung said at a meeting on March 27.

Building on a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in September 2023, Viet Nam and China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region are advancing cooperation in agriculture and environment, focusing on smart agriculture, agri-product trade, fisheries, and cross-border disease control, with the aim of developing seamless and sustainable supply chains.

Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien stressed that the development of science and technology programs in the fisheries sector must be grounded in practical needs and focused on key priorities, in order to deliver highly applicable and scalable results, thereby promoting innovation and supporting the sector’s modern and sustainable development.

On March 23, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) agreed to strengthen cooperation in sustainable livestock development, food safety, disease prevention and control, and the transformation of food systems toward modernization and climate resilience.

The first National Conference on Livestock and Veterinary Science and Technology is expected to serve not only as a large-scale scientific forum but also as a platform to strengthen links between research and production, promote digital transformation, modernize livestock production systems, and improve disease control and biosecurity.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Le Cong Thanh on March 19 highlighted potential cooperation with Hungary in mineral technologies and e-waste recycling, seen as key to advancing a circular economy.

More accurate forecasts and earlier warnings significantly improve the ability of authorities and communities to respond proactively — a key message emphasized by Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Le Cong Thanh, as increasingly extreme disasters require stronger application of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data.

To operationalize the Party and State’s policies on advancing science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, the green economy, and public–private partnerships, CT Group has proposed a strategic cooperation framework with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. The proposals focus on deploying core technologies to drive breakthroughs in productivity, efficiency, and governance amid accelerating digital transformation.