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.

Amid notable progress in negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Viet Nam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), cooperation between Viet Nam and Switzerland has continued to deliver tangible results across multiple sectors. Both sides are working to promote trade linked to climate change adaptation, contributing to sustainable development goals.

On March 17, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, in coordination with the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), the French Embassy in Vietnam and partners, on Monday launched the ASEACA project aimed at strengthening disease prevention under the One Health approach. The project seeks to enhance research capacity, connect scientific networks and promote international cooperation in preventing zoonotic diseases, particularly in the context of rising risks from emerging infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and environmental changes.

Viet Nam and Zambia discussed measures to strengthen bilateral agricultural cooperation during a working visit by a Zambian delegation to Viet Nam, focusing on accelerating the drafting and signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on agriculture to expand practical cooperation between the two countries.

As Viet Nam accelerates efforts to pursue rapid growth while reducing emissions, science and technology, together with international cooperation, are increasingly viewed as key drivers in addressing environmental challenges.

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is posing new challenges to global supply chains, particularly through rising energy and international logistics costs. In response, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is developing growth scenarios and implementing measures to minimize impacts and maintain stable production and exports.

As the peak of the dry season approaches, drought and saltwater intrusion are expected to remain complex across many southern regions. However, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, water supplies for agricultural production are generally being maintained. The highest salinity intrusion in the Mekong Delta is forecast to occur between March 19 and 23, 2026.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment held a meeting on March 10 to present a plan for implementing traceability systems for agricultural, forestry and fishery products for 2026–2030, with a vision to 2035. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Nguyen Van Long, Director of the Department of Science and Technology.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has appointed Tran Hong Thai, a member of the Party Central Committee, as President of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology.

Viet Nam and the United Nations agreed to focus on a substantive review of the 2025 response plan, finalize the 2026 contingency plan in April, and strengthen early warning and response capacity at the grassroots level. The priorities were discussed at a meeting between the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and UN partners.

At a meeting on March 3, 2026, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Viet Nam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment agreed to accelerate cooperation in a new phase, prioritizing large-scale, integrated projects in agricultural infrastructure, climate change adaptation and food systems transformation.