One year after the nationwide implementation of Viet Nam's two-tier local government model, initial results suggest that the reform represents far more than an administrative restructuring. It marks a significant shift in the country's governance philosophy. By streamlining the administrative structure, advancing decentralization and the delegation of authority, accelerating administrative reform, and promoting digital transformation, the new model is laying the foundation for a modern public administration that is efficient, effective, accountable, and responsive to the country's development needs in a new era.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has issued Circular No. 22/2026/TT-BNNMT dated May 19, 2026, amending and supplementing several circulars related to decentralization and the reduction and simplification of administrative procedures under the ministry’s state management authority. The document, signed by Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep, marks a further step in Viet Nam’s institutional reform efforts and the modernization of governance in the agriculture and environment sectors.

The fight against Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing in Viet Nam is not merely a matter of completing technical reports to lift the European Commission’s (EC) "yellow card". Data from the 34th meeting of the National Steering Committee on IUU on April 16, 2026, shows that Viet Nam has made significant strides in legal frameworks and monitoring systems. However, looking at South Korea—a fisheries powerhouse driven by data-centric governance and sustainable livelihoods—it is clear that to truly escape the "shadow" of IUU, a revolution in governance is required: shifting from "administrative control" to "ecosystem operation".

A first-quarter growth rate of 3.5–3.7% and export turnover of $16.69 billion reaffirm the resilience of Viet Nam’s agriculture and environment sector. Yet emerging pressures—from weakening export momentum to rising standards in global markets—are exposing structural constraints and underscoring the need for a transition toward a more innovation- and data-driven growth model. The first-quarter review conference held on April 2 marked not only an assessment point, but also the starting line for a critical policy acceleration phase in Q2 2026.

After the initial year of implementing the Action Program for Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has entered a phase that requires directly confronting the core bottlenecks revealed during implementation. Part II of this series examines the difficulties and challenges emerging from practice; how the Ministry has articulated solutions to address foundational issues related to institutions, data, and operational capacity; and the outlook for implementing Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW from 2026 onward, with an emphasis on generating substantive, measurable value for the economy and for citizens.

After one year of implementing Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has completed a substantial volume of tasks under conditions of high requirements for progress, quality, and nationwide scope. The year 2025 was identified as a start-up phase, focusing on institutional refinement, foundational development, and the coordinated implementation of key tasks. The initial results—particularly in digital transformation, administrative procedure reform, and the construction of the national land database—not only demonstrate the sector’s organizational capacity but also lay an essential foundation for the transition toward generating tangible value from 2026 onward.

Amid the increasingly rapid and complex impacts of climate change, adopting a circular economy (CE) plays a crucial role in advancing an efficient, sustainable, and green agricultural sector.

Resolution No. 59-NQ/TW of the Politburo has established international integration as a strategic task—both urgent and long-term—closely linked to the requirement for rapid and sustainable national development amid an increasingly volatile global landscape. In concretizing this spirit, the Government issued Resolution No. 153/NQ-CP, while the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment proactively developed and implemented its own action program, identifying international integration as a key pillar in sectoral restructuring, expanding development space, enhancing Viet Nam’s international standing, and making substantive contributions to global goals on food security, environmental protection, and climate change response.

In an era of deepening global integration, agricultural and environmental diplomacy has emerged not only as a channel to mobilize international resources but also as a strategic tool to assert resilience, consolidate national standing, and safeguard core interests. Acting as the Ministry’s advisory hub, the Department of International Cooperation plays a pivotal role in shaping external policies, supporting Vietnam’s proactive integration, expanding markets, removing trade barriers, mobilizing international resources, and amplifying Vietnam’s voice as a respected presence on the global stage.

In the first half of 2025, Viet Nam’s agriculture and environment sector demonstrated remarkable resilience and dynamism, achieving a growth rate of 3.84%, its second-highest performance since 2021, and recording an unprecedented trade surplus of nearly USD 10 billion in agro-forestry-fishery exports. These results not only reaffirm the sector’s role as a pillar of the national economy but also reflect its steady progress in embracing institutional reform, digital transformation, and green transition.

Mr. Tran Duc Thang, Standing Deputy Inspector General of the Government Inspectorate, has been assigned by the Prime Minister to serve as Acting Minister of Agriculture and Environment, effective July 17, 2025.

On July 16, 2025, in Hanoi, the Agriculture and Environment Magazine convened its mid-year review conference to assess the performance of the first six months and outline key priorities for the second half of the year. The conference was chaired by Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien, with the participation of representatives from the Ministry’s departments, bureaus, and affiliated units. The event highlighted notable achievements and proposed strategic measures, reaffirming the Magazine's increasingly professional and internationally integrated role in the current context.

Starting July 1, 2025, 34 provinces and centrally governed cities across Vietnam officially began operating under a new two-tier local government model, comprising only provincial and communal levels—effectively dissolving the district-level government structure. This historic shift marks a major milestone in Vietnam’s ongoing administrative reform agenda, aimed at streamlining governance, improving operational efficiency, and enhancing public service delivery. As one of the key ministries deeply involved in agricultural development and environmental protection, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE) has taken a proactive approach in adapting to the new model. It has reviewed and revised policy frameworks, delegated appropriate authority, and prioritized capacity-building for grassroots-level officials. This proactive stance not only ensures continuity in sectoral governance but also lays the foundation for advancing digital transformation, green agriculture, circular econom

On May 26, 2025, the Party Cell of the Agriculture and Environment Magazine solemnly convened its First Congress for the 2025-2030 term. The event was held in the sacred and heroic atmosphere of historic May, as the nation commemorated the 50th anniversary of national reunification (April 30, 1975 - 2025), along with the President Ho Chi Minh's 135th birthday (May 19, 1890 - 2025). The Congress carried special political significance, marking a milestone in the Party Cell’s growth and development as Vietnam enters a new era of digital transformation, while the agriculture and environment sectors face increasing demands for reform and international integration.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has issued a directive for swift and comprehensive action to mitigate the aftermath of severe flooding in northern and midland regions of Vietnam. From June 8-10, heavy rainfall led to extensive flooding in the provinces of Quang Ninh, Hai Phong and Ha Giang, causing significant disruption and damage.

On April 25th, the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) hosted a training workshop on media coverage of integration, UNESCO, and ASEAN in 2024 for journalists from various media agencies in Hanoi.

By 2030, Vietnam is planning to develop new Marine Conservation Areas (MCAs) and restore marine ecosystems, increasing the area of marine and coastal conservation zones to approximately 6% of Vietnam's coastal area. This plan, initiated by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, is currently undergoing feedback and input from various coastal regions and entities.