The research team from the Plant Resources Center (National Plant Gene Bank), comprising Le Thi Loan, Pham Hung Cuong, Doi Hong Hanh, Duong Thi Hanh, Nguyen Thi Hoa, Nguyen Thi Thuy Hang, and Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy, has recently reported a five-year (2020-2024) overview of ex-situ conservation of plant genetic resources in Vietnam. By the end of 2024, the system held 28,790 seed samples representing 125 species across five major crop groups, 3,041 vegetatively propagated samples, and 659 in-vitro conserved samples.
Rationale for urgent conservation
According to the references cited by the team, over 80% of indigenous varieties have disappeared from production due to climate change, urbanization, and intensive cultivation. Although ex-situ conservation expanded by 55.2% during 2020–2024, some propagated materials still did not meet quality standards due to unsuitable ecological conditions, highlighting the need for further investment in infrastructure and region-specific conservation strategies.
Scope of the study
The project compiled all conservation data of the Gene Bank over five years, including seed banks, field collections (for vegetatively propagated species), and in-vitro laboratories. Assessment methods followed FAO/CGIAR standards, complemented by molecular marker analyses such as ITS, matK, rbcL, and genome-wide association studies (GWAS).
In addition to domestic collections, the Center incorporated 2,066 samples from international collaborations (USA, Japan, UK) and domestic sources, focusing on rice, maize, legumes, vegetables, tuber crops, and selected wild species.
Key results:
A notable highlight is the GWAS conducted on 177 local rice varieties, which identified 25 QTLs associated with antioxidant compounds and 19 candidate genes, providing a foundation for developing nutritionally enriched red and black rice varieties.
The authors noted that in major gene banks such as IRRI and CIP, the proportion of “detailed evaluation integrated with molecular data” often exceeds 25–30%, higher than current rates in Vietnam, indicating potential for technological and data improvements.
Challenges and recommendations
The study highlighted limitations in cold storage infrastructure, digitalization and automation, and Vietnam’s non-membership in the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA), which restricts global accessibility and sharing of plant genetic resources.
Based on the five-year results, the authors proposed priority actions:
In conclusion, this study demonstrates that Vietnam has shifted from “passive storage” to integrated conservation and utilization, with rapidly expanding collections, digitized data, and initial applications of molecular biology. The next steps include increasing the proportion of detailed evaluations, modernizing infrastructure, and expanding international connectivity to convert plant genetic resources into scientific and economic value for sustainable agriculture.
Viet Anh
Extended Producer/Importer Responsibility (EPR) is an environmental strategy/policy which the responsibility of manufacturers for their products is extended to the disposal stage of the product’s lifecycle. In practice, EPR involves manufacturers taking primary responsibility for the proper management of waste products, including waste collection, pre-treatment (such as sorting, cleaning, and pre-processing), and recycling/disposal of those waste products. EPR systems allow manufacturers to extend their responsibilities by contributing the necessary financial resources or directly/indirectly carrying out waste collection, processing/recycling activities, and supporting operational processes from the community. EPR can be implemented individually or in combination.
Based on the research conducted under Project Code: TNMT.2021.02.03, numerous flood monitoring & warning systems are currently operational and utilized by national disaster management authorities globally. However, in Vietnam, the early warning system for significant flood hazards in small river basins have not yet satisfactorily met the increasingly stringent societal demands. The lead time for flood warnings is currently limited to 3-6 hours for small river basins, lacking precise forecasts regarding timing, location, intensity, and extent of occurrence. Consequently, the focus remains primarily on qualitative risk alerts rather than quantitative assessments.
Water pollution is a serious and escalating public health concern, affecting approximately 2 billion people worldwide who lack access to clean and safe drinking water, according to the United Nations World Water Development Report
On the morning of February 16th, in Hanoi, the Vietnam Mineral Authority reported to Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Tran Quy Kien, on the implementation of the draft "Decree amending and supplementing some provisions of Decrees detailing the Mineral Law."
A delegation from the National Assembly's Committee on Science, Technology, and Environment, led by Ms. Nguyễn Thị Lệ Thủy, Deputy Head of the Committee on Science, Technology, and Environment, visited and conducted a field survey in Long An province to serve the assessment of the proposed amendments to the Water Resource Law. The National Assembly is expected to provide its initial feedback during the 5th session in May 2023 and review the law for approval during the 6th session in October 2023.
