Environment

By Joe Fotalattee

Tuoi Tre is reporting officials in Da Lat intend to set up a new night market and open a casino, the municipal administration announced during the release of its night-time economic development plan.

According to the plan recently submitted by local authorities to the Lam Dong Province government for approval, the city has selected 16 potential locations for facilities that would constitute its night-time economy for the 2023-30 period.

The new establishment would include a modern night shopping area replacing the current night market in the city center and a casino at Thung Lung Tinh Yeu (Valley of Love), a well-known destination, city authorities said on Wednesday.  

The new night market would be located at the Anh Sang (Light) Garden on Nguyen Van Cu Street in the city’s downtown area, about 100 meters from the existing night market on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street. 

The market would have souvenir stands, typical Da Lat commodities, street food, and facilities for cultural and recreational activities, including painting, artwork, magic performances, and dancing.

Meanwhile, the proposed casino, which would be the first of its kind in Da Lat, is expected to open in Thung Lung Tinh Yeu as part of a recreational complex covering the valley and the hills of Mong Mo and Thong Nhat.

If approved by the provincial authorities, the complex project will be developed by Da Lat-based Thanh Thanh Cong Lam Dong Tourism JSC.

 By Joe Fotalattee

A representative of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment said that from February 20 to March 15, 2023, this agency will organize working groups to monitor and urge the organization to collect people’s opinions on the draft constitution.

The organization aims to implement Government Resolution No. 170/NQ-CP by mobilizing the wisdom and enthusiasm of the people to complete the draft of the land law (amended) to promote quality, scientific, feasible, synchronous and effective; reflect the will and aspirations for the benefit of the people and create space and resources for the development of the country.

Under the plan, the delegations will speed up the gathering of people’s opinions in the North Midlands and mountainous areas of Hoa Binh and Lang Son; the Red River Delta at Thai Binh; the North Central and Central Coast regions in Nghe An and Da Nang; the central highlands at Gia Lai; the southeast region of Ba Ria – Vung Tau; and the Mekong Delta in Can Tho city.

Also in February and March 2023, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will chair and coordinate the Central Committee of Vietnam Homeland Front, Central Committee of Farmers Association of Vietnam, South Vietnam Federation of Trade and Industry and ministries and departments. organize conferences and seminars to gather opinions on the draft constitution.

By Joe Fotalattee

The goals by 2025 include all significant river basins having integrated planning, and 95% to 100% of urban residents will be using clean water for daily needs, compared to 65% of rural residents.

The master plan for water supply, decision #1622/Q-TTg, ensures the security of the nation’s water sources and will sustainably manage and protect water resources. The government will address challenges to the water supply and create a humane balance between needs, socioeconomic development, and environmental protection.

Additionally, it aims to secure the national defense, improve water storage capacity in river basins, economic zones, and localities based on adaptation to climate change, and control the quality and reserves.

It aims to implement integrated water sector governance based on digital technology, manage resource cycles efficiently, and satisfy the needs of sustainable national development. By 2030, it intends to distribute water resources equitably and sensibly among different industries, communities, and water users per inter-provincial integrated planning.

By Joe Fotalattee

Hoang Duong Tung, chairman of the Vietnam Clean Air Partnership, told Vietnam News Agency that significant air pollution is a major issue in many cities. Roughly a third of the days in major northern cities like Hanoi have poor or bad air quality index (AQI) levels. The AQI rose on several days to the dangerous levels of 201-300.

According to Tung, there are many causes of air pollution in Vietnam, including traffic, construction, industrial manufacturing, and customs from rural communities such as burning straw after the rice harvest. Traffic, construction projects, industrial parks, and factories increase the amount of fine dust that causes air pollution, according to Tung.

He put forth many ideas to deal with the problem of air pollution, such as tightening emission regulations for cars and motorcycles and encouraging the use of clean-fuel vehicles, electric cars, and electric motorcycles. He also suggested promoting the use of public transportation, such as buses, trams, and the metro, to lessen the number of cars on the road. To further reduce air pollution, local authorities must exercise better control over industrial production processes, construction activities, and garbage burning.

According to Nguyen Hung Thinh, deputy director of the Vietnam Environment Administration under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), it is crucial to perfect the system of policies to manage air quality to reduce air pollution.

Organizations causing excessive dust pollution should be thoroughly inspected and severely punished under Government’s Decree 08. Additionally, by 2030, they should encourage people to stop using conventional coal stoves by implementing hygienic waste treatment techniques.