Vietnam to resolutely return foreign waste containers: PM
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc stressed on October 15 that the Government will take more drastic actions to protect the environment, including returning imported containers of waste to their source countries.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc addresses the meeting with voters in Thuy Nguyen district of Hai Phong city on October 15 (Photo: VNA)
Hai Phong (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phucstressed on October 15 that the Government will take more drastic actions toprotect the environment, including returning imported containers of waste totheir source countries.
The PM made the statement while he and otherNational Assembly (NA) deputies of the northern port city of Hai Phong weremeeting with constituents in Thuy Nguyen district.
At the event, held ahead of the NA’s 8thsession, Doan Cong Thuc, a resident in Thuy Nguyen’s Nui Deo township, voicedhis concern about environmental pollution, saying that although the Governmenthas paid attention to this issue, many businesses still ignore the propertreatment of toxic waste.
He called on the PM to push ahead with buildingstrict penalties, being more resolute in addressing this problem thoroughly,and attracting investment to developing modern waste treatment plants.
Thuc also suggested the Government step up theinspection of plastic product manufacturers and shut down unqualified oneswhile encouraging the development of alternatives to plastic items so as tominimise the use of plastics.
In response, PM Phuc highlighted the developmenttriangle of economy, society and environment, noting that Vietnam will notexchange the environment for economic benefits.
The Government will take more drastic actions indealing with waste, water pollution and plastic rubbish to protect people’sliving environment, he said, stressing the viewpoint of not importing wasteinto Vietnam and resolutely returning containers of waste that have beenimported into the country.
He also pledged policies to help plasticproducers switch to manufacturing other products and discourage consumers fromusing single-use plastic items.
At the meeting, the PM also replied to localvoters’ opinions concerning many other aspects, including education and supportfor small- and medium-sized enterprises.
Meetings between NA deputies and voters are regularactivities before and after each biannual session of the parliament. The14th-tenure NA is scheduled to open its 8th session later this month.
Also on October 15, PM Phuc attended the openingceremony of Hoang Van Thu Bridge on the Cam River in Hai Phong city.
Officials cut the ribbon to inaugurate Hoang Van Thu Bridge on October 15 (Photo: VNA)
The bridge, with its main span measuring 200metres in length – the longest span in Vietnam at present, runs through ThuyNguyen, Hong Bang and Ngo Quyen districts. It is 33.5 metres wide, consists offour lanes, and has the design speed of 80km per hour.
PM Phuc said Hoang Van Thu Bridge, a new symbolof the city, is of critical importance to the expansion of Hai Phong’sdevelopment space to the north of the Cam River. He added the bridge,completely designed and built by Vietnam, also proved the capacity of domesticengineers and workers./.
As of June, more than 500 containers of waste which failed to meet Vietnam’s import requirements had been re-exported this year, said the Vietnam Maritime Administration on August 11.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) and relevant agencies on August 22 discussed measures to tighten control of used goods import and the re-export of waste shipments which failed to meet environmental protection regulations.
As many as 10,102 scrap containers were held up at Vietnamese ports as of mid-September, a fall of 10,852 containers as compared to the end of 2018, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs.
“Promoting the role of science and technology organization in the management and reduction of plastic waste" was the topic of a scientific conference that took place in Hanoi last week.
State President Luong Cuong’s trip once again reaffirmed the Party and State’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of relations. It also reflected the strong trend of enhanced cooperation among countries of the Global South in shaping a new, more multipolar, fair and equitable world order.
The outcomes of Party General Secretary To Lam's visit will serve as a driving force and source of inspiration for the two countries to inherit, promote, and elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, contributing to the national construction and development cause in each country, and to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 9 inspected the construction site of the new Phong Chau bridge, and surveyed a planned route for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway section running through the northern province of Phu Tho.
Across print, broadcast, and online platforms, Angolan media portrayed State President Luong Cuong's visit as a warm and historic occasion, strengthening bilateral ties and boosting Vietnam’s presence in Africa through the AU.
The 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen power transmission line has a total investment of over 7.41 trillion VND (282.5 million USD), and a total length of 229.5 km, passing through 31 communes in the two provinces, and comprising 468 transmission tower foundations.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc addresses the meeting with voters in Thuy Nguyen district of Hai Phong city on October 15 (Photo: VNA) 
Officials cut the ribbon to inaugurate Hoang Van Thu Bridge on October 15 (Photo: VNA) 
