After more than three decades of renovation, Vietnam has achieved many important achievements, but growth is still not sustainable as it still depends on investment, resources and cheap labor. Natural resources are declining, pollution is increasing, climate change has a serious impact. In that context, developing a green economy and growing green is an inevitable choice, in line with global trends and internal needs, contributing to improving the quality of life and adaptability of the economy.
Early recognition, continuous orientation
Vietnam established a policy of sustainable development and green growth very early. Right in the Socio-Economic Development Strategy 1991-2 back%, the Party and State emphasized the need to link economic growth with social progress and environmental protection.
In the period of 2001-2010, the development orientation will continue to be affirmed, supplementing the content of comprehensive human development and improving the quality of life.
On April 12, 2012, the Sustainable Development Strategy 2011-2020 was approved in Decision 432/QD-TTg, identifying this as a consistent requirement of the entire political system.
Next, the National Strategy on Green Growth for the period 2011-2020, vision 2050 (Decision 1393/QD-TTg) officially orientation to shift from extensive development to in-depth development, greening production and consumption.
On March 20, 2014, the National Action Plan on Green Growth for the period 2014-2020 was issued (Decision 403/QD-TTg), concretized into an action program for ministries, branches and localities.
Synchronous policy system: Economy - society - environment
In terms of economy, Vietnam strategically improves growth quality through harmonious combination of breadth and depth development; promoting renewable energy, clean energy, environmental industry and green technology. At the same time, gradually building an environmental economic accounting system, integrating environmental - social factors into the national account.
The industrial sector is restructured towards environmental friendliness, large cities prioritize the development of high-tech parks, reduce pollution, and increase the use of clean energy. In the agricultural - rural sector, the process of restructuring is associated with industrialization, modernization, urbanization, population control and ecological environmental protection.
In particular, science and technology, especially biotechnology, are encouraged to be applied to create high-quality crop and livestock varieties, linking raw material areas with deep processing and market consumption, developing sustainable value chains.
In society, green growth is associated with poverty reduction, sustainable job creation, improving population quality and ensuring social justice. Vietnam focuses on health care, improving healthy life expectancy, improving working conditions and ensuring occupational safety and hygiene.
Factors such as green consumption culture, lifestyle in harmony with nature, urban - rural cohesion and labor migration management are considered the social foundation in the process of greening and developing.
Vietnam also promotes the training of high-quality human resources, meeting the requirements of a green and knowledge economy. The health system is developed in a comprehensive direction, prioritizing disease prevention, screening and improving the capacity to respond to environmental epidemics.
Regarding resources and environment, Vietnam focuses on improving capacity to manage, effectively and sustainably use land, water, minerals and forests. Many comprehensive programs have been implemented synchronously such as protecting river basins, groundwater sources, treating urban, agricultural and industrial wastewater; controlling air pollution, fine dust and noise from traffic and construction.
The green growth strategy aims to end crude mineral exports before 2020, promote deep processing, environmental recovery after exploitation and apply modern technology throughout the exploitation process.
In the field of forestry and biodiversity conservation, Vietnam encourages the combination of indigenous knowledge with science and technology, deploys environmental service payment mechanisms, develops eco-tourism and stabilizes sustainable livelihoods for people in the reserve.
marine resources are identified as a new pillar, with the orientation of sustainable marine economic development, making Vietnam a strong country in the sea, enriching from the sea, while ensuring sovereignty and preserving the marine ecological environment.
From commitment to action
Green growth is not only an orientation but is becoming a practical action in many fields and areas. The model of green production and consumption, ecological urban areas, energy-saving communities and sustainable agricultural product chains are being promoted, creating a foundation for transition to in-depth development.
Vietnam also actively participates in solving global environmental problems such as climate change, water pollution, forest exploitation and environmental migration. At the same time, strengthen technological cooperation, green finance and fulfill international commitments such as the Paris Agreement andSDGs.
Green growth is a long-term journey, requiring social consensus, consistent political determination, strong enough financial resources and especially changing development thinking at all levels. This is not an easy path but it is inevitable, because the sustainability of the economy, the living environment and future generations depend on today's choice.
