Agriculture and environment play a strategic role in the green era

Over 80 years of accompanying the nation, this sector’s journey has embodied the will and aspiration of the Vietnamese people, a symbol of intellect, resilience, and transformation marking Viet Nam’s agricultural progress.

Throughout history, agriculture has consistently demonstrated its importance and stability, standing firm through every challenge. It has been a pillar of political stability, a backbone of the national economy, a foundation of rural livelihoods, and a strategic strength helping Viet Nam rise on the international stage.

On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Traditional Day of the Agriculture and Environment Sector (1945 - 2025), VAN News had a discussion with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Son, a full-time National Assembly deputy serving on the Committee for Science, Technology and Environment, about the role, mission, and expectations for the sector as the nation steadily advances into an era of national resurgence.

Strategic role in the green era

Always accompanying the nation and the people through every stage of history, under the sound and correct leadership of the Party and the Government, the Agriculture and Environment sector has achieved many important accomplishments, making practical contributions to the country’s renewal, development, and international integration. It clearly represents the two strategic pillars that ensure the nation’s harmonious and sustainable growth toward a green and prosperous future. Entering a new era, how do you assess the significance of the sector’s role?

Throughout its long history, the Agriculture and Environment sector has always accompanied the nation, serving as a vital pillar that helps maintain socio-economic stability, protect livelihoods, and safeguard the living environment of the people. Entering a new era filled with intertwined opportunities and challenges, especially climate change, resource crises, and the global green-transition trend, the role of these two sectors has become even more strategic.

On the foundation of the understanding that the environment is one of the three core pillars of sustainable development, on par with the economic and social pillars, the environmental sector not only performs protective functions but also acts as a driving force for transforming the growth model.

In particular, as Viet Nam has pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, and to fully implement the Law on Environmental Protection (2020) and Resolution 24-NQ/TW on climate change adaptation, the requirements for developing a circular economy, a green economy, low-emission growth, and an environmental industry have become imperative. The environmental industry should not be viewed as a “cost sector”, but rather be positioned as a new spearhead economic sector that contributes to restructuring the national economy toward sustainability.

In agriculture, the role goes beyond ensuring food security: it is the core of agroecology and rural economies, and the birthplace of innovative models linked to resource conservation, renewable energy development, eco-agricultural tourism, and low-carbon farming. The shift toward green agriculture, through the application of digital technologies, product traceability, and emissions control, is how Vietnamese agriculture can meet international standards and seize opportunities from new-generation trade agreements such as CPTPP and EVFTA.

The strategic linkage between the two sectors, one protecting natural resources, the living environment, and the climate; the other ensuring food security, livelihoods, and rural development, will form a solid foundation for Viet Nam to move toward a green, prosperous and sustainable future.

From a pillar in hardship to a driver of green growth

Agriculture has always played a pivotal role in the economy, especially in the past term, which witnessed numerous upheavals and challenges. In the coming phase, what expectations and recommendations does the deputy have for ensuring that agriculture continues to play this supporting role while advancing socio-economic development in harmony with sustainability?

During the previous term, the agricultural sector continued to be the backbone of the economy, particularly amid the COVID-19 pandemic and global geopolitical and economic fluctuations. The export turnover of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products maintained steady annual growth, with notable increases in key product groups such as wood, coffee, rice, and fruit. In particular, in 2024, Viet Nam rose to become the world’s leading rice exporter, reaching nearly USD 4.8 billion, as Vietnamese rice gained wider acceptance in premium markets.

However, this progress comes with mounting challenges involving land and water resources, crop and livestock diseases, market access, and, above all, technical barriers concerning environmental standards, traceability, and carbon certification... Therefore, in the coming stage, I hope that agriculture will not only remain a “pillar in hardship” but also become a driving force for growth, through a decisive shift toward ecological, green, and high-tech agriculture.

The establishment of agricultural innovation centers, high-tech agricultural zones, and regional and sectoral value chains will enhance product value, create employment, protect the environment, and ensure national food security. At the same time, there must be green-finance mechanisms and preferential credit policies to support farmers in transitioning to circular and organic production.

In particular, I recommend that the Government soon complete the strategic zoning for agricultural production and land- and water-resource planning linked to a green logistics system, enabling the sector further to consolidate its role as the economy’s backbone, moving in step with industry and services toward comprehensive and sustainable national development.

Thank you, Deputy Nguyen Ngoc Son, for your insights!

* USD 1 = VND 26,311 (Vietcombank November 10, 2025)