MAE: Conserve and sustainably use 100% of important wetlands

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has approved the Project for the restoration and enhanced management of important wetlands for period 2026-2035, vision to 2050.

The project aims to promote the management, conservation and sustainable use of wetlands nationwide, balancing nature and biodiversity conservation with socio-economic development, environmental protection and climate change response.

Under the Project, the objectives for the implementation period include establishing a nationwide list of important wetlands and ensuring that 100% of important wetlands are conserved, sustainably used and maintained in accordance with the criteria for their designation. For the Ramsar site system, the Project aims to ensure that 100% of Ramsar sites are conserved, sustainably used and maintain the criteria set out under the Ramsar Convention.

At the same time, violations of the law in important wetlands must be detected and handled in accordance with regulations, with the number of violations reduced year by year. Capacity for inspection, law enforcement, environmental investigation and monitoring will also be strengthened.

Identifying degraded areas

A key task of the Project is to survey, assess and identify important wetlands nationwide. The existing list will continue to be reviewed, updated and adjusted in line with actual conditions in localities and relevant legal regulations.

For degraded wetlands, the authorities will assess the extent of degradation, identify its causes and determine their restoration potential. Based on these assessments, appropriate restoration plans, measures and timelines will be developed to suit the socio-economic conditions of each locality. The process will also identify and preserve traditional cultural values, indigenous knowledge and farming practices associated with wetlands.

The Project also calls for identifying areas with potential for designation as Ramsar Sites, preparing nomination dossiers and organizing the nomination process. Vietnam’s network of Ramsar Sites will be operated to strengthen connectivity, information and initiative sharing, thereby improving management effectiveness and promoting the value of Ramsar designation.

For degraded areas, technical solutions will focus on restoring characteristic and indicator species, while gradually recovering their distinctive ecological structures and functions. The effectiveness of restoration measures will be assessed to enable adjustments, improvements and the replication of successful models.

Controlling sources of degradation

Rather than focusing solely on restoring already degraded areas, the Project places emphasis on early control of impacts that could harm wetland ecosystems.

Accordingly, important wetlands will be monitored in accordance with regulations, while impacts from investment projects, production, business and service activities, as well as fishing, mineral extraction and tourism activities that could cause degradation, pollution or changes to ecological characteristics, will be controlled.

Direct impacts on wetlands must also be assessed during the formulation and implementation of development plans and projects. Controlling invasive alien species in Ramsar Sites and wetland conservation areas, as well as updating data in the national biodiversity database, are also identified as important tasks.

Notably, the Project promotes the application of modern technologies, digital transformation and artificial intelligence in the management, conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. Technology will be used to strengthen monitoring, detect areas at risk of degradation, and support ecosystem surveys, assessments and restoration.

19 important wetlands

The appendix to the Project identifies 19 important wetlands nationwide. These include nine Ramsar Sites: Ba Be, Xuan Thuy, Van Long, Bau Sau, Con Dao, Lang Sen, Tram Chim, U Minh Thuong and Mui Ca Mau.

The list also includes areas designated as important wetlands, such as Thac Ba Lake, Hoa Binh Lake, Son La Hydropower Reservoir, Cua Dai, Truong Giang Lagoon, Pleikrong, Dong Nai 3 Reservoir, North Dong Nai, Thac Mo Lake and Dau Tieng Lake. This list provides a basis for provincial-level People's Committees to continue supplementing detailed information in accordance with regulations.

To implement the Project, responsibilities have been assigned from the central to local levels. The Department of Nature Conservation and Biodiversity serves as the focal agency responsible for advising on and organizing implementation, as well as monitoring, inspecting and reviewing the Project. The existing list will continue to be reviewed, updated and adjusted in line with actual conditions in localities and relevant legal regulations.