Shifting from passive response to proactive disaster prevention

Climate change is rapidly becoming humanity's biggest challenge in the 21st century. As one of the nations most severely impacted by climate change, Viet Nam faces not only constant risks from natural disasters but also a critical test of its capacity for adaptation and sustainable development.

From passive response to proactive adaptation

In recent years, the world has continually witnessed record-breaking natural catastrophes. Typhoons, flash floods, landslides, droughts, and extreme heat waves are recurring globally. In Viet Nam, 21 out of 22 types of natural disasters have occurred, causing average annual damages exceeding 32.6 trillion VND and claiming hundreds of lives. Typhoon Yagi in 2024 was a clear illustration of the urgent need to enhance the nation's resilience and post-disaster recovery capabilities.

In response to this reality, Directive 42-CT/TW of the Secretariat on strengthening the Party’s leadership in disaster prevention and control has established a firm political foundation, mobilizing the entire system to join hands in mitigating risks and aiming for sustainable development.

Five years after the implementation of Directive 42, Viet Nam's disaster response thinking has made a distinct transition from passive reaction to proactive prevention. The legal system is becoming more robust, and a unified command mechanism ensures rapid response in emergencies. Forecasting and warning technologies are being modernized, approaching regional standards. The spirit of mutual support among citizens and businesses has spread vigorously, helping disaster-affected areas recover quickly.

Underpinning these achievements is a change in perception, which now views disaster prevention and control not just as a mission to protect lives but as an investment in the future and the foundation for green and safe development.

Despite significant progress, disaster prevention efforts still face limitations: laws are not yet fully synchronized, resources are dispersed, and grassroots response capabilities remain weak. In many localities, prevention is still undervalued, and anti-disaster infrastructure is fragile, particularly in mountainous and coastal regions. Therefore, the urgent need is to shift from post-disaster response to pre-disaster risk governance, centered on proactive adaptation.

Science and technology: the key to response

In the new development context, as Viet Nam strives for green growth based on science, technology, and innovation, disaster prevention and control must enter a breakthrough phase.

Firstly, it is essential to raise public awareness of natural disasters, equip citizens and officials with knowledge and response skills, and replicate models of "safe households" and "self-managed communities." Disaster prevention education should be integrated into schools, while digital technology becomes a powerful tool for communication and warning.

Next, a flexible and synchronized legal framework must be finalized, aligning with the two-tier government model. Amendments to relevant laws, such as the Law on Disaster Prevention and Control and the Law on Dikes, will help the system operate smoothly and adapt better.

Concurrently, businesses and citizens should be encouraged to invest in technology, utilizing natural disaster risk insurance as an essential financial tool for recovery and sustainable development.

In the era of digital transformation, science and technology are the crucial weapons for proactive response. Viet Nam must invest heavily in forecasting and warning systems utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, and numerical weather prediction models.

Digital risk maps and real-time models for flood, landslide, and saltwater intrusion forecasts will enable more precise management and damage reduction. The early warning system project for mountainous landslides and flash floods needs to be implemented synchronously, aiming for a smart, multi-hazard national warning system.

Investment resources must be diversified and used efficiently. Public investment capital for the 2026–2030 period should prioritize critical infrastructure such as dikes, reservoirs, flood-proof residential areas, and safe housing in storm and flood zones. Furthermore, it is necessary to promote socialization, encouraging businesses to participate in developing infrastructure and climate change-adapted agriculture.

The effectiveness of disaster prevention and control depends on multi-level management capacity and coordination. It is vital to consolidate specialized forces, enhance grassroots risk management capacity, and apply digital technology and early warning maps for quick and accurate response.

Viet Nam also needs to proactively join global initiatives on climate change adaptation and net-zero emissions, strengthening international cooperation in research, training, and technology transfer.

For all solutions to take effect, determined leadership from the Party, unified management by the State, and consensus from the entire society are required. All levels of government must recognize disaster prevention and control as an overarching task, clearly defining responsibilities and coordination mechanisms. Simultaneously, the role of the Fatherland Front and mass organizations must be leveraged to support the public and spread the spirit of solidarity and compassion throughout the community, ensuring Viet Nam is more resilient to all climate changes.

To commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Agriculture and Environment Sector and the First National Emulation Congress, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment organizes a series of events running from July to December 2025.