1. Land Law 2013 comes into effect in July

The 2013 Land Law (revised) and relevant decisions officially came into effect on July 1, announcing new administrative procedures in land management.

The revised Land Law, which was adopted by the 13th National Assembly at its 6th session on November 29, 2013, has 14 chapters with 212 articles, up 7 chapters and 66 articles compared to the 2003 law.

In a bid to facilitate the law’s new provisions, the MONRE has co-ordinated with other ministries, agencies and localities in building documents guiding the implementation of the law.

2. Con Dao National Park recognised as sea Ramsar site

Con Dao National Park recognised as sea Ramsar site.

Con Dao National Park in the southern coastal province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau became one of 2,203 important Ramsar sites of the world in April 2014.

This made it the sixth site in Vietnam to be honoured with the title and the first ever sea Ramsar site of the country.

The site is also among key areas in the national action plan on Biodiversity.

3. Localities collect fees and grant right to mineral exploitation under Mineral Law

Minerals exploitation in Cao Bang.

Localities started calculating, and collecting fees and granting rights to mineral exploitation, pursuant to the Mineral Law.

The fees and the charge for granting mineral exploitation rights are calculated based on reserves and quality of the natural resources in the localities.

4. Vietnam joins United Nations Convention on the Law of the Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses

Vietnam became the 35th signatory of the 1997 United Nations Convention on the Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses in May 19, 2014.

The UN Convention on the Law of the Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses, approved by the UN General Assembly on May 21, 1997, ensures the use, development, management and preservation of international water sources as well as boosts the sustainable use of this resource.

As the Convention comes into effect after being approved and recognised by 35 nations, Vietnam’s ratification helped the Convention come into force on August 17, 2014.

5. Inter-water reservoir operation process for lakes in basins announced

Inter-water reservoir operation process for lakes in basins announced.

Under the requirement of the Government, the MONRE announced an inter-water reservoir operation process for lakes in basins across the country in order to realise the ministry’s priority on reducing floods in rainy season and regulating water flows in dry season.

The ministry has also built regulations on co-ordination between ministries, sectors and localities in managing, examining and supervising the implementation of the process.

6. Vietnam’s fist Biennial Update Report on Climate change appreciated by international community

Vietnam's first Biennial Update Reports (BUR) submitted its to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat at the United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP 20) held in December in Lima, Peru.

Vietnam’s report was highly appreciated by international delegates to the event.

As the second developing country in the world to do so, Vietnam illustrated her strong commitment to join the globe’s climate change resilience efforts.

7. Hanoi speeds up granting land-use right certificates

In 2014, Hanoi has to date granted 2,000 certificates of ownership to organisations, nearly 6,0000 to households and individuals, and over 40,000 others for ownership of houses built under housing development projects.

The certificates granted account for 99.6% of the area that require the certification.

8. Vietnam completes spatial database on sea, islands

Vietnam has completed a database on monitoring marine and island environmental resources using remote sensor technology.

The database features the topography of Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos; the surface of coastal areas; the physical, chemical and biological features of marine ecosystems; and a multi-temporal monitoring system.

The system will help track changes in marine and island natural resources to safeguard national defence and sovereignty.

9. Government Decree enhances management on sea and islands

The Government in May this year promulgated a decree on raising efficiency on managing sea and islands as well as exploiting maritime resources in a sustainable way.

10. MONRE fosters administrative reform