Environment protection and sustainable evelopment are strategic components of utmost importance for socio-economic policy-making at the national, local and sectoral levels in Vietnam. Since 1985, and particularly following the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (June 1992), Vietnam has embarked upon the formulation of the National Environment Protection Strategy and Plan pursuant to the spirit and principles of the Agenda 21.

On June 25, 1998 the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Vietnam issued Directive No.36 CT/TW entitled "On strengthening environment protection during the period of national industrialization and modernization". As Directive No.36 CT/TW affirmed, "Environment protection is a vital issue for the country and humanity; a task, which embodies profound social characters, strongly links with the fight against hunger and poverty in each country, with the struggle for peace and social progress all over the world".

It is required that the National Environment Protection Strategy and Plan will base itself on the assessment on the state of the environment and be consistent with the National Socio-Economic Development Strategy and Plan. Therefore, since 1994, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment of Vietnam has annually developed a national State of the Environment Report.

Vietnam's State of the Environment Report is developed under the framework of SEAMCAP project (Strengthening Environment Assessment and Monitoring Capabilities in South Asia and the Greater Mekong Sub region). Following an overview of the environment in Vietnam, the Report focuses on 6 key environmental issues modeled after UNEP's environment assessment: "Pressure-State-Impact and Response". They are: land degradation, forest depletion, biodiversity degradation, water pollution, air pollution and solid waste management.

The Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment of Vietnam warmly congratulates the efforts and dedication made by experts from various ministries, research institutes and universities in collaboration with the staff of the National Environment Agency for completing this Report.

The Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment of Vietnam would like to express sincere thanks to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) for the effective assistance rendered to Vietnam in formulating this Report.

Dr. Pham Khoi Nguyen