Australia helps Vietnam monitor, protect coral reefs
The Institute of Oceanography, in collaboration with the Australian Embassy in Vietnam, on April 1 organised training on technology transfer and improvement of monitoring capacity over coral reefs in Vietnam.
An overview of ReefCloud and ReefScan coral reef monitoring training (Photo: VNA)
Khanh Hoa (VNA) – The Institute ofOceanography, in collaboration with the Australian Embassy in Vietnam, on April1 organised training on technology transfer and improvement of monitoringcapacity over coral reefs in Vietnam.
Specifically, Australia will support theuse of world-class ReefScan technology (a blockchain discovery tool) to helpVietnam monitor and protect coral reefs against the impacts of climate change.This is a programme announced by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese inMarch and also reflected in the Joint Statement on the Comprehensive StrategicPartnership of the two countries.
This year, Australia will have threetraining activities to transfer this technology to Vietnam, at the Institute ofOceanography in Khanh Hoa province, the Nui Chua Marine Reserve in Ninh Thuanprovince and the Cu Lao Cham Marine Reserve in Quang Nam province in thecentral region in July and August.
As a result, about 20 scientists andmanagers will be trained on how to use ReefScan and ReefCloud.
Australian Ambassador Andrew Goledzinowskipresented ReefScan devices to the Institute of Oceanography.
ReefScan is a modular suite of automatedmarine monitoring systems that translate field data into comprehensiveinformation about the state and health of critical marine ecosystems such ascoral reefs.
Meanwhile, ReefCloud is a digital tool thatuses machine learning and advanced analysis to rapidly extract and share datafrom images of coral reefs anywhere in the world./.
Visitors can enjoy the beauty of coral reefs when traveling to the central coastal region and even touch them. The season for open-air coral reefs in the region is from the fourth to the sixth lunar month, when tides are at their lowest on days of the full moon and during sunset on the first day of the lunar month.
Community-based tourism activities have helped protect coral reefs in Hon Yen island in the central province of Phu Yen, heard a workshop on January 10.
To run until July 13, the Da dang sac mau con trung Viet Nam (The Diversity of Vietnamese Insects) exhibition at the Da Nang Museum features hundreds of rare insect specimens, aiming to spotlight the diversity and uniqueness of the country’s endemic insects.
Mariam Sherman, World Bank Country Director for Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, said the World Bank remains committed to working with the Vietnamese government to develop the next phase of climate resilience and transformation for the Mekong Delta.
Under the directive, the PM instructed relevant agencies to regularly inspect, supervise and proactively implement disaster prevention, response and rescue measures in line with their assigned roles and mandates, ensuring readiness, avoiding passivity or delays, and maintaining operational continuity amid ongoing political and administrative restructuring at levels.
According to Dr. Vu Anh Tuan, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam Space Centre and head of the project, this is the first study in Vietnam to simultaneously employ Sentinel-2 satellite data, advanced machine learning algorithms, and the Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud computing platform to model and monitor key seawater quality parameters.
The Deposit Return System is seen as a potential instrument for effectively advancing Vietnam’s vision of a circular economy, as outlined in Article 142 of the 2020 Law on Environmental Protection.
The figures were highlighted in a Pre-Feasibility Study on a DRS tailored for single-use beverage packaging in Vietnam, conducted by Eunomia Research & Consulting.
Young people should not view AI as salvation but rather as a tool under human control. Young creators should focus on learning and accumulating practical knowledge, using AI as a tool to carry out artistic projects in the most effective and cost-efficient manner.
Saigon Hi-Tech Park’s ambitious 50% renewable energy goal far exceeds the city’s 15% target, positioning the park as a trailblazing “living lab” for sustainable energy solutions.
Vietnam's economic losses from natural disasters are estimated to account for 1 to 1.5% of GDP annually - a steep price that will continue to rise unless the country takes strong action.
Wutip, the first storm in the East Sea so far this year, has wreaked havoc across central Vietnam, claiming lives, displacing residents, and causing widespread damage to houses, crops, and infrastructure, the Department of Dyke Management and Disaster Prevention and Control reported as of 6:30 pm on June 13.
The tremor occurred at 7:39:46 am (Hanoi time), with the epicentre located at latitude 14.924°N and longitude 108.236°E, at a depth of approximately 8.1 kilometres. The natural disaster risk level was classified as 0 – the lowest on the scale.
Addressing a session on “Accelerating Financing for Resilience: Tailored Solutions for Disaster Risk Reduction,” Deputy Minister Hiep emphasised Vietnam's proposal in building sustainable financing in response to natural disasters, which aligns with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction's goals.
Vietnam has demonstrated its strong commitments by participating in global sustainable development forums, signing multiple free trade agreements, and attracting support from international partners for the implementation of the SDGs.
The fight against plastic pollution could not succeed through isolated efforts, but it must be a collective endeavour involving the entire political system, businesses, citizens, and the international community, said Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy.
Lang Son Global Geopark, with its outstanding geological values, cultural heritage, and unique natural landscapes, represents a valuable addition to UNESCO’s global geoparks system.
In 2019, Quang Ninh became one of the first localities in Vietnam to launch a province-wide campaign against plastic waste, mobilising the participation of the political system, the business sector, and the general public. Other localities—such as Hai Phong, Da Nang, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City—have also effectively implemented waste-sorting initiatives at source, along with models for plastic-free markets and urban areas.
This year’s World Oceans Day on June 8 is themed 'Wonderful Oceans: Sustaining What Sustains Us', while World Environment Day is on June 5 with the theme: 'Beat Plastic Pollution'.
An overview of ReefCloud and ReefScan coral reef monitoring training (Photo: VNA) 
