Problem overview:

     Meeting information requirements: Environment assessment methods are applied as accepted procedure within all government agencies in Viet Nam at different levels and stages of the development process; starting from formulating policies, plans and projects to monitoring of mitigation measures.

Background in summary:

     A legal framework for EIA of projects in place: In 1994, the Environment Protection Law came into force providing the legislative umbrella for EIA. A series of Decrees and Circulars have now been issued filling out the system with regulations and guidelines for the preparation and appraisal of EIA reports.

     Significant increase in number of EIA reports: There has been impressive EIA review at central level since the system was introduced. Some 330 large projects have been reviewed since 1994 and similar performance at provincial level. Up to 1997, Departments of Science, Technology and Environment (DOSTEs) countrywide have assessed well over 1250 smaller projects.

     Progress made on preparation of sector EIA guidelines: The National Environmental Agency (NEA) is now making sound progress on this front with the drafting of nine sector guidelines (i.e. for hydropower; thermo power; mining; beer production; industrial zones; cement plants; highways; and urban development). Following round comments from the affected sectors, the guidelines will be made official.

     Significant increase in EIA skills in staff: Since 1984, around 200 government officials received short term EIA training. Only two universities dealt with the subject. During 1994 and 1997, NEA reported that approximately 10,000 officials from governments and businesses participated in short term EIA training activities throughout the country. Now 20 universities contribute to EIA training. This is a very significant capacity building achievement.

     System of environmental auditing in place: NEA has directed a number of staffs and substantial budget resources to audit 8000 factories. 46% were fined for polluting in excess of national standards and more than 54 enterprises were forced to close down. Country wide, 41,600 plants prepared an initial "Environmental Inventory". 3,500 prepared EIA reports of which 1730 were reviewed and approved.

     System of environmental standards introduced: The backbone of an EIA and audit system must be a framework of standards which new and existing development is assessed. Since 1995, Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (MOSTE) has issued 97 national environmental standards relating to air, water and land pollutants (Decision 2920/QD-MTg).

     Requirement for EIA master plans introduced: The environment legislation and supporting regulations now in place require the EIA be carried out for development plans. The application of EIA methods to policy, programmes and plans is in its infancy stage worldwide so the formal provision for assessment of socio-economic development plans in Vietnam is a significant policy innovation.

     Obstacles to sustainable development:

• Sectors reluctant to comply with EIA regulations
  
  
• Provinces not yet fully committed
  
  
• Cooperation lacking on EIA of master plans
  
  
• EIA for fine tuning exists but not yet a mainstream decision-making tool
  
  
• Quality control lacking
  
  
• Poor national information base
  
  

     Joint circular to guide Environmental Assessment of Plans and Investment Projects: A Joint circular between Ministry of Planning and Investment and Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment to guide Environmental Assessment of Plans and Investment Projects is being prepared. The joint circular is expected to create a legal base and technical tools to integrate environmental consideration into investment development projects and it will take part in the cause of environmental protection in Vietnam.

Peer Review Committee Good practice rating: (1 for the best, 5 for the lowest score)
Sustainability		Efficiency
2	Improvement in either the environment of economic condition with no harm to the other.	3	Cost efficient.
2	Sustainable over time (not one-off)	Process
Adaptability		2	Participation of the community
2	Location adaptability (can the project be done in other places?)	2	Participation of resource owners/users
2	Socio-cultural adaptability.	-	Partnerships between various actors (Governments, NGO, Academia, Private)
2	Level of development adaptability.	1	Degree of coordination and cooperation between government departments.
3	Style of government adaptability.	2	Ability to attract political interest/support
2	Degree of decentralization adaptability.	2	Procedures for feedback and review.
Comments on this example:      Meeting information requirements: It certainly is encouraging to hear that development projects nation wide are undergoing EIA before approval. However, as mentioned in the context, with the number of projects coming in, the government is finding it difficult to cope with the requests. Therefore, a suggestion is for these projects to conduct a scooping process beforehand. The scooping process will help give a better idea whether the project really needs to undergo EIA. If not, then it should help save the local governments some time and financial resources. Sustainability of the project:      Improvement in either the environment or economic condition with no harm to the other: The Joint circular initiative to bring together the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment will certainly help improve future development policies to be more environmental oriented. Usually when there is lack of communication and coordination and there is conflict of interest between the two ministries, the consequences are the planning ministry will end up being the 'winner' since development is believed to be more vital for improving the countries' well-being. Fortunately today, with the new attitude of sustainable living conditions being the most important factor for 'well-being', environmental considerations are being integrated more and more in policy decision-making, as can be seen in the joint circular initiative in Viet Nam. Adaptability of the project to other situations:   Process of decision making and implementation:   Cost efficiency:      EIA is a rather expensive process because data gathering and information assessment requires financial resources for manpower, scientific equipment, etc. Since Viet Nam has a significant number of projects undergoing EIA, so much that the government is finding it difficult to cope, then it could be implied that the amount of budget used to finance EIA either from the government or foreign funding, should be a rather handsome amount also.