Summary:

The recent industrial and economic development of Vietnam has helped its economy grow rapidly. According to the World Bank, Vietnam has been recognized as one of the fastest growing economies in Southeast Asian in the past decade. The development has helped increase GDP and improve the living conditions of Vietnamese people. However, the development has had an impact on the natural environment and will ultimately that impact human health. As the development in Vietnam continues impacts on the environment are expected to increase, especially in large urban areas and industrial zones. Surface and ground waters in many places in Vietnam have been determined to be contaminated with chemicals from effluents, industrial wastes, and runoff. The contamination poses potential risks and impacts to living organisms in the natural ecosystem. The development on infrastructure has significantly altered the land use that resulted in changing geographic conditions and waterway systems. These changes have affected the natural habitat of organisms, which will lead to impacts on ecosystem functioning and services and to human health. Air pollution due to chemicals emitted from industrial activities and motor vehicles is also a concern in Vietnam in densely populated urban centers. This activity will directly affect public health. In addition, Vietnam is heavily affected by climate change, especially in coastal regions. Saltwater intrusion and droughts have significantly affected agricultural cultivation and aquaculture in coastal regions, such as the Mekong Delta. To reduce the impacts of pollution and prevent habitat and ecosystem destruction to sustain the development there must be and increased emphasis on environmental management to effectively manage the natural ecosystem.

The purpose of this workshop is to bring scientists and managers to Quy Nhon to discuss environmental problems under the rapid economic development of Vietnam and provide recommendations for reducing impacts of pollution and ecosystem destruction while continuing sustainable development. The workshop will include a day of presentations by Vietnamese and foreign scientists and a half day discussion. Vietnamese scientists will discuss environmental status, challenges, and a management plan in Vietnam. Foreign scientists share their research and offer examples and insights on the impacts of pollution on the environment and share experiences for environmental risk and impact assessments in support of management and sustainable development. The discussion will focus on appropriate technology and solutions based on environmental status and current management plan of Vietnam.