Environmental Assessment in Vietnam: Theory and Practice

Vietnam is a rapidly developing nation in Southeast Asia and has adopted and implemented mandatory legislation for Environmental Assessment since 1994. This review analyses the successes and failures of this legislation and investigates the role of strategic environmental assessment (SEA) in the future development of the country. Along with many other developing nations in the region, the implementation of existing environmental legislation is generally weak in Vietnam and increased efforts to educate, train and motivate responsible personnel in the government, non-government and private development sectors is a continuing requirement. Many overseas agencies are currently financing projects to meet these current needs and to develop sustainable development policy within the natural resource management and planning framework in the country. It is concluded that Vietnam does have a good potential for an increased application of SEA, but success will depend on the effective conversion of theory into practice.