International Programs

EPA Programs in Vietnam

Vietnam, one of Asia’s emerging economies, is an important environmental partner for EPA in Asia. EPA’s current cooperation with Vietnam primarily focuses on dioxin remediation and technical assistance to reduce methane emissions.

EPA’s collaboration with Vietnam advances the Agency's six international priorities.

RECENT EVENTS

September 2011: 6th Annual Joint Advisory Committee on Agent Orange/Dioxin
July 2010: 5th Annual Joint Advisory Committee on Agent Orange/Dioxin
September 2009: 4th Annual Joint Advisory Committee on Agent Orange/Dioxin

ACTIVITIES

Building Strong Institutions and Legal Structures:

EPA has shared our experience with environmental policy development, enforcement, and education with government officials and students from Vietnam. EPA has also helped train enforcement officials from Vietnam. For example, in July 2007, EPA assisted Vietnam’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) in training environmental inspectors from southern, central and northern Vietnam.

Improving Access to Clean Water:

In May 2009, EPA hosted Hanoi government officials to discuss wastewater treatment implementation and water pollution control.

Combating Climate Change by Limiting Pollutants:

In 2007, Vietnam joined the Global Methane Initiative (GMI) . Since then, Vietnam has collaborated with EPA and the World Bank to capture and use methane emissions from agricultural activities. GMI helped conduct a resource assessment highlighting the agricultural sectors with greatest potential for employing methane-reducing technologies and practices in Vietnam. The recommended projects not only save money, but also result in improved environmental and public health conditions.

Reducing Exposure to Toxic Chemicals:

EPA co-chairs the annual U.S-Vietnam Joint Advisory Committee on Agent Orange/Dioxin, which coordinates joint research and provides technical advice to policy makers to help develop environmental and health initiatives. EPA also provides technical assistance to remediate dioxin-contaminated sites in Vietnam.

AGREEMENTS

March 2002: U.S.-Vietnam Memorandum of Understanding on Research on Human Health and the Environmental Effects of Agent Orange/Dioxin

EPA provides technical assistance for bioremediation pilot project in Vietnam.

EPA co-chairs the 2010 U.S-Vietnam Joint Advisory Committee on Agent Orange/Dioxin.

KEY PARTNERS

Vietnam Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment	U.S. Agency for International Development Mission in Vietnam
U.S. Embassy in Vietnam	U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

LEARN MORE ABOUT VIETNAM

Back to: Asia/Pacific Islands

Contacts
For additional information about EPA's work with Vietnam, contact:
Rakhi Kasat
Office of International and Tribal Affairs (2650R)
U.S. EPA
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20460
Email: kasat.rakhi@epa.gov
Phone: (202) 564-6600