At a meeting on Thursday in Ho Chi Minh city, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai said: “I‘d like to urge authorities at all levels to promote communications campaigns to raise public awareness about sustainable natural resource exploitation and disaster mitigation. In-depth economic restructuring and greater investment are needed to protect the environment. I hope every Vietnamese person will protect the environment, struggle for peace and sustainable development, and defend national sovereignty.”

A meeting in Phan Thiet city in Binh Thuan province on Thursday urged local people to get involved in environmental protection and national defense. The province plans to promote an environment-friendly lifestyle; encourage all economic sectors, organizations, and individuals to protect the environment; publicize the importance of Vietnam’s sea and islands; and inspire people’s determination to defend Vietnam’s sovereignty.

Individuals in Ho Chi Minh city with great contributions to environmental protection are honored. (Photo: VNA)

In Can Tho city, 1,600 people attended a meeting in response to World Environment Day 2014 and Vietnam Sea and Islands Week. Nguyen Minh The, Deputy Director of the Can Tho Department of Natural Resources and Environment, said at the meeting: “We should act together to mitigate sea level rise, an emerging issue in environmental protection and climate change adaptation. Another pressing issue at the moment is using natural resources efficiently.”

Can Tho provincial authorities plan to raise public awareness of the importance of Vietnam’s sea and islands to national construction and defense.

Tidal wave destroys a road in Ca Mau province. (Photo: qdnd.vn)