(sav.gov.vn)-On the morning of November 5 in Hanoi, the State Audit Office of Viet Nam (SAV) inaugurated an international workshop of the ASEAN Supreme Audit Institutions (ASEANSAI) under the theme: "Environmental management and protection in industrial clusters and craft villages."
At the workshop, Ms. Ha Lan Anh, Vice Chairwoman of the Nam Dinh Provincial People's Committee, shared that Nam Dinh has 124 craft villages and 26 industrial clusters (ICs). These ICs, ranging from small to medium scale, focus on industries such as manufacturing, textiles, mechanical engineering, and food processing.
Currently, Nam Dinh's ICs have attracted numerous investors, creating tens of thousands of jobs and contributing to the Province's economic growth. These clusters play a vital role in enhancing local competitiveness and improving the quality of life.
In adherence to environmental protection laws and related regulations, Nam Dinh's People's Committee has directed relevant departments, district authorities, and city governments to strictly enforce environmental management and protection measures in ICs and craft villages.
Since 2023, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, in collaboration with the Pollution Control Department, the Institute for Sustainable Development Cooperation, and Winrock International, has been implementing the "Pollution Reduction Project" funded by USAID. This project focuses on mitigating environmental pollution in the metal recycling craft village of Binh Yen Hamlet, Nam Thanh Commune, Nam Truc District.
Despite positive results, traditional craft villages face significant changes due to shifting market demands for their products. Relocating production facilities which are no longer used, is hindered by limited investment capital, lack of production land, and ingrained production practices. Specific ICs, such as shipbuilding clusters along rivers located outside dike systems, face regulatory challenges that prevent infrastructure development. Consequently, building centralized wastewater treatment systems and installing online wastewater monitoring stations for ICs is deemed impractical.
Mr. Tran Bau Ha, Vice Chairman of Ha Tinh Provincial People's Committee, highlighted that the Province has established 21 ICs, detailed in plans covering a total area of 542.11 hectares, alongside eight traditional craft villages, of which six are officially recognized. These facilities predominantly operate as family-run businesses involving 2,832 households, 24 enterprises, and eight cooperatives, collectively employing 8,466 workers. The craft villages generate an estimated total revenue of VND 973.4 billion annually.
However, environmental protection efforts in Ha Tinh's ICs and craft villages are facing challenges, including inadequate environmental infrastructure, the integration of craft villages into residential areas, and insufficient wastewater and emissions treatment systems. These shortcomings were highlighted in SAV audit reports covering environmental management in Ha Tinh's ICs and craft villages for 2020-2022.
Following these audit conclusions, Ha Tinh's Provincial People's Committee issued directives to relevant departments and local authorities to address shortcomings in policy formulation and implementation regarding environmental management in ICs and craft villages. The Province has since adopted plans for rural industrial development by 2030, with a vision to 2045, and for the shift of the sectors/occupations that are no longer suitable; initiated efforts to relocate facilities, households from craft villages; guide and urge localities to continue reviewing the industrial cluster development plan for the 2021-2023 period in accordance with the provincial plan.
Notably, the People's Committee has mandated that “no new investment projects or capacity expansions be approved for ICs producing industrial wastewater unless they meet strict environmental infrastructure requirements under Government Decree No. 08/2022/ND-CP”, said Mr Tran Bau Ha.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Kieu Thu from SAV's Specialized Audit Department No. III emphasized that SAV's environmental audits from 2019 to 2023 have identified numerous gaps in policy, oversight, and enforcement across various localities, including Bac Ninh, Hanoi, Bac Giang, Nam Dinh, Thai Binh, and Ha Tinh.
The audits revealed issues such as insufficient allocation of resources for environmental protection, lack of funding for infrastructure upgrades, outdated technologies in craft villages, and significant pollution risks to soil, water, and air.
In response, SAV has urged compliance with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change (2015), emphasizing Viet Nam's commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and implementing measures to mitigate climate impacts. Environmental audits have played a pivotal role in ensuring that industrial activities align with these national and international commitments.
Through their audits, SAV have pointed out the shortcomings, deficiencies, limitations in prolicies, mechanisms and policies; monitored and issued reminders regarding violations of waste discharge standards, which have led to serious pollution; allocated resources to ensure that 10% of the total environmental funding is dedicated to protecting the environment in craft villages; and noted the lack of consideration for allocating funds to support the construction of environmental protection infrastructure as required.
The lack of financial support and investment has led to insufficient environmental protection infrastructure and pollution treatment facilities at industrial clusters and craft villages, posing risks of soil, water, and air pollution. The infrastructure in some craft villages is outdated and deteriorating; machinery and equipment are still old, production technologies have been slow to be modernized, and the application of scientific and technological advancements in craft production remains limited and does not meet production needs. These issues have contributed to environmental pollution, as evaluated by representatives of the SAV's Specialized Audit Department No. III.
Ms Nguyen Thi Kieu Thu emphasized that environmental auditing plays a crucial role in monitoring, evaluating, and improving the effectiveness of environmental protection activities, ensuring that production facilities strictly adhere to regulations, thereby minimizing the negative impacts on the ecosystem. A comprehensive legal system, strong management capacity, the application of modern technology, and a heightened role for environmental auditing are fundamental to achieving Viet Nam's environmental goals and improving community living standards.