Decree 35/2025/ND-CP the functions, tasks, powers of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment

DECREE

Defining the functions, tasks, powers and organizational structure of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment^[1]

Pursuant to the February 18, 2025 Law on Organization of the Government;

At the proposal of the Minister of Agriculture and Environment;

The Government promulgates the Decree defining the functions, tasks, powers and organizational structure of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

Article 1. Position and functions

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is an agency of the Government, performing the state management of the following fields: agriculture; forestry; salt production; fisheries; hydraulic work; disaster preparedness; rural development; land; water resources; mineral resources and geology; environment; hydro-meteorology; climate change; survey and mapping; integrated management of natural resources and protection of the marine and island environment; remote sensing; and the provision of public services in the fields under the Ministry’s management.

Article 2. Tasks and powers

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment shall perform the tasks and exercise the powers defined in the Law on Organization of the Government and the Government’s regulations on the functions, tasks, powers and organizational structures of ministries and ministerial-level agencies, and has the following specific tasks and powers:

1. To submit to the Government draft laws and draft resolutions of the National Assembly; draft ordinances and draft resolutions of the National Assembly Standing Committee; the Government’s draft decrees and draft resolutions according to the Ministry’s approved annual lawmaking programs and plans, and other mechanisms, policies, projects, schemes and legal documents under the Ministry’s state management as assigned by the Government or the Prime Minister.

2. To submit to the Government or the Prime Minister for approval, and organize the implementation of, strategies, master plans, plans, and national important programs, projects and works in the sectors and fields under the Ministry’s management.

3. To submit to the Prime Minister drafts of decisions, directives and other documents that are subject to the Prime Minister’s promulgation.

4. To approve strategies, master plans and programs on development of sectors and fields under the Ministry’s state management; and investment projects as decentralized or authorized by the Government or the Prime Minister.

5. To promulgate circulars, decisions and other documents on state management of sectors and fields under the Ministry’s management; to direct, guide, organize, inspect and evaluate the implementation of strategies, policies, master plans, plans, programs, schemes, projects, tasks and legal documents under the Ministry’s management after they are approved or promulgated; to formulate national standards; to formulate and promulgate national indicators, national technical regulations, technical rules, statistical indicators and techno-economic norms in the sectors and fields under the Ministry’s state management; to carry out public communication and education about law and education for raising the public awareness about sectors and fields under the Ministry’s state management.

6. Regarding crop production and plant protection

a/ To direct, guide and inspect crop production activities; the development of crop areas and production of safe agricultural and food products; low-emission crop production, circular production in adaptation to climate change; and plant protection and quarantine; to draw roadmaps for, and guide the issuance of, codes of production units and packaging facilities nationwide in accordance with law;

b/ To direct and guide the use of budget funds for programs on prevention, control and remediation of consequences of plant pests;

c/ To direct the implementation of regulations on crop structure; cultivation, crop production and harvest techniques; to review and evaluate the implementation of annual crop production plans; to promulgate a plan on crop restructuring on paddy land areas nationwide;

d/ To direct and provide guidance on organic crop production; agricultural plant varieties, fertilizers and pesticides in accordance with law.

7. Regarding livestock production and animal health

a/ To formulate and submit to the Government for promulgation the list of livestock breeds in need of conservation and banned from export; to collect, conserve, exploit and develop livestock genetic resources; to specify criteria for, and recognize, epidemic-free livestock production areas; to direct, guide and organize animal epidemic prevention, treatment and control activities; quarantine of animals and animal products; control of animal slaughter, preliminary processing and processing of animals and animal products; veterinary hygiene inspection; veterinary drug management; and animal health practice;

b/ To direct and guide the use of budget funds for national programs and plans on prevention, control and remediation of consequences of animal epidemics;

c/ To direct the implementation of regulations on livestock structure and livestock production techniques; to review and evaluate the implementation of annual livestock production plans;

d/ To direct and inspect scientific research and application related to microorganisms and chemicals for use in veterinary medicine; research and manufacturing of vaccines and biologicals for use in veterinary medicine;

dd/ To direct, guide, inspect and supervise the performance of tasks of state management of livestock breeds and products thereof, livestock feed, conditions for livestock production facilities, and treatment of livestock waste; raising of domestic animals and other animals, humane treatment of domestic animals.

8. Regarding forestry

a/ To direct, guide and inspect the implementation of the Government’s and the Prime Minister’s regulations on forestry development mechanisms and policies; regulations on management of special-use forests, protection forests and production forests; the management and protection of endangered, precious and rare species of forest plants and animals and the list of endangered, precious and rare species of forest plants and animals, and the implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora in accordance with law;

b/ To manage the system of special-use forests, protection forests and production forests; to protect forest ecosystems and forest plant species;

c/ To submit to the Prime Minister for approval the national-level forestry master plan; and establishment of protection forests and special-use forests of national importance or located in more than one province; to direct and guide provinces and centrally run cities in the establishment of special-use forests and protection forests;

d/ To direct, guide and inspect the reclassification of forests and repurposing of special-use forests, protection forests and production forests in accordance with law;

dd/ To direct and guide the forest protection work in accordance with law;

e/ To organize the performance of forest fire prevention and fighting tasks; to organize specialized forces in charge of forest fire prevention and fighting;

g/ To direct, guide and inspect forestry, agricultural and fisheries production in combination with farming, planting for development, and harvest of non-timber forest products and medicinal plants in forests of all kinds in accordance with law; to assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related ministries and ministerial-level agencies in, surveying, evaluating, collecting and preserving endemic or valuable microorganisms and fungi in danger of extinction in forests of all kinds for inclusion in the list of endangered, precious and rare species prioritized for protection;

h/ To direct, guide and inspect the organization of eco-tourism, leisure tourism and recreation tourism in special-use forests, protection forests and production forests in accordance with law;

i/ To direct, guide and inspect the implementation of policies on payment of charges for forest environment services and forest carbon capture and storage services in accordance with law; to organize the management of the Vietnam Forest Protection and Development Fund; to guide the management and operation of provincial-level forest protection and development funds;

k/ To direct the performance of tasks of state management of forest management, protection, development and use; exploitation of forest products; and organization of forestry production in association with forest product processing and trading; to guide and inspect the issuance of sustainable forest management certificates, and forest valuation in accordance with law;

l/ To direct and guide the development of forest tree cultivars; to build the system of seed forests, forest nurseries and national botanic gardens, and perform the prevention and control of forest pests; to carry out research, breeding, trial, testing, quality management, production, trading, and export and import of forest tree cultivars;

m/ To guide and inspect forest allocation, forest lease, forest recovery, forest survey, forest inventory, and monitoring of forest developments; to establish and manage forest databases;

n/ To guide and organize the implementation of national programs, schemes, projects and plans of action on greenhouse gas emission reduction through reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation while promoting sustainable forest management and improving forest carbon stocks (UN-REDD+ initiative).

9. Regarding salt production

a/ To direct, guide and inspect technical processes of salt production, harvest, preliminary processing, processing and preservation, and review and evaluate the implementation of annual salt production plans;

b/ To inspect the implementation of national technical regulations on and processes of production, processing and preservation of salt and salt products (excluding salt for medical use).

10. Regarding fisheries

a/ To formulate and submit to the Prime Minister for approval the master plan on protection and exploitation of aquatic resources and the national-level master plan on the system of fishing ports and storm shelter anchorage areas for fishing vessels; to advise and submit to the Government for promulgation the regulation on management of marine protected areas;

b/ To direct, guide and inspect the implementation of regulations on management of endangered, precious and rare aquatic species, and aquatic resource protection zones, and management of aquatic resources in wetland conservation zones in accordance with law;

c/ To guide and inspect the implementation of the regulations on fishing ports and storm shelter anchorage areas for fishing vessels; to provide the management of fishing vessel safety, information on disaster preparedness for fishermen and fishing vessels at sea; to determine and assign quotas for fishing licenses and species-specific allowable fishing output in offshore areas for provinces and centrally run cities under regulations;

d/ To direct, guide and inspect aquaculture activities; and aquaculture processes, techniques and seasons; to organize the preservation of prototype breeds and indigenous aquatic species of economic value;

dd/ To guide and inspect the implementation of regulations on the List of endangered, precious and rare aquatic species; and aquatic species in need of protection and regeneration;

e/ To direct, guide and inspect the performance of tasks of state management of aquatic breeds and aquatic feed;

g/ To direct and guide the fisheries resource surveillance work in accordance with law.

11. Regarding hydraulic work

a/ To direct, guide and inspect basic investigation of hydraulic work, and water irrigation and drainage (excluding water drainage and wastewater treatment in urban areas, concentrated rural residential areas, concentrated production, business and service areas, cottage industry zones and industrial parks); to invest in the construction, repair and upgrading of hydraulic structures and clean water facilities in rural areas; to operate irrigation reservoirs and hydraulic structures in accordance with law;

b/ To direct, guide and inspect the formulation and submission for approval, and organize the implementation, of the master plan on hydraulic work for agriculture and multiple purposes in association with socio-economic sectors in accordance with law;

c/ To direct, guide and inspect technical processes and policies on irrigation and drainage; management of irrigation and drainage and management of the exploitation of hydraulic structures; management of hydraulic-work infrastructure assets; to guide and inspect the implementation of regulations on discharge of wastewater into hydraulic structures;

d/ To guide and inspect the inclusion of plans for development of hydraulic-work networks in provincial master plans in accordance with law;

dd/ To direct, guide and inspect the prevention, control, and remediation of consequences, of drought, seawater intrusion, inundation and desertification; to monitor and forecast, and give warnings about, drought, seawater intrusion, waterlogging, and water quantity and quality in the system of hydraulic structures in accordance with law;

e/ To direct, guide and inspect plans for protection of hydraulic structures and the scope of protection of hydraulic structures;

g/ To direct, guide and inspect the formulation of plans on construction, management of exploitation, use and protection of water supply and drainage facilities in rural areas;

h/ To formulate, review and submit to the Prime Minister for approval the master plan on disaster preparedness and hydraulic work, and the master plan on hydraulic work in accordance with law; to guide and inspect the implementation of these master plans after they are approved by competent authorities;

i/ To direct, guide and inspect the basic investigation, strategies and master plans on hydraulic work; to organize the inventory of water sources in hydraulic structures in combination with forecast of drought, water shortage, seawater intrusion, desertification, flood, inundation and waterlogging; to invest in the construction of hydraulic structures to store, supply, irrigate and drain water for agricultural production, daily life and other economic sectors; prevention and mitigation of adverse impacts caused by water-related disasters, and prevention and control of water pollution in the system of hydraulic structures under the Ministry’s management in accordance with law;

k/ To provide direction and guidance on the safety of dams and reservoirs in accordance with law.

12. Regarding dike management and disaster preparedness

a/ To direct, guide and inspect the implementation of the regulations on mechanisms, human resources, supplies, means, equipment, information systems and necessities for disaster preparedness activities;

b/ To guide and inspect the formulation and organize the implementation of disaster preparedness plans and disaster response options; to check disaster preparedness options in socio-economic development plans and projects of localities, ministries and sectors;

c/ To direct, guide, inspect and urge post-disaster activities for consequence remediation and reconstruction in accordance with law and treaties to which Vietnam is a contracting party; to synthesize, assess, make and publish statistics on damage caused by disasters; to guide and inspect the monitoring and supervision of activities related to disaster preparedness facilities and measures; to monitor, analyze and assess damage caused by disasters that is likely to affect Vietnam in accordance with law;

d/ To direct and guide the formulation, and improvement of operational efficiency, of commune-level disaster preparedness forces and people’s dike management forces;

dd/ To direct and guide the planning on flood prevention and control on diked rivers; dike planning; plans on investment in the construction, repair, upgrading, solidification, protection and use of dikes and dike protection in accordance with law;

e/ To manage the investment in construction, repair and protection of disaster preparedness facilities, including dikes, dams, and waterlogging, drought and landslide prevention works, storm shelter anchorage areas for ships and other works serving disaster preparedness in accordance with law;

g/ To manage the Vietnam Disaster Management Fund.

13. Regarding rural development

a/ To direct the formulation and organize implementation of rural development policies in the fields under the Ministry’s management; to organize the implementation of the national target program on new-style countryside building, and the action program to eliminate hunger in Vietnam as assigned by the Government;

b/ To synthesize and submit to the Prime Minister for approval general plans and programs on rural development; strategies for development of rural trades and craft villages associated with households as well as agricultural cooperatives and unions of agricultural cooperatives; to promulgate policies to promote the development of rural trades, conservation and development of craft villages;

c/ To organize and inspect the implementation of programs, mechanisms and policies on development of agricultural mechanical engineering; rural trades and craft villages associated with households as well as agricultural cooperatives and unions of agricultural cooperatives after they are approved by competent authorities; to direct the formulation and organize the implementation of programs, schemes and projects to support the organization of production and development of craft villages and rural trades in accordance with law;

d/ To guide and inspect the population distribution and relocation for resettlement for hydraulic structures and hydropower projects; to ensure population stability for areas stricken by disasters or extreme difficulties, border and island areas, and areas suffering sea level rise due to impacts of climate change, free migration, and critical or particularly critical areas of protection forests and special-use forests; to direct, guide and inspect the settled cultivation and population arrangement in rural, ethnic minority and mountainous areas;

dd/ To direct, guide and inspect the training of rural laborers engaged in agricultural trades; and the process of certifying disasters and epidemics in the implementation of agricultural insurance support policies in accordance with law;

e/ To direct, guide and inspect the implementation of programs and projects on construction of rural infrastructure facilities in accordance with specialized laws.

14. Regarding food safety for agro-forestry-fisheries products and salt

a/ To direct, guide, inspect and supervise the implementation of the law on food safety for the initial production of agro-forestry-fisheries and salt products under the Ministry’s state management;

b/ To direct, guide, inspect and supervise the implementation of the law on food safety in the process of production, collection, slaughtering, preliminary processing, processing, preservation, transportation, export, import and trading of products, groups of products, food and goods, and establishments engaged in food production and trading as assigned by the Government;

c/ To supervise and assess risks, warn, prevent, stop and remediate, food safety incidents for food products under the Ministry’s management; to inspect and supervise the implementation of regulations on traceability, recall and disposal of unsafe food under the Ministry’s management;

d/ To designate food testing establishments serving state management work, and reference testing establishments; to make final conclusions when there is a difference in testing results given by testing establishments in the fields assigned to the Ministry for management;

dd/ To perform food safety management for wholesale markets and auction of agricultural products;

e/ To designate the state inspection agency in charge of imported food safety for products in the fields assigned to the Ministry for management;

g/ To announce the list of countries and territories and the list of production and business establishments permitted to export products and goods to Vietnam in the fields assigned to the Ministry for management.

15. Regarding quality management of plant varieties, cattle, poultry, livestock, tools, equipment, supplies, products and services of agro-forestry-fisheries and salt production

a/ To organize and inspect the implementation of mechanisms, policies, strategies, plans and programs on development and quality improvement of products and goods under the Ministry’s management;

b/ To promulgate the list of products and goods that are likely to become unsafe (group-2 products and goods) under the Ministry’s management;

c/ To designate, and manage the operation of, product and goods quality conformity assessment organizations under the Ministry’s management.

16. Regarding preservation, processing and transportation of agro-forestry-fisheries products

a/ To submit to competent authorities for promulgation mechanisms, policies, strategies, programs, schemes and projects on processing, preservation and transportation of agro-forestry-fisheries products;

b/ To direct, guide and inspect the implementation of strategies, schemes, programs, mechanisms and policies on development of the processing sector in association with production and markets; to provide support for reducing post-harvest losses of commodity lines under the Ministry’s state management;

c/ To guide, inspect and supervise the implementation of regulations on conditions for establishments engaged in preliminarily processing, processing, preservation and transportation of agro-forestry-fisheries commodities under the Ministry’s management;

d/ To provide guidance and support for the improvement of the agro-forestry-fisheries product processing capacity.

17. Regarding trade in agro-forestry-fisheries products and salt

a/ To conduct negotiations to promote the opening of the farm produce market; to remove technical barriers in the export and import of agricultural products; to promote cooperation and association in the production and sale of agricultural products as assigned by the Government or the Prime Minister;

b/ To coordinate with the Ministry of Industry and Trade in formulating and submitting to competent agencies for promulgation, and organizing the implementation of, programs and schemes on trade promotion for agro-forestry-fisheries products, and building of agricultural product brands; to carry out market analysis and forecasting, trade promotion and activities related to the branding program on agro-forestry-fisheries products and salt under the Ministry’s management;

c/ To promulgate the list of goods banned from import and export; and the list of imported and exported goods subject to the Ministry’s specialized management in accordance with law.

18. Regarding agricultural extension

a/ To guide and inspect the implementation of regulations on agricultural extension activities;

b/ To formulate plans on, and organize the implementation of, central-level agricultural extension activities;

c/ To submit to competent authorities for promulgation, or promulgate according to the Ministry’s competence, policies on mobilization of social resources for agricultural extension activities and policies on cooperation with domestic and foreign organizations and individuals to mobilize funds and resources for agricultural extension activities.

19. Regarding cooperatives and other forms of collective economy and private economy

a/ To submit to the Government for promulgation mechanisms and policies to promote and support the household economy, farm economy, cooperative groups, cooperatives, unions of cooperatives and production associations in the sectors and fields under the Ministry’s state management;

b/ To guide and inspect the implementation of regulations on conditional business lines and services according to the Government-issued list and handle violations within the Ministry’s competence;

c/ To provide direction and guidance on cooperative groups, cooperatives, unions of cooperatives and farms in the sectors and fields under the Ministry’s state management.

20. Regarding land

a/ To guide and inspect the measurement, adjustment and drawing of cadastral maps, land-use status quo maps, land-use planning maps and specialized maps of land management and use;

b/ To guide and inspect the work of land statistics and inventory; to organize periodical land statistics and inventory; to make thematic or unscheduled land statistics and inventories in accordance with law;

c/ To guide and inspect land survey, assessment, protection, improvement and restoration activities; to organize the land survey and assessment in regions and the whole country on a periodical and thematic basis, and announce results thereof; to organize the monitoring of land resources nationwide; to organize the protection, improvement and restoration of inter-regional and inter-provincial land areas suffering severe deterioration and land areas suffering extremely serious pollution;

d/ To guide and inspect the formulation, adjustment and management of land-use master plans and plans; to organize the formulation, adjustment and announcement of national land use master plans and plans; to submit to the Prime Minister the allocation of national land use norms after they are decided by the National Assembly; to appraise the master plan on use of land for national defense purposes, the master plan on use of land for security purposes, and provincial-level land use master plans;

dd/ To guide and inspect land allocation, land lease, land recovery, recognition of land use rights, land requisition, land repurposing, auction of land use rights, and bidding for selection of investors for implementation of land-using projects;

e/ To guide and inspect land surveys and formulation of land price brackets and specific land prices and inspect the compliance with the regulations on land prices;

g/ To guide and inspect the compensation, support and resettlement work upon land recovery or land requisition by the State; and the development, management and exploitation of land areas;

h/ To guide and inspect land registration, compilation and management of cadastral dossiers; the grant, correction, revocation and cancellation of certificates of land use rights and ownership of land-attached assets; and issuance and management of blank forms of certificates of land use rights and ownership of land-attached assets;

i/ To guide and inspect the establishment, management, operation and exploitation of the national land information systems; to organize the establishment, management, operation and exploitation of the central-level National Land Information System; to build and update land data within the competence of the central authorities; to connect with and share information from the national land database with the National Public Service Portal, information systems and databases of ministries, sectors and localities, and provide land information to organizations and individuals in accordance with law;

k/ To guide the exercise and performance of the State’s rights and responsibilities; and rights and obligations of land users, and the use of land of all types in accordance with law; to establish, manage, operate and exploit the system of land management and use monitoring and evaluation; to monitor and evaluate land management and use by provinces and centrally run cities and land use for national important projects under regulations.

21. Regarding water resources

a/ To direct and guide the management, protection, regulation, distribution, restoration, development, exploitation and use of water resources; to manage river basins and water sources in accordance with law;

b/ To assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with ministries, ministerial-level agencies and provincial-level People’s Committees in, implementing measures to ensure water source security;

c/ To formulate and adjust water resource master plans and submit them to the Prime Minister for consideration and approval, and organize the implementation thereof; to approve the partial adjustment of the integrated master plan on inter-provincial river basins according to the Ministry’s competence;

d/ To assume the prime responsibility for formulating and announcing water source scenarios on inter-provincial river basins; to formulate, organize the implementation of, and report to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision, plans on regulation and distribution of water resources in case of drought and water shortage under regulations;

dd/ To assume the prime responsibility for formulating and adjusting the process of operation of inter-reservoirs in river basins and submit them to the Prime Minister for approval;

e/ To establish and operate the national information system and database on water resources and decision support systems for water resource regulation and distribution in river basins;

g/ To formulate plans, programs and schemes on restoration of degraded, depleted or polluted water sources and submit them to the Prime Minister for approval;

h/ To organize the implementation of solutions to protect, regulate, distribute, develop and store water, restore water sources, prevent, combat and remediate water-caused harms, and carry out other activities related to water resources in order to ensure water source security;

i/ To submit to the Government or the Prime Minister plans on settlement of issues related to transnational water sources;

k/ To guide and inspect the declaration, registration and licensing of water resource exploration, exploitation and use and approve the charge for licensing the right to exploit water resources under regulations.

22. Regarding geology and minerals

a/ To organize the formulation of, and submit to the Prime Minister for approval, the Strategy on geology, minerals and mining industry; and master plans on geology and minerals in accordance with the law on geology and minerals and as assigned by the Government;

b/ To organize, and announce results of, basic geological investigation and mineral-related geological investigation according to the Ministry’s competence;

c/ To organize the zoning and announcement of areas with geological heritage, geoparks and areas with scattered, small amounts of minerals;

d/ To submit to the Prime Minister for approval the national mineral reserve areas and areas not subject to auction of mining rights that fall under the Ministry’s licensing competence and the list of strategic and important minerals;

dd/ To appraise schemes, projects and tasks on basic geological investigation, mineral-related geological investigation, and mineral exploration in accordance with law; to appraise reports on results of exploration and additional exploration of minerals, and reports on results of basic geological investigation and mineral-related geological investigation according to the Ministry’s competence; to manage reserves and certify reserves mobilized for mineral exploitation projects in accordance with law;

e/ To organize the auction of mining rights that fall under the Ministry’s licensing competence; to determine the charge for licensing the mining rights, expenses for reimbursement for the use of geological data information, quantification and accounting of the value of geological resources and minerals that fall under the Ministry’s licensing competence in accordance with law;

g/ To organize the registration of basic geological investigation and mineral-related geological investigation; to carry out statistics and inventory of geological resources and mineral reserves;

h/ To approve schemes on closure of mines or decisions on closure of mineral mines according to the Ministry’s competence in accordance with law;

i/ To inspect the compliance with mineral exploration licenses, mining licenses and mineral exploration schemes that fall under the Ministry’s licensing competence; to control basic geological investigation and mineral-related geological investigation activities nationwide.

23. Regarding the environment

a/ To guide the appraisal and approval of results of the appraisal of environmental impact assessment reports; to give opinions on strategic environmental assessment contents in accordance with law; to organize the appraisal of environmental impact assessment reports;

b/ To direct, guide, inspect and organize the control of pollution sources; management of wastes and environmental quality; environmental remediation and rehabilitation; environmental incident prevention and response; and rural environmental protection contents and criteria in accordance with law;

c/ To organize the building and management of the national environmental monitoring network; to approve, and organize the implementation of, environmental monitoring programs; to provide information and warnings about environmental pollution in accordance with law;

d/ To make environmental statistics and establish, maintain and operate environmental information systems and databases; to guide and organize the preparation and announcement of reports on environmental status and national thematic reports on the environment; to guide and organize the preparation of environmental protection reports in accordance with law;

dd/ To organize the preparation of environmental protection contents in regional master plans; to guide the preparation of environmental protection contents in provincial master plans and master plans on special administrative-economic units; to organize the formulation of, submit for approval, announce, and organize and evaluate the implementation of, the national master plan on environmental protection in accordance with law;

e/ To provide ministries, sectors and localities with guidance on professional issues and key tasks on environmental protection; to synthesize, and propose the allocation of, state budget estimates for environmental protection activities of ministries, ministerial-level agencies and provincial-level People’s Committees; to guide the making of statistics on, and the monitoring and announcement of, expenditure sources for environmental protection;

g/ To propose policies on environmental protection taxes and charges, issuance of green bonds and other economic instruments to mobilize and use resources for environmental protection in accordance with law; to guide the determination of damage and claims for compensation for environmental damage;

h/ To organize the environmental protection work in the fields under the Ministry’s management in accordance with law;

i/ To organize the management of the Vietnam Environment Protection Fund.

24. Regarding nature and biodiversity conservation

a/ To formulate, submit for approval, announce, and organize and evaluate the implementation of, the national master plan on biodiversity conservation in accordance with law;

b/ To direct and guide the establishment and management of natural heritage sites, nature conservation zones, marine conservation zones, biodiversity corridors, high-biodiversity areas, important wetlands, important ecological landscapes and biodiversity conservation facilities;

c/ To assume the prime responsibility for organizing the formulation of projects, submit for approval the establishment, and organize the management, of natural heritage sites, nature conservation zones, biodiversity corridors, high-biodiversity areas, important wetlands, important ecological landscapes, marine protected areas each located in two or more provinces or centrally run cities after such projects are approved in accordance with law;

d/ To submit to competent authorities for promulgation or promulgate according to the Ministry’s competence the list and regime of management and conservation of endangered, precious and rare species and species prioritized for protection; to guide the management of biosafety of genetically modified organisms and products thereof; to make a list and guide the prevention of invasive alien species; to guide the access to genetic resources and benefit sharing from genetic resources, collection and storage of genetic resources, and conservation of gene funds in accordance with law;

dd/ To direct and guide the classification, management and protection of natural landscapes and natural ecosystems; the investigation, evaluation, formulation, appraisal and promulgation of the list, regime of conservation and sustainable use, payment for ecosystem services for important wetlands; to direct and guide the access to landscapes, and establishment, management and protection of important natural landscapes in accordance with law;

e/ To guide and organize basic surveys, monitoring, inventory, making of statistics, building of databases, and preparation of reports on, nature and biodiversity conservation in accordance with law;

g/ To guide and inspect the registration, recognition, grant and revocation of licenses and certificates concerning nature and biodiversity conservation in accordance with law.

25. Regarding hydrometeorology

a/ To manage and organize hydro-meteorological monitoring, investigation and survey activities; to manage and guide hydro-meteorological observation activities for works and other specialized hydro-meteorological activities in accordance with law; to build, manage and exploit the network of national stations for hydro-meteorological observation, lightning location monitoring and climate change monitoring;

b/ To organize the protection of hydro-meteorological works within the national network of hydro-meteorological stations;

c/ To manage and organize hydro-meteorological forecasting and warning activities; to transmit and broadcast information on hydro-meteorological forecasts and warnings; to provide forecasts, warnings and information on disasters and disaster risk levels; to establish, manage and exploit the national system for hydro-meteorological forecasting and warning; to build the set of national climate standards; to issue, provide and broadcast official information on disaster forecasts and warnings and disaster risk levels under regulations;

d/ To organize the collection and processing of information on, and identify and assess, disaster risks, zone off disaster risks, and monitor and supervise disasters;

dd/ To receive feedback from ministries, sectors, localities, organizations and individuals on the broadcasting regime, quality and reliability of information on hydro-meteorological and disaster forecasts and warnings, and the use of disaster risk levels in disaster preparedness and response and socio-economic development activities; to annually monitor, evaluate and synthesize the situation of state management of hydrometeorology nationwide under regulations;

e/ To organize the appraisal of tsunami warning scenarios for Vietnam in accordance with law;

g/ To appraise hydro-meteorological contents in the planning and designing of national key construction investment works and projects and in the planning and designing of construction investment works and projects in accordance with law;

h/ To manage the quality of hydro-meteorological measuring devices in accordance with law;

i/ To manage, guide and organize activities serving the hydro-meteorological work in accordance with law;

k/ To approve, and supervise the implementation of, weather impact plans in accordance with law.

26. Regarding climate change

a/ To direct and guide greenhouse gas emission reduction, ozone layer protection, and climate change adaptation;

b/ To institutionalize international mechanisms, policies, treaties and initiatives on climate change for socio-economic development and national defense and security assurance in conformity with practical conditions and national interests;

c/ To organize national-scale climate change monitoring and climate assessment activities; to develop, update, announce, and guide the implementation of, climate change scenarios; to guide and supervise the assessment of impacts, vulnerabilities, risks, losses and damage caused by climate change; to guide the inclusion of climate change contents in strategies and master plans;

d/ To guide and carry out the supervision of greenhouse gas emissions and greenhouse gas inventory; greenhouse gas emission reduction activities, and measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions;

dd/ To guide the management, elimination, collection, recycling, reuse and disposal of substances that deplete the ozone layer and substances that cause greenhouse effects in accordance with the treaty on the protection of the ozone layer to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a contracting party;

e/ To guide the implementation of climate change adaptation activities, and organize the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system for climate change adaptation activities;

g/ To guide the implementation of the carbon credit exchange and offsetting mechanism; to organize the operation of the domestic carbon market and the country’s participation in the world carbon market; to manage and organize the allocation of greenhouse gas emission quotas; to manage carbon credits and issue written approvals for projects and transfer of carbon credits in accordance with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change;

h/ To formulate, update, and organize and supervise the implementation of, the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC); to formulate national reports on climate change and ozone layer protection in accordance with law and treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a contracting party.

27. Regarding survey, mapping and geographic information

a/ To develop, update, manage, operate and exploit the national geospatial data infrastructure in accordance with law, the national system of original survey data, the data system of national survey networks, basic survey infrastructure works, and the Vietnam Geospatial Portal; to build, operate and update the national fundamental geographic database and establish and update the national topographic map system; to promulgate the list of geographical areas shown on maps; to provide survey and mapping products;

b/ To guide, inspect and organize the inspection, calibration, trial and testing of measuring devices used in survey and mapping activities in accordance with the laws on measurement and product and goods quality;

c/ To appraise the necessity, scope and technical and technological solutions of survey and mapping contents in programs, projects and tasks funded by the central budget that are organized by ministries, ministerial-level agencies and government-attached agencies; to appraise basic survey and mapping projects and tasks organized by provincial-level People’s Committees;

d/ To inspect survey and mapping activities of licensed organizations and individuals; to inspect the publishing and distribution of maps; to terminate the issuance and direct the recall of illegal mapping publications;

dd/ To establish, update, publish and distribute mapping products in accordance with law;

e/ To organize the measurement, adjustment and supplementation of administrative boundary maps serving the establishment, dissolution, merger, division and adjustment of provincial-level administrative boundaries, and settle disputes related to provincial-level administrative boundaries in accordance with law;

g/ To organize the measurement and establishment of topographic maps for planning, demarcation and planting of national border markers and for national border management; to carry out measurement for, establish and update the set of national-border standard maps; to guide the showing of national border lines and territorial sovereignty on survey and mapping products and mapping publications.

 28. Regarding integrated management of natural resources and protection of the marine and island environment:

a/ To direct, guide, examine, and organize the implementation of, sea and island master plans; key programs on basic surveys of marine and island resources and environment; and programs on integrated management of coastal zone resources;

b/ To survey, make statistics on, and classify and manage island resources; to manage dossiers of island resources; to provide in detail dossiers of island resources and guide the making and management of dossiers of island resources;

c/ To guide and direct the establishment and protection of coastal protection corridors; to identify and adjust the mean low-water line based on multi-year averages; and to determine the outer limit of maritime zones in accordance with law;

d/ To synthesize and assess Vietnam’s sea-related socio-economic potential; to make statistics on, and classify and assess potential of, Vietnam’s maritime zones and islands; to assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related ministries and sectors in, assessing changes in natural resource reserves; to analyse, assess and forecast domestic and international developments and movements related to the management, exploitation and use of natural resources, scientific research, and international cooperation concerning Vietnam’s seas and islands; 

dd/ To organize the integrated monitoring and supervision of marine and island resources and environment; to build and manage the information system and national database on marine and island resources and environment; to manage the storage, updating, exploitation, utilization, integration, exchange, and sharing of data of basic surveys on marine and island resources and the environment; to formulate, and organize the implementation of, programs and plans on investment, exploitation, utilization, and management of special-use facilities and equipment for marine environmental incident warning, and for marine and ocean research and exploration within the ambit of the Ministry’s management in accordance with law;

e/ To organize surveys and assessment of waste sources from activities at sea and on islands according to the Ministry’s competence; to survey and assess, and draw maps of zoning marine and island pollution risks, and announce marine areas and islands no longer eligible for waste reception; to organize the implementation of measures for preventing, detecting, addressing, remedying and mitigating pollution and  degradation of the marine and island environment; to make national and specialized reports on the marine and island environment;

g/ To assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related ministries, sectors and localities in, organizing the examination and supervision of natural resource exploitation and use and environmental protection activities in maritime zones and coastal areas and on islands; to organize the supervision, assessment of risks, remediation of consequences of oil and toxic chemical spills at sea; to manage marine plastic litter in accordance with law;

h/ To manage and guide the assignment of marine areas for exploitation and use of marine resources; to manage sea encroachment activities in accordance with law; 

i/ To monitor, and synthesize information on, implementation of marine and oceanic scientific research programs and projects of ministries, sectors and localities in accordance with law;

k/ To supervise dumping at sea and handle violations under regulations;

l/ To coordinate the implementation of the Strategy for sustainable development of Vietnam’s marine economy through 2030, with a vision toward 2045; and the Strategy for sustainable exploitation and use of marine and island resources and protection of marine and island environment through 2030, with a vision toward 2050.

29. Regarding remote sensing:

a/ To manage and guide the acquisition of remote sensing data, operation, maintenance, and safeguarding of infrastructure facilities for remote sensing data acquisition; to build, manage, exploit, and operate infrastructure facilities for remote sensing data acquisition under the Ministry’s management;

b/ To synthesize the demand for use of remote sensing data and information of ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-attached agencies and provincial-level People’s Committees and use of these data and information for urgent tasks so as to work out plans on remote sensing data acquisition;

c/ To guide the establishment and operation of remote sensing databases; to build, manage, update, and operate the national remote sensing database; to synthesize and announce national remote sensing metadata; and to supply remote sensing products;

d/ To manage, guide and organize the application of remote sensing in basic surveys, monitoring and supervision to serve agricultural production, natural resources and environmental management and protection, disaster prevention, socio-economic development, and national defense and security assurance under regulations;

dd/ To organize periodical and unscheduled monitoring and supervision in the fields of agriculture, rural areas, natural resources, environment, natural disaster, and climate change with remote sensing technology;

e/ To appraise contents related to the remote sensing data acquisition systems; the acquisition, preservation, processing, provision, exploitation and use of remote sensing data; the application and development of remote sensing technology for programs, schemes, projects and tasks of ministries, sectors and localities;

g/ To guide and examine remote sensing activities of organizations and individuals in accordance with law;

30. Regarding management of investment and construction investment:

a/ To direct, guide, examine, and supervise investment and construction investment activities, and construction activities in accordance with law;

b/ To direct and guide construction investment, and manage the quality of specialized works in the sectors and fields under the Ministry’s state management in accordance with law;

c/ To appraise the contents of pre-feasibility study reports and feasibility study reports of programs, projects, and schemes in the sectors and fields under the Ministry’s management;

d/ To approve investment policy; to make investment decision; to approve designs and cost estimates of, and carry out account-finalization and bidding management for, programs and projects within the ambit of the Ministry’s competence in accordance with law;

dd/ To guide, monitor, supervise, evaluate, and examine construction investment programs and projects within the Ministry’s decision-making competence in accordance with law;

e/ To carry out overall investment supervision and evaluation; to supervise and evaluate construction investment and specialized investment projects in the sectors and fields under the Ministry’s management in accordance with law.

31. Regarding poverty reduction:

a/ To assist the Government in performing the unified state management of poverty reduction;

b/ To formulate and submit to competent authorities for promulgation national poverty standards for each period, and to guide implementation thereof;

c/ To assume the prime responsibility for formulating and submitting to competent authorities for promulgation, or propose authorities to promulgate, amend or supplement policies and legal documents on poverty reduction in order to ensure a minimum standard of living and access to social services, including employment, livelihood, education, vocational education, healthcare, housing, the environment, credit, information, domestic water, legal aid, etc. in conformity with each period;

d/ To assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with ministries, sectors, and localities in, formulating, coordinating and implementing poverty reduction programs, schemes and projects, and the national target program on sustainable poverty reduction for each period;

dd/ To develop a poverty reduction database to serve the formulation of social security and socio-economic development policies;

e/ To assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related ministries and agencies in, advising and proposing the participation in activities of the Global Coalition to End Poverty and in other international cooperation activities on poverty reduction;

g/ To examine and supervise, and synthesize and evaluate results of, poverty reduction by ministries, sectors, and localities; to report to competent authorities and announce poverty reduction results under regulations;

h/ To perform other poverty reduction tasks as assigned by the Government or directed by the Prime Minister.

32. To carry out registration, handover, recognition, approval, grant, renewal, extension, modification, re-grant, approval of return, suspension, termination, and revocation of licenses, certificates, and decisions relating to the fields under the Ministry’s state management in accordance with law.

33. To manage the national reserves of plant varieties, pesticides, veterinary drugs, and other goods as assigned by the Government.

34. To act as the national focal point, national representative, national standing body, and the standing agency of the National Steering Committee for implementation of tasks, programs, and strategies; protocols, conventions, treaties, agreements, commitments, and international forums related to the fields under the Ministry’s management as assigned by the Government or the Prime Minister.

35. To carry out digital transformation, apply information technology, build information systems and databases in the fields under the Ministry’s state management; to develop an e-government, proceeding to develop a digital government, digital economy and digital society of the sector; to build, manage and operate, and ensure information security for, digital infrastructure facilities, digital platforms, data platforms, and digital services related to national agriculture and environment; to integrate, connect, analyse, process, announce, provide and share data and information in the fields under the Ministry’s management.

36. To direct and organize scientific and technological research and organize the application of scientific and technological advances; to develop potential in science and technology, innovation, and technology transfer; to manage measurement and product and goods quality in the fields under the Ministry’s management in accordance with law.

37. To carry out international cooperation and international economic integration in the sectors and fields under the Ministry’s state management in accordance with law; to organize the negotiation, conclusion and implementation of treaties and international initiatives as authorized by competent state agencies; to conclude international agreements in the Ministry’s name; to join international organizations as assigned by the Government.

38. To organize and direct the implementation of the Ministry’s administrative reform program according to the objectives and contents of the overall state administrative reform programs and plans approved by the Prime Minister.

39. To perform the state management of public services, supply public products and services in the fields under the Ministry’s state management in accordance with law; to mobilize social resources for the provision of public services in the fields under the Ministry’s state management.

40. To guide the functions, tasks and powers of, and list of employment positions in, agencies specialized in agriculture and environment under provincial-level People’s Committees and People’s Committees of rural districts, urban district, towns and provincial/municipal cities; to manage the Ministry’s apparatus, employment positions, and  payroll of civil servants, and number of workers of  non-business units; workers; emulation, commendation and other regimes and policies for cadres, civil servants, public employees and workers under the Ministry’s management in accordance with law.

41. To manage associations and non-governmental organizations operating in the fields under the Ministry’s state management in accordance with law.

42. To represent the owner of state capital portions at the Ministry’s attached enterprises in accordance with law.

43. To manage assigned finances and assets, and manage and use state budget allocations in accordance with law.

44. To carry out examination and inspection; to organize reception of citizens and settle complaints and petitions of organizations and citizens; to settle denunciations of individuals; to prevent and combat corruption and negative practices, and handle violations in the fields under the Ministry’s state management.

45. To organize statistical work and inventory and archive of documents and data on the fields under the Ministry’s management in accordance with law.

46. To perform other tasks and exercise other powers as assigned by the Government or Prime Minister or provided by law.

Article 3. Organizational structure

1. The Department of International Cooperation.

2. The Department of Planning-Finance.

3. The Department of Science and Technology.

4. The Department of Legal Affairs.

5. The Department of Organization and Personnel.

6. The Ministry Office.

7. The Ministry Inspectorate.

8. The Department of Digital Transformation.

9. The Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection.

10. The Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health.

11. The Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance.

12. The Department of Forestry and Forest Protection.

13. The Department of Hydraulic Work Management and Construction.

14. The Department of Dike Management and Disaster Prevention and Control.

15. The Department of Cooperatives and Rural Development.

16. The Department of Agro-Forestry-Fishery Quality, Processing and Market Development.

17. The Department of Land Management.

18. The Department of Water Resources Management.

19. The Department of Geology and Minerals of Vietnam.

20. The Department of Environment.

21. The Department of Climate Change.

22. The Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Agency

23. The Vietnam Meteorological and Hydrological Agency.

24. The Vietnam Agency of Seas and Islands.

25. The Department of Survey, Mapping and Geographic Information of Vietnam.

26. The National Remote Sensing Department.

27. The Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment.

28. The Agriculture and Environment Newspaper.

29. The Agriculture and Environment Magazine.

30. The National Center for Agriculture Extension.

The units specified in Clauses 1 thru 26 of this Article are administrative units assisting the Minister in performing the state management functions; the units specified in Clauses 27 thru 30 are public non-business units serving performance of the Ministry’s state management functions.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development shall define the functions, tasks, powers and organizational structures of units attached to the Ministry; and submit to the Prime Minister for promulgation a list of other public non-business units attached to the Ministry under regulations.

The Department of Planning-Finance and the Department of Organization and Personnel has 3 divisions each.

Article 4. Effect

1. This Decree takes effect on March 1, 2025.

2. This Decree replaces the Government’s Decree No. 68/2022/ND-CP of September 22, 2022, defining the functions, tasks, powers and organizational structure of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and the Government’s Decree No. 105/2022/ND-CP of December 22, 2022, defining the functions, tasks, powers and organizational structure of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Article 5. Implementation responsibility

Ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, heads of government-attached agencies and chairpersons of provincial-level People’s Committees shall implement this Decree.-

On behalf of the Government
For the Prime Minister
Deputy Prime Minister
TRAN HONG HA