Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc

Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc yesterday said he hoped a billion trees would be planted in Việt Nam over the next five years.

He was speaking at a National Assembly Q&A session in Hà Nội, during which he spoke about a number of issues including recent natural disasters, the country’s economic growth, education and healthcare.

In recent months, flooding and landslides had caused many deaths and losses. While experts were blaming these natural disasters on climate change, heavy rains or the construction of small hydropower plants, it was first and foremost necessary for us to protect the forests and plant more trees, the Prime Minister said.

“Right from the start of my term, I ordered the closure of natural forests [for commercial purposes], and we need to be persistent on this. Although forest coverage has been increasing, it’s still low compared to many other countries. We need to continue planting trees. I propose planting one billion trees in the next five years, including in urban areas,” he said.

Related to this, the Government would strictly review the main causes of flooding, including forest protection and planning for hydropower plants, and draw up appropriate measures, Phúc said. He added that violations of forest protection would be severely punished.

He also called on long-term measures to cope with climate change and natural disasters, including improved forecasting and