Vietnam halts environmental impact assessment processing for exempt projects

The Vietnamese government has issued Resolution No. 66.19/2026/NQ-CP, which reduces the number of projects required to undergo formal environmental impact assessments (EIA).

Under the transitional provisions of the resolution, administrative procedures for projects that were previously required to conduct an EIA but are now exempt must be halted if the application was received or postmarked before the resolution's effective date. Authorities are instructed to stop processing these specific files and issue notifications to project owners, guiding them on how to fulfill their environmental protection responsibilities under the new regulations.

Files will be returned to individuals or organizations upon their request. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has issued Document No. 7046/BNNMT-MT to guide provincial chairpersons on implementing these changes and managing the transition of pending environmental administrative procedures.