Decree No. 08/2022/ND-CP on elaboration of several Articles of the Law on Environmental Protection.

This Decree, consisting of 169 articles divided into 13 Chapters, is enacted in accordance with the Law on Environmental Protection, the Law on Public Investment, the Law on Investment, the Law on State Budget, aiming to elaborate several Articles of the Law on Environmental Protection (LEP). It applies to agencies, organizations, residential communities, households and individuals within the territory of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, including mainland, islands, territorial waters, underground space and airspace.
Environmental zoning by strict protection zone, low-emission zone and other zones shall comply with criteria concerning environmental sensitivity and vulnerability to impacts of environmental pollution in order to minimize impacts of environmental pollution on the life and normal development of humans and creatures (Art.21). Strict protection zone includes: a) High density residential areas in urban areas include inner cities and inner district-level towns of special urban areas, urban areas of grades I, II and III according to regulations of law on urban classification; b) Surface water used for domestic purpose in accordance with regulations of law on water resources; c) Wildlife sanctuaries prescribed by regulations of law on biodiversity, forestry and fisheries; d) Protection zones 1 of historical and cultural sites/monuments prescribed by regulations of law on cultural heritage. The surface water quality management plan for inter-provincial rivers and lakes shall be promulgated for each inter-provincial river and lake (Art.5). Article 6 provides for the contents of national air quality management plan. Article 11-12 provide for responsibilities of agencies, organizations, residential communities, households and individuals for soil protection, and the areas required to undergo investigation, assessment and classification of soil quality. Article 19 deals with the criteria, procedures and power for establishing and recognizing other natural heritage sites specified in the LEP.
The Decree further makes provisions, inter alia, for: strategic environmental assessment (SEA), environmental impact assessment (EIA); environmental licenses, environmental registration; environmental protection during production, business operation, service provision, urban and rural environmental protection and in some fields; waste management; responsibilities of exporters and importers for recycling and treating products and packages; environmental monitoring; environmental information systems and database; environmental emergency prevention and response plans, compensation for environmental damage; economic instruments and resources for environmental protection; state management, inspection and provision of online public environmental services.