Finance ministry eyes emission fee to combat pollution

The air quality is deteriorating in Vietnam’s big cities and major industrial zones, and this would severe negative impacts on people and the economy, it said in a proposal that is being reviewed by various government agencies.

Emissions from vehicles and factories are one of the biggest causes, it said.

The country has 5.1 million cars and a large number of motorbikes, 120,000 factories - of which 138 have been identified as having severe environmental impact - and 110,000 construction firms.

Charging a fee on emissions is therefore necessary, and should start with chemical and mining companies, it said.

It has recommended a basic fee of VND3 million ($126) a year on these companies, and another VND500,000-800,000 in case of extra emissions.

It would bring around VND1.2 trillion annually to the government’s coffers and the money would be used to mitigate the environmental impacts, it added.