Vietnam appoints new agriculture and environment minister

Vietnam has appointed a new Minister of Agriculture and Environment as part of a government restructuring that combines agricultural and environmental management under a single authority, according to a report from the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).

The National Assembly approved the appointment of Trinh Viet Hung as Minister in April 2026, following the merger of the former Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. The new structure creates a unified body responsible for agricultural production, natural resource management and environmental protection.

According to USDA FAS, the institutional change is intended to strengthen coordination across sectors that directly affect farming systems, land use and water management.

Authorities expect the integrated ministry to support more efficient policy implementation, particularly in areas such as climate adaptation, resource conservation and sustainable agricultural development.

Vietnam’s agriculture sector remains a key contributor to export earnings, with fruit, vegetables and other horticultural products forming an important part of the country’s trade portfolio.

source: fas.usda.gov

photo: mae.gov.vn