Natural Security News, Vietnam Edition

As you know, Christine Parthemore is traveling in East Asia where
she is conducting research for our South
China Sea project. She’s in Vietnam today, and she has put together the
Natural Security News for us this morning…Vietnam Edition:

All from Viet Nam News:

• While the government has hoped to get
  private businesses to invest in reforestation, one top story explained that
  it has been ineffective.
• In raw materials news, the government will now require
  that steel producers increase their reserves as a hedge against future supply
  and price problems – a move not popular with the producers thus far.
• Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade is invoking the
  time-proven method of holding energy contests, this
  one for energy efficiency.
• Officials are warning that some waterways have
  become so polluted and saline that alternative sources of drinking water
  should be sought.
• Finally, though resources are not mentioned directly in the front
  page article on East Sea talks in Jakarta wrapping up, we all know they
  played a role; this article signals affirmation for a multilateral approach to
  the region’s maritime issues and other key facets of ASEAN cooperation.