In recent years, droughts have strongly affected the Central Highlands of Vietnam and have resulted in crop damage, yield decline, and serious water shortage. This study investigated the livelihood vulnerability of five communities of farmers who are exposed to droughts in one of the more vulnerable regions of Vietnam—Dak Nong Province. A survey of 250 households was conducted in the five communities to collect data on the region’s sociodemographic profile, livelihood systems, social networks, health status, food and water security, drought conditions, and climate variability. Data were aggregated using a livelihood vulnerability index and the IPCC vulnerability index. The survey results indicate that Quang Phu community is the most vulnerable of the study’s communities, followed by Nam N’dir, Dak Nang, Duc Xuyen, and Dak D’ro in descending order of vulnerability. Water availability and livelihood strategies are the most important variables in determining the vulnerability of the five surveyed communities. In order to reduce vulnerability to droughts, water management practices and livelihood diversification in farming and nonfarming activities are recommended for the study area.

Given the present climate change context, accurate and timely coffee yield prediction is critical to all farmers who work in the coffee industry worldwide. The aim of this study is to develop and assess a coffee yield forecasting method at the regional scale in Dak Lak province in the central highlands of Vietnam using the Crop Growth Monitoring System Statistical Tool (CGMSstatTool—CST) software and vegetation biophysical variables (NDVI, LAI, and FAPAR) derived from satellite remote sensing (SPOT-VEGETATION and PROBA-V). There has been no research to date applying this approach to this specific crop, which is the main contribution of this study. The findings of this research reveal that the elaboration of multiple linear regression models based on a combination of information from satellite-derived vegetation biophysical variables (LAI, NDVI, and FAPAR) corresponding to the first six months of the years 2000–2019 resulted in coffee yield forecast models presenting satisfactory accuracy (Adj.R² = 64 to 69%, RMSEp = 0.155 to 0.158 ton/ha and MAPE = 3.9 to 4.7%). These results demonstrate that the CST may efficiently predict coffee yields on a regional scale by using only satellite-derived vegetation biophysical variables. This study findings are likely to aid local governments and decision makers in precisely forecasting coffee production early and promptly, as well as in recommending relevant local agricultural policies.

Vietnam’s tourism sector has experienced rapid expansion, yielding significant economic gains, but also escalating environmental and socio-cultural challenges. This necessitates a shift toward sustainable tourism practices. This study develops and tests an integrative model combining the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and Value–Belief–Norm (VBN) theory to investigate the Sustainable Consumption Behavior (SCB) of domestic travelers in Vietnam. Grounded in the country’s collectivist culture—characterized by a strong emphasis on communal values and social harmony—the research examines how rational decision-making and normative pressures jointly drive eco-friendly travel behaviors. Data were collected from 549 Vietnamese tourists through stratified sampling across three major regions, and were analyzed through a robust multi-step methodology, including Exploratory Factor Analysis, Confirmatory Factor Analysis, and structural equation modeling (SEM), supplemented by regression analysis. The SEM results indicate that the proposed model accounts for 60.8% of the variance in SCB, underscoring its explanatory power. Within the TPB framework, Attitude, Subjective Norms, and Perceived Behavioral Control significantly predict Behavioral Intention, which, in turn, mediates their influence on SCB. In the VBN component, Environmental Awareness shapes Altruistic and Biospheric Values, fostering the New Environmental Paradigm and activating Personal Norms, which exert a direct effect on SCB. This direct influence of Personal Norms, bypassing Behavioral Intention, highlights the role of implicit moral obligations in Vietnam’s collectivist cultural context and challenges Western-centric behavioral models. Beyond these frameworks, Destination Attributes and Consumer Innovativeness emerge as critical direct predictors of SCB, with Destination Attributes showing the strongest effect. Mediation analyses confirm Behavioral Intention’s central role, while moderation tests reveal that gender and travel experience modulate TPB-based relationships, suggesting the value of targeted interventions. Theoretically, this study advances TPB–VBN integration by applying it to a collectivist setting, revealing how cultural norms amplify normative influences on sustainable behavior. Practically, it advocates for strategies such as community-driven initiatives leveraging Personal Norms, educational campaigns to enhance Perceived Behavioral Control, and sustainable destination management initiatives in locations like Da Nang and Ha Long Bay. While the cross-sectional design limits causal claims, the findings provide a foundation for future longitudinal studies and cross-cultural comparisons, particularly in other collectivist societies, potentially incorporating digital engagement and policy incentives as novel factors.

This study was conducted to determine the surface water quality and health risks in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) canals. 180 water samples and 180 sediment samples were collected from 15 canal locations in HCMC in 2021 and 2022. The Water Quality Index (WQI) assessment results indicated that the water quality in 2021 ranged from unsuitable to good, with a trend towards improvement in 2022, where good quality water was predominant. TMs PCA/FA identified domestic and agricultural wastewater from HCMC residents as influencing the water quality. Most TMs detected in surface water were within the limits the Vietnamese Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment allowed, except for Pb in 2022 (> 0.02 mg l⁻¹). For sediments, TMs concentrations were higher than in water samples but showed a decreasing trend over the survey period in the order of Hg < Cd < As < Pb < Cu. The findings show that sediments are more strongly affected by TMs than surface water, with the main sources being industrial and agricultural human activities. The non-cancer risk assessment showed that children are more exposed to TMs than adults, mainly through ingestion. Additionally, the cancer risk assessment (CR) identified As in sediments as posing an unacceptable cancer risk (TCR > 1 × 10⁻⁴). Therefore, it is necessary to establish high-frequency monitoring policies to analyze and reduce TMs concentrations in water and sediments of the canals to protect human health.

The study aimed to review the ingestion of microplastics by aquatic animals in the South East Asia and the impacts of this ingestion on the environment, human health, and species health, as well as to explore technologies for remediation. Microplastic particles range in size from 1 to 5 microns and are the result of the breakdown of larger, original plastic particles. Microplastic was defined in 2011, but the majority of people did not view it as a serious pollutant or act accordingly. Microplastic is a serious pollutant that has prompted increased research and experimentation since 2005. Microplastics are so small that they can enter the tissues and organs of aquatic animals. Malaysia produces a quantity of plastic waste and receives plastic waste from other countries for disposal. The effects of microplastic on aquatic animals have been studied in relation to the ecosystem cycle and food chain. The presence of microplastic in aquatic animals has detrimental effects on the environment, human health, species health, and the ecosystem. Physical, chemical, and biological technologies are provided, as well as a combination of two technologies, for the remediation of microplastic, which aids in the removal of microplastic from the environment and the reduction of microplastic in aquatic animals. These technologies aim to reduce the concentration of microplastics in water bodies, preventing their ingestion by aquatic animals. However, their efficiency in tropical regions may vary, depending on the specific environmental conditions. It requires continued research, policy, and public awareness to mitigate the impacts of microplastics on the environment and human health. In addition, microplastics generate some challenges and opportunities for reducing microplastics' impact on humans and the environment in the future.