Circular No. 69/2025/TT-BNNMT on the List of Invasive Alien Species

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular stipulates the investigation, identification, assessment, and issuance of the List of Invasive Alien Species.

Article 2. Applicability

This Circular applies to state agencies, organizations, and individuals involved in the investigation, identification, assessment, and issuance of the List of Invasive Alien Species.

Article 3. Investigation of Invasive Alien Species

1. Contents of the investigation:

a) Name, biological characteristics of the species;

b) Range of distribution, living environment, pathways of introduction, establishment of populations, and spread under natural conditions;

c) Impact on biodiversity (native species and ecosystems) and socio-economic aspects;

d) Measures to prevent, control, and eradicate invasive alien species.

2. Methods for investigating invasive alien species: Based on the subject of investigation and actual conditions of the survey area, the agency or organization decides to select appropriate methods to collect primary and secondary data on invasive alien species.

a) Method for collecting primary data: Observation and recording of the species along transects, points, or quadrats; use of video cameras, audio recorders, camera traps, light traps, pitfall traps, and automatic monitoring devices; application of remote sensing, satellite imagery, unmanned aerial vehicles, and GPS technology to determine habitat and distribution of the species;

b) Method for collecting secondary data: Compilation from scientific reports, domestic and international databases on invasive alien species.

3. Every three years or when necessary, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and provincial People's Committees shall conduct investigations of invasive alien species.

Article 4. Criteria for Determining the Risk of Harm Posed by Invasive Alien Species

1. The ability of invasive alien species to enter Vietnam:

a) Natural entry capability: through wind, water, animals;

b) Entry capability due to human activities: intentional and unintentional.

2. The ability of invasive alien species to spread in different ecological regions:

a) Reproductive capacity and population establishment capability of invasive alien species;

b) Dispersal capability of invasive alien species.

3. The ability of invasive alien species to cause harm:

a) Capability to harm native species and ecosystems;

b) Capability to harm socio-economic aspects.

4. The report on determining the risk of harm posed by invasive alien species is specified in Model No. 01 in Appendix I accompanying this Circular.

Article 5. List of Invasive Alien Species

1. Procedures for issuing the List of Invasive Alien Species

a) Based on the investigation results reported by the Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development and specialized agencies of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Biodiversity Conservation and Nature Management Department prepares a report on determining the risk of harm posed by invasive alien species along with the List of Invasive Alien Species;

b) Within five days from the completion date of the risk assessment report for each species, the Biodiversity Conservation and Nature Management Department establishes an Assessment Council for the List of Invasive Alien Species. The Council consists of: the head of the Biodiversity Conservation and Nature Management Department, representatives of specialized agencies of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and experts;

c) Within five days from its establishment, the Assessment Council organizes the evaluation of the dossier, prepares a Meeting Minutes according to Model No. 02 in Appendix I accompanying this Circular;

d) Within three days from the date of the Assessment Minutes, the Biodiversity Conservation and Nature Management Department solicits opinions from specialized agencies of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in writing according to Model No. 03 in Appendix I accompanying this Circular;

đ) Within five days from the date of receipt of the opinion solicitation letter from the Biodiversity Conservation and Nature Management Department, the solicited agencies send their responses in writing;

e) Within five days from the date of receipt of the opinions of the solicited agencies, the Biodiversity Conservation and Nature Management Department submits to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. The dossier includes: a report on incorporating and explaining the opinions of relevant parties; written comments from specialized agencies on the proposed amendments and supplements to the List of Invasive Alien Species; minutes of the Assessment Council meeting on invasive alien species according to point c, Clause 1 of this Article; evaluation forms of Assessment Council members according to Model No. 04 in Appendix I accompanying this Circular; the proposed amended and supplemented List of Invasive Alien Species attached to the report on determining the risk of harm posed by invasive alien species according to Clause 4 of Article 4; other related documents (if any);

g) The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development considers and decides to issue or amend and supplement the List of Invasive Alien Species.

2. The List of Invasive Alien Species is specified in Appendix II accompanying this Circular.

3. Every three years or when necessary, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development amends and supplements the List of Invasive Alien Species.

Article 6. Responsibility for Implementation

1. Units under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

a) Biodiversity Conservation and Nature Management Department: Lead in implementing the provisions of this Circular; propose the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to consider conducting supplementary investigations of invasive alien species nationwide for cases where invasive alien species appear in two provinces or more or pose significant risks, and prepare a report on the investigation results of invasive alien species according to Model No. 05 in Appendix I accompanying this Circular; lead and coordinate with specialized management agencies to advise the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development on amending and supplementing the List of Invasive Alien Species; publicly disclose the List of Invasive Alien Species on the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s and the Biodiversity Conservation and Nature Management Department’s websites.

b) The specialized State management departments shall coordinate with the Natural Conservation and Biodiversity Department to implement the contents stipulated in this Circular according to their assigned functions and tasks; propose investigations and assessments of invasive alien species within their respective fields of expertise.

c) The Planning and Finance Department shall ensure annual funding for subordinate units under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to implement this Circular in accordance with the provisions of the law.

2. Provincial People's Committees:

a) Implement this Circular within their provincial jurisdiction;

b) Direct specialized agencies to investigate, identify, and compile a list of invasive alien species within their provincial jurisdiction based on the list of invasive alien species specified in Appendix II attached to this Circular;

c) Regularly submit reports on the results of invasive alien species investigations within their provincial jurisdiction to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development before December 31 each year using Model No. 05 in Appendix I attached to this Circular, or when invasive alien species have significant impacts on the local economy and society;

d) Allocate funds to conduct investigations, assessments, and compile a list of invasive alien species within their provincial jurisdiction.

Article 7. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from January 15, 2026.

2. Circular No. 35/2018/TT-BTNMT dated December 28, 2018, issued by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, which stipulates criteria for determining and issuing lists of invasive alien species, shall cease to be effective from the date this Circular takes effect.

3. Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, provincial people's committees, municipal people's committees directly under the central government, and related organizations and individuals are responsible for implementing this Circular./.