With 16 chapters and 171 articles, the revised law marks the first time a resident community has been defined as a subject in environmental protection. It also regulates environmental audits, the management and handling of waste to develop a circular economy, climate change response, the development of a domestic carbon market, and the conservation of natural heritages in line with international law, among others. The law will take effect from January 1, 2022. 2. Unusual and extreme natural disasters took place across three regions. Hail and thunderstorms rained down violently on many northern provinces from the outset of the Lunar New Year 2020. The dry season saw a serious water shortage in the Mekong Delta, with early and deep saline intrusion for several days, exceeding the record set in 2016.