The Vietnam Environment Protection Agency (VEPA) was established as per Decision No. 14/2005/QD-BTNMT dated 2 December 2005 by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment. VEPA performs the functions of assisting the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment in execution of State management tasks regarding environmental protection including such areas as examination, supervision, prevention, mitigation and remediation of environmental pollution, degradation and incidents; improvement of environmental quality; conservation of bio-diversity; environmental monitoring; application of technologies; developing databases, statistics, information and reports on environment; implementing integrated coastal zone management; and education to enhance the awareness of the community on environment.