On the morning of November 22nd, 2025, the Central Institute of Natural Resources and Environment Studies (VNU-CRES) proudly held the 40th Anniversary of Establishment and Development and Reception of the Third Class Medal of Labor at the Nguy Nhu Kon Tum Conference Hall, Hanoi University of Sciences – VNU.
Attending the ceremony were leaders of governmental offices and central agencies, National Assembly deputies, representatives of institutes, universities, organizations and scientific research units that have cooperated with the Central Institute of Natural Resources and Environment Studies throughout the years, including the Vietnam Geographical Society, Ba Vi National Park, Cat Ba National Park, IUCN Vietnam, Action for Mangrove Restoration (ACTMANG), etc. Representatives of Vietnam National University, Hanoi attended the ceremony being Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Bao Son – Vice President of VNU, Dr. Doan Van Cuong – Head of the Organization and Inspection Department of VNU, and representatives of schools, institutes and agencies under VNU. The ceremony also welcomed generations of leaders, scientists, lecturers, postgraduates, master’s students, officials, civil servants and workers who have studied, taught, researched and worked at the Institute.
In his opening speech at the ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Luu The Anh, Director of the Central Institute of Natural Resources and Environment Studies, recounted the past journey and the memorable milestones that the Institute has achieved. On November 15th, 1985, the Ministry of Universities and Vocational Secondary Schools (now the Ministry of Education and Training) signed Decision No. 1259/QD on the establishment of the Center for Natural Resources and Environment Studies – CRES (the predecessor of the Central Institute of Natural Resources and Environment Studies today). The Institute was established for the purpose of scientific research, technology deployment, postgraduate training and policy advice on biodiversity conservation, management and rational use of natural resources, environmental protection, climate change and sustainable development. Over 40 years of construction and development, VNU-CRES and its many generations of leaders, officers, civil servants and scientists, with the high spirit of autonomy, have promoted the tradition of solidarity, made efforts to overcome many difficulties, determined to overcome challenges and enthusiastically strived to gradually grow and establish the prestigious national and international brand “CRES”. VNU-CRES has achieved many remarkable achievements and made important contributions to the conservation of biodiversity, management and rational use of natural resources, environmental protection, response to climate change and sustainable development of the country.
Speaking at the ceremony, Vice President of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Assoc.Prof. Dr. Pham Bao Son affirmed: The Central Institute of Natural Resources and Environment Studies is a research and training institution with many outstanding achievements in research and training, and has received many certificates of merit from the Government, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Ministry of Science and Technology as well as VNU. Vice President Pham Bao Son also praised and congratulated the achievements that generations of scientists, researchers and students of the Institute have achieved, contributing to the protection of biodiversity, natural resources, environment, sustainable development, responding to climate change issues, resource recovery and regeneration, contributing to the development of the country. He also emphasized: With the position of a strong research unit under VNU Hanoi, the Institute needs to continue to maintain scientific activities, open up new approaches and practical applications in research, training and consulting on environmental and natural resource policies. The Institute should actively participate in contributing to the development of environmental policy advisory reports that contribute to the reports of ministries and departments in the environmental field. The Institute should also maintain its strengths in cooperation and scientific research with prestigious international units and organizations such as universities in the UK, the US, Canada, Germany, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, especially implementing bilateral research programs.
Within the overall development strategy of VNU 2030 with a vision to 2045, CRES, as a member of VNU, will prioritize investment in building a working headquarters in VNU’s Hoa Lac compound, in sync with a state-of-the-art laboratory system, creating a solid launching pad for the development of science and technology. In the spirit of Resolution 57, the Institute continues to look forward to the future to realize the noble goal: to build VNU-CRES into a leading Center of Excellence (COE) in the field of natural resources research and environment studies in the country, reaching a level approaching and on par with other developed countries in the region, successfully completing the mission of building a leading research unit in the field of Natural Resources and Environment Studies.
The Central Institute of Natural Resources and Environment Studies also received a great honor and pride when Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Bao Son, Vice President of VNU Hanoi, on behalf of the Party and State, awarded the Third Class Medal of Labor to the Institute, as well as individual awards including the Third Class Medal of Labor to the Deputy Director – Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Ngoc Quy and the Prime Minister’s Certificate of Merit to the Director – Assoc. Prof. Dr. Luu The Anh, for their outstanding achievements and great contributions in education and training, scientific research and policy consulting, contributing to the sustainable development of the country as a whole. The Third Class Medal of Labor is not only a source of pride, but also a grand command and a great motivation for the Central Institute of Natural Resources and Environment Studies to continue to unite, strive and strongly promote the achievements, bringing the brand of VNU-CRES to new heights.
The 40th Anniversary of Establishment and Development and the Reception of the Third Class Medal of Labor is an opportunity for VNU-CRES’ cadres, civil servants, workers, researchers and students of all generations to review the glorious tradition in the process of striving, building and developing the Institute, to look back at what has passed and look forward to a brighter future ahead; it is also an opportunity to express gratitude and acknowledge the great and valuable contributions of scientists, teachers, cadres, civil servants and researchers and students of all generations who have overcome countless hardships and sacrificed for the cause of training and scientific research to serve the socio-economic development of the country.