Decree No. 140/2006/ND-CP providing for the environmental protection at stages of elaboration, evaluation, approval and implementation of development strategies, planning, plans, programs and projects.

Development strategies, planning, plans and programs shall include national and regional socio-economic development undertakings, and when elaborated must contain environmental impact assessments and forecasts as well as environmental protection targets and measures. Development projects governed by this Decree include: projects on construction of national important works; projects involving the partial use of land areas of natural conservation zones, national parks, etc.; projects which may affect water sources of river basins, coastal areas and areas where the ecosystem is protected; and projects on large-scale exploitation and use of underground water or natural resources. All these projects shall be subject to the elaboration of environmental impact assessment reports.