Viet Nam has a multitude of laws and regulations, many of which apply to natural resource exploitation. Efforts to improve the governance for the environment include the Viet Nam National Forest Strategy which was approved in 2007 and the Law on Biodiversity which is expected to be approved in 2008. However, it is important to link from the national level to the local level. Livelihoods of the rural poor are closely linked to natural resources. Thus, well intended policies and plans for sustainable natural resources use that support poverty reduction need to be well tested in the field. The experience gained from the field then needs to be reviewed in the context of the policy development. Public participation in governance must be strengthened, access to information improved, and channels of redress for violators of pollution and other laws developed and enhanced.