International and Vietnamese experts have identified pollution not merely as an environmental issue but as a formidable economic barrier, especially in urban areas Drawing on the implementation model of the Environmental Pollution Program in Vietnam (EPP-VN) and related initiatives, a roadmap for governance grounded in empirical data and localized solutions has been proposed. This serves as a strategic recommendation for shifting from an “end-of-pipe treatment” mindset to a “material flow management” model. Historically, urban waste management has been trapped in a vicious cycle of generation, collection, and landfilling. However, as landfills reach capacity and health consequences become tangible, this intuitive approach is no longer tenable. Practical implementation in the central coastal city of Danang, coupled with quantitative research from the National Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health (NIOEH), suggests a shift in basic assumptions. That is viewing waste as a resource within a value-driven circular economy. From Danang to specific guidelines for municipalities The implementation of the Danang model under the EPP-VN program, conducted during the 2022–2025 period, did not start with mere advocacy but with a rigorous scientific inventory. The program was co-organized by the Global Alliance on Health and Pollution (GAHP) and the Vietnam Association for Conservation of […]