One month after the nationwide introduction of E10 biofuel gasoline, consumption has increased significantly. Notably, PM2.5, PM10 and carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have shown a clear downward trend, suggesting that the use of E10 is contributing to improved air quality.

Encouraging progress in biofuel gasoline adoption

According to a report by the Task Force responsible for implementing Circular No. 50/2025/TT-BCT of the Ministry of Industry and Trade on the rollout of E10 biofuel gasoline blending, distribution and consumption in Vietnam, as of July 1, 2026, total biofuel gasoline consumption (E5 and E10) reached more than one billion litres between June 1 and June 30, 2026. Of this volume, E10 accounted for nearly 95% of total consumption, while E5 represented approximately 5%.

Compared with the previous monthly consumption of around one billion litres of conventional mineral gasoline, the volume of biofuel gasoline consumed is essentially equivalent. This indicates that claims suggesting biofuel gasoline is consumed more quickly than conventional gasoline are not supported by actual market data.

Speaking with reporters from the Newspaper of Industry and Trade, many experts reiterated that E10 gasoline consists of RON95-III mineral gasoline blended with 8 - 10% ethanol. Since ethanol has a lower energy content than mineral gasoline, any potential increase in fuel consumption would be limited to only around 2 - 3%, which is considered negligible compared with the environmental benefits that E10 offers through reduced emissions.

Vietnam currently has more than 17,000 fuel retail stations, all of which have completed the transition to selling biofuel gasoline. At present, 26 fuel wholesalers are supplying E10 gasoline, while 11 of the 26 wholesalers also supply E5 gasoline.

Regarding domestic E100 ethanol production capacity, official data show that among the country's four operational ethanol plants, only three are currently producing fuel-grade ethanol (E100) for blending E5 and E10 gasoline. These include the Quang Nam Ethanol Plant, Dong Nai Ethanol Plant and Dung Quat Biofuel Plant. Together, they have a combined designed capacity of 23,300 tonnes per month, while their current operating output stands at 15,666 tonnes per month, equivalent to 67.2% of designed capacity.

As for imported E100 ethanol used for blending E5 and E10 gasoline, aggregated data from fuel wholesalers indicate that total E100 supply in June reached approximately 121,895 cubic metres, comprising 89,383 cubic metres of imports and 32,512 cubic metres sourced domestically. In July, total supply is projected to reach 103,700 cubic metres, including 81,500 cubic metres of imports and 22,200 cubic metres purchased within the country.

Accordingly, E100 supply in June exceeded current blending demand by around 92,000 - 100,000 cubic metres per month, equivalent to 122 - 133% of demand. Although the projected supply in July is expected to meet 104 - 113% of blending demand and remain sufficient for production requirements, the supply buffer has narrowed considerably.

The combined volume of domestically sourced and imported mineral gasoline in June 2026 reached 982,616 cubic metres, fully meeting the demand for biofuel gasoline blending as well as overall market consumption.

Among suppliers, Petrolimex maintained the largest supply volume, with 62,000 cubic metres in June and 55,000 cubic metres in July. PVOIL ranked second, supplying 30,690 cubic metres in June and 18,200 cubic metres in July. Other suppliers, including Thanh Le, Hai Linh, Saigon Petro, Anh Phat and Military Petroleum, have also contributed to diversifying supply sources.

During the first month of implementation, the market was dominated by E10 gasoline consumption. However, in the initial stage, many consumers continued to seek out retail stations offering E5 gasoline.

To facilitate access for consumers, the Agency for Domestic Market Management and Development has launched the "Around Me" application, which provides the locations of fuel retail stations nationwide, including those selling E5 gasoline. Vietnam currently has 1,585 retail stations offering E5 gasoline.

Overall, biofuel gasoline supply during June, including both E5 and E10 remained adequate, uninterrupted and fully capable of meeting market demand, ensuring stable nationwide distribution throughout the initial phase of implementation.

Air quality improves in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City

Air quality monitoring data for Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City provided by the Department of Environment under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, covering three observation periods early May, late May and late June 2026 indicate initial improvements in ambient air quality.

Specifically, a comparison between late June and late May data shows that in Hanoi, particulate matter concentrations declined significantly, with PM2.5 falling by 31.0% and PM10 decreasing by 29.6%. These figures indicate noticeable improvements in airborne particulate pollution. However, numerous transport infrastructure and construction projects remain underway across the capital, which may continue to affect local air quality.

Ho Chi Minh City recorded broader and more pronounced improvements. Compared with late May, monitoring results for late June showed PM2.5 declining by 15.7%, PM10 by 14.3%, carbon monoxide (CO) by 65.2%, nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) by 68.6%, nitrogen oxides (NOx) by 57.6%, sulphur dioxide (SO₂) by 38.5%, and ozone (O₃) by 14.4%.

These results indicate that both particulate pollutants and gaseous pollutants have shown a downward trend, reflecting a more positive development in overall air quality.

Taken together, the findings suggest that E10 gasoline has made a positive contribution to improving air quality in Vietnam's major cities. The substantial reductions in toxic gases such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide represent a key advantage of E10, attributable to its more complete combustion process.

Local authorities actively support implementation

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade's assessment, implementation of E10 biofuel gasoline across localities has largely met requirements in terms of schedule, coverage and supply security. Many provinces and cities have completed, or nearly completed, the transition of their entire fuel retail network, notably Lam Dong, Dien Bien, Gia Lai, Hai Phong, Tay Ninh, Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh, Vinh Long, Dong Nai, Thanh Hoa, Lang Son and Hung Yen. This demonstrates that the implementation roadmap set out in Circular No. 50/2025/TT-BCT has been carried out consistently from provincial authorities to enterprises and retail stations.

Regarding policy direction and administration, most local governments proactively advised provincial and municipal People's Committees to issue implementation plans and directives, while provincial Departments of Industry and Trade released guidance and urged fuel distributors to complete the transition. Several localities, including Hue City, Phu Tho, Vinh Long, Son La, Quang Ninh and Nghe An, began implementation as early as late 2025 and early 2026.

Some provinces demonstrated particularly strong administrative efforts. Thai Nguyen issued a series of directives between March and May 2026, Gia Lai maintained continuous guidance from March through June 2026, while Dong Nai issued multiple documents from both the Provincial People's Committee and the Department of Industry and Trade to secure fuel supply, strengthen public communications and accelerate the conversion of its retail network.

In terms of inspection and supervision, local authorities assigned Market Surveillance forces to coordinate with provincial Departments of Science and Technology and commune- and ward-level People's Committees to inspect compliance with the implementation roadmap, monitor price listings, ensure the sale of the correct fuel grades, prevent hoarding and artificial shortages, and oversee fuel quality, measurement standards and blending ratios.

Providing official information to consumers

To enable consumers to access authoritative information on biofuel gasoline, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has developed and issued a Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A) database comprising 85 commonly asked questions for the E10 information chatbot. The Ministry has also distributed 500 copies of the E10 User Handbook, 10,000 leaflets, three banners, 500 posters and a wide range of digital communication materials to support public awareness campaigns across localities, enterprises and fuel retail stations nationwide.

Based on issues identified during practical implementation, the Agency for Innovation, Green Transition and Industrial Promotion, in coordination with the Newspaper of Industry and Trade and relevant agencies, reviewed and expanded the Q&A database by adding 48 new questions and answers to address issues raised by consumers and businesses in a timely manner.

As a result, the E10 chatbot currently contains a total of 133 questions and answers and has been operating continuously since late May. The chatbot processes an average of around 600 enquiries each day on the online Newspaper of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Industry and Trade's official web portal.

Looking ahead, the Ministry of Industry and Trade will continue monitoring market demand for both E5 and E10 gasoline and will instruct fuel distributors to adjust their product offerings in accordance with consumption patterns in each locality.