VIETNAM CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Liên Đoàn Thương Mại Và Công Nghiệp Việt Nam
Mon, Jul 13, 2026, 14:36:00
Overview of “World Energy and Environment - Vietnam” Forum 2026
New rules of the global economy
Geopolitical uncertainty, growing pressure on energy security, and stricter emissions standards are reshaping the global economy. Against this backdrop, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), through the Vietnam Business Council for Sustainable Development (VBCSD), partnered with other organizations to host the “World Energy and Environment - Vietnam” Forum 2026, promoting a balance between economic growth, energy security, and sustainable development.
Speaking at the forum, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Van Thang said Vietnam is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change. With more than 3,260 kilometers of coastline, two major river deltas, and a rapidly growing economy, Vietnam needs to pursue a growth model that combines sustainable development, environmental protection, innovation, and greater economic resilience.
According to Nguyen Quang Vinh, Vice President of VCCI and Chairman of VBCSD, Net Zero is no longer just an environmental goal but has become a new benchmark for competitiveness. For Vietnam, achieving Net Zero is not only about fulfilling international commitments but also a strategic choice to improve growth quality, strengthen energy security, and increase the economy's resilience.
John Rockhold, Chairman of the Power and Energy Working Group of the Vietnam Business Forum and Chairman of Pacific Rim Investment & Management, shared the same view. He said the policies introduced in recent years show that Vietnam is steadily turning its commitments into concrete action.
"Overall, Vietnam is moving in the right direction. What truly impresses me is not only the commitments and development plans, but also the concrete policy tools being developed to put them into practice."
Beyond policies on the energy transition and the carbon market, John Rockhold said Vietnam should make better use of the potential of its blue carbon ecosystems.
"Blue carbon is not only a climate solution but also an economic asset. Mangrove forests generate carbon credits that have value in international markets, protect coastlines from natural disasters, support the livelihoods of millions of coastal residents, and provide a foundation for a sustainable blue economy. From an economic perspective, conserving mangrove forests is an investment that delivers returns, not a cost," he said.
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Van Thang addresses the forum
Addressing bottlenecks to achieve Net Zero
Despite strong determination, the Net Zero roadmap continues to face major challenges in infrastructure, technology, and financing. As Vietnam pursues double-digit GDP growth, it must also ensure energy security while reducing emissions.
The green transition remains a major challenge for many businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, due to limited resources, emissions data, and management capacity. This calls for coordinated policy, regulatory, and technical support to help businesses gradually adapt to new development standards.
With the energy transition serving as the central pillar and main driver of the Net Zero roadmap, Deputy PM Nguyen Van Thang said: "The Government will direct ministries, sectors, and local authorities to continue prioritizing renewable energy development, accelerate offshore wind, rooftop solar, biomass power, and modern energy storage projects, while prioritizing synchronized investment in the national power transmission system, smart grids, modern dispatch systems, large-scale battery storage, and other advanced energy storage technologies to improve the integration and efficient use of renewable energy. In addition, Vietnam will develop and strengthen a competitive electricity market, modernize smart grid systems to maximize the integration of variable renewable energy sources, and encourage private investment in the energy sector."
| On the sidelines of the forum, the "Green Path - Net Zero Vietnam" exhibition featured more than 50 booths from localities and businesses showcasing green transition models, technologies, and solutions. The exhibition also served as a platform for connecting businesses, local authorities, international organizations, and investors to promote cooperation, technology transfer, and resource mobilization in support of the Net Zero goal. |
Alongside developing energy infrastructure, the Government is also advancing economic instruments to support emissions reduction. Deputy PM Nguyen Van Thang said the carbon market is an effective tool for encouraging emissions reductions. In recent years, the Government and relevant ministries have issued key legal documents on the carbon market and launched a domestic carbon exchange to establish a transparent and efficient carbon pricing mechanism. The market will encourage businesses to reduce emissions, invest in clean technologies, and generate additional financing through carbon credits for companies with strong emissions performance. This marks an important step in shifting greenhouse gas emissions management from an administrative approach to a market-based mechanism.
In addition, the Deputy Prime Minister said the Government will continue improving the legal and institutional framework, advancing administrative reform, reducing administrative procedures and business requirements, and removing barriers that restrict businesses' access to resources, land, financing, technology, and markets. "We will carefully consider the practical recommendations and proposals presented at today's forum so they can be reviewed promptly and translated into appropriate policies, executive decisions, and regulatory measures."
From left: VCCI President Ho Sy Hung, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Van Thang, VCCI Vice President Nguyen Quang Vinh, and other delegates tour the exhibition booths on the sidelines of the forum
He said businesses should integrate the green transition, energy efficiency, emissions reduction, and ESG governance into their long-term strategies. Companies should review their production models, technology, energy use, and supply chains; conduct greenhouse gas inventories; improve environmental data transparency; participate in the carbon market; and develop emissions reduction roadmaps suited to their industries. Businesses that act early and meet green standards will gain stronger advantages in market access, financing, and participation in global value chains.
Deputy PM Nguyen Van Thang directed VCCI to work with ministries, sectors, local authorities, industry associations, and international partners to develop green transition support programs tailored to industries, supply chains, and localities, with priority given to small and medium-sized enterprises, businesses in high-emission sectors, and exporters facing growing pressure from carbon standards. VCCI should also proactively collect and report businesses' challenges related to institutions, capital, technology, human resources, the carbon market, green finance, and administrative procedures, while promoting a network of Net Zero pioneers, expanding successful models, and regularly updating the Government on the business community's progress, recommendations, and initiatives.
Achieving Net Zero is not only an energy or environmental goal but also part of restructuring Vietnam's growth model. As the institutional framework improves and support from the Government, businesses, and international partners grows, the green transition is expected to strengthen competitiveness, attract high-quality investment, and advance the country's goal of rapid, sustainable development.
|
Supporting businesses in green transition
Ho Sy Hung, President and Chairman of VCCI As the national representative organization of Vietnam's business community, VCCI is committed to five key priorities: First, VCCI will continue promoting policy dialogue among the Government, ministries, and the business community. This remains a top priority because gaps still exist in policies and implementation mechanisms. VCCI aims to help identify challenges and bottlenecks throughout the green transition and propose practical recommendations and solutions. Second, VCCI will work closely with ministries, local authorities, industry associations, and international organizations, particularly the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Ministry of Finance, and local governments, to develop programs that support businesses in their green transition across industries, supply chains, and localities. Priority will be given to small and medium-sized enterprises, export-oriented businesses, and companies in high-emission sectors facing growing pressure from market requirements, green standards, and carbon adjustment mechanisms. Third, VCCI will work with ministries to strengthen training, consulting, and capacity building for businesses in ESG governance, greenhouse gas emissions inventories, sustainability reporting, energy efficiency, the circular economy, carbon markets, and transition finance. Fourth, VCCI will promote the development of a network of businesses leading the Net Zero transition. This requires successful models and best practices that can encourage wider adoption of green initiatives while connecting new ideas, innovation, science, and technology to build a more sustainability-driven business community. Fifth, VCCI will establish a mechanism for the regular monitoring and evaluation of these programs. It will also periodically review implementation, identify challenges and obstacles, and submit recommendations to the Government. Strengthening climate governance and green growth
Le Cong Thanh, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment As Vietnam's national focal agency for climate change, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has taken decisive action to implement the Party's resolutions, the National Climate Change Strategy, and the National Green Growth Strategy. The ministry has focused on strengthening institutions and developing a comprehensive legal framework while actively implementing and monitoring Vietnam's international climate commitments to enhance the country's international standing. Beyond policy development, it is also building effective implementation mechanisms, fiscal and financial instruments, and mobilizing international resources to advance the green transition and sustainable development. The ministry is working closely with ministries, sectors, and local governments to accelerate the development of a transparent and accurate greenhouse gas management and inventory system aligned with international standards. It is also advancing the establishment of Vietnam's domestic carbon market as a key economic instrument for reducing emissions. It is accelerating national action programs on climate change adaptation, environmental protection, and the restoration and improvement of forests, wetlands, marine, and coastal ecosystems to maximize natural carbon sequestration and turn ecological potential into sustainable green economic resources. We also consider businesses the central force and driving force behind achieving the Net Zero goal. We are committed to supporting the business community through concrete actions, including removing policy barriers, strengthening implementation capacity, streamlining administrative procedures, improving information transparency, and creating a more favorable investment environment. These efforts will help accelerate green investment, encourage technological innovation, and expand circular and sustainable business models across Vietnam. Policy support to facilitate energy transition
Nguyen Hoang Long, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade The energy sector is central to achieving the Net Zero target, accounting for 66% of total greenhouse gas emissions in 2020 and projected to rise to 73% by 2030 under the business-as-usual scenario without transition measures. As the 14th National Party Congress targets average annual GDP growth of at least 10% during 2026-2030, ensuring national energy security while reducing emissions remains a major challenge. Renewable energy sources such as wind and solar, which are domestically available and do not require imports, remain underutilized because of constraints in power transmission, energy storage, and baseload generation. Addressing these gaps will require greater investment and stronger international cooperation. In December 2023, Vietnam and the International Partners Group (IPG) adopted the Political Declaration establishing the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP). This marked a major step forward, enabling Vietnam to mobilize international resources, improve the investment environment, accelerate power sector decarbonization, and create new economic opportunities to support the country's transition toward a net-zero future. The implementation plan for the JETP Political Declaration was approved by the Prime Minister under Decision 1009/QD-TTg dated August 31, 2023, and updated under Decision 458/QD-TTg dated March 20, 2026. Both the original and revised plans closely follow the Political Declaration and assign clear responsibilities to ministries and agencies. The revised plan aligns with Politburo Resolution 70-NQ/TW dated August 20, 2025, on ensuring national energy security through 2030 with a vision to 2045, as well as energy strategies, planning documents, development plans issued since 2024, and Vietnam's government restructuring following the organizational reforms approved by the National Assembly. The JETP Secretariat was established under Prime Minister's Decision 845/QD-TTg dated July 14, 2023. Since October 2024, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has served as the standing agency of the Secretariat. JETP implementation is carried out under the overall direction of the National Steering Committee for implementing Vietnam's COP26 commitments, which is currently being reorganized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. Since adopting the JETP Political Declaration, Vietnam has developed a range of key policies to facilitate domestic and international financing for energy development. These include Politburo Resolution 70-NQ/TW, the revised Electricity Law, National Assembly Resolution 253/2025/QH15, the revised Power Development Plan VIII, and Decree 242/2025/ND-CP on ODA management. Together, these measures have created more favorable conditions for investment in the energy transition and helped remove barriers to mobilizing international resources. These policy reforms align with Vietnam's development priorities while enabling the country to fulfill its international commitments under the JETP framework. Continued effective implementation of the JETP was reaffirmed in Politburo Resolution 70-NQ/TW dated August 20, 2025, on ensuring national energy security through 2030 with a vision to 2045. |
