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A tale of two trends in Vietnam: Digital transformation and net zero transition
Published
3 months agoon
Climate change, which is a severe challenge to Vietnam, also represents a huge opportunity for the country and its corporate sector in the era of booming digitalization, writes Tim Evans, CEO of HSBC Vietnam.

Tim Evans, CEO of HSBC Vietnam. Photo courtesy of HSBC.
It’s always been a great pleasure to tell Vietnam’s story with pride to the rest of the world. One of the most interesting aspects of this story is the remarkable growth journey that the country has been on over the past few decades, and this is now reflected in the position that Vietnam is taking across global supply chains.
From an initial low starting point, Vietnam has moved itself to become a lower-middle-income country with a fast growing economy. The numbers speak for themselves. Vietnam is now a signee to 16 free trade agreements and has established comprehensive strategic partnerships with a further eight countries. The GDP of the economy is projected to reach $760 billion by 2030.
This year, HSBC Global Research expects the country’s GDP to grow by 7%, becoming the fastest growing economy in ASEAN and producing as much new additional GDP as the Netherlands. It is now also among the world’s 40 largest economies in terms of GDP, and in the top 20 in terms of trade. This progress has led to an income per capita that has risen 43 times to $4,300 from $100 since the early days of the Doi moi reforms.
This country has come a long way to become what it is today. A key component of this success is its willingness to embrace change. For years, FDI has been a key driver of this incredible growth, accounting for between 4-6% of GDP annually. However, Vietnam’s growth story is more than just “FDI in, exports out”. There are additional new growth drivers that have emerged to help drive Vietnam’s story to the next level.
Change is inevitable
The world is changing now more than ever before because of these two key game-changers.
First, the technological advancements that we have seen in the last decade alone have transformed the way we live our lives. Ten years ago, owning a smartphone would have been a luxury for many people. Today it is an integral part of life for nearly 70 million people in Vietnam. We can do almost everything with just a few taps on the screen, from reading news, checking emails, performing shopping tasks to paying bills, and so on.
What’s more, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and robotics has also completely transformed various industries, from healthcare to manufacturing, and even within our own banking industry. For example, ChatGPT has gone beyond a conventional search engine, and is just one example in the “AI universe.”

Tim Evans, CEO of HSBC Vietnam. Photo courtesy of HSBC.
The latest Nobel prize winners for physics and chemistry are active proponents of new technology and emphasize the impact on their respective fields of AI. Generative AI was among the top two trends that stood out in 2023, according to McKinsey. Gen AI has seen a spike of almost 700% in Google searches between 2022 to 2023, along with a notable jump in job postings and investments.
Let’s not forget that the Covid-19 pandemic also accelerated the pace of digital transformation. The pandemic accelerated the adoption of technologies like remote working tools, e-commerce, and telemedicine. Now with the pandemic behind us, the rise of digitization continues.
The other game-changer that is impacting the world is climate change. We may be tempted to think of as a slow and steady process, which is following a fairly predictable, even manageable path. That is a mistake. In fact, the result of continuously heating our planet is ongoing leading to an ever increasing number of natural disasters that are leading us to the point of no return.
You may have heard of the deadly hurricanes that recently hit the U.S. Their ferocity has been impacted by climate change which has led to wind speeds increasing on average by 11% and increased rainfall by about 10%. This proves that climate change is already here and it is an existential threat to the world with far-reaching impact.
The UN estimates that the Earth will be 3°C warmer by the end of the century despite a number of net zero commitments that have been made around the world which aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This year’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report estimates that close to 3.5 billion people live in areas with a high vulnerability to climate change.
The World Bank’s estimate is even higher. According to its November 2023 Policy Research Paper, 4.5 billion people are being exposed to extreme weather events, such as floods, droughts, cyclones, or heatwaves. It has also warned that Vietnam is one of the top five countries likely to be adversely affected by climate change. Negative impacts from climate change will reduce the country’s national income by up to 3.5% of GDP by 2050.
The climate is changing. And so must we. We all understand that we need to accelerate progress on the transition to a net zero global economy to try to limit global warming to 1.5°C: which is considered the safe threshold for our climate according to the IPCC, and has been endorsed both by the global scientific community and through the Paris Agreement.
So far approximately 150 countries have announced net zero targets, as well as many regions, cities and companies. In 2021 during the COP26 summit, Vietnam set a target to achieve carbon net zero by 2050.
Opportunities open up
Vietnam has a strong appetite for digital consumption. Demographic tailwinds include a population of over 100 million and a work force that is 70% of the total population. The rapid rise in internet users also helps drive the adoption of the digital market. Almost 80% of Vietnam’s population now use the internet, thanks to smartphone ownership that has doubled from a decade ago.
State-led initiatives to drive rural digitalization have also spurred progress in building a digital economy that is the fastest-growing in ASEAN with impressive growth of 20%, according to the e-Conomy SEA 2023 report.
Measured by gross merchandise value (GMV), the country has the potential to become the second-largest digital market in the region by 2030, just after Indonesia. The expansion is expected to be led by a rapidly developing e-commerce ecosystem, supported by a rising consumer base.
One of the most powerful effects of the digital revolution is the way that it has levelled the global playing field, allowing countries like Vietnam to compete with more advanced economies. Companies like Sky Mavis, MoMo and VNLife – all unicorns founded in Vietnam – are world-class competitors, but if the country is to continue to build on its success, there is a need to continue to invest in education and accessibility to build a thriving digital ecosystem that drives innovation.
Climate change, which is a severe challenge to Vietnam, also represents a huge opportunity for the country and its corporate sector. Vietnam’s renewable energy potential is huge given its conducive conditions and the government’s pledge to achieve net zero by 2050.
It is the most naturally suited country in Southeast Asia to develop wind and solar energy. The country’s natural resources offer the potential to attract more investment into the growing renewable energy sector. Vietnam already ranks second among developing countries in attracting FDI into the renewable energy space.
The net zero transition presents significant opportunities for organizations that are prepared to innovate, adapt and lead the way in creating solutions that will result in a more sustainable future for generations to come.
Riding the wind of change
We can see the multi-dimensional efforts of Vietnam’s government to keep up with these two trends. For instance, they already have a National Strategy for Digital Economy and Digital Society Development to 2025, a vision to 2030, and a National Green Growth Strategy for 2021-2030 and a vision to 2050.
In response to the government’s efforts, businesses are rewiring their organizations and deploying technology integration at scale. As of 2023, 47% of businesses in Vietnam have undergone some kind of digital transformation, according to Enterprise Development Agency under the Ministry of Planning and Investment. They have also started working out their own net zero transition plans.
Sustainability used to be the “playing field” of FDI enterprises because they tended to follow the policies and strategies of their parent companies in other countries where ESG trends were potentially more developed than in Vietnam. However, the awareness of local businesses has been rising.
According to a PwC survey, 40% of them have planned for and set themselves ESG commitments. Net zero transition was said to be critical to them by 48.7% of businesses in a survey by the Vietnamese government’s Private Economic Development Research Board.
Obviously, change is not an option but a necessity for businesses. It brings them benefits, too. Digital transformation has become an indispensable part of business strategies in the face of increasing competition and changing customer needs. Digitization helps companies step up their game to offer better products and services, in large part, thanks to cutting-edge technology. Some of the main benefits include more efficiency, improved user and customer experience, more accurate insights, etc.
On the other hand, companies that fail to address climate change will ultimately undermine trust with their stakeholders, including employees, investors, customers and regulators. And their businesses will also not be future proof against climate risks.
What change would cost?
What would net zero cost? Total global spending by governments, businesses and individuals on energy and land-use systems will need to rise by $3.5 trillion a year, if we are to have any chance of getting to net-zero as a planet in 2050. That is a 60% increase in today’s level of investment. It is equivalent to half of all global corporate profits, a quarter of world tax revenues and 7% of all household spending.
Vietnam needs approximately $400 billion by 2040 (nearly 6.8% of its annual GDP) to tackle climate change, according to the Department of Climate Change under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
How about digital transformation? Worldwide spending on digital transformation is forecast to reach almost $4 trillion in 2027, according to the International Data Corporation. In Vietnam, the minimum investment for digital transformation is estimated to be 1% of the state budget.
Every transformation project is different and the total cost of digital transformation will vary depending on each company, industry, type of transformation and other factors. The average cost of a digital transformation project is $27.5 million, according to International Data Corporation.
Both the digital and green transitions require enormous investments, in which finance will play a critical role. Vietnam’s state budget for fighting climate change can provide about $130 billion, less than half of what is needed. Cost is also the top challenge in digital transformation, as cited by 60% of businesses in a survey by the Ministry of Planning and Investment in collaboration with the USAID. Global banks like HSBC can help to facilitate finance, to connect investors and to provide our clients with relevant expertise and to channel capital in the right direction.
Change is costly but delay would cost us even more. Are we going to embrace the change to stay ahead in this rapidly evolving landscape? The choice is ours.
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Bac Giang International Logistics Centre launched
Published
13 hours agoon
April 27, 2025Bac Giang International Logistics Centre was launched on April 22 with an investment of $168 million, and is expected to become a crucial link in the global supply chain.
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Bac Giang International Logistics Centre launch |
Being invested by CNCTech Group, Dolphin Sea Air Services Corporation and Thien An Investment JSC, the logistics centre is located on National Highway 1A, which boasts first-class warehouse supply to meet the growing demand in the northern Vietnamese market.
Its strategic position within the golden economic triangle of Hanoi – Haiphong – Quang Ninh provides convenient connectivity to industrial zones and key logistics centres via national highways No.1A and No.37.
The centre is designed to meet growing demand for logistics infrastructure from businesses in Bac Giang and neighbouring provinces, positioning the area as a new node in northern Vietnam’s logistics network.
The project is a strategic product as a key component of the logistics spearhead in CNCTech Group’s industrial and logistics infrastructure ecosystem. It has been approved by the prime minister as a national level-II logistics centre, covering a planned area of 67 hectares.
At the launch ceremony, Chairman of Bac Giang People’s Committee Nguyen Viet Oanh said, “In recent years, the province’s socioeconomic development has made remarkable strides. Transportation, urban, industrial, and social infrastructure have been synchronously invested in and have yielded high efficiency. However, the province’s logistics service sector has not yet matched its potential, advantages, and socioeconomic development level. The logistics system remains fragmented, transportation costs are high, and trade delivery times are prolonged.”
Recognising this bottleneck, the local authorities have focused on directing the robust development of the logistics system, incorporating it into the provincial plan. This includes developing eight comprehensive logistics centres covering nearly 500ha, three inland container depots, and 33 inland waterway ports.
“Bac Giang, with its strategic location between Hanoi and border provinces, has long been known as a dynamic industrial hub. The remarkable development of the province’s industrial parks has created a solid foundation for the establishment of Bac Giang International Logistics Centre. This centre is not only located on vital transportation routes such as Hanoi-Lang Son Expressway but also directly connects to major border gates, optimising the transport of goods from Bac Giang to the world,” said Oanh.
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A model of the logistics centre |
The project is not merely a warehousing facility, but also a symbol of the integration of modern infrastructure and advanced technology. The centre includes multifunctional warehouse areas, customs-controlled warehouses, non-tariff warehouses, and automated warehouses, meeting the needs of various industries. Notably, it integrates end-to-end logistics solutions, supporting businesses in optimising transportation costs and enhancing production efficiency.
With a long-term vision, the centre aims not only to optimise domestic supply chains but also to become a key connection point in the global logistics network.
Nguyen Van Hung, chairman of the Board of Members of CNC Tech Group, shared, “The establishment of this centre is a strategic step in developing Vietnam’s logistics infrastructure. We are committed to long-term and robust investment in this sector, as logistics is not just infrastructure but an indispensable part of enhancing the competitiveness of Vietnamese businesses on the international stage.”
Vietnam has taken strong action to promote green development among businesses, amid the country facing challenges in finance and technology.
Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam told the fourth Summit of the Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G), organised last week in Hanoi, that Vietnam is focused on strategic breakthroughs to prepare for a national development process that is fast, inclusive, and sustainable.
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The summit in Hanoi covered areas from finance and banking to agriculture and technology Photo: Dung Minh |
“We will strongly transform political commitments into practical actions, creating motivation for businesses and the whole society to participate in sustainable economic development, in which green institutions are the decisive foundation,” General Secretary Lam stressed at a hall attended by government leaders, UN representatives, diplomats, experts, and entrepreneurs.
General Secretary Lam also stressed that when it comes to green transformation, despite being a developing country with a transitional economy and limited resources, Vietnam has achieved some important results.
Besides making a 2050 net-zero commitment in 2021, Vietnam also endorsed six global initiatives at the time, on forest and land use, methane, clean power transition, sustainable food and agriculture, and more.
“Vietnam is now a leading country in supplying renewable energy in ASEAN, with wind and solar power capacity accounting for two-thirds of ASEAN’s total capacity,” he said.
“Additionally, Vietnam is also a good example of encouraging sustainable agriculture. The initiative to develop one million hectares of high-quality and low-emission specialised rice is a pioneering model that many partners and international organisations are interested in.”
A greener future
Vietnam is an active and responsible member of all multilateral mechanisms and major initiatives on green growth and energy transition such as the Paris Agreement on climate change, the Just Energy Transition Partnership, and the P4G.
“However, as a developing country with a transitional economy, we also face many challenges in terms of financial resources, technology, personnel, and resilience to the impacts of climate change and geopolitical fluctuations globally,” said General Secretary Lam.
The summit adopted the Hanoi Declaration, strongly affirming commitments to sustainable growth with people at the centre, and a determination to collaborate responsibly in addressing current global challenges. Vietnam is expected to enjoy continued support from the international community in its journey to a green economy including energy transition.
According to the World Bank, to ensure sufficient funding for responding to climate change, mobilising domestic finance is possible, but external support is needed.
Overall, Vietnam’s total incremental financing needs for the resilient and decarbonising pathways could reach $368 billion over 2022–2040, or approximately 6.8 per cent of GDP per year.
The resilient pathway alone will account for about two-thirds of this amount, as substantial financing will be required to protect the country’s assets and infrastructure as well as vulnerable people.
The cost of the decarbonising pathway will mainly arise from the energy sector – investments in renewables and managing the transition away from coal might cost around $64 billion between 2022 and 2040. All the figures are in net present value terms at a discount rate of 6 per cent.
This $368 billion in financing needs will include $184 billion from private investments or about 3.4 per cent of GDP annually, $130 billion or about 2.4 per cent of GDP annually from the state budget; and $54 billion or about 1 per cent of GDP per year from external sources.
Choi Youngsam, South Korean Ambassador to Vietnam, said that within the P4G framework, South Korea and Vietnam have completed or are currently implementing joint projects in areas such as food and agriculture, energy, water, and urban development.
“Looking ahead, both sides are expected to broaden and deepen their partnership under the P4G framework,” he said.
At the P4G Summit held in Seoul in May 2021, the two governments signed the Framework Agreement on Cooperation in Response to Climate Change, laying a solid policy foundation for the implementation of international emissions reduction ventures.
“On this basis, I hope that South Korea will leverage its technological expertise and financial resources to carry out greenhouse gas emission reduction projects in Vietnam, with both countries mutually recognising the results,” Ambassador Youngsam said.
“This would contribute to establishing a win-win model of emissions reduction cooperation. At the same time, I look forward to seeing active engagement from South Korean enterprises possessing green technologies, in close collaboration with the Vietnamese government.”
Encouraging developments
Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Hoang Minh said at a policy dialogue on the sidelines of the P4G 2025 that the active participation and strong cooperation from stakeholders – from the public and private sectors to international organisations – can help materialise Vietnam’s aspiration of an efficient and sustainable innovative startup ecosystem.
“Innovation, creative entrepreneurship and collaboration are key to solving environmental problems, while encouraging the development of a circular economy,” he said.
Vietnam currently has over 4,000 innovative startups, including two unicorns valued at over $1 billion, 11 companies valued at over $100 million, more than 1,400 startup support organisations, 202 co-working spaces, 208 investment funds, and 35 business promotion organisations. Among these, it is estimated that around 200–300 companies focus on green transition, covering areas such as renewable energy, environmental technology, sustainable agriculture, and the circular economy.
According to the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, hosting the fourth P4G Conference is of great significance to Vietnam. It is aimed to boost its role as a good friend, a reliable partner, and a responsible member of P4G and the international community. Moreover, it is also aimed to reaffirm its commitment to sustainable development, energy transition, and the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. Besides that, it is aimed at contributing to raising awareness of international cooperation and encouraging the role and voice of developing countries in the sector of green growth and sustainable development.
Pham Minh Chinh, Prime Minister
For Vietnam, together with digital transformation, we identify green transition as an objective necessity, a key factor, and a breakthrough driving force to promote rapid growth and sustainable development. This aligns with the strategic goal of becoming a developing country with modern industry and upper-middle income by 2030, and a developed, high-income country by 2045, while also contributing to the gradual realisation of Vietnam’s commitment at COP26 to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. From practical experience with initial positive results, especially in renewable energy, green agricultural development, and participation in multilateral mechanisms and initiatives on green transformation, as the host of the fourth P4G Summit, Vietnam has three suggestions for discussions which pave the way for further cooperation in the coming time. First is to perfect green mindset, with a focus placed on the development of science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation linked to green growth. This includes recognising that green resources stem from green thinking, green growth is driven by green transition, and green resources arises from the green awareness of people and businesses in nations and regions throughout the world. Second is to build a responsible green community, in which, the government plays a guiding role, encouraging, and ensuring a stable and favourable institutional environment for green growth. The private sector functions as a core investor into technological development and the dissemination of green standards. The scientific community take the lead in developing green technologies and training green human resources. Meanwhile, citizens continuously enhance their green awareness, truly becoming beneficiaries of the outcomes of green transformation. Thirdly, it is necessary to promote international cooperation and robust multilateral green cooperation models, particularly public-private partnerships, South-South cooperation, North-South cooperation, and multilateral cooperation frameworks. This is aimed at removing institutional barriers, enhancing access, and speeding up the flow of green capital, green technology, and green governance. Developed countries should take the lead in fulfilling commitments to provide financial, technological, and institutional reform support. Meanwhile, developing countries would need to leverage their internal strengths and effectively utilise external resources. |
Investing
Public-private partnerships a lever for greener innovation
Published
21 hours agoon
April 26, 2025Public-private partnerships are no longer a supporting mechanism, but a strategic pillar in the global pursuit of the green transition.
The high-level dialogue between government leaders and businesses at the 2025 P4G Vietnam Summit last week, chaired by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, brought together senior officials, global experts, international organisations, and private sector leaders.
They recognised that the climate crisis, digital transformation, and resource depletion are converging in ways that demand not only innovation, but deep and long-term collaboration between the public and private sectors.
UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed acknowledged Vietnam’s leadership in renewable energy, noting its potential to attract trillions in sustainable investment.
“Emerging economies must accelerate the adoption of new investment models, particularly those that align private capital with green infrastructure priorities. Governments must work with the private sector to expand ambition, strengthen accountability, and deliver real impact,” she said.
From Italy, Prime Minister’s Climate Envoy Francesco Corvaro stressed that public-private partnerships (PPPs) are indispensable in addressing climate finance gaps. Drawing from Italy’s experience, he underscored the importance of public investment as a risk mitigator, enabling private sector participation in clean energy and smart infrastructure projects.
“Public investment can unlock private capital, but local authorities must lead with clear priorities and long-term vision,” Corvaro noted. “You can’t talk about renewables, AI, or digital infrastructure without modern, resilient grids, and that requires strong public-private alignment.” he said
Alejandro Dorado, Spain’s High Commissioner for Circular Economy, argued that the case for stronger PPPs lies at the intersection of two accelerating forces: the environmental-climate crisis and a wave of disruptive technologies.
“In a world where AI, green technologies, and digitalisation are reshaping the global economy, the clock is ticking. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, we have less than a decade to prevent irreversible climate disaster. Meanwhile, the World Economic Forum has identified biodiversity loss as one of the most severe economic risks,” he said.
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Dorado added that while multilateralism is being questioned or weakened in some quarters, the need for cooperation has never been more urgent – both to solve environmental challenges and to harness the transformative potential of innovation.
“No government or business can tackle these crises alone. Public authorities must provide the regulatory frameworks, fiscal incentives, and infrastructure deployment needed at scale to safeguard the common good,” he stressed.
From the business side, Stuart Livesey, country representative of Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), provided a frank but optimistic outlook. Livesey stated CIP’s commitment to supporting Vietnam’s transition, but emphasised the need for enabling conditions.
“What we seek are clear, bankable projects underpinned by stable regulatory frameworks, collaborating with strong local partnerships. This is where public-private cooperation becomes not just helpful, but essential,” Livesey noted. “Over the next 10-15 years, the offshore wind sector and green energy consumers will trigger massive demand for new technologies, digital solutions, and skilled labour.”
To meet this demand, CIP is investing not only in infrastructure, but also in capacity building, research and development, and local supply chain development through partnerships with Vietnamese universities.
Still, he acknowledged barriers. “Technological application and innovation in green projects face challenges, from long-term financing constraints and skilled labour shortages to fragmented policy signals. These are not unique to Vietnam, but they require proactive, tailored local solutions,” he said. “Addressing issues such as grid availability, regulatory clarity, and inter-ministerial coordination will be critical.”
Tim Evans, CEO of HSBC Vietnam, stated that the banking sector is ready to facilitate green finance, particularly in sectors aligned with national climate targets.
“We see ourselves as a bridge between global capital and local sustainability goals. The clearer the pipeline of bankable, climate-aligned projects, the faster we can move capital,” he noted. “What’s crucial now is consistency in policy and coordination among stakeholders to ensure these projects reach maturity.”

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