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Mobility electrification to tackle air pollution in Vietnam

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Air pollution is the biggest threat to human health, causing about one in every nine deaths globally.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution leads to about seven million premature deaths each year. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) can cause or aggravate diseases such as asthma, cancer, stroke, and lung disease. High PM2.5 concentrations also adversely affect children’s cognitive development, cause mental health problems, and complicate underlying diseases such as diabetes.

Mobility electrification to tackle air pollution in Vietnam
Ha Quoc Dung, monitoring and reporting specialist The Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment

In 2023, only 10 countries and 9 per cent of cities met the WHO’s PM2.5 standard. PM2.5 is also linked to climate change, with fossil fuel emissions being the main cause. Tackling air pollution and climate change simultaneously is feasible, offering opportunities to improve the environment and public health.

The same year, Vietnam ranked 22nd in the list of countries with the worst air quality, with an average AQI of 88, reflecting a worrying pollution situation. Although not as severe as Bangladesh or Pakistan, the pollution level in Vietnam is still at an unhealthy level, especially dangerous for sensitive groups such as children, the elderly and people with respiratory diseases.

On the morning of January 3, Hanoi recorded the highest air pollution level in the world with an average AQI of 284, according to IQAir. This is a very harmful level for health, especially for sensitive groups such as children, the elderly and people with respiratory diseases. Hanoi surpassed the top polluted cities such as Delhi and Karachi, maintaining its position in the group of the most polluted cities globally.

In Tay Ho district, the AQI reached 557, a dangerous level, while neighbouring areas all exceeded 400. Haiphong also recorded AQI 272. On the evening of February 10, Hanoi continued to be recorded as the most polluted city in the world, with an AQI of 188.

By January 24, Ho Chi Minh City had risen to second place in the list of most polluted cities, with PM2.5 concentrations 11 times higher than the WHO’s recommendations. This situation poses a major challenge, requiring emission control measures, traffic improvement, and increased green areas to protect public health.

Vietnam needs to reduce traffic emissions through measures such as road cleaning to reduce dust, traffic regulation to reduce congestion, building low-emission areas, developing public transport, electrifying vehicles, supporting the production and use of electric vehicles (EVs) through credit mechanisms, developing charging station infrastructure, and subsidising EVs. At the same time, it is necessary to strictly control emission sources and raise public awareness to improve sustainable air quality.

Modern transport policy

In 2024, around 17 million EVs were sold globally, with 65 per cent in China. Europe sold around 3 million EVs, with the UK seeing a 58 per cent on-year increase in battery EV sales thanks to heavy investment. The UK government required zero-emission vehicles to account for 22 per cent of sales in 2024, aiming for 80 per cent by 2030 and 100 per cent by 2035.

In the first nine months of 2024, EV sales in China increased by 31 per cent, driven by strong growth in plug-in hybrid EVs and extended-range ones.

Major manufacturers are pushing into this segment from 2025. The Chinese government has implemented a transport electrification policy to reduce air pollution and has rolled out a series of strong support measures to encourage use of EVs and plug-in hybrids, including credits, subsidies, tax incentives, and charging infrastructure development.

According to Gartner, the global EV fleet will reach 85 million by the end of 2025, with China accounting for more than half (49 million), far ahead of Europe (20.6 million) and North America (10.4 million). China’s new energy vehicle industry is expected to expand to $3.16 billion by 2026. Shenzhen is a prime example, having converted all 16,000 buses from diesel to electric since 2017 thanks to government subsidies.

China also requires at least 30 per cent of new government vehicles purchased each year to be classed as new energy, in order to reach its net-zero emissions target by 2060. To maintain this progress, CO2 emissions from new passenger cars must fall to zero by 2035, while emissions from commercial vehicles need to fall 74 per cent from 2012 levels.

Vietnam, especially large cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Haiphong, are facing serious air pollution due to the increase in personal vehicles using fossil fuels.

According to the experience of developed countries such as the UK, the US, France, Sweden, and China, electrifying transport through credits, encouraging EVs, implementing low emission zones, and applying strict emission standards can effectively reduce air pollution and greenhouse gases.

Mobility electrification to tackle air pollution in Vietnam
Mobility electrification to tackle air pollution in Vietnam, Photo: Le Toan

Electrification experience

To make this transition, Vietnam needs a comprehensive strategy, combining financial incentives, infrastructure investment and appropriate traffic regulation policies.

First, financial support and incentives for consumers and businesses are key. Countries like France and the US have been successful with subsidy and rebate schemes. The California Clean Vehicle Rebate Programme has allocated more than $1.4 billion since 2009, providing $7,500 in subsidies to EV buyers, helping to reduce nearly 10 million tons of CO2. France supports €4,000-7,000 for low-income people to buy EVs.

Vietnam can learn from this by implementing financial support, credits, exemptions from special consumption tax, reductions in import tax on components, and preferential credit support for domestic manufacturing enterprises. The policy of exchanging old cars for electric cars, like China, is also an effective solution to replace polluting vehicles.

Second, developing charging infrastructure and smart grids is key to popularising EVs in Vietnam. Currently, the lack of charging stations is a major barrier. China has succeeded by investing heavily in fast charging networks, with more than 2 million charging stations nationwide. Vietnam needs to plan charging stations in large cities, public parking lots, shopping malls and highways.

The government should cooperate with private enterprises to develop fast charging stations and integrate smart grids, optimising renewable energy. Mobile charging station models and home charging stations should also be deployed to increase accessibility for people.

Third, implementing a low-emission zone policy and restricting old petrol vehicles in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and other crowded cities is an effective solution to reduce pollution. Such zones have been successful in Beijing, London, and Milan, significantly reducing emissions by restricting high-emission vehicles from entering the central area.

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City can pilot a ban on old low-emission vehicles, while charging emission fees for petrol and diesel vehicles. Prioritising dedicated lanes for EVs and electric buses is also a way to encourage the use of clean vehicles.

Fourth, implementing strict emission standards and promoting domestic EV production is a necessary direction. The US has been successful with various initiatives, and China also aims for 20 per cent of vehicles on the road to be clean. Vietnam can raise emission standards for fossil fuel vehicles and encourage investment in EV production.

The government should aim for 30 per cent of new vehicles sold by 2030 to be zero-emission vehicles, while supporting companies like VinFast through EV credits, tax incentives, research and development subsidies, and incentives for domestic consumption and exports.

Fifth, boosting the use of EVs in public transport and freight transport is an effective solution to reduce pollution. China has required buses and taxis in many major cities to switch to electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles. Vietnam can apply a similar model, requiring urban bus routes and taxis to gradually switch to EVs, while providing financial and infrastructure support to transport units. The government should also offer tax incentives or subsidies to logistics enterprises investing in electric trucks, contributing to reducing emissions from freight transport.

By synchronously implementing these solutions, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Haiphong will not only improve air quality but also promote a green economy, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and create momentum for the development of the domestic EV industry.

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Bac Giang International Logistics Centre launched

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Bac 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.

Bac Giang International Logistics Centre launched
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.

Bac Giang International Logistics Centre launched
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.”

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Green engagement rides high in Vietnam

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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.

Green engagement rides high in Vietnam
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.

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Public-private partnerships a lever for greener innovation

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Public-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.

Public-private partnerships a lever for greener innovation

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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