In 2025, climate change has become more extreme and natural disasters have become more frequent; many rivers continue to be polluted, and the sky in major cities has been covered in a layer of fine dust smog on many days. Meanwhile, green development has been becoming a mandatory trend. These intertwined challenges require higher levels of operational capacity and action.

The potential and measures for advancing the circular economy were the focus at a panel discussion of the Viet Nam’s Economy in 2025 and Prospects in 2026 Forum (VEPF), co-hosted by the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Policies and Strategies and the Government on December 16.

The revised National Power Development Plan for 2021–2030, with a vision to 2050 (Power Plan VIII), clearly states the priority for renewable, new, and clean energy sources. This signals the pressing need for coordinated solutions to be deployed early, ensuring the effective development of green energy resources.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh reaffirmed the Vietnamese Government's commitment to rapidly resolving obstacles for foreign investors and welcomed European firms to join the country’s high-growth, green transition agenda during a working session with the EU-ASEAN Business Council (EU-ABC) and the European Chamber of Commerce in Viet Nam (EuroCham) on November 27.

With a strong commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 (net-zero), Viet Nam has proactively undertaken deep and strategic reforms to adapt to realities and pursue sustainable development.

Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son on the evening of November 24 inspected preparations for the Autumn Economic Forum 2025, which will take place in Ho Chi Minh City from November 25–27 under the theme “Green Transition in the Digital Era.”

The draft political report for the 14th National Party Congress sets out an urgent requirement: to accelerate the green transition, promote sustainable growth, and effectively respond to climate change – considering this a strategic driving force for realising the nation’s aspirations.

The Green Economy Forum (GEF) 2025 is scheduled to take place in Ha Noi on November 27 under the theme “Shaping Changes, Building Futures.”

As Viet Nam accelerates its efforts to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, the shift from conventional plastics to green, biodegradable alternatives is becoming an essential trend.

Alongside economic benefits, eco-industrial parks linked with the circular economy carry notable environmental significance. In the context of integration while aiming for the Net Zero goal, this is an inevitable trend and a law of development of the global economy.

By August 2025, Viet Nam has eliminated around 240 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent through the management and phase-out of substances controlled under the Montreal Protocol, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Le Cong Thanh said at a workshop held in Hanoi on September 15 to mark the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer 2025 (September 16).

The Ambassador also suggested promoting exchanges and cooperation, including exploring partnerships between Palmerston North and Vietnamese provinces, cities, and localities.

A national scientific workshop on “Green Transition in Viet Nam – Theory and Practice” was held at the Academy of Journalism and Communication in Ha Noi on August 26.

The Viet Nam – Singapore Sustainable Trade and Innovation Forum (STIF Viet Nam - Singapore) took place on August 1 at the Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF) headquarters, marking a new step in digital economic and green transition between the two countries.

The development of a carbon credit market is an urgent necessity as Viet Nam transitions its growth model toward sustainability and environmental responsibility.

As part of the ongoing 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM-58) and related meetings, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son on July 10 attended ASEAN+1 foreign ministers’ meetings with Japan, Russia, the Republic of Korea (RoK), and the US, as well as the ASEAN+3 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (with Japan, China, and the RoK).

In Viet Nam’s green transition roadmap, to move from potential to reality, domestic enterprises are forced to overcome a series of “obstacles” such as: shortage of human resources, dependence on technology, high investment costs and unsynchronized policy mechanisms.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a meeting in Ha Noi on June 23, urging permanent Cabinet members, ministries, and agencies to respond to escalating Middle East conflicts and other global disruptions that threaten Viet Nam’s economic trajectory.

In response to the demand for emission reductions and increasingly stringent criteria in export markets, industrial manufacturing enterprises are actively transitioning to green models, adopting clean technologies, using environmentally friendly materials, and developing circular economy models.