Investments

Autumn Economic Forum 2025: Upcoming Green Credit Access Criteria for Businesses

At the Autumn Economic Forum 2025, an engaging dialogue session with leaders from central ministries took place on the afternoon of November 26, 2025. The discussion delved into the current state and innovative solutions for digital transformation, alongside the national agenda for green transition. This insightful exchange aimed to address key challenges and foster groundbreaking strategies for a sustainable future.

Administrator

27 November, 2025

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Dialogue Session with Leaders of Central Ministries and Agencies on November 26th

Green Finance and the Green Enterprise Identification Framework

Opening the dialogue, Dr. Tran Du Lich, Chairman of the Advisory Council for the Implementation of National Assembly Resolution 98/2023, emphasized that Vietnam’s Party and Government fully recognize the new era as one of green and digital transformation.

A key issue raised was the confusion among businesses due to the lack of clear metrics for defining a “green enterprise,” hindering access to preferential capital. This challenge is significant, as the demand for green transition funding is immense—Ho Chi Minh City alone requires an estimated $38 billion over the next decade.

Addressing this, Mr. Do Thanh Trung, Deputy Minister of Finance, stated that to achieve the goals of the 2021-2030 Green Growth Strategy and the Net Zero commitment, state management agencies have issued 72 green growth monitoring indicators (covering energy, transportation, environment, etc.). These indicators align with international standards, including EU benchmarks.

However, a specific framework is needed to identify “green enterprises” for accessing capital and incentives. The Ministry of Finance is committed to swiftly developing this framework, which will serve as a “green passport” for businesses to transparently access green credit and state incentives.

Regarding green finance mobilization, Vietnam aims to secure approximately $28 billion by 2030 for its green transition. The government is focusing on three key areas: first, promoting the green financial market (corporate green bonds reached $1.2 billion by 2024, and green credit totaled $700 billion, or 6% of total credit); second, prioritizing public investment for green infrastructure and climate resilience (over $8 trillion planned for 2026-2030); and third, enhancing the green government bond market to attract international funding.

Addressing Dual Energy Security Challenges

Shifting to energy, Ms. Phan Thi Thang, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, highlighted that Power Development Plan VIII’s breakthrough lies in balancing energy security with Net Zero commitments. Renewable energy (wind, solar) is prioritized, leveraging Vietnam’s natural advantages, with a projected capacity of 78,000–120,000 MW. However, the intermittency of renewables poses significant grid stability challenges.

To address this, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is implementing comprehensive measures under Government Resolution 70:

First, institutional and legal reforms include the revised Electricity Law, ensuring domestic energy supply, enabling direct power purchase agreements (DPPA), and promoting renewable energy exports. Supporting decrees and circulars have been issued for seamless implementation.

Second, a pricing and market mechanism has been established, with five pricing frameworks for renewable energy types (onshore/offshore wind, solar, biomass, waste-to-energy). These enable investors to structure projects and negotiate power purchase agreements (PPAs) with EVN. Renewable energy costs are integrated into retail electricity pricing, balancing stakeholder interests. The ministry is also accelerating the competitive wholesale and retail electricity market.

Third, infrastructure and investment bottlenecks are being addressed through marine spatial planning for offshore wind and land-use optimization (e.g., agrivoltaics). Grid infrastructure is prioritized with streamlined investment procedures, focusing on high-potential regions. Private investment in transmission infrastructure is encouraged via PPP models (BOT, BT).

Fourth, technical solutions include mandatory energy storage systems and smart grids to mitigate renewable intermittency. Regulations will set storage requirements for renewable projects, alongside pumped hydro and battery storage for industrial demand.

Fifth, local supply chain development is emphasized, with domestic enterprises encouraged to manufacture renewable energy equipment (e.g., wind turbine towers, foundations). Specialized renewable energy industrial zones are planned in regions with high solar and wind potential.

Concluding the dialogue, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee and the World Economic Forum (WEF) announced a partnership to advance smart manufacturing and responsible industrial transformation in HCMC. This collaboration supports the Lighthouse Operating System’s development in Vietnam by 2025, including pilot programs, capacity building, and knowledge sharing.