CLIMATE–ENERGY POLICY IN VIETNAM, 2010–2025: AN ASEAN COMPARISON AND A MEKONG DELTA CASE STUDY

Abstract

Vietnam is accelerating its climate and energy transition but faces three bottlenecks: congestion in the electricity transmission grid and insufficient system flexibility; unstable price and contract signals; and limited coverage and quality of measurement, reporting, and verification alongside an underdeveloped carbon market. Drawing on qualitative analysis of legal texts, national plans, and policy processes, combined with descriptive data, the study proposes a dashboard of annual indicators and an eighteen-to-thirty-six-month roadmap: prioritize grid expansion and ancillary services; implement a transparent auction schedule with standardized long-term power purchase contracts; and launch an early-stage carbon market that is compatible with the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. These measures aim to strengthen policy credibility, lower the cost of capital, and improve social and economic outcomes.