Energy Transition Update: 26.10-02.11.2026
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Energy Transition Update: 26.10-02.11.2026 ---
DA NANG AIMS TO BECOME A WORLD-CLASS GREEN TOURISM DESTINATION
VietnamPlus – 26 October 2026
Da Nang is accelerating its green tourism transition by improving environmental standards, resource efficiency and sustainable tourism services to strengthen its international competitiveness. In August 2026, the city introduced the Da Nang Green Stay criteria, encouraging accommodation providers to reduce energy and water consumption, manage waste and minimise plastic use. With more than 2,400 accommodation establishments and 67,000 rooms, the initiative offers considerable opportunities to improve environmental performance across the tourism sector. Other priorities include upgrading wastewater treatment, protecting coastal ecosystems, promoting community-based ecotourism and exploring blue carbon credits. Authorities are also considering visitor limits in environmentally sensitive destinations, including Son Tra Peninsula and the Cham Islands, alongside digital monitoring and energy audits for major hotels. These measures aim to balance tourism growth with environmental protection, preserve cultural heritage and establish Da Nang as a leading sustainable tourism destination.
VIETNAM’S 71 BILLION TONNES OF CO₂ STORAGE POTENTIAL OPENS OPPORTUNITIES FOR CCUS IN THE OIL AND GAS SECTOR
VnEconomy – 27 October 2026
Vietnam has an estimated geological storage potential of 71 billion tonnes of CO₂, positioning it among Southeast Asia’s most promising countries for carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS). Research by Petrovietnam and Japan’s JOGMEC identifies three major offshore sedimentary basins: Song Hong (39 billion tonnes), Nam Con Son (22 billion tonnes) and Cuu Long (10 billion tonnes), with more than 1 billion tonnes of potential effective storage capacity in depleted oil and gas fields. Petrovietnam has preliminarily assessed 34 offshore fields, while Vietnam’s successful CO₂ injection at the Rang Dong oil field in 2011 demonstrates relevant technical experience. Globally, 113 commercial carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects were operating as of July 2026, with a combined capture capacity of approximately 68 million tonnes annually. Vietnam’s amended Petroleum Law, effective from March 2027, provides an initial legal foundation for carbon storage activities associated with petroleum operations. However, commercial deployment will require clearer licensing procedures, technical and safety standards, long-term liability arrangements, financing mechanisms and reliable emissions monitoring. Developing CCUS could support emissions reductions in hard-to-abate industries and Vietnam’s net-zero target for 2050, provided projects demonstrate technical feasibility, economic viability and measurable climate benefits.
VIETNAM PROMOTES GREEN HYDROGEN INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN EUROPE
VietnamPlus – 28 October 2026
Vietnam is promoting its green hydrogen potential at European Hydrogen Week 2026 in Brussels to attract investment and strengthen participation in global clean energy supply chains. With offshore wind potential exceeding 600 GW, Vietnam aims to produce 100,000–500,000 tonnes of hydrogen annually by 2030, increasing to 10–20 million tonnes by 2050. Investment priorities include green hydrogen and ammonia production, storage and transport infrastructure, industrial decarbonisation, and applications in steel, fertilisers and heavy transport. Potential buyers from Japan and South Korea have expressed interest in future imports, while cooperation with European partners is supported by the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement and the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP). However, commercial development will require clearer regulations, competitive production costs and substantial infrastructure investment. A successful green hydrogen industry could support Vietnam’s net-zero target for 2050 while creating new export opportunities.
SINGAPORE GRANTS CONDITIONAL APPROVAL TO IMPORT 1.3 GW OF ELECTRICITY FROM VIETNAM
VnEconomy – 28 October 2026
Singapore’s Energy Market Authority has granted conditional approval for a USD 10 billion renewable electricity project linking Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore, allowing imports of up to 1.3 GW of electricity. The project involves Vietnam’s PTSC, Singapore’s Sembcorp Utilities, and Malaysia’s TNB and PETRONAS, with electricity primarily generated from offshore wind farms in Vietnam, supplemented by solar power and battery storage in Malaysia. Malaysia will both consume part of the electricity and serve as a transit country for exports to Singapore. PTSC plans to begin offshore surveys in November 2026, with a final investment decision for the first phase expected in 2029 and electricity imports starting in 2035. Further progress will require regulatory approvals, financing, upgraded transmission infrastructure and potentially an intergovernmental agreement. The project could unlock Vietnam’s offshore wind potential, strengthen regional energy cooperation and support the development of the ASEAN Power Grid.
DAK LAK TO DEVELOP 75,000 HECTARES OF CLIMATE-RESILIENT COFFEE BY 2030
VnExpress – 30 October 2026
Dak Lak province plans to develop 75,000 hectares of sustainable, climate-resilient coffee plantations by 2030 through a new cooperation agreement with the Netherlands-based Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH). The 2026–2030 programme will promote sustainable farming, water and soil conservation, greenhouse gas emissions reductions, and traceability systems to meet export market requirements, including the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Coffee currently covers more than 217,000 hectares in Dak Lak, generating nearly USD 900 million in annual exports, but faces increasing pressures from climate change, land degradation and water shortages. Previous cooperation with IDH benefited over 75,000 farming households, while nearly 28,000 hectares adopted recognised sustainability standards and more than 86,000 hectares were incorporated into digital traceability systems. Organic fertiliser adoption increased from 33% to 82%, alongside improvements in soil organic matter. The expanded programme aims to strengthen farmers’ incomes, protect natural resources and maintain the competitiveness of Vietnam’s coffee exports in increasingly environmentally regulated markets.
VIETNAM PROPOSES CHARGING FOR PLASTIC BAGS AND CUPS INSTEAD OF IMMEDIATE BAN
VnExpress – 31 October 2026
Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has proposed charging for single-use plastic products and non-biodegradable plastic bags at supermarkets, shopping centres, hotels and tourist sites instead of enforcing an immediate ban in 2026. The proposal revises an earlier regulation requiring these establishments to eliminate single-use plastics after 2025, which has proven difficult to implement. It would also postpone restrictions on producing and importing certain disposable plastic products, including straws, cutlery, foam food containers and thin plastic bags, until 2031. The proposed ban on thin plastic bags would apply to those below 30 micrometres, compared with the previous threshold of 50 micrometres. Additionally, plastic packaging would be required to contain at least 10% recycled materials, while paper packaging would need 20%. Incentives for biodegradable alternatives are also proposed to encourage sustainable consumption and production. The revised approach seeks to reduce plastic pollution through economic incentives and recycled-content requirements while allowing businesses more time to adapt.
Summarised by Phan Le and Hai Thanh Nguyen
In collaboration with the ANU Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions