Green mobility in Vietnam: a national strategy around 5 key sectors.

At COP26, the Vietnamese government announced its ambition to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. To combat rising emissions, new measures have been put in place, focusing on three main areas: national strategies, nationally determined contributions (NDCs), and economic tools for decarbonization.

Under the latter, Vietnam has actively engaged in developing green transportation, also known as green mobility, which represents a fundamental step towards building a green economy.

Vietnam’s strategy to reduce carbon and methane emissions in the transport sector and achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 was reaffirmed by Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Thang at a forum held on August 21, 2024, with an action plan including specific solutions in five key transport sectors:

-            Developing urban rail systems

-            Developing high-speed trains

-            Developing electrified national railways

-            Building green ports

-            Transitioning vehicles to electric and green energy

1. Developing urban rail systems

The development of urban rail systems in Vietnam is a central part of the country’s green mobility strategy. With a rapidly growing urban population, Vietnamese cities, including Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, face challenges of congestion and pollution. Urban rail systems offer a sustainable solution to improve mobility while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Several projects are currently underway:

Hanoi Metro: The Hanoi Urban Metro line was inaugurated in 2021 and currently has 2 active lines. Several lines are under development and the metro is expected to eventually have 8 lines to connect several key areas of the city. This project aims to reduce road traffic and provide a reliable and fast alternative for commuters. The first line, which is almost complete, is designed to be powered by electricity, thus contributing to the reduction of emissions.

Ho Chi Minh City Metro: The Ho Chi Minh City Metro project includes several lines that will cross the city. Line 1, which connects the city centre to the eastern suburbs, is under construction and aims to provide an efficient means of transport to ease congestion on the road network. The first line of the HCMC metro is scheduled to open in late 2024, and tests have been underway for several months already.

Ho Chi Minh City Metro

2. Developing high-speed trains

The development of high-speed rail (HSR) in Vietnam is part of a comprehensive effort to modernize transport infrastructure and meet the growing mobility needs of urban populations. Several projects are currently underway to establish a high-speed rail network, aiming to connect the country’s major cities and improve travel efficiency. Several projects are currently underway:

Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City Line: This flagship project connects the country’s two largest cities over a distance of approximately 1,500 kilometers. The line is designed to allow speeds of up to 300 km/h, significantly reducing travel time between the two metropolises. Due to the complexity of the project and the distance, it is expected to be operational no earlier than 2035.

Expansion plans: In addition to the main line, Vietnam is considering developing other lines connecting regional cities, such as Da Nang and Nha Trang. This interconnected network could improve accessibility and mobility nationwide.

Feasibility studies and international partnerships: Feasibility studies are underway to assess the technical and financial aspects of these projects. The Vietnamese government is also exploring partnerships with countries with expertise in high-speed rail, such as Japan and France, to benefit from their experience in designing and operating high-speed rail systems.

High-speed train Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City

3. Developing electrified national railways

   
   
   
   

The electrification of railways in Vietnam is an important step towards a more sustainable transport network, aiming to improve the efficiency of rail transport while supporting the country’s green mobility goals. With an increased focus on sustainability, several projects are underway to electrify the railway network:

Electrification of existing lines: Vietnam plans to electrify several railway lines, including those connecting Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. This project involves replacing diesel locomotives with electric trains, increasing efficiency and transport capacity.

Construction of new electrified lines: New railway lines are being developed with an electrified design from the start, aiming to connect urban and rural areas and provide improved access to public transport.

Collaboration with international partners: The Vietnamese government is seeking to establish partnerships with countries with expertise in electrified railway systems, facilitating the transfer of technology and know-how.

Supporting infrastructure: Investments in supporting infrastructure, such as charging stations and maintenance facilities, are also planned to ensure efficient operation of future electrified trains.

4. Building green ports

   
   
   
   

Faced with rapid growth in maritime trade and growing environmental concerns, Vietnam aims to develop ports that integrate sustainable practices, such as the use of renewable energy sources to power facilities, energy efficiency in operations, and improved waste management systems. Projects such as Lach Huyên Port, which is an extension of Haiphong Port in the north, and Cai Mep-Thi Vai Port in Vung Tau in southern Vietnam illustrate this shift towards greener infrastructure. As part of the electrification of transport, we can also note the development of charging facilities for ships running on electricity or hydrogen.

Green ports are designed to be interconnected with other modes of transport that we have seen previously, such as rail and road. This is a multimodal approach aimed at reducing the distances traveled by trucks and minimizing emissions associated with land transport.

Lach Huyên Port - Haiphong

5. Transitioning vehicles to electric and green energy

   
   
   
   

Vietnam is rapidly positioning itself as a key player in the electric vehicle (EV) and electric two-wheeler (E2W) markets in Southeast Asia. While the EV manufacturing sector is still in its infancy, it offers immense potential: the E2W market share in Vietnam, for example, doubled between 2019 and 2021. Private companies, including VinFast, are at the forefront of this revolution, launching two electric car models in 2021 and establishing VinBus for electric buses. However, the market remains largely dominated by Japanese manufacturers, which accounted for 87.6% of E2W sales in 2020. The current momentum in green mobility and EV remains strong, encouraged by various measures:

-            The environmental tax law that imposes taxes based on emissions

-            The exclusive use of electric buses by 2025

-            The cessation of production of fossil fuel vehicles by 2040

In conclusion, Vietnam is taking a phased approach to establish a fully green transport network by 2050, contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future. Today, the transport sector accounts for about 18% of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions, with road transport predominating, which is expected to remain the largest source of emissions by 2030.

Despite partnerships established in recent years, the transition to green mobility requires a significant expansion of battery production and the establishment of new strategic partnerships to achieve the ambitious targets. However, the progress already made shows Vietnam’s clear commitment to transforming its transport sector, with a national strategy that focuses on connectivity, efficiency and reducing environmental impacts.