However, to develop as expected, many bottlenecks in mechanisms, finance, and infrastructure need to be removed so that green transformation truly becomes a new growth engine for this megacity of over 14 million people.
Requirements arising from practical needs.
In the context of increasingly severe climate change, the pressure for green development is becoming more apparent for Ho Chi Minh City – the country's largest economic center, contributing approximately one-third of the national budget. While previously green transformation was primarily seen as an environmental responsibility, it has now become a competitive requirement for businesses in many sectors, especially within the global supply chain.
According to Nguyen Ngoc Thang, Deputy General Director of Saigon Co.op : Although the investment costs for green and ESG criteria (Environmental, Social, and Governance) are very high, the company remains committed to partnering with green businesses to bring quality products to consumers.
In the field of high-tech agriculture, green transformation is a journey that requires immense perseverance. According to Lam Thuy Ai, General Director of MEBI FARM, the company spent 10 years building a green, clean, and circular farming model, located far from residential areas. The green system is used as a biological air barrier; solar panels are installed on the roof; and the entire process is automated to save energy, etc.
However, green transition remains a major challenge for many sectors. After its merger, Ho Chi Minh City has over 14 million people, with approximately 11.4 million motorbikes and 1.3 million cars. This enormous number of vehicles is putting significant pressure on infrastructure and air quality, emitting around 13 million tons of CO2 into the environment annually .
Similarly, in the energy sector, the city currently has 22,355 rooftop solar power systems with a total capacity of approximately 1,832 MWp. Despite the enormous development potential, according to Nguyen Kim Ngoc, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade, the biggest obstacles are finance and the legal framework.
According to experts, while state budgets are limited and procedures are complex, many off-budget funds are ready to support green investments with low or zero interest rates. The challenge is to have more flexible mechanisms to mobilize and effectively utilize these resources.
Maximizing potential for effective green transformation.
According to Bui Minh Thanh, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City: The Resolution of the City Party Congress for the 2025-2030 term identifies three strategic pillars: green transformation, digital transformation, and innovation. Accordingly, the city is implementing the Green Transformation Project for the 2025-2030 period with 10 pillars and 76 specific targets, with a mobilized capital of approximately 900,000 billion VND.
To realize this goal, the city is promoting a series of major initiatives such as developing renewable energy, using energy efficiently, developing green hydrogen, and aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050. In transportation, the goal by 2030 is for 100% of public transport vehicles to use clean energy.
The city has also concretized this through various action programs, including the Action Plan for Pollution Control and Air Quality Management for the period 2026-2030, with a vision to 2045.
Pham Binh An, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Institute for Development Research, proposed that the city should soon designate low-emission zones in Can Gio and Con Dao and implement them according to a suitable roadmap in the central area.
At the same time, the city needs specific regulations for each vehicle category; strict control of major emission sources from industrial and construction activities; enhanced urban environmental sanitation and dust control on roads; and the development of green spaces to improve air quality.
From a regional development strategy perspective, Master Ho Nguyen Thai Bao from the Ho Chi Minh City Development Research Institute argues that: After the restructuring of administrative boundaries, Ho Chi Minh City has advantages in land resources, inter-regional infrastructure, and marine ecosystems, which will create favorable conditions for the development of carbon-neutral industrial zones, green logistics, green finance, renewable energy, and green waterway transport.
Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Business Association, Nguyen Ngoc Hoa, commented: The city's green transformation is becoming more profound, with the government and businesses implementing it in a substantive way, rather than just following trends as before.
Discussing solutions, Dr. Phan Thuy Kieu, representing the research group at the Institute for Development Studies, stated that the city needs to quickly finalize its green growth policy framework to achieve the Net Zero target by 2050, especially since the scale of emissions will continue to increase after urban expansion.
Green transformation in Ho Chi Minh City is no longer just a slogan but has entered the action phase. If this opportunity is seized effectively, green transformation will not only help the city solve environmental problems but also open up a new growth cycle based on innovation, clean technology, and the quality of life for its people.
Source: https://nhandan.vn/chuyen-doi-xanh-tai-thanh-pho-ho-chi-minh-post963619.html
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