Vietnam achieves major progress in ozone protection, emission reduction
By August 2025, Vietnam has eliminated around 240 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent through the management and phase-out of substances controlled under the Montreal Protocol, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Le Cong Thanh said at a workshop held in Hanoi on September 15 to mark the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer 2025 (September 16).
He noted that under the national plan for managing and phasing out ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and controlled greenhouse gases, Vietnam aims to directly reduce about 11.2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent by 2045. With additional measures such as shifting to low- or zero-global warming potential (GWP) substances, improving lifecycle management through collection and recycling, and promoting sustainable cooling, the country could achieve deeper cuts and move closer to its net-zero goal by 2050.
“These outcomes demonstrate that Vietnam is on the right track in implementing the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol, while actively cooperating with the international community,” Thanh stressed.
Vietnam became a party to both agreements in 1994. With support from the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol, the World Bank, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), and other partners, it has successfully phased out several ODS and is managing HCFCs and HFCs according to its commitments. Enterprises have also received assistance in adopting climate-friendly technologies and promoting sustainable cooling.
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| Under the national plan for managing and phasing out ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and controlled greenhouse gases, Vietnam aims to directly reduce about 11.2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent by 2045. (Photo: VNA) |
The Deputy Minister added that Vietnam has improved its policy and legal framework, integrating ozone protection with priorities such as greenhouse gas reduction and green transition. Recent regulations, including Decree No. 119/2025/ND-CP, aim to create a more supportive environment for businesses and ensure the safe management of controlled substances.
Tina Chondraki Birmpili, Chief Officer of the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol, described the Vienna Convention and the Protocol as one of the greatest achievements in global environmental cooperation, effectively phasing out ODS while controlling HFCs under the Kigali Amendment.
The Protocol has also contributed significantly to slowing global warming, she said, adding that the Fund has supported about 90 projects in Vietnam, with implementation set for 2026.
Deputy Director of the Department of Climate Change Le Ngoc Tuan highlighted Vietnam’s success in phasing out CFCs, Halon, and CTC by 2010, and pure HCFC-141b in foam production by 2015, while restricting methyl bromide use to agricultural quarantine. These actions have helped protect the ozone layer and cut emissions.
Ozone protection efforts have been institutionalised in the 2020 Law on Environmental Protection and a range of decrees, circulars, and technical standards. This framework has enabled Vietnam to align ODS control with its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), while creating opportunities to participate in carbon credit markets and access international finance.
John Robert Cotton, Deputy Director of the Southeast Asia Energy Transition Partnership, said Vietnam is building a national green cooling program under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. The program focuses on improving energy efficiency, strengthening cold chain systems, and promoting passive cooling through climate-adaptive design and nature-based solutions. Active cooling creates a synergistic force for sustainable cooling within the overall plan, Cotton underlined.
At the workshop, delegates exchanged views on topics such as the implementation of the Montreal Protocol in Vietnam, intergovernmental and public-private cooperation, lifecycle management and digital tracking of controlled substances, financing for sustainable cooling, customs guidance, recycling technologies, and the carbon credit potential of controlled substances.
Vietnam affirms its position and role in the region, says Malaysian expert
The upcoming official visit of National Assembly (NA) Chairman Tran Thanh Man to Malaysia underscores the significance of bilateral relations and Vietnam’s commitment to common development in the region.
In a recent media interview in Malaysia ahead of the top Vietnamese legislator’s visit and attendance at the 46th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-46) in Kuala Lumpur, senior expert Ei Sun OH from the Pacific Research Center highlighted that Vietnam is increasingly asserting its leadership role within ASEAN, particularly through high-level diplomacy and active participation in parliamentary forums such as AIPA.
According to Ei Sun OH, the visit carries profound strategic significance. It demonstrates Vietnam’s emphasis on strengthening friendship with Malaysia, at both the government-to-government level and through people-to-people exchanges.
The visit aims to further forge bilateral relations and achieve even more effective and mutually beneficial outcomes. The official visit also provides an opportunity to explore new avenues of cooperation across key aspects such as tourism, education, science, and technology, while encouraging direct interaction among businesses, tourists, and students, reported VOV.
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| Malaysian expert Ei Sun OH speaks to the press ahead of NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man’s visit to Malaysia and attendance at AIPA 46 (Photo: VNA) |
As an experienced AIPA observer, Ei Sun OH was particularly impressed by Vietnam’s evolving role in the ASEAN inter-parliamentary organization, progressing from observer to a leadership position.
He stated that Vietnam is acknowledged as a leader in both economic and social spheres across the ASEAN region. Vietnamese culture is increasingly promoted to other ASEAN member states.
With this role, the country’s parliamentary delegation can actively explore cooperation in tourism, education, science, and technology, at both government and parliamentary levels, thus helping citizens to participate in joint activities.
In addition to Vietnam’s leadership role within ASEAN, Ei Sun OH highlighted the opportunities for bilateral cooperation during NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man’s official visit to Malaysia.
Vietnam and Malaysia are regarded as high-performing economies in Southeast Asia. Leveraging Vietnam’s advanced scientific and technological foundation, its leadership opens multiple avenues for collaboration.
He noted that Vietnam, together with Malaysia, is regarded as one of the most dynamic economies in Southeast Asia. Building on its advanced science and technology foundation, Vietnam’s leadership role is expected to create numerous opportunities for cooperation.
The two countries can identify new ways to cooperate in tourism, with Vietnam sharing its experience in developing diverse tourism models that Malaysia could learn from. Similarly, educational exchanges are encouraged: Malaysian students can study in Vietnam to benefit from its advanced science and technology, while Vietnam continues welcoming more Malaysian students, strengthening mutual understanding.
The two countries can identify new ways to cooperate in tourism, with Vietnam sharing its experience in developing diverse tourism models that Malaysia could learn from. At the same time, educational exchanges are encouraged, with Malaysian students studying in Vietnam to benefit from its advanced science and technology, while Vietnam continues welcoming more Malaysian students, thereby strengthening mutual understanding, the Malaysian expert continued.
Vietnam and Malaysia can also co-operate in science and technology, and should encourage increased investment in each other’s markets, creating exemplary models of ASEAN integration. Furthermore, they can jointly support newer ASEAN members, such as Timor Leste.
Ei Sun OH also praised Vietnam’s multi-level diplomacy. High-level visits, such as NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man’s visit to Malaysia and the recent visit of Malaysia’s Prime Minister to Vietnam, signal the consolidation of traditional diplomatic ties. Participation in AIPA and parliamentary leader meetings establishes a foundation for broader cooperation. Although citizens of both countries regularly travel and visit each other, there remain additional opportunities, particularly to connect businesses, tourists, and students.
Ei Sun OH affirmed that Vietnam, with its increasingly prominent leadership in ASEAN across economic, social, and cultural spheres, is actively promoting multidimensional diplomacy, especially with Malaysia.
The forthcoming official visit of NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man is expected to consolidate bilateral friendship and open multiple new avenues for cooperation, contributing to deeper ASEAN community integration while reaffirming Vietnam’s prominent regional and international role.
Vietnam eyes USD 800 billion trade turnover in 2025
With export growth surging 33.9% in eight months, Vietnam is on track to surpass USD 800 billion in trade and post a USD 14 billion surplus.
In August, Bac Ninh once again outpaced Ho Chi Minh City to claim the top position nationwide in export turnover. Phu Tho also made a surprising leap, surpassing Dong Nai to enter the top four provinces and cities with the highest export values in Vietnam.
According to preliminary data from the General Department of Customs, Vietnam's total export turnover in August reached USD 43.39 billion. Cumulatively for the first eight months of 2025, exports totaled nearly USD 306 billion, marking a 33.9% increase compared to the same period last year.
Notably, among the list of provinces and cities with the highest export values, Bac Ninh led with USD 8.62 billion in exports for August, outpacing Ho Chi Minh City’s USD 7.83 billion.
This is the second consecutive month (July and August) that Bac Ninh has held the top spot after administrative unit mergers, surpassing Ho Chi Minh City in national export performance.
In the top five provinces and cities with the highest export turnover in August 2025, besides Bac Ninh and Ho Chi Minh City, were Hai Phong with USD 4.62 billion, Phu Tho with USD 3.55 billion, and Dong Nai with USD 3.19 billion.
Over the eight-month period, the top five localities with the highest cumulative export values were Ho Chi Minh City, Bac Ninh, Hai Phong, Phu Tho, and Dong Nai, collectively accounting for 63.2% of the country’s total exports.
Despite being surpassed in monthly rankings, Ho Chi Minh City maintained its lead over the eight-month span with a total export value of USD 60.95 billion. Bac Ninh followed closely at USD 57.26 billion, narrowing the gap to just USD 3.69 billion.
Hai Phong secured third place with exports totaling USD 29.48 billion, cited VNN.
The fourth and fifth positions saw a reshuffle. Phu Tho officially overtook Dong Nai with USD 23.09 billion in exports compared to Dong Nai’s USD 22.75 billion, making it into the top four exporting localities for the first time.
During the August 2025 regular government meeting, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien reported that although exports were affected by global monetary tightening policies, August still recorded an 11.2% increase compared to the same period last year.
Exports to the U.S. market alone fell 5% compared to July, but overall for the first eight months, they rose by 17.3% year-on-year.
Vietnam's total import-export turnover since the beginning of 2025 is estimated at nearly USD 600 billion, up 16.3% from the same period in 2024. The Ministry of Industry and Trade expects this figure to hit USD 800 billion for the year - potentially setting a new national record. The country is also projected to achieve a trade surplus of nearly USD 14 billion by year-end.
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