Between 2020 and 2024, Vietnam’s Ministry of Planning and Investment (now the Ministry of Finance), in cooperation with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), implemented a pilot program on eco-industrial parks (EIPs) at Hiep Phuoc Industrial Park (HCMC) to enhance the economic, environmental, and social performance of the industrial sector, and mainstream the EIP model into relevant policy and regulatory frameworks. As a result, Hiep Phuoc Industrial Park increased its compliance with the international EIP framework from 44% in 2020 to 76% in 2023, achieving annual reductions of 22,845 tons of CO₂ equivalent, electricity savings of 32,598 MWh, and water savings of 215,732 cubic meters.
In addition, Phu My 2and Phu My 3 specialized industrial parks (Tan Phuc Ward) are undergoing transition toward the EIP model with support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the 2024-2027 period. Notably, Phu My 3 is expected to become Viet Nam’s first eco-industrial park to apply smart management technologies, promote industrial symbiosis, and pursue the net-zero emissions target by 2050. Several large-scale green and smart industrial parks, namely Cay Truong, Bau Bang (Phase 2 expansion), and Viet Nam-Singapore No. 3, are also being developed, integrating advanced technologies in the management of energy, water, waste, transport, and security.
The transition towards EIPs not only reduces emissions but also enables enterprises to reduce energy costs by 10-20%, and water consumption by 20-30%, while enhancing their ability to integrate into global supply chains amid increasingly stringent green standards. However, the transformation process continues to face challenges, including high upfront investment costs, resistance to change, and an incomplete and fragmented regulatory framework.
To accelerate the development of eco-industrial parks, key priorities include: (1) completing the carbon market and strengthening financial incentives for green infrastructure; (2) incorporating EIPs into local development planning; and (3) encouraging enterprises to standardize Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting and invest in green technologies. The Ministry of Finance will focus on finalizing implementation guidelines, addressing regulatory barriers related to waste reuse and rooftop solar power, and mobilizing financial resources from international partners and the private sector.
By the end of 2025, Vietnam is expected to have 478 industrial parks, covering 146,000 hectares; by 2030, this figure is projected to increase to 600 industrial parks with a total area of 181,000 hectares. To enhance its position in global supply chains, Vietnam needs to position industrial parks as value-chain hubs, upgrade them in line with sustainable development models, integrate renewable energy, digital infrastructure, and modern logistics, and strengthen economic diplomacy to attract high-quality
foreign direct investment (FDI).
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References: 1. Sai Gon Giai Phong, 13 December 2025
https://www.sggp.org.vn/tphcm-thuc-day-phat-trien-khu-cong-nghiep-sinh-thai-post828430.html
2. Voice of Vietnam, 13 December 2025
