HÀ NỘI — Deputy Prime Minister Trần Hồng Hà has signed a decision launching the national action plan for implementing a circular economy in Vietnam by 2035.

The plan encompasses a wide range of sectors, including agriculture, forestry, fisheries, energy, mining, manufacturing, construction, transportation, services, tourism, waste management, urban areas, industrial parks, and concentrated production zones.

At its core, the plan envisions a sustainable production and consumption system that optimizes resource utilization and maximizes material reuse. By minimizing waste generation and environmental impact, Vietnam aims to foster robust circular economy models across production and trade.

Key objectives of the plan include driving innovation, enhancing labor productivity, promoting green practices, cultivating a culture of sustainability, creating green jobs, and developing new value chains within the circular economy.

By 2030, Vietnam aims to significantly reduce the extraction and use of non-renewable resources and water, while simultaneously improving resource, material, and energy efficiency. The plan targets to achieve land, water, and mineral resource efficiency levels comparable to those of leading ASEAN countries.

Furthermore, biomass and solid waste-based power plants are expected to reach a capacity of 2,270MW, accounting for 1.5% of the country's total power generation. Renewable energy is projected to constitute at least 47% of the total primary energy, with a national energy consumption reduction target of 8-10%.

The plan aims to achieve a 95% collection and treatment rate for solid household waste in urban areas and 80% in rural areas, with less than 50% of this waste ending up in landfills.

By 2035, Vietnam envisions an inclusive circular economy characterized by innovation, high competitiveness, economic prosperity, environmental sustainability, and social equity. The goal is to establish Vietnam as a leading hub for circular economy innovation within the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), attracting investment and facilitating the adoption of cutting-edge technologies, equipment, and services.

The plan outlines several key tasks and solutions, including enhancing awareness, knowledge, skills, and best practices related to the circular economy. This will involve public awareness campaigns, training programs at all educational levels, and the establishment of an information-sharing platform to support the adoption of circular economy models. Additionally, legal regulations and technical standards will be refined to facilitate the integration of circular economy principles across various sectors.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has been tasked with collaborating with other ministries, agencies, and provincial authorities to develop and implement policies and frameworks that will support the successful adoption of a circular economy in Vietnam.