That was the key message of the thematic session “Promoting green transition and developing the circular economy to realize high growth and sustainable development goals” - held under the umbrella of the Vietnam Economic Forum 2025, looking ahead to 2026.

Vietnam's new model: Growth with sustainability and inclusion

According to Pham Dai Duong, Deputy Head of the Central Economic Commission’s Policy and Strategy Department, Vietnam’s economy is facing the strategic challenge of transforming its growth model to meet national development goals.

By 2030, the country aims to become a modern industrial nation with upper-middle income, and by 2045, a high-income developed economy.

Achieving such ambitions requires Vietnam to consistently reach double-digit growth from 2026 onwards - growth that must now be sustainable, inclusive, and based on quality and long-term competitiveness.

This transformation will rest on four revolutionary transitions: digital, green, energy, and workforce restructuring.

Agriculture: A paradox of growth and emissions

Vietnam’s agriculture sector contributes over 15% of national GDP, but also accounts for nearly 30% of total greenhouse gas emissions.

That duality makes agriculture both a vital economic driver and a key area for climate action. Building a low-emission, technology-driven agricultural model is essential for Vietnam’s green transition and sustainability roadmap.

Since 2011, initiatives like the National Context Programme (NCP) have improved farmers’ livelihoods while producing measurable environmental benefits.

Low-carbon agriculture takes root

Le Cong Thanh, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment, pointed to promising trends in the greening of production and consumption, particularly within agriculture.

Numerous ecological and low-carbon farming models have been launched, involving businesses and cooperatives in applying advanced technology to monitor and control production environments - raising both yield and product quality.

In September 2025, the Ministry approved a national low-emission crop farming roadmap for 2025–2035. This strategy aims to bring Vietnam’s crop production in line with low-carbon goals, safeguard national food security, and boost the global competitiveness of Vietnamese agricultural exports.

PV