While debates about green transportation in Hanoi’s urban areas are grabbing public attention, a more specialized sector has long been quietly advancing its green transformation: Vietnam’s civil aviation industry.

Labeling the green transition in aviation as a "playground for the rich" is not without basis, considering the staggering costs involved.

Yet, Vietnam’s aviation sector remains firmly committed to its "green path" under the guiding spirit of “Transition, sacrifice, and sustainable development.”

An irreversible global journey

The world is navigating a turbulent energy transition. Global climate policy remains inconsistent, as exemplified by the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement on climate change under President Donald Trump.

Yet paradoxically, the U.S. continued to engage in sector-specific mechanisms like CORSIA (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation) by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Funding for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) research remained intact, signaling a technological and market shift that transcends short-term political agendas.

Vietnam has consistently demonstrated its commitment to the global community. At COP26, the country boldly pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. This wasn’t just a political declaration - it has since been institutionalized through national strategies, planning, and action plans in every sector, with strong direction from the Party and Government.

Most recently, at the P4G Summit in Vietnam, General Secretary To Lam emphasized the country’s strategic vision of green growth built on three pillars: green institutions as the foundation, green technology as the breakthrough engine, and green human resources as the core. This vision serves as the guiding principle for the entire transition process, with the aviation sector playing a crucial role.

A quiet journey and a 30% emissions cut

Few people are aware that Vietnam’s aviation green transition did not begin with the rise of CORSIA or SAF. The industry had already completed a "first phase" of its green transition over several years, quietly but effectively reducing emissions.

This initial success stemmed from business decisions and operational optimization, ensuring aviation safety and security while also benefiting the environment and economy. It served as a vital emissions buffer, showcasing the industry’s technological and management capabilities. However, the achievements of this “win-win” phase may obscure the massive financial and technological hurdles ahead, which will require direct investment and short-term sacrifice.

One of the most effective emissions-reduction strategies is investing in new-generation aircraft that are more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly. Vietnamese airlines have proactively made this a strategic priority, both to enhance competitiveness and to fulfill environmental responsibilities.

Vietnam Airlines, the national carrier, was among the first in the Asia-Pacific region to operate both Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350 XWB wide-body aircraft. These aircraft not only offer better passenger experiences but also consume up to 25% less fuel than their predecessors, significantly cutting CO2 emissions.

Meanwhile, Vietjet Air has focused on optimizing its narrow-body fleet with Airbus A321neo aircraft - among the most efficient single-aisle jets globally. Each A321neo can cut CO2 emissions by over 5,000 tons annually and reduce noise by up to 50% compared to older models. The use of Pratt & Whitney GTF engines further boosts fuel savings by 15-17%, contributing to the airline’s Net Zero 2050 strategy.

Beyond fleet upgrades, Vietnam’s aviation sector has embraced a revolution in air traffic management by applying advanced technologies aligned with ICAO’s roadmap.

Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) technology enables aircraft to follow optimized flight paths using satellite navigation instead of ground-based beacons. This shortens flight distances, reduces flying time, and conserves fuel - ultimately lowering emissions. Vietnam is currently implementing PBN at all 22 airports nationwide, improving the national airspace network’s efficiency.

Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM) is a shared digital platform enabling real-time coordination between airport operators, air traffic control, airlines, and ground services. Successful A-CDM implementation at Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat airports has raised on-time performance to 94%, reduced taxi times, minimized congestion, and significantly cut fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

Based on international aviation benchmarks, these efforts have helped reduce CO2 emissions per passenger-kilometer by about 30% compared to early 2000s technology and flight management practices. This is not only a remarkable environmental achievement but also a sign of Vietnam’s solid technological foundation for entering the next, more challenging phase of the green transition.

A new frontier: CORSIA and the SAF revolution

While the first phase of the transition was driven by economic and operational needs, the current phase is marked by a shift from voluntary actions to compliance with international regulations. Public attention and policy pressure surged with the emergence of CORSIA and SAF.

These developments represent the visible tip of a larger iceberg - where national commitments must be fulfilled through specific and costly actions. Vietnam’s early and voluntary participation in these mechanisms reflects a strategic move, not passive compliance. It’s an effort to turn pressure into opportunity by restructuring the industry, improving competitiveness, and attracting green finance.

CORSIA, established by ICAO, is a market-based mechanism helping global aviation reach net zero by 2050. Meanwhile, SAF is considered the "golden key" for long-term emission reduction. Made from renewable sources like used cooking oil, agricultural waste, and algae, SAF can cut greenhouse gas emissions by 60% to 94% over its lifecycle compared to traditional Jet A1 fuel.

Recognizing the importance of these changes, Vietnam has taken proactive steps. The country officially registered and was confirmed by ICAO to join the voluntary phase of CORSIA starting January 1, 2026 - demonstrating responsibility while allowing time to prepare and seek international support before mandatory participation begins in 2027.

In May 2024, Vietnam Airlines operated its first SAF-powered commercial flight from Singapore to Hanoi and pledged to comply with SAF requirements for EU-originating flights. Vietjet Air has also flown SAF-powered routes from Ho Chi Minh City to Melbourne and Seoul, reaffirming its commitment to sustainability.

Petrolimex Aviation became the first Vietnamese company to import and refuel SAF, laying the groundwork for a domestic green energy supply chain. At a broader level, the Vietnam Petroleum Institute (VPI) is researching local biomass sources and suitable SAF production technologies, aiming for partial domestic supply in the future.

The biggest challenge: Financial burden

International compliance will undoubtedly bring huge operating costs. For example, under the voluntary phase of CORSIA (2024-2026), a major Vietnamese airline may need to spend between USD 13 million and USD 92 million on carbon credits, depending on market fluctuations.

Similarly, the EU’s ReFuelEU requirement for a mandatory 2% SAF blend on outbound flights could add roughly USD 4.8 million annually to Vietnam Airlines' European route fuel costs. These rising costs will inevitably be passed down partially to airfares, impacting airline competitiveness and customer choices.

With major markets like the EU implementing environmental regulations, green transition is no longer optional. Without compliance, Vietnamese airlines risk losing access to European routes - cutting off vital cargo channels and isolating the industry from global trade. Thus, this is a calculated sacrifice: short-term profitability must give way to long-term survival, sovereignty, and self-reliance in an evolving world.

Compounding this challenge is Vietnam’s lack of large-scale SAF production technology and supply chain expertise. Heavy reliance on expensive imports poses energy security and cost risks. Currently, SAF costs two to six times more than Jet A1 fuel, while global supply meets only 0.1% of total demand. This remains a monumental obstacle for Vietnamese aviation.

Sacrificing for sustainable development

The green aviation revolution is no longer a luxury for wealthy nations - it is a strategic battleground for survival in global aviation. Today’s costs should be seen not as losses, but as investments in economic sovereignty and future market access. Accepting short-term hardship is essential to avoid exclusion and to build a strong, sustainable aviation sector for future generations.

Vietnam’s history is marked by generations who sacrificed for independence, freedom, and unity. Today, in a new era, we face a different kind of battle - a silent one against climate change. The journey toward a green future demands a different kind of sacrifice: economic trade-offs, perseverance, and resilience.

This is not the aviation industry’s burden alone - it’s a national mission. Under the leadership of the Party and Government, and with the support of the people, Vietnam’s aviation sector is moving swiftly to build a green institutional framework, invest in green technology, develop domestic SAF production, and train a new generation of experts and engineers to master emerging technologies.

Green transition is not an expense but an investment in the future. With determination and ambition, Vietnam’s aviation industry will rise above this challenge, soaring not only through greener skies but also along a sustainable development path - asserting Vietnam’s role as a responsible and visionary global player.

Nhan Dan