Green Energy: The Strategic Pillar of Ho Chi Minh City

Offshore Wind Power – The Billion-Dollar Spearhead

In Vietnam’s energy landscape for 2024–2025, offshore wind power emerges as a “rising star” with immense potential. According to the World Bank, Vietnam could develop between 475–1,000 GW of offshore wind power—a figure that far surpasses many other nations in the region. The waters of the former Ba Ria - Vung Tau, now part of Ho Chi Minh City, are considered among the most ideal, with long coastlines, mild storm patterns, average wind speeds of 8–10 m/s at 100 meters, and stable seabed conditions suitable for large-capacity offshore wind turbines.

In recent years, numerous international corporations have expressed interest in investing in offshore wind projects in this area. Notably, the HBRE Vung Tau offshore wind project, with a capacity of 500 MW, is in its preparatory phase, with nearly USD 500 million in total investment. Once operational, the project will not only supply billions of kWh of clean electricity annually but also add tens of trillions of VND to the budget while creating thousands of high-quality technical jobs for local workers.

Amid the revised Power Development Plan VIII (2024), which increased the renewable energy share (excluding hydropower) to 36% of total capacity by 2030 and 74–75% by 2050, the expansion of offshore wind power in the former Ba Ria - Vung Tau has become a strategic move. This will provide abundant green resources to meet the sustainable growth needs of the entire newly expanded urban region.

Solar Power and LNG-to-Power – The Dual Green Engines of Industry

Alongside its wind power potential, the former Ba Ria - Vung Tau also holds significant advantages in solar power and liquefied natural gas (LNG) power generation. Several solar projects, ranging from dozens to hundreds of MW, have already been put into operation, supplying thousands of MWh of clean electricity annually to the grid. Particularly noteworthy is the Long Sơn Petrochemical Complex (LSP), with total investment exceeding USD 5.5 billion, which was relaunched in 2025 with an additional USD 500 million, cementing its role as a cornerstone of the new energy industry for Ho Chi Minh City.

In addition, the former Ba Ria - Vung Tau is also developing large-scale LNG power plants in Phu My Town, contributing additional clean electricity to the entire Southeast region. This not only supports the energy transition but also creates a favorable environment for high-tech manufacturing enterprises—who demand reliable and green power supplies—to confidently invest.

Grid Connectivity – Safeguarding Energy Security

With the expansion of the new Ho Chi Minh City, electricity demand is projected to grow by 8–9% annually until 2030, especially in high-tech industrial parks in the former Bình Dương, logistics hubs in the former Ba Ria - Vung Tau, and urban service systems in central Ho Chi Minh City. This poses an urgent challenge for energy security and requires a modern, synchronized transmission infrastructure.

Furthermore, new industrial zones in Phu My, Cai Mep, and Long Son are being planned alongside substations, ports, and logistics areas, forming a closed ecosystem of energy–industry–services. With this synchronized energy infrastructure, Ho Chi Minh City will have the capacity to meet industrial and commercial needs while ensuring stability for the development of smart urban areas and a green economy.

Toward a Regional Green Energy Hub

The merger of Ho Chi Minh City with the former Ba Ria - Vung Tau and Binh Duong has created a rare “energy growth pole” in the region. Beyond being home to the international seaport hub of Cai Mep - Thi Vai, this area has the potential to become Southeast Asia’s renewable energy center.

By 2050, Ho Chi Minh City aims for renewable energy to account for over 70% of its power mix, drastically reducing reliance on coal and fossil fuels. In addition to offshore wind and solar, projects on LNG power, small hydropower, and biomass energy from planted forests and agricultural waste are being promoted, painting a picture of diverse, sustainable, and environmentally friendly energy.

Notably, Cai Mep Ha is in the process of evolving into a regional hub for services, industry, logistics, and energy, attracting international capital from Japan, Thailand, South Korea, and Europe. This is a golden opportunity for the new Ho Chi Minh City to not only supply green energy across the Southeast region but also export renewable electricity, clean petrochemical products, and energy technologies to global markets.

Renewable energy is fast becoming the “green lifeblood” sustaining the long-term growth of the new Ho Chi Minh City. With its energy industry foundation from the former Ba Ria - Vung Tau, the industrial support of Binh Duong, and the international gateway role of the Cai Mep - Thi Vai port, the city stands on the cusp of a breakthrough.

In the coming years, if it continues implementing flexible policies, attracting strategic investments, and upholding its commitment to sustainable development, Ho Chi Minh City can truly become the green energy capital of the region, while also serving as a key nucleus propelling Vietnam into an era of modern, globalized, and sustainable growth.