Vietnam Advances Biofuels Agenda: Forum Highlights

27 August 2025 | Hanoi | Vietnam Biofuels Forum 

The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) in collaboration with Global Centre for Green Fuels (GCGF) and the Vietnam Biofuels Association (VBFA), convened a pivotal forum on 27 August 2025 in Hanoi. 

The event, “Developing Biofuels for a Sustainable Future in Vietnam” took shape in the context of Vietnam actively implementing international commitments on climate change response, greenhouse gas emission reduction and aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050. 

Minister Nguyễn Hồng Diên delivered the keynote address, underscoring the country’s renewed momentum toward biofuel adoption as a cornerstone of its green energy transition. Read news coverage here 

This high-level forum marked a significant milestone, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, and technical experts to chart a pragmatic roadmap for Vietnam’s biofuel ambitions. Participants examined how biofuels can effectively reduce emissions, enhance energy resilience, and catalyze domestic biofuels development.

At the forum, GCGF provided essential technical inputs, helping detail how E10 can be rolled out effectively across existing distribution networks, while balancing economic, environmental, and infrastructure readiness.

Critically, the forum helped align stakeholders ahead of the much-anticipated nationwide shift to ethanol-blended fuel, E10, starting from 1 January 2026. Read news coverage here. 

Strategic Transition and Trade Synergy

A report from Reuters (27 August 2025) confirmed that Vietnam plans to fully transition to E10 gasoline next year, a move that is expected to significantly ramp up imports of ethanol and corn from the United States. This shift is strategically designed to address Vietnam’s substantial trade surplus, which stood at approximately US $123 billion, by stimulating imports from its largest export partner. 

Currently, Vietnam has six operational ethanol plants that can supply around 600,000 cubic meters annually, meeting roughly 40% of domestic E10 demand. The remainder will likely come via imports, particularly from the U.S., a synergy that supports both energy goals and trade balancing. 

Key Outcomes
Environmental impact	E10 adoption supports Vietnam’s net-zero by 2050 commitment and COP26 pledges.
Energy transition	Signals a shift toward greener transport fuels and reduced dependence on pure fossil petrol.
Trade diversification	Expanding ethanol and corn imports from the U.S. helps balance trade and supports farmer livelihoods.
Capacity building	GCGF-led knowledge sharing and partnerships accelerate readiness among stakeholders.

GCGF’s Role: Bridging Policy, Expertise and Collaboration

GCGF is at the forefront of enabling Vietnam’s biofuels transformation:

• Facilitating Knowledge Exchange: Our recent biofuels study tour included visits to major ethanol production facilities in the U.S., offering Vietnamese stakeholders insights into sustainable production practices, emissions monitoring, and scalable operations. 

• Institutional Partnerships: Earlier in 2025, GCGF signed a Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with the Ministry of Industry and Trade and VBFA, highlighting our joint commitment to fostering ethanol integration and technical sustainability within Vietnam.