15/04/2026
Last week, the Australian Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City, in collaboration with Dear Our Community, the Australian Alumni Business Network (AABN), and our valued partners, proudly hosted the Vietnam-Australia Green Transition Forum 2026, bringing together nearly 30 speakers from across Vietnam and Australia to turn policy signals into real business action.
Here's what stood out:
On the economy: Dr. Cấn Văn Lực (Chief Economist, BIDV) opened with a striking headline - Vietnam's GDP hit 8.02% growth in 2025, and the 2026 forecast sits at 8.5–9%. Behind the numbers is a sweeping "Big Bang Reform" across 9 pillars, from energy and institutions to private sector development. The target for 2026–2030: ≥10% annual growth, with green economy output exceeding 10% of GDP.
On energy: Prof. Andrew Blakers (ANU, co-inventor of the PERC solar cell) showed just how far Australia has come - solar and wind now account for 75% of electricity in the National Electricity Market, up from near zero in 2017. Vietnam, with a very strong renewable energy and storage potential, has the promising capacity to become self-reliant on energy sources.
On green finance: Vietnam needs $368 billion in climate investment by 2040. Panelists from Mekong Capital, Fiin Ratings, Vietnam International Financial Center, Export Finance Australia, ASART Deal Advisory and New Energy Nexus all highlighted the practical pathways from ESG-linked credit ratings, green bonds to partnership models that eliminate upfront CAPEX for industrial carbon reduction.
On agriculture & manufacturing: Speakers highlighted Vietnam's shift from
volume-driven production to high-value, traceable, low-emission output — and the role Australian research and agri-tech can play in accelerating that shift.
The conversation was forward-looking and full of genuine partnership intent. This is exactly the kind of dialogue that makes bilateral collaboration move from ambition to action.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all speakers, participants, and especially our organizing partners - Dear Our Community and the Australian Alumni Business Network (AABN) along with our partners. Your collective expertise and commitment to excellence made this a truly high-quality and timely event.
The conversations ignited here are just the beginning. Together, we are ensuring that sustainability and competitiveness go hand in hand for a prosperous, green future for both Australia and Vietnam. 🇦🇺🇻🇳
More to come from this forum. Watch this space.
