To implement Viet Nam’s overarching national strategies and policies, GGGI has worked with Ministry of Construction (MOC) to develop and implement several key policy documents, including the development of the Urban Green Growth Indicators and the Urban Green Growth Development Plan, which outlines the necessary activities and system to track implementation, to deliver both the National Green Growth Strategy and Action Plan, but also Viet Nam’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) commitments. To ensure urban development moves to a more sustainable pathway, Viet Nam’s National Assembly requested MOC to produce a report on the current state of urbanization in the country; trends, challenges and actions (i.e. the main activities stated in the Urban Green Growth Development Plan), as well as recommendations for action. MOC has therefore requested GGGI’s support to develop this report. This project supports the implementation of the National Strategies on Green Growth and the Green Growth National Action Plan.  

The project objective is to provide analytical evidence to the Office of the National Assembly of the urban development challenges and propose policy solutions for implementation, ultimately resulting in greener, more inclusive, and resilient cities. 

The project also forms a partnership with Hanwha to deploy two solar boats to Vinh Long city, as well as an awareness raising campaign, to clean up the Mekong river. The solar boats provide a greener, more sustainable alternative, to the current diesel-powered boats that are operated intermittently by the local authority. Further, by also including an awareness raising campaign to drive behavioral change for local polluting practices, this project will ensure lasting change, not only in Vinh Long but across the Mekong delta.  

The project aligns with IO1. ‘Strengthened national, sub-national and local green growth planning, financing and institutional frameworks’ and IO3. ‘Improved multi-directional knowledge sharing and learning to empower local and external agents necessary to drive green growth processes in partner governments.’ 

Impact: Vietnamese cities and human settlements become more inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. 

Outcome: N/A 

Project Outputs completed in 2019:  

i.Green Growth Policies: 

Policy Assignment: 

• Report submitted and endorsed by the Office of the Government on: “Transitioning to a new model of urban development in Viet Nam.”

ii. Green Investments: N/A 

iii. Capacity Building and Knowledge Products: 

• Capacity building activity: A large campaign to raise awareness of local people and the public. About 150 people participated in the event. More than 30 students volunteered to collect the waste along the river together with local people. In 1 week, the Facebook, especially the video of the campaign had more than 3.3 million views and 870 comments. 5 television channels in Viet Nam and 33 online media reported the campaign. 

Project Manager: Adam Ward 

Number of staff provided: Donovan Storey, Huong Ta, Hang Nguyen, Hanh Le, Tran Ngoc Thinh