Hai Phong seeks Korean carbon management solutions

Pressure from global "green barriers"

The event was held in Hai Phong on August 6-7, 2026, and was jointly organized by the ASEM SMEs Eco-Innovation Center (ASEIC), the Department of Climate Change (DCC-MAE), the Hai Phong Department of Industry and Trade, and other relevant agencies.

The event underscored the strategic partnership between Viet Nam and the Republic of Korea in addressing climate change, while also highlighting the forward-looking mindset of Hai Phong's business community. By proactively seeking partnerships for green technologies, local enterprises are better positioned to overcome emerging green trade barriers and advance toward Viet Nam's net-zero emissions by 2050 commitment.

At the workshop, representatives from businesses operating in Hai Phong's key industries, including textiles and garments, footwear, electronics, cement, and logistics, expressed growing concerns over increasingly stringent international environmental standards. As major export markets such as the European Union and the United States introduce the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and tighten ESG requirements, greenhouse gas accounting is no longer viewed as a competitive advantage but has become a prerequisite for remaining integrated into global supply chains.

Mr. Pham Van Tung, a representative of a textile company in Trang Due Industrial Park, said: "We are facing mounting pressure from our European partners regarding emissions data. Without a standardized carbon management system, our products will gradually lose their competitive edge in both pricing and brand value."

Mr. Nguyen Hung Minh, Deputy Head of the Carbon Market Division under the DCC, provided an overview of the development of Viet Nam's carbon market. He outlined the roadmap for the issuance and trading of carbon credits, helping businesses better understand the financial opportunities arising from emissions reduction initiatives.

Driving Hai Phong's green industrial transformation

A key highlight of the workshop was the participation of leading Korean technology companies showcasing practical solutions for industrial decarbonization. Beyond technical presentations, the event created a platform for businesses from both countries to engage directly and explore solutions tailored to real-world needs.

Participants were introduced to a range of advanced technologies, including carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) for the cement industry, energy storage systems (ESS), waste heat recovery for power generation, and smart renewable energy management software. These technologies are expected to help Hai Phong's enterprises optimize operating costs while supporting their transition toward meeting RE100 commitments - the global initiative to source 100% renewable electricity.

In addition, experts from ASEIC and ECOEYE shared practical experience from the Republic of Korea, one of the early adopters of an Emissions Trading System (ETS). Their presentations covered lessons on emissions data management and carbon neutrality strategies, offering valuable insights to help Vietnamese enterprises avoid common pitfalls during the early stages of their low-carbon transition.

Unlike conventional conferences focused primarily on presentations, the Hai Phong workshop devoted much of its agenda to one-on-one business matching sessions. These meetings provided Vietnamese and Korean companies with opportunities to assess business needs, explore potential cooperation, and evaluate the feasibility of pilot projects. Discussions covered a wide range of topics, from existing production conditions to the development of tailored emissions reduction roadmaps for individual manufacturing facilities.

The second day of the program focused entirely on hands-on training. Rather than attending theoretical lectures, business representatives were guided in using a specialized toolkit developed by ASEIC to calculate their greenhouse gas emissions based on their own operational data.

"The ability to identify emission sources and collect emissions data is the most fundamental step. It enables businesses to shift from a reactive approach to proactive carbon management," said an expert from RCEE.

As one of northern Viet Nam's largest industrial hubs, Hai Phong is home to numerous emissions-intensive manufacturing sectors. The city's early adoption of green innovation solutions is therefore expected to generate a broader demonstration effect for industrial transformation across the region.

Following the workshop, the organizers announced plans to consolidate participating companies' needs and conduct a series of on-site technical assessments. The ultimate goal is to develop pilot models for climate technology transfer and carbon credit project development in Hai Phong.