Viet Nam, EU promote sustainable energy transition

On January 27, the EU–Viet Nam Sustainable Energy Transition Technical Assistance Project (EVSET) held an information-sharing session to launch its third call for technical assistance proposals. The session was attended by representatives of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Viet Nam, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and relevant organizations.

The session aimed to provide detailed information on the scope of support, implementation guidelines, concept note templates, and evaluation criteria and to answer questions from units and organizations interested in the call. This is an important activity to help potential stakeholders gain a clear understanding of the procedures and participation conditions, thereby enabling them to prepare high-quality proposals aligned with practical needs and Viet Nam's energy transition priorities.

In his opening remarks at the information-sharing session, Mr. Tran Manh Ha, representative of the Electricity Authority of Viet Nam (Ministry of Industry and Trade), stated that EVSET is a technical assistance project implemented within the framework of the EU–Viet Nam Sustainable Energy Transition Programme (SETP), funded by the European Union. The project’s activities contribute to the implementation of SETP's core objectives, including improving energy efficiency, increasing the share of renewable energy, and enhancing the operational effectiveness of the Viet Nam Energy Information System (VEIS).

According to Mr. Tran Manh Ha, in its role as the Government's partner agency in implementing the SETP, the Ministry of Industry and Trade highly appreciates the timely and practical support provided by the EU through technical assistance activities. This support has contributed to advancing Viet Nam’s sustainable energy transition in line with the energy sector’s objectives and development orientations. The energy transition is a long-term process with broad scope, requiring the participation and close coordination of multiple ministries, sectors, localities, and economic components. Therefore, the launch of the third call for technical assistance proposals targeting units outside the Ministry of Industry and Trade, with a diverse range of thematic areas, is of significant importance.

During the information-sharing session, the representative of the Electricity Authority of Viet Nam called on eligible agencies and organizations to proactively study the call’s contents in detail and develop focused proposals that closely reflect practical needs and align with Viet Nam's energy transition priorities and roadmap.

Following Mr. Tran Manh Ha's remarks, Ms. Kristina Bunde, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Viet Nam, emphasized that in recent years, the EU and Viet Nam have intensified cooperation in sustainable development, with energy transition emerging as a key pillar delivering practical results. This cooperation has contributed to enhancing economic competitiveness, strengthening energy security, and improving climate change resilience.

According to Ms. Kristina Bunde, EVSET plays a role in translating policy priorities into concrete actions through demand-driven technical assistance, focusing on developing institutions, completing policies and data systems, and enhancing capacity. These activities are also closely linked to Viet Nam’s growing role under the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), ensuring that the transition process is ambitious, feasible, and equitable.

Providing additional information on the program, Mr. Nguyen Quoc Khanh, an EVSET expert, said that the SETP has a total budget of EUR 142 million for the 2022–2027 period, including EUR 121 million in budget support and EUR 21 million for technical assistance. EVSET is one of four technical assistance projects, focusing on five components: providing technical assistance to the Ministry of Industry and Trade and units outside the Ministry through calls for proposals; supporting the operations of the Viet Nam Energy Partnership Group; supporting the verification of disbursement indicators; and program communications.

Under the CfTA3 guidelines, the call applies to entities outside the Ministry of Industry and Trade, excluding the private sector, and covers three main areas: energy efficiency, renewable energy, and the Viet Nam Energy Information System. Support is provided in the form of expert working days (up to 125 days) and costs related to technical assistance activities, capped at EUR 30,000 per proposal. The selection process consists of two steps, with the deadline for submission of concept notes set for March 3, 2026.

Earlier, on January 6, 2026, the EVSET Project officially launched its third call for technical assistance concept notes, aiming to further promote Viet Nam’s sustainable energy transition and contribute to the implementation of sustainable development goals and emission reduction commitments in the coming period.