Da Nang, 15 August 2025 – In response to the urgent need for sustainable industrial development and the transition to a green, circular growth model, the Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), organized the workshop “Guidance for the Implementation of Circular No. 05/2025/TT-BKHĐT: Roadmap for Eco-Industrial Park Certification in Viet Nam”. The event gathered more than 150 delegates from central and local government agencies, industrial parks (IPs) & economic zone authorities, investors, international organizations, and technical consultants.

The workshop is part of the project “Scaling up Eco-Industrial Park Approaches to Promote Circular Economy in Viet Nam” (GEIPP Viet Nam), funded by the Government of Switzerland through the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), implemented by UNIDO with the Ministry of Finance as the lead managing agency. It represents a key activity to disseminate the provisions of Circular No. 05/2025/TT-BKHĐT, which guides the establishment of eco-industrial parks (EIPs) in Viet Nam.

In her opening remarks, Ms. Vuong Thi Minh Hieu, Deputy Director General, Foreign Investment Agency, Ministry of Finance, stated: “Circular No. 05/2025/TT-BKHĐT not only completes the policy framework for eco-industrial parks but also serves as an operational instrument to advance the National sustainable industrial development strategy, in the context of Viet Nam’s efforts to fulfill its international commitments on net-zero emissions and green growth.”

She emphasized: “Implementing Circular 05/2025/TT-BKHĐT will help reorient investment and production activities in industrial parks towards resource efficiency, pollution reduction, and improved state management effectiveness.”

Circular No. 05/2025/TT-BKHĐT, issued on 24 January 2025 and effective from 15 March 2025, provides detailed guidance on the establishment of EIPs in Viet Nam. It marks a significant step in institutionalizing EIP-related regulations, following Decree No. 35/2022/ND-CP, thereby contributing to sustainable industrial development, environmental impact reduction, and optimal resource use.

The Circular specifies criteria and procedures for transitioning from conventional IPs to EIPs, including: EIP’s identification criteria, industrial symbiosis, resource efficiency, cleaner production, reporting systems, databases, green space ratios, infrastructure standards, and guidance for newly established EIPs.

“The Roadmap for Eco-Industrial Park Certification is an important milestone in Vietnam’s transition to a greener, more resilient, and competitive economy. Eco-industrial parks are a powerful tool to align industrial development with environmental sustainability, which benefits businesses and local communities alike. Switzerland is proud to work in close partnership with UNIDO, the Ministry of Finance, and other key stakeholders to help turn this vision into reality. Together, we aim to foster innovation, share international experience, and support sustainable economic progress,” states Ms. Sibylle Bachmann, Head of Cooperation, Embassy of Switzerland in Viet Nam.

Since 2014, when the concept of EIPs was still new to Viet Nam, UNIDO-implemented projects funded by the SECO have pioneered policy advocacy, research, and pilot implementation of EIP models in Khanh Phu, Gian Khau (Ninh Binh), Hoa Khanh (Da Nang), and Tra Noc (Can Tho).

During 2020–2024, GEIPP Phase I applied resource efficiency solutions and improved economic, environmental, and social performance, establishing EIP models in Dinh Vu / DEEP C (Hai Phong), Amata (Bien Hoa, Dong Nai), and Hiep Phuoc (Ho Chi Minh City).

In the 2024–2028 period, GEIPP Phase II focuses on promoting the circular economy and scaling up EIP models to mitigate industrial climate impacts and support Viet Nam’s climate change adaptation. In addition to the EIPs under Phase I, the GEIPP Phase II is supporting VSIP (Bac Ninh), Tan Do IP (Tay Ninh), and Nam Cau Kien IP (Hai Phong).

After more than a decade of effort, from advocating for Decree No. 35/2022/ND-CP on the management of industrial parks and economic zones to supporting the formulation of Circular No. 05/2025/TT-BKHĐT, EIPs are now officially recognized by the Government as the inevitable pathway for sustainable industrial development.

Ms. Adriana Alzate, Technical Lead and Global EIP Programme Coordinator, UNIDO, shared: “This development stands as not only good news for Viet Nam but also a source of pride for UNIDO and all partners involved. Since we began our partnership with Viet Nam in 2014, we have been committed to supporting the green transition and sustainable industrial growth. With Decree No. 35/2022/ND-CP and Circular No. 05/2025/TT-BKHĐT, we believe pioneering eco-industrial parks will soon emerge, ushering in a new era for Viet Nam’s sustainable industry.”

By promulgating and promoting the implementation of Circular No. 05/2025/TT-BKHĐT, Viet Nam reaffirms its commitment to transitioning industrial parks towards eco-friendly, circular models, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050. This milestone constitutes a critical step in strengthening the legal framework and laying the foundation for a green, modern, and sustainable industry. Moving forward, the Ministry of Finance, UNIDO, SECO, and the GEIPP Viet Nam will continue to work alongside local authorities, industrial parks, and enterprises in implementing the Circular, providing technical assistance, sharing experiences, and improving the policy framework.

The workshop marks the starting point for the unified dissemination of the Circular’s provisions, guiding the process for eco-industrial park registration and certification, while also creating a dialogue platform for stakeholders to address challenges and catalyze action. The event is expected to generate strong momentum for the next phase of transformation of industrial parks in Viet Nam, from policy to practice.