Realizing a greener Vietnam: Expert
WVR - Dr. Tran Hai Linh, a Vietnamese entrepreneur based in the Republic of Korea (RoK), expressed his and his colleagues' shared aspiration to leverage connections, knowledge, and international relations as the foundation for building a greener, more modern, and globally responsible Vietnam.
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What are your assessments of the opportunities presented as Vietnam hosts the Partnership for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G) Summit this time?
Vietnam's hosting of the fourth P4G Summit marks a significant milestone, affirming the country’s rising role and position on the international stage, especially amid a global shift towards sustainable development and green growth. I believe this is a valuable dual opportunity for Vietnam.
First, it is a chance to reaffirm Vietnam’s regional and global leadership. The P4G Summit is one of the leading platforms that connects governments, businesses, and social organizations to promote green growth models.
As the host country, Vietnam not only participates but also leads, proactively shaping and guiding green cooperation trends in the region. This is also an occasion to send a strong message: Vietnam is a responsible, proactive nation, ready to join hands in advancing the global sustainable development agenda.
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| Dr. Tran Hai Linh currently serves as a Member of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and Chairman of the Vietnam- Republic of Korea Business & Investment Association. (Photo: VGP) |
Second, it is an opportunity to attract green investments and facilitate technology transfer. The P4G Summit serves as a bridge linking multinational corporations, financial institutions, international organizations, and startups interested in fields such as green energy, renewable energy, smart infrastructure, sustainable agriculture, circular economy, green economy, and environmental technologies.
As a developing country with great potential in these sectors, Vietnam can leverage this platform to call for high-quality investments, accelerate the adoption of green technologies, and create momentum for domestic tech startups and innovation-driven enterprises.
Additionally, Vietnam has a chance to elevate societal awareness and actions toward sustainability. The event is not only for leaders and businesses but also a moment to inspire the public, especially younger generations, about the importance of green growth. It is a pivotal opportunity to embed sustainability thinking into the national development strategy, from education, urban planning, production, and consumption to how businesses are operated.
What opportunities do you personally see for yourself in this context?
In my capacity as a connector of investment, economic and technological cooperation, and the global Vietnamese community, I see a major opportunity to promote green technology alliances between Vietnam and developed countries, especially the RoK.
Beyond linking sustainable-minded Korean investors with local Vietnamese projects, I can also support Vietnamese businesses in expanding into international markets through P4G-related cooperation frameworks.
Republic of Korea is among the leading countries in Asia in advancing the green growth model, striking a balance between economic development, environmental protection, and climate change response. In your view, which areas hold the most promising potential for green transition cooperation between Vietnam and the RoK?
Having lived, studied, and worked in the RoK for many years, I see numerous valuable lessons that Vietnam can learn from, adapt, and apply in accordance with its own context.
In terms of cooperation potential, both countries are pursuing development orientations that prioritize green growth, sustainability, and environmental responsibility. Within the framework of the current Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Vietnam and the RoK enjoy great potential for robust collaboration in green transition, across technology, investment, and policy exchange.
From the perspective of a scientist and researcher with relevant expertise and experience, I recognize several standout areas for cooperation.
Renewable energy and energy efficiency represent a significant area of synergy. Republic of Korea holds technological advantages in solar, wind, tidal, and hydrogen energy. Vietnam, meanwhile, possesses abundant natural resources, such as sunshine, wind, and biomass, but requires modern technologies, capital, and advanced management models.
As such, the two countries can collaborate in developing offshore wind and solar power projects, transferring energy storage technologies, promoting electricity-saving solutions for businesses and households, and establishing industrial zones powered entirely by renewable energy.
Another promising area is smart and circular agriculture. Korea has adopted high-tech farming methods, including precision agriculture, automated greenhouses, AI-driven crop monitoring, and robotic harvesting. Vietnam holds strong potential due to the scale of its agricultural production, but it needs to enhance efficiency, reduce emissions, and increase export value.
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| Dr. Tran Hai Linh attended the Green Energy Conference - Energy Valley: Capital Region Investment Attraction Roadshow in the RoK. (Photo by courtesy of character) |
From this foundation, the two countries can establish a Vietnam-RoK High-Tech Agricultural Transfer Center, focusing on training young farmers and digital agriculture engineers and collaborating in the production of organic and circular agricultural value chains.
Smart, green, and sustainable urban development: Korea possesses advanced models in waste management, clean water systems, green transportation, and energy-efficient buildings. As Vietnam undergoes rapid urbanization, it is essential to develop modern, climate-resilient, and environmentally friendly cities.
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The two nations can pilot a "Smart Green City" model in major Vietnamese urban areas, promote electrified public transportation systems (such as electric buses and smart metros), and apply big data and artificial intelligence for urban management.
Circular economy and waste management: Korea has achieved high recycling rates through intelligent sorting systems and cutting-edge recycling technologies. Meanwhile, Vietnam is facing increasing pressures from urban, plastic, agricultural, and industrial waste.
Therefore, the two countries should consider establishing small-scale waste treatment models for provinces and cities, investing in plastic recycling technology and bio-based materials production, and transferring educational models for waste separation from schools to the broader community.
Biotechnology and environmental health: The RoK is a global leader in applied biotechnology-using microorganisms to treat pollution and producing bioplastics as alternatives to conventional plastics. Vietnam holds strong potential to develop eco-friendly and clean products, though it still lacks a solid technological foundation.
With these complementary strengths, the two sides can jointly establish a Vietnam-RoK Center for Green Biotechnology Research and Application, applying biotechnology to treat soil, water, and air pollution, and collaborating to train a new generation of environmental science and technology professionals.
There exists a high degree of complementarity between Vietnam and the RoK: The RoK excels in technology and models, while Vietnam offers rich resources, a dynamic market, and human capital. If effectively leveraged, green transition cooperation will not only promote Vietnam’s sustainable development but also create shared opportunities for growth and positive social impact.
What is your aspiration for promoting green growth in your homeland?
This question truly touches my deepest convictions-not only as a businessman and researcher in technology but also as a son of Vietnam who is always eager to contribute to the sustainable and lasting development of the homeland.
My greatest aspiration is for Vietnam to pursue a path of “Green Growth-Sustainable Prosperity-Deep Global Integration”.
This has been my enduring concern, and I am gradually taking action, together with communities and partners in both Vietnam and the RoK, to build a green growth ecosystem rooted in technology and international cooperation. I work alongside localities, enterprises, and universities in Vietnam to develop pilot models for smart green cities and to advance circular production - consumption - recycling chains.
I believe our overseas Vietnamese community, especially the intellectuals and entrepreneurs abroad, represents an invaluable resource for Vietnam’s greener and more sustainable future. Alongside proposing the establishment of a Network of Overseas Vietnamese Entrepreneurs and Experts for Green Development, I also wish to contribute to training programs for green engineers and technology specialists in Vietnam and to facilitate scholarships, internships, and knowledge transfer programs between Vietnamese students and leading research institutes and technology centers in the RoK.
What we need is not just growth but responsible, inclusive, and sustainable growth-so that future generations may take pride in our new journey: A national renaissance for a thriving and resilient Vietnam.
Thank you very much!
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