Vietnam Partially Amends the Law on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy

On June 18, 2025, Vietnam promulgated Law No. 77/2025/QH15, amending and supplementing several provisions of the Law on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy (Law No. 50/2010/QH12). This amendment (hereinafter “the Amendment Law”) will take effect on January 1, 2026. It introduces new regulations and revisions concerning energy management in facilities and energy labeling for products.

New Definitions Introduced

The Amendment Law adds definitions for several terms:

• High Energy Efficiency Level: A level of efficiency for energy-consuming equipment and systems, set by the competent authority for a specific period to promote energy-saving practices.
• Energy-Saving Products: Products such as high-efficiency equipment and thermally insulated building materials that reduce energy consumption and meet standards set by the competent authority.
• Energy Service Providers: Entities that offer technical and financial solutions for energy-saving and efficiency projects under contractual agreements.
• Energy Performance Contract: A contract between a customer and an energy service provider that defines payment terms based on the implementation of energy-saving and efficiency projects.
• Energy Manager Certificate: A certificate issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade to individuals who complete designated training and achieve qualifying results.

National Energy-Saving Policy

The government will:

• Promote industries that use minimal energy and natural resources while generating high added value, and strengthen regulatory oversight of energy-intensive sectors.
• Encourage training for organizations, individuals, energy auditors, and facility energy managers to enhance professional skills and update knowledge.
• Promote voluntary agreements between facilities and state agencies on efficient energy use.
• Incorporate energy efficiency indicators into national, local, and enterprise-level socio-economic development plans.

Energy Use Statistics

Under the Amendment Law, the government—not the Ministry of Industry and Trade—will issue statistical indicators on energy use.

Sector-Specific Energy Use Standards

According to Article 9(3), the Ministry of Industry and Trade will set energy use standards for each industrial sector, except for building materials manufacturing, which falls under the Ministry of Construction. Two relevant regulations have already been issued:

• Circular No. 28/2024/TT-BCT: Methodology and reporting for energy use standards in beer and non-alcoholic beverage manufacturing.
• Circular No. 29/2024/TT-BCT: Energy use standards in the plastics manufacturing sector.

Regulation of High-Energy-Use Facilities

Article 32 requires provincial People’s Committees to annually compile and publish a list of high-energy-use facilities within their jurisdiction and report it to the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Article 33(1) mandates these facilities to adopt the ministry’s energy management model, maintain measurement systems, and monitor energy use with accurate data, including preparing energy balance sheets.

Responsibilities of Energy Managers

Energy managers are newly tasked with monitoring and managing energy demand and usage standards.

Energy Labeling Requirements

Article 39 introduces new provisions:

• Building materials must display energy labels and disclose relevant energy use information.
• Manufacturers, importers, distributors, and sellers (including e-commerce platforms) must label and disclose information for equipment and materials—including building materials—after testing and evaluation for compliance with national energy efficiency standards.

Incentives for Energy-Saving Activities

The Amendment Law introduces the following incentives:

• Establishment of a non-profit national financial fund to promote energy-saving activities.
• Preferential treatment for new investments, renovations, and expansions related to energy-saving or greenhouse gas reduction, including support for land use, financing (via the fund), and technology (see Article 41(2)).
• Promotion of investment and transition to energy-efficient and low-carbon technologies and products through mechanisms such as green finance and green bonds.

Development of Energy Service Businesses

The Amendment Law supports the development of energy service businesses through:

• Expanding their scope to include training for energy auditors and energy managers.
• Allowing direct investment in energy-saving measures and performance contracts, in addition to consulting services.
• Government support for investment and operational conditions for energy auditing and service businesses.
• Oversight by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, including inspections, technical requirements, notification formats, and publication of service provider lists on its website.

Full text of Law No. 77/2025/QH15 can be downloaded in the following:
https://vanban.chinhphu.vn/?pageid=27160&docid=214600&classid=1&orggroupid=1