In 2025, fossil fuels supplied more than half of Vietnam’s electricity consumption—about 54%—while low-carbon sources provided roughly 46%. Coal dominated the fossil share, supplying almost 48% of electricity, with gas contributing about 6%. Hydropower was the largest clean electricity source at around 34%, followed by solar at 8% and wind at 4%. Vietnam therefore already has a substantial low-carbon electricity base, but coal remains its largest source, making clean electricity expansion important for reducing climate-changing emissions and air pollution.

Is Electricity Growing in Vietnam?

Vietnam’s latest figures show a decline rather than growth in electricity consumption per person. Consumption reached about 2,550 kWh per person in 2025, compared with the 2024 record of roughly 3,050 kWh—a fall of around 500 kWh, or 16%. Low-carbon electricity generation also dropped, from about 1,340 to 1,170 kWh per person, down roughly 170 kWh, or 13%. These declines are concerning as electrification and expanding digital infrastructure increase the need for electricity. However, these per-person figures alone do not establish whether nationwide electricity consumption fell.

Suggestions

Vietnam can increase clean electricity generation by expanding solar and wind while developing nuclear power, supported by stronger grids and long-term investment. Pakistan offers a relevant Asian example: solar supplies about 24% of its electricity and nuclear another 13%, demonstrating how both sources can contribute meaningfully. South Korea, where nuclear supplies a quarter of electricity, provides another regional model for building a substantial nuclear sector; France’s roughly two-thirds nuclear share illustrates its larger potential. For solar, Vietnam can also learn from the US states of Nevada and California, where it supplies about 35% and 31% of electricity respectively. Wind development can draw on Uruguay, with around a third of its electricity from wind, alongside experience from Denmark. These examples support a diversified expansion that builds on Vietnam’s existing hydropower foundation.

History

Vietnam’s low-carbon electricity history has been shaped largely by hydropower, followed by a rapid solar expansion. Hydro generation increased by about 4 TWh in both 2001 and 2009, then recorded strong gains throughout much of the 2010s, including roughly 13 TWh in 2011, 12 TWh in 2012 and 23 TWh in 2017. Those gains were interrupted by declines of about 5 TWh in 2018 and 18 TWh in 2019. Solar then added nearly 5 TWh in 2019, 6 TWh in 2020 and 15 TWh in 2021—a welcome surge in clean electricity. Hydro recovered during 2020–2022, including a 17 TWh increase in 2022, when wind also added almost 6 TWh. More recently, hydro fell by 15 TWh in 2023, rebounded by about 15 TWh in 2024, and declined by 8 TWh in 2025; solar also fell by roughly 5 TWh in 2025. These latest setbacks underline the importance of restoring sustained clean electricity growth through solar, wind and nuclear development.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade