Viet Nam launches domestic carbon trading platform

On June 29, the Ministry of Finance, in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, officially launched Viet Nam's domestic carbon trading platform.

The launch ceremony was attended by Mr. Tran Hong Ha, former Member of the Party Central Committee and former Deputy Prime Minister; Deputy Minister of Finance Nguyen Duc Chi; Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Le Cong Thanh; Chairwoman of the State Securities Commission Vu Thi Chan Phuong; along with representatives from agencies under the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Ministry of Construction, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the State Securities Commission, the designated settlement bank, international organizations, and market participants.

First transactions recorded

According to the Ministry of Finance, Viet Nam's domestic carbon trading platform has officially commenced operations after all necessary preparations were completed. On the legal front, the Prime Minister has issued the Project on the Establishment and Development of the Carbon Market in Viet Nam, while the Government has promulgated Decree No. 29/2026/ND-CP on the domestic carbon trading platform.

Regarding infrastructure, the Hanoi Stock Exchange (HNX) and the Viet Nam Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation (VSDC) have completed the development of the trading and settlement systems. Together with market participants and the designated settlement bank, they successfully conducted trial operations, demonstrating stable and seamless performance. Eligible trading entities have also received training and capacity building before participating in the market.

At exactly 9:00 a.m. on June 29, former Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha, together with other delegates, officiated the launch of Viet Nam's domestic carbon trading platform, marking the opening of the market's inaugural trading session. The platform recorded its first carbon credit transactions on the very first morning of operations.

Ms. Vu Thi Chan Phuong, Chairwoman of the State Securities Commission, emphasized that the official launch of the domestic carbon trading platform marks a significant milestone in Viet Nam's efforts to complete the institutional framework for green economic development. It demonstrates the Government's strong commitment to building a transparent and efficient carbon market that will help businesses adapt to the evolving requirements of international economic integration.

The carbon trading platform not only establishes a transparent mechanism for trading greenhouse gas emission allowances and carbon credits, but also contributes to the formation of a market-based carbon pricing mechanism. This, in turn, creates economic incentives for businesses to invest in technological innovation, improve energy efficiency, reduce emissions, and enhance their competitiveness.

For Viet Nam's financial market, the platform represents a new component of the country's green finance ecosystem, opening up an additional channel for mobilizing and allocating capital to sustainable development projects. At the same time, it will help align Viet Nam's capital and environmental markets more closely with international standards and practices.

Trading fees waived through the end of 2028

The Chairwoman of the State Securities Commission also announced that, to facilitate business participation, the Government will waive all trading service fees throughout the pilot phase until the end of 2028.

She added that institutions within the securities sector will continue to work closely with relevant agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, under the direction of the leadership of both the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, to carry out a number of key tasks.

In the immediate term, they will ensure the safe, stable, and uninterrupted operation of the trading, registration, custody, and settlement systems, while maintaining cybersecurity, information security, and the capacity to respond promptly to any operational issues that may arise.

At the same time, the authorities will continue refining operational procedures to facilitate participation by member securities companies, enterprises subject to greenhouse gas emission allowance allocation, and organizations engaged in carbon credit trading. The goal is to ensure that all market participants can access trading services in a convenient, transparent, and efficient manner.

Market oversight will also be strengthened to promptly detect and strictly address violations of the law, particularly acts of market manipulation, fraud, or abuse. These measures are intended to ensure a fair, transparent, and well-functioning trading environment.

The relevant authorities will work together to enhance public communication and legal awareness by providing timely and accurate official information on market operations, while improving understanding among businesses and market participants. They will also proactively prevent and address misinformation that could undermine market stability and confidence.

Ms. Vu Thi Chan Phuong further called on relevant agencies and organizations to continue studying international best practices, strengthen the capacity of intermediary institutions, member securities companies, and service providers, and proactively review and refine the regulatory framework. These efforts will support the gradual development of Viet Nam's carbon market in line with the country's economic development needs and the evolving requirements of international integration.

In his remarks at the ceremony, Mr. Luong Hai Sinh, Chairman of the Members' Council of the Viet Nam Exchange, pledged to ensure the safe, stable, seamless, and secure operation of the trading, registration, custody, and settlement systems for greenhouse gas emission allowances and carbon credits.

He affirmed that all market activities will be conducted in a transparent manner and in full compliance with applicable regulations, contributing to the continued development of Viet Nam's domestic carbon trading platform and supporting the country's transition toward a green economy and sustainable development.

The launch of the carbon trading platform will not only help businesses fulfill Viet Nam's commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, but also provide a market-based mechanism for enterprises to optimize the cost of emission reductions through the trading of emission allowances and carbon credits. In doing so, the platform will contribute to the Party's and the Government's environmental protection objectives by promoting sustainable development while upholding the principle of not sacrificing the environment for economic growth.