Mr. Vo Thanh Phong, Deputy Head of the HEPZA Management Board, emphasized that the eco-industrial park will be a "green passport" helping businesses enhance their competitiveness and participate more deeply in the global supply chain.
The policy has been opened.
Opening remarks at the CEO Roundtable with the theme "Orientation" invest and sustainable development in industrial zones" was recently awarded by the Finance and Investment Newspaper, and the Federation of Associations. Real estate At a recent event held at Phu My 3 Industrial Park, organized by Thanh Binh Phu My Joint Stock Company and NS BlueScope Vietnam, Mr. Vo Thanh Phong, Deputy Head of the Ho Chi Minh City Export Processing Zones and Industrial Parks Management Board (HEPZA), stated that the trend of greening and applying high technology has become the new standard.
According to Mr. Phong, the Party and the State have clearly defined a new perspective on development. economy Growth must be rapid but sustainable, and absolutely must not come at the expense of the environment. This is a major principle, leading to the issuance of numerous mechanisms, policies, and resolutions.
“"So the question is, if we want to transform, how should we transform, and what kind of transformation should we undertake?", Mr. Phong raised the issue and explained that the mechanisms and policies have already been clearly defined.
Specifically, Decree No. 35/2022/ND-CP (Decree 35) defines an ecological industrial park as an industrial park in which the businesses Participating in cleaner production activities, using resources efficiently, establishing linkages and cooperation to implement industrial symbiosis models, and meeting the criteria in the decree. To be more specific, the Ministry of Planning and Investment (now the Ministry) FinanceThe Ministry of Planning and Investment issued Circular No. 05/2025/TT-BKHĐT (Circular 05) to provide detailed guidance on each criterion at the beginning of 2025.
However, this is only the basic legal framework, not yet concretized into detailed implementation policies, and some criteria are difficult to achieve. For example, the old standard from 2008 stipulated a green space ratio of 20% in industrial parks, but according to the new criteria for ecological industrial parks, it must reach 25%. Many industrial parks that were previously fully occupied now find it very difficult to increase the green space by an additional 5%.
“We have been working with ministries, especially the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, to study a method for offsetting criteria. This means that the 1% green space area can be replaced with a corresponding amount of carbon credits, based on businesses in the industrial park applying cleaner production and reducing emissions. If this internal carbon credit mechanism is approved in the amended Decree, it will resolve one of the most difficult obstacles,” Mr. Phong said.
HEPZA will work alongside businesses in addressing challenges.
In essence, when approaching the industrial symbiosis model, there are two fundamental issues to consider: the mechanisms and policies, and the practical difficulties related to using waste as input materials in the production of other businesses within the circular economy model.
According to current environmental regulations, many types of waste are still considered "waste" and are not permitted to be reused as raw materials in industrial zones. Typically, local authorities only recommend the construction of centralized treatment facilities. However, transporting waste to these facilities is often very costly, and current regulations do not encourage reuse.
The second problem is that the percentage of businesses in the industrial park applying advanced technology is still low, making it difficult to meet green criteria immediately. Many businesses lack the resources to invest in new equipment, and the cost of training personnel is also a burden. Therefore, transformation is not only a technical requirement but also a financial and human resource challenge.
Regarding the industrial symbiosis model, its essence is the connection of inputs and outputs between businesses according to a circular economy model: the output of business A becomes the input of business B. In many areas, more than 15 businesses have participated in piloting this model due to regional advantages and industry value chains. However, some types of waste must be handled with extreme strictness, related to public health, and toxic substances must be "isolated" and processed according to specific procedures. This is why regulatory agencies and businesses must exercise caution.
Another issue is determining "waste or raw material?". If a byproduct after processing meets safety standards, it should be recognized as an input material, no longer considered waste. This requires scientific evaluation, legal assessment, and a strict management mechanism. Once recognized, businesses will be able to reuse it and create value, thereby reducing overall emissions.
A representative from HEPZA added that they have been in discussions with ministries, agencies, and international organizations to find solutions. Several related decrees and circulars have been and are being adjusted to create a more favorable legal framework.
Regarding incentives for eco-businesses, the Management Board is currently advising the City to request relevant ministries and agencies to promptly issue specific guidelines, such as preferential loan interest rates, land lease price reductions, and green credit criteria, so that when the City recognizes an eco-business, the business will truly receive clear incentives.
Ho Chi Minh City will have a Handbook for building eco-industrial parks.
Over the past period, HEPZA has implemented numerous solutions to promote green, clean, and sustainable production transformation for infrastructure investors and businesses in industrial parks and export processing zones. Simultaneously, it has collaborated with organizations such as JICA, UNIDO, and the World Bank to research, evaluate, and select directions for transforming existing industrial parks/export processing zones towards ecological and smart development in the city.
One of those programs is project “Technical support for the construction of model industrial parks/smart industrial parks with ecological orientation and the application of information technology in the management and operation of industrial parks in Ba Ria – Vung Tau province” is funded by JICA, Japan and will be completed within 4 years, ending at the end of 2027.
Initially, the project is being piloted in Phu My 3 Industrial Park and Phu My 2 Industrial Park. Results show that Phu Huu 3 Industrial Park has basically met all 21 criteria. HEPZA is submitting proposals to relevant ministries and agencies so that by November 2025, the City can be advised to recognize it as the first eco-industrial park in the area, and also one of the first in Vietnam.
However, a key outcome of this project is that Hepza will develop a comprehensive technical handbook guiding industrial parks and businesses in the city on what they need to do if they want to invest in or convert to eco-industrial parks. This will be a very specific set of criteria for establishing eco-industrial parks, helping businesses to be proactive and consistent in their implementation.
However, to achieve results, the most important factor remains the role of the businesses themselves. During implementation, many businesses hesitate and are reluctant. The main reason lies in limited resources (both financial and human). Investing in new equipment is difficult, but retraining the workforce and recruiting suitable personnel is even more challenging. Businesses are therefore very concerned.
“"Any transition is difficult, for businesses and for the government. But if we don't innovate and adapt to the green, clean, and sustainable trends, in the near future we will no longer have a place in the global supply chain," Mr. Phong said.
Viet Dung – 15/11/2025 21:41
