Amid rapid urbanisation, mounting environmental pressures, and the growing impacts of climate change, Ho Chi Minh City is working to accelerate its transition to a circular economy, laying the groundwork for building a sustainable green economy. However, experts say this shift requires a comprehensive, synchronised approach and bold policy breakthroughs.

Transitioning to a circular economy not only offers a sustainable development path for the city but also serves as a pivotal step toward establishing a fully green economy. While some circular economy initiatives have been introduced, experts note that these remain isolated and small-scale, lacking the transformative impact needed to drive a broader green shift. For instance, the 3R model (reduce – reuse – recycle) was launched in 2006 and restarted in 2018 through pilot waste separation programmes, which helped raise public awareness.

Additionally, the city has implemented various pollution-reduction campaigns, including one to eliminate littering in streets and canals. This initiative successfully cleared nearly 630 waste hotspots, 74 of which were transformed into community spaces.

Despite these efforts, circular economy practices have yet to become a dominant trend or generate tangible economic benefits on a broad scale. According to Dr Nguyen Duy Anh Dong of the institute for political, social and scientific research at the University of Economics HCM City, achieving a truly green and sustainable urban model requires a strategic roadmap, long-term vision, and close inter-agency collaboration.

Given the urgent challenges posed by resource depletion, pollution, climate change, and Vietnam’s integration into global supply chains, the circular economy has been identified as an optimal solution for achieving sustainable, green growth.

Dr Le Thanh Minh, Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Science and Technology, stressed the need for clear legal frameworks and strong integration of technology and the digital economy to make science and innovation true drivers of circular economy models.

Experts also stressed the importance of building upon sectors and industries where the city has already implemented models that align with circular economy principles. From there, tailored adjustments and appropriate approaches can be developed for each sector, moving from pilot initiatives to widespread implementation.

To catalyse this transformation, the southern economic hub must also introduce mechanisms to encourage private sector investment in circular economy sectors, especially in clean technology, waste reduction, reuse, and recycling. Waste should be treated as a resource, both in production and consumption.

Assoc. Prof. Dr Nguyen Hong Quan, Director of the Institute for Circular Economy Development at Vietnam National University HCM City, said that innovation tied to the circular economy can help foster a truly effective startup and innovation ecosystem – one capable of addressing sustainability challenges and advancing the city’s green economy agenda./.VNA