Hanoi, March 5, 2025 – The Europe Today: In a significant move towards sustainable industrial and economic growth, approximately 40-50 per cent of localities in Vietnam have announced plans to transition existing industrial parks into eco-industrial parks by 2030. Additionally, between 8 to 10 per cent of localities will establish new ecological parks, aligning with global trends in sustainable development.
Experts highlight that this shift represents an essential step in Vietnam’s industrial sector, offering financial benefits to businesses while contributing positively to environmental protection and enhancing workers’ quality of life. The eco-industrial park model promotes sustainable practices by fostering collaboration between businesses within the same industrial zones, ensuring resource optimization and green production.
Rising Demand for Eco-Industrial Parks
Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Vietnam’s industrial parks and economic zones currently accounts for 35–40 per cent of the country’s total additional registered FDI capital. According to a recent survey by Savills Vietnam, although the number of eco-industrial parks remains limited, demand for this sustainable real estate model is expected to rise substantially in the coming years.
Thomas Rooney, Senior Manager of the Industrial Real Estate Department at Savills Hanoi, noted that most existing industrial parks were developed under traditional models, lacking sustainable design solutions. “The development of green industrial parks is currently in its early stages and will be a long-term transformation,” he said.
A Sustainable Development Tool
Eco-industrial parks are seen as a crucial mechanism for achieving sustainable development goals, balancing economic growth, social responsibility, and environmental protection. Many countries, including Denmark, Korea, Japan, and China, have successfully implemented the eco-industrial park model since the 1990s, yielding positive results.
Vietnam has placed significant emphasis on green economic development and circular economy initiatives, which have been incorporated into national policies. The government, in collaboration with international organizations, has piloted the conversion of several traditional industrial parks into eco-industrial parks, focusing on cleaner production and efficient resource utilization.
Government and International Support
Since 2014, the Ministry of Planning and Investment has worked closely with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to establish sustainable eco-industrial park models. Initial pilot projects were implemented in Ninh Bình, Đà Nẵng, and Cần Thơ. From 2020 to 2024, with financial backing from the Swiss Government, the ministry expanded the model to three more locations: Hải Phòng, Đồng Nai, and Ho Chi Minh City.
Investors in industrial park infrastructure have also proposed new eco-industrial park projects with stronger commitments to sustainability, integrating green development strategies from the planning stage to attract environmentally responsible investors.
IDICO Leads the Way in Eco-Industrial Parks
With 25 years of experience in developing industrial real estate, IDICO has emerged as a pioneer in Vietnam’s eco-industrial park transformation. The company operates 12 industrial parks across nearly 4,000 hectares, hosting over 400 businesses, including major international investors such as Suntory Pepsico, Fujiya, Hyosung, and Messer.
Phan Văn Chính, Deputy General Director of IDICO Corporation, emphasized the company’s commitment to sustainable development. “IDICO is actively transforming its industrial park model towards green and sustainable practices, aiming to establish ecologically oriented smart industrial parks in Vietnam,” he stated.
IDICO has started converting Phú Mỹ II Industrial Park and its expanded zone into eco-industrial parks, making them the first of their kind in the region. The company has implemented advanced technologies to minimize waste and emissions while adopting a smart monitoring platform to optimize energy use.
Kingspan’s Green Initiatives in Phú Mỹ II
Kingspan, an Irish investor and strategic partner of IDICO, has contributed to the eco-industrial transition by installing a solar power system across its Phú Mỹ II factory. This initiative is expected to reduce over 1,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, reinforcing Kingspan’s commitment to sustainable energy production.
The shift towards eco-industrial parks is set to help businesses meet stringent export standards while fostering a sustainable production ecosystem. As Vietnam progresses towards net-zero emissions, eco-industrial parks are poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s industrial and environmental future.
