Shaping the Future – Integrating Youth Perspectives into the Just Energy Transition in Vietnam

Shaping the Future – Integrating Youth Perspectives into the Just Energy Transition in Vietnam, implemented by the Youth Climate Policy Working Group – Energy Transition Subgroup.

In recent years, the Just Energy Transition (JET) has been receiving increasing attention in Vietnam, as it is a key factor in achieving climate change mitigation and sustainable development goals. This policy brief was developed to clarify the role of young people in this critical transition, through comprehensive research that includes surveys and interviews conducted with the participation of more than 700 Vietnamese youth and three policymakers.

In recent years, the Just Energy Transition (JET) has been receiving increasing attention in Vietnam, as it is a crucial factor in achieving climate change mitigation and sustainable development goals. This policy brief was developed to highlight the role of youth in this critical transition, through comprehensive research including surveys and interviews with the participation of more than 700 Vietnamese young people and three policymakers.

Findings reveal that more than half of respondents (55%) expressed strong interest in JET initiatives, primarily due to awareness of the negative impacts of climate change. However, many responses demonstrated limited specialized knowledge and confidence, particularly among individuals who had not received training or capacity building in energy. Notably, the majority lacked clear awareness of the socio-economic opportunities within the JET framework. These findings indicate an important gap: while youth generally show readiness to engage in sustainable energy development, a significant proportion do not consider the energy sector as a potential career pathway. This stems from a shortage of accessible, high-quality educational resources and information. Furthermore, young people often rely mainly on informal sources such as social media and community organizations, resulting in only a basic understanding of energy transition technologies.

Barriers are also contextualized in specific localities such as Ho Chi Minh City and Ninh Thuan Province. In these areas, youth face different challenges, including lack of decision-making power, high upfront costs for installing rooftop solar systems, and limited confidence and skills to engage in wind power projects.

(Source: UNDP in Vietnam)