Especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (msms) - which account for more than 97% of the total number of Vietnamese enterprises - participating in energy-saving solutions not only helps reduce operating costs but also enhances competitiveness in a market that increasingly prioritizes green, clean and sustainable products. However, this road is still full of obstacles that need to be removed.
However, in reality, most Vietnamese enterprises are still quite reserved in investing in energy-saving technology. Despite the long-term benefits, they face many barriers: High technology innovation costs, old production lines that consume energy, lack of specialized technical teams, along with the lack of a transparent legal framework and specific support mechanisms.
According to Mr. Nguyen Van - Vice President of the Hanoi Supporting Industry Business Association (HANSIBA), many member enterprises have to pay billions of dong in electricity bills each month. They are very interested in energy-saving policies but often face four main difficulties: Changing energy usage behavior is not synchronous; initial investment costs are too large; limited human resources and policy mechanisms are still in the process of completion.
Initial investment costs are the biggest barrier. An energy-saving production line can help reduce operating costs by 20-30%, but to implement it, investment capital is needed in tens, even hundreds of billions of VND. For Vietnam Airlines, this is beyond their self-reliance. Therefore, many businesses choose to "squeeze" small improvements instead of fundamental changes in technology.
Opinions from businesses in Hanoi's industrial parks suggest that there should be clearer and more specific incentive policies. Simplifying procedures for accessing green credit capital, supporting technological innovation, enhancing energy auditing activities... are practical solutions for businesses to participate more strongly.
From a management perspective, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has proposed a series of solutions such as credit guarantee mechanism, preferential loan interest rates from green funds, rapid depreciation of energy-saving equipment, and promoting the ESCO model - helping businesses not have to abandon their initial capital but gradually pay off their savings. This is considered a direction in line with the reality of Vietnam Airlines, which often "answers" the risk of large investments.
Notably, the idea of building an ecological industrial park model - where businesses link to reuse by-products and optimize energy chains - has also been proposed by many units. If this model is successfully implemented, it will create a "push" to spread, both saving energy and promoting a circular economy.
If we look at it from a long-term perspective, saving energy is not only a cost burden but an opportunity. A business successfully applying energy-saving technology can reduce 15-20% of total operating costs, improve product quality, and at the same time meet international standards on "green production" - an increasingly important factor in exporting to markets such as the EU, the US, and Japan.
In addition, participating in energy-saving projects also helps businesses build a responsible and sustainable brand image - something that modern consumers highly appreciate. That is also the "passport" for businesses to go further in the context of international integration. Energy saving is no longer a slogan but a vital requirement for Vietnamese enterprises, especially DNVVN. If we have awareness, the remaining problem is the strong enough support mechanism to turn awareness into action. Removing capital problems, training technical human resources, perfecting the legal corridor, and encouraging cooperation models such as ESCO or ecological industrial parks will be the key.
With close support between the State - businesses - financial institutions, Vietnam Airlines can completely become a pioneer in using energy economically and efficiently. It is not only a cost-cutting solution but also a sustainable path to improve competitiveness and contribute to the goal of greening the national economy.
