Limitations in Decree 21/2011/ND-CP
In the context of Vietnam's acceleration of industrialization - modernization and international integration, the issue of energy-saving and efficient use is not only an urgent requirement to ensure national energy security, but also an important task contributing to the implementation of the commitment to reduce net emissions to "0" by 2050 announced by the Government at COP26.
According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Vietnam's energy demand has grown very rapidly, an average of 8-10% per year in the recent period. It is forecasted that the total primary energy demand could reach 150-170 million TOE by 2030, nearly double that of 2020.
Studies show great potential for energy saving. The industrial sector - which accounts for more than 47% of total national energy consumption - is capable of saving 20-30% if modern management solutions and technology are applied. Construction, commercial and civil areas can save 15-20% of electricity thanks to the application of high-performance design, materials and equipment. The transportation industry can reduce fuel by 10-15% if technical standards and vehicle management are applied.
Currently, the country has about 3,500 key energy users, accounting for 60% of total energy consumption. As long as each of these facilities saves 1% of electricity, the whole country can reduce billions of kWh of consumption per year - equivalent to thousands of billions of VND in costs and reduce millions of tons of CO2 emissions.
Decree No. 21/2011/ND-CP has played an important role in implementing the Law on Energy-saving and Efficient Use, but after more than 10 years of implementation, many regulations have revealed limitations, not meeting the requirements of socio-economic development and international commitments.
New points
With the National Assembly passing the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Energy Efficiency and Savings Use in June 2025, the Government has assigned the Ministry of Industry and Trade to preside over the development of a new Decree to replace Decree No. 21/2011/ND-CP, in order to concretize and put the provisions of the Law into practice.
This draft Decree has added many important contents such as: Completing the statistical mechanism and national energy database to serve forecasting and policy making; Clearly defining responsibilities for key energy-using facilities, energy management and auditing models; Strengthening the requirement for energy labeling, eliminating low-performance equipment, promoting the market for energy-saving products; Establishing a Fund to promote energy-saving and efficient use, supporting projects and energy service organizations; Strengthening inspection, examination and handling of violations, improving the effectiveness of law enforcement.
The revised Decree also delves into the issue of labeling construction material energy. At the "Economic and efficient Energy Use" Forum organized by the Ministry of Industry and Trade at the end of June 2025, Mr. Nguyen Cong Thinh (Deputy Director of the Department of Science, Technology, Environment and Construction Materials, Ministry of Construction) emphasized: Vietnam has enough basis and capacity to deploy energy labeling for construction materials, but it is necessary to quickly complete the legal framework, testing standards and strengthen inspection and examination in the locality.
Energy labeling for construction materials is not only a matter of businesses or management agencies, but also brings clear benefits to each citizen. When choosing a labelled material, homeowners can immediately know how good the product is to insulate heat, how much air conditioning is reduced, or how effectively it is kept warm in winter. This means a lighter monthly electricity bill and a more comfortable living environment.
In addition, the Decree also clarifies the contents of energy use auditing as stipulated in the law.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Lam Giang, Director of the Department of Innovation, Green Transformation and Public Upgrade (Ministry of Industry and Trade) emphasized that energy auditing is not only a mandatory requirement for key energy-using facilities according to the Law on Energy Efficiency and efficiency, but also an important " link" in the sustainable development strategy of businesses. When businesses have a full view of energy consumption, they will clearly see the areas that can be optimized, thereby improving production lines, reducing costs, and improving operational efficiency.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade believes that with the support of management agencies, the expert community and the initiative of businesses themselves, energy auditing can completely become the "key" to helping businesses expand the "door" to sustainable development in the era of a green economy, a circular economy that is increasingly spreading globally.
