Community Participation in Việt Nam’s Energy Transition – A Missing Link?

Việt Nam’s energy transition is the backbone of the nation’s sustainable development journey. As the country shifts towards green energy and commits to cutting carbon emissions under both national and global pledges, one question remains: who gets to take part in shaping this future?

True sustainability requires meaningful community participation—especially from vulnerable groups—so that local voices are not only heard but valued. Without this, Việt Nam risks repeating patterns of exclusion that undermine fairness and threaten the long-term success of its energy ambitions. The window for a just and inclusive transition is open—but only if communities hold the steering wheel.

Community Participation in Việt Nam’s Energy Sector

Việt Nam has witnessed a rapid expansion of renewable energy projects in recent years, from large-scale wind farms along the south-central coast to solar parks in the Mekong Delta. Regulations require community consultations before project approval, yet civil society observers note that these processes are often perfunctory, focusing on formal notices or one-off meetings rather than fostering genuine dialogue. Such approaches risk leaving affected communities without a real voice in decisions that impact their land, livelihoods, and environment.

In Bạc Liêu Province, for example, residents living near an offshore wind power project expressed concern that they were informed late about construction plans and that they were given limited details regarding the potential impacts on fishing grounds. Many felt that their input had little influence over project design or mitigation measures.

A similar pattern emerged in the Đầm Trà Ổ area in Bình Định Province, where plans for a solar power project drew resistance from residents. In Châu Trúc Village near Trà Ổ Lake, fishermen feared losing access to traditional fishing grounds, while in Mỹ Thắng Commune, others worried about the destruction of coastal pine forests.

Some community members stated that they first learned of the project only after preparatory works had begun, which reduced their ability to engage meaningfully or negotiate fair outcomes. For many residents, these experiences sparked frustration and a deep sense of exclusion, eroding trust in projects meant to secure their future.

These cases illustrate how inadequate engagement can fuel mistrust and opposition, potentially slowing down a just and sustainable energy transition. Without strengthening transparency and ensuring communities have both the information and the opportunity to participate from the earliest stages, renewable energy development risks falling short of its social as well as environmental goals.

Legal and Policy Challenges for Grassroots Communities 

Việt Nam has developed a fairly comprehensive legal framework, including Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), the Law on Environmental Protection, and international ESG standards, aimed at safeguarding community rights in energy projects. However, the practical application of these tools to ensure meaningful community participation remains limited.

Community consultations required by EIA processes often take place after critical project decisions have already been made, reducing local voices to a formality or sidelining them altogether. Information about project impacts is frequently provided too late or in technical jargon that local residents find difficult to understand, hindering their ability to engage effectively.

These challenges are compounded by real barriers faced by communities, such as limited access to information and technical knowledge, alongside complex and time-consuming administrative procedures. Moreover, the role of local authorities in supervising and enforcing community engagement regulations remains weak, leading to inconsistent implementation on the ground.

Additionally, pressure from investors and large corporations often creates an environment where community input is overlooked, or even ignored, to expedite project timelines. These factors undermine the legitimate rights of local people and also increase social and environmental risks, threatening the long-term sustainability of Việt Nam’s energy transition.

Compounding these issues is the lack of effective accountability mechanisms, meaning community concerns are often overlooked or dismissed without timely resolution. This absence of clear grievance procedures further erodes trust in both project developers and regulatory bodies, underscoring the urgent need for stronger enforcement mechanisms and transparent channels to ensure community voices are genuinely heard.

Environmental, Social, and Project Risks

The absence of meaningful community participation, especially among vulnerable groups, has profound consequences for local residents, long-term sustainability and the effectiveness of energy projects.

A lack of transparency and genuine engagement often leads to pollution and the depletion of marine resources—vital livelihoods for many coastal fishing communities. Inadequate environmental impact assessments leave residents exposed to water, soil, and air contamination, directly affecting their health and economic well-being.

Socially, many households face land loss or displacement without fair compensation, triggering unrest and deep social fractures. These losses leave lasting emotional scars, compromising trust in the authorities and investors alike.

Economically and legally, ignoring community voices can significantly increase costs and risks. Disputes, lawsuits, or construction delays stemming from unresolved social tensions slow down progress and undermine investor confidence, sometimes tarnishing the reputation of project developers.

In Phù Mỹ District, Bình Định Province, community frustration over inadequate consultation escalated into a direct confrontation, with residents detaining engineers to halt the construction of a solar power project. This rare but telling incident demonstrates how the absence of timely and transparent communication can tip community responses from dialogue to outright conflict, delaying progress and fracturing trust between stakeholders.

This example underscores a wider pattern: when communities are sidelined, the social fabric that supports project success frays. The environmental damage, economic inefficiency, and mounting social tensions that follow risk not only the projects themselves but also broader political stability and public perception.

Without genuine community participation, energy projects risk missing the social foundations necessary for success, facing environmental degradation, economic inefficiency, and political instability in the long run.

Opportunities and Solutions to Strengthen Community Engagement

Beyond Việt Nam, several countries in the region provide valuable lessons on embedding community participation into energy transitions. In the Philippines, for example, the community-based Renewable Energy Program actively involves local populations in project planning through implementation and monitoring, resulting in higher social acceptance and project resilience. Similarly, Indonesia has piloted digital platforms that facilitate transparent consultation and grievance reporting, empowering communities to engage directly with developers and authorities.

These international examples highlight key approaches that Việt Nam can adapt to strengthen its own processes. First, reforming EIA procedures to ensure transparency and inclusiveness from the earliest project stages is crucial. This means shifting from a checkbox consultation to a genuine dialogue, supported by accessible information and timely disclosure.

Second, capacity building is essential—not only for civil society organizations and local governments but also for community members themselves. Equipping stakeholders with the skills and resources to understand technical project details and advocate for their rights can transform consultations into meaningful exchanges rather than formalities.

Third, leveraging legal and governance frameworks such as ESG standards can embed accountability into energy projects. Combined with digital tools—online platforms for public input and clear grievance mechanisms—these frameworks promote responsiveness and build trust between communities, investors, and regulators.

By embracing these solutions, Việt Nam will have the opportunity to unlock the full potential of community participation. Such engagement will reduce social risks, enhance environmental stewardship, and improve project outcomes by aligning development with the needs and rights of those most affected.

Moving Forward Together

Meaningful community participation is a fundamental necessity for a just and sustainable energy transition. The voices of local communities—especially vulnerable groups—must move beyond tokenistic consultation to become active, respected partners in shaping energy projects that affect their lives and environments.

This requires all stakeholders—government agencies, investors, civil society organizations, and communities themselves—to share responsibility for improving transparency, strengthening legal frameworks, and fostering inclusive dialogue. Only through genuine collaboration can Việt Nam unlock the social license and resilience needed for its ambitious clean energy goals.

In this critical journey, local communities become essential agents of transformation. Embracing their participation will not only enhance project effectiveness and social equity but will also build a more transparent, accountable, and lasting energy future for the nation.

The time to act is now. A fair, inclusive energy transition depends on it.