Vietnam: environment

How much CO2 does Vietnam emit?

Viet Nam emitted 430.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2024, excluding land use and forestry, up from 390.7 million in 2023, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators. That is about 4.3 tonnes per person, according to the World Bank per capita series.

Emissions rose 10.3% in 2024 and have grown by more than a quarter since 2021. The figures follow the World Bank's series based on international datasets; Viet Nam's own greenhouse gas inventory, reported to the UN climate convention, uses different methods.

Official sources: World Bank: CO2 emissions excluding LULUCF, Viet Nam · World Bank: CO2 emissions per capita, Viet Nam

How bad is air pollution in Vietnam?

Average exposure to fine particles (PM2.5) in Viet Nam was 24.8 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023, down from 25.5 in 2022, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators. The World Health Organization guideline is 5.

The figure is a population-weighted national average estimated from satellite and ground data, so it does not show peaks in particular cities or seasons. Environmental protection is the responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

Official sources: World Bank: PM2.5 mean annual exposure, Viet Nam · Ministry of Agriculture and Environment

How much of Vietnam is covered by forest?

Viet Nam's forest cover rate was 42% in 2025, according to the National Statistics Office Statistical Summary Book 2025. The World Bank, using FAO data, puts forest area at 47.1% of land area in 2024.

The two figures come from different sources and definitions, so they should not be compared directly. 215.8 thousand hectares of new concentrated forest were planted in the first nine months of 2026, 3.0% less than a year earlier, according to the NSO.

Official sources: NSO: Statistical Summary Book of Viet Nam 2025 (PDF) · World Bank: forest area, Viet Nam · NSO: Socio-economic performance infographic, Q3 and first 9 months of 2026 (PDF)

How much damage do natural disasters cause in Vietnam?

Natural disasters killed or left missing 80 people in Viet Nam in the first nine months of 2026 and injured 96, according to the National Statistics Office socio-economic report. Property damage was estimated at 4,076.5 billion dong, 77.4% less than in the same period of 2025.

More than 81.0 thousand hectares of rice and nearly 17.4 thousand hectares of other crops were damaged, and 10.4 thousand homes were destroyed or damaged. Viet Nam is exposed to typhoons, floods, drought and saltwater intrusion, and the NSO lists disaster preparedness among its recommendations for the rest of 2026.

Official sources: NSO: Socio-economic report, Q3 and 9 months of 2026 (Vietnamese, DOCX)

How many environmental violations are there in Vietnam?

Authorities in Viet Nam detected 14,055 environmental violations in the first nine months of 2026 and dealt with 11,182 of them, with fines of more than 206.6 billion dong, 25.2% more than a year earlier, according to the National Statistics Office socio-economic report.

In September alone, 1,285 violations were found in 32 of the 34 provinces and cities. The figures count cases found by inspection and enforcement, so they reflect enforcement activity as well as the number of offences.

Official sources: NSO: Socio-economic report, Q3 and 9 months of 2026 (Vietnamese, DOCX)

How much of Vietnam's electricity is renewable?

Renewable sources produced 41.2% of Viet Nam's electricity in 2021, the latest year in the World Bank World Development Indicators, up from 30.9% in 2019. Renewables were 24.2% of final energy consumption in 2021, according to the World Bank.

The share has moved between years, from 39.5% in 2018 to 35.6% in 2020. The World Bank series lags several years, so it does not show capacity added since 2021.

Official sources: World Bank: renewable electricity output, Viet Nam · World Bank: renewable energy consumption, Viet Nam

How much CO2 does Vietnam emit per person?

According to the European Commission's EDGAR database, carbon dioxide emissions per person in Vietnam was 4.3 tonnes in 2024. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 11th highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 2.1 tonnes. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 56th highest.

How much greenhouse gas does Vietnam emit?

According to the European Commission's EDGAR database, total greenhouse gas emissions in Vietnam was 584 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2024. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. East Asia & Pacific median: 45.7 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent; Vietnam is 6th highest of 30. Worldwide: 15th of 186.

How much renewable energy does Vietnam use?

In 2021, the renewable share of final energy use in Vietnam was 24.2%, according to the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 18.9% (2020) to 44.2% (2006). Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 14.9%, and Vietnam placed 12th highest of 30. Of 191 countries with 2021 data, 94th highest.

What is Vietnam's forest cover?

The FAO puts forest area as a share of land in Vietnam at 47.1% in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 53.6%, and Vietnam placed 17th highest of 29. World rank, highest first: 56th of 190.

How polluted is the air in Vietnam?

In 2023, average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Vietnam was 24.8 micrograms per cubic metre, according to the Global Burden of Disease study. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. East Asia & Pacific median: 11.7 micrograms per cubic metre; Vietnam is 5th highest of 30. Worldwide: 62nd of 192.

What share of Vietnam is protected land?

In 2025, the share of land in protected areas in Vietnam was 7.6%, according to the UN Environment Programme. No year since 2013 has been higher. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 15.8%, and Vietnam placed 21st highest of 30. Worldwide: 158th of 192.

How much of Vietnam's fresh water is used?

In 2022, water stress in Vietnam was 18.1%, according to the FAO. It has not changed since 2005. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 13.1%, and Vietnam placed 10th highest of 20. Worldwide: 69th of 175.