Viet Nam, 10 April 2026 – Collaboration between the public and private sectors is driving tangible progress towards plastic circularity in Viet Nam, through improved waste management practices, behaviour change, and the scaling up of innovative solutions.

These priorities were underscored during a UNDP regional field visit.

The visit showcased on-the-ground results under the Plastics Circularity Project, funded by The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF), which bridges plastic waste management from policy to practice. The project focuses on four main components: Piloting innovative waste collection and recycling models; Strengthening capacity for communities and informal waste workers; Promoting responsible consumption and production; and Generating evidence to inform national policy through the National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP).

“Tackling plastic waste and advancing a circular economy requires strong collaboration across the entire plastic value chain, especially with the private sector partners,” UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Francesca Nardini emphasized “Through our support, UNDP is not only working with innovators, but also actively engaging businesses as key partners in scaling solutions. By bringing together stakeholders across the plastic value chain, we are helping turn promising ideas into sustainable, market-driven models that can deliver long-term impact in Viet Nam”.

With the support of TCCF, UNDP in Viet Nam is working with multiple local stakeholders to help advance sustainable waste management and to directly improve the livelihoods of waste workers through a unique ‘waste to shore’ project in fishing communities. This initiative provides the training, access to income opportunities, and essential support services, for a more inclusive recycling system in Viet Nam.”

Waste management in Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, and Quang Ninh remains a challenge, but new models offer viable solutions, and the Project aims to support them.

One of the highlights of the project is the implementation of the Responsible Sourcing Initiative (RSI) in Northern Viet Nam. Implemented in partnership with Vikohasan, a large PET bottle recycler in the region, the pilot will focus on a complex value chain involving dozens of large aggregators, suppliers, and approximately 12,000 informal waste workers (IWWs).

The initiative aims to improve livelihoods while strengthening the systems.

Until early 2027, 5,500 IWWs in Ha Noi, Bac Ninh, and Nghe An are expected to benefit from training, personal protective equipment (PPE), and formalizing business protocols. This initiative is expected to help collect and process an estimated 20,000 tons of plastic waste more responsibly.

At the same time, through the National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) chaired by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Plastics Innovation Programme is helping new ideas grow and scale.

To date, USD 240,000 has been mobilized to support 11 innovative solutions, including USD 140,000 provided by TCCF and UNDP co-financing. Beyond funding, the programme connects investors and experts, helping build a robust ecosystem for circularity in Viet Nam.

Together, these emerging models are delivering hands-on solutions, building local capacity, and generating practical lessons to support the implementation of national regulations. This is particularly timely as Viet Nam advances updates to the Law on Environmental Protection (2020), providing local authorities with tested approaches to translate policy into effective action on the ground.

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For more information and media inquiries, please contact:
UNDP Viet Nam
Phan Huong Giang, Media and Communication Analyst, 
Email: phan.huong.giang@undp.org

About the Plastics Circularity Project 
The Management of Plastic Waste and Circular Interventions on Plastics in South, Southeast Asia and the Pacific is a three-year multi-country initiative supported by The Coca-Cola Foundation. It aims to strengthen plastic waste management systems and make the sector more inclusive and sustainable across ten countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Viet Nam.

In Viet Nam, the project advances marine and land-based plastic waste management solutions. Under the National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) platform, the initiative pilots a waste-return system at three fishing ports and implements waste sorting regulations, promotes and strengthens stakeholder collaboration and knowledge exchange. The project aims to collect 7,000 metric tons of plastic waste, implement nation-wide awareness campaigns and improve the livelihoods of 3250 waste workers.