Vietnam pledged at COP26 to achieve 'net-zero' emissions by 2050 and reduce global methane emissions by 30% by 2030 relative to 2020 levels. The 2022 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) commits Vietnam to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 15.8% unconditionally and up to 43.5% with international support compared to the business-as-usual (BAU) scenario by 2030.

The transport sector, particularly road transport, represents a critical focus area for these emission reduction targets. Road transport accounts for over 90% of transport-related emissions while dominating the market with 63% of freight and 90% of passenger transport. The sector is experiencing rapid transformation, with electric vehicle adoption accelerating—from approximately 11,000 electric cars and nearly 2 million electric motorbikes in 2022, with electric vehicle sales increasing 3.4 times compared to 2021.

Green transport transition is emerging between green job creation, economic development, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction. Rather than representing competing interests, these elements form a virtuous cycle where progress in one area reinforces advancement in others. This economic stimulus stems from multiple sources: reduced fuel imports, increased domestic manufacturing, infrastructure development, and new service industries. Technological innovation necessitates entirely new occupations and industries like battery recycling facilities, charging infrastructure maintenance, and smart grid management. Efficiency improvements free up consumer and business spending that can be redirected toward more labor-intensive sectors. The key to maximizing these benefits lies in integrated policy approaches that address technological development, workforce readiness, infrastructure investments, and market incentives in tandem, creating a comprehensive ecosystem where green transport, job creation, and economic prosperity mutually reinforce each other.

According to estimation of NC based on enterprises data carried out in 2021 by the General Statistics Office (GSO), the transport sector counts more than 80,000 enterprises with a total of about 1.3 million employees. Of these employees, male employees account for about 71% and female employees account for about 29%. The road sub-sector has the largest number of enterprises accounting for 94.1%, followed by the inland waterway with 3.6%, the marine transport with 1.3%, the railway with 0.7% and finally the airway with only 0.2%.

This report provides a comprehensive assessment of how Vietnam's transition to green transport will impact employment through 2030 and beyond. It combines macroeconomic modeling, occupational analysis, and industry surveys to evaluate job creation and transformation in the context of Vietnam's climate commitments.