•    Mr. Bui Hoa An - Deputy Director General, Department of Construction, Ho Chi Minh city
•    Mr. Nguyen Huu Tien – Deputy Director General, Department of Science, Technology, Environment and Construction Materials, Ministry of Construction;
•    Mr. Pham Van Quan – Deputy Director General, Department of Industry, Ministry of Industry and Trade; 
•    Colleagues from ministries, city authorities,  development partners, academia, and the private sector. 

Ladies and gentlemen,
Xin chào and Good morning.

I am very pleased to join Deputy Director General, Ho Chi Minh Department of Construction Mr. Bui Hoa An in welcoming you all to the validation workshop on “Advancing Low-Emission Private Vehicles in Ho Chi Minh City: Technology, Policy, and Market Solutions.” This event is very timely, seeing as Ho Chi Minh City starting to implement many city’s actions, policies  to accelerating green energy transition transport sector both in response to climate change and to improve air quality.

Let me begin by expressing our sincere appreciation to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction for its continued and fruitful cooperation with UNDP in advancing low-carbon transport initiatives in the city, as well as for its strong support in organizing this meaningful event.  We also extend our gratitude to all participants for your valuable time, expertise, and continued commitment to advancing sustainable urban mobility in Viet Nam.

Distinguished guests,

These low-carbon initiatives, including today’s workshop, are part of UNDP’s broader support under the Climate Promise initiative, generously supported by the Government of Japan. Through this initiative, we are working closely with the Government of Viet Nam to translate national climate commitments into practical, evidence-based actions on the ground.

Viet Nam has taken important steps by approving the Action Programme on Green Transformation and the Reduction of Carbon and Methane Emissions in the transport sector, with the overarching goal of developing a low-carbon transport system. In this context, Ho Chi Minh City plays a pivotal role in realizing these national ambitions—through the transition to electric buses starting from 2025, electric taxis by 2030, and the gradual transformation of its private vehicle fleet.

As we know, with an area of over 6,700 square kilometers and a population of more than 13 million people, Ho Chi Minh City is a major transport hub of Viet Nam and the Southeast Asian region. However, its transport system remains highly dependent on private vehicles—accounting for nearly 90 percent of travel demand—combined with rapid motorization and limited public transport coverage. These structural challenges are contributing to increasing congestion, deteriorating air quality, and rising greenhouse gas emissions, making the transport sector central to achieving Viet Nam’s Nationally Determined Contributions and its net-zero target by 2050.

At both national and city levels, important policy frameworks are being developed to support the transition toward low-emission transport. These include strengthened emission standards, fiscal incentives for cleaner vehicles, and investment policies aligned with green growth and climate objectives. In this regard, Ho Chi Minh City’s Green Transport Roadmap represents a critical step in translating national commitments into a practical and actionable urban transition strategy.

One key message emerging from this work is clear: there is no single solution. A successful transition will require a comprehensive and integrated approach—combining policies, investments, and partnerships, and bringing together government leadership, private sector innovation, and public engagement. In particular, the transition should be anchored around three interconnected pillars:

i) the shift toward electric and low-emission vehicle technologies;

ii) spatial and demand management measures, including Low Emission Zones; and

iii) enabling ecosystems, including infrastructure, financing, and regulatory frameworks.
Today’s workshop is therefore not only about presenting findings—it is about listening, discussing, and co-creating solutions.

We hope this platform will: i) Validate the study’s findings; ii) Identify practical policy and investment priorities, and iii) Foster collaboration among all stakeholders to move from analysis to action. 

UNDP remains committed to supporting Viet Nam and Ho Chi Minh City in this transition working together to build a cleaner, more efficient, and more resilient urban transport system that benefits both people and the planet.

I wish you all a productive and engaging discussion, and I look forward to the valuable insights that will emerge from today’s exchange.

Thank you very much.