Challenges and Barriers to Green airport development in Vietnam: Assessment of current situation and Recommendations

Abstract

DOI: https://doi.org/10.66195/mtu.2025.15.140

In the context of the global aviation industry facing intense pressure from commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the demand for sustainable development, the transition to green airport models in Vietnam has become more urgent than ever. However, this process is encountering significant challenges and barriers. This paper examines the primary obstacles to green airport development in Vietnam through a field survey conducted at 22 airports, focusing on issues related to legal frameworks, financial resources, management capacity, technical infrastructure, technology, and multi-stakeholder coordination mechanisms. The results show that Vietnam’s airport system currently meets only basic environmental compliance requirements, with a low and inconsistent level of integration of green solutions, particularly at smaller and regional airports. Based on these findings, the paper proposes several policy recommendations to address barriers and promote the green transition process, aiming for sustainable development and carbon neutrality by 2050.