Vietnam develops roadmap to expand sustainable aviation fuel use

Vietnam is developing a comprehensive roadmap to increase the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) as part of efforts to meet its international environmental commitments and support the aviation sector's transition to cleaner operations.

The roadmap will be designed to align with Vietnam's obligations under the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), a global framework aimed at stabilizing aviation emissions. Planners are working to ensure the strategy complements broader efforts to modernize Vietnam's fuel distribution system, which Prime Minister has called for substantive reform.

Development of a domestic SAF supply chain is central to the roadmap's approach. Authorities are examining how Vietnam can build production capacity while avoiding market disruptions that could affect domestic airlines and broader air transport operations. The strategy must balance environmental goals with economic realities as the aviation sector, already managing fuel price fluctuations, adapts to changing market conditions.

Recent fuel price adjustments have demonstrated the sensitivity of Vietnam's transport sector to energy costs. The proposed SAF framework aims to create a sustainable transition path that strengthens aviation's environmental performance without imposing sudden shocks on carriers already navigating volatile commodity markets.