Vietnam launches domestic carbon exchange at Hanoi Stock Exchange to trade emission quotas and carbon credits

Vietnam officially launched its domestic carbon exchange on June 29, 2026, at the Hanoi Stock Exchange. The exchange allows businesses to trade greenhouse gas emission quotas and carbon credits, creating a financial mechanism to lower the cost of emission reductions. Over 100 emission facilities are ready to participate in the pilot phase, which runs through the end of 2028 with no fees charged to companies under Decree No. 29/2026/ND-CP. The exchange is part of Vietnam's broader push to meet its net zero by 2050 target. The infrastructure connecting the exchange, securities depository, climate department, and a state bank has been tested and is operational. Six securities companies are approved as market members so far. The government sees this as a step to align domestic carbon markets with international practices and to channel capital into sustainable projects. While the launch is a milestone, the real test will be liquidity and actual trading volume. The pilot phase with zero fees is designed to encourage participation, but it remains to be seen how many businesses actively trade and whether the price discovery works. The framework is in place, but the market's success depends on enforcement of emission caps and the quality of credits traded.