Vietnam Launches 2% Green Loan Subsidy Under Resolution 198/2025, But Can Businesses Actually Use It?

Vietnam has officially opened the door to discounted financing for environmentally sustainable projects, with Resolution 198/2025 establishing a 2% annual interest rate support package targeting green investments. The policy signals a significant commitment from the government to accelerate the country's transition toward a low-carbon economy, aligning with Vietnam's pledges made at COP26 to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

While the availability of cheap capital marks a major step forward, economists and financial experts are raising a critical question: are Vietnamese businesses actually equipped to take advantage of it? Many domestic enterprises, particularly small and medium-sized companies, still lack the technical knowledge, documentation capacity, and certified green project frameworks required to qualify for such specialized financing instruments.

Experts consulted by Dân trí warn that without proper guidance and simplified access mechanisms, the subsidized funds risk sitting idle — a scenario Vietnam has seen before with previous targeted credit programs. They recommend that the State Bank of Vietnam and relevant ministries urgently roll out clear eligibility criteria, streamlined application procedures, and training programs to help businesses understand what qualifies as a "green project" under the new resolution.

Industry analysts also stress the importance of building a robust green taxonomy — a standardized classification system defining which economic activities qualify for green financing. Without such a framework, both banks and borrowers may struggle to align expectations, creating bottlenecks that could undermine the policy's ambitious goals before it gains meaningful traction.

The coming months will be a crucial test of whether Resolution 198/2025 translates from policy promise into real economic impact. The capital is ready and waiting — now the challenge falls on regulators, financial institutions, and businesses alike to ensure Vietnam's green economy ambitions are more than just numbers on paper.

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