On April 22, 2026, in Hanoi, under the chairmanship of the Electricity Authority of Vietnam (Ministry of Industry and Trade), the Vietnam Energy Association (VEA), the Vietnam Energy Review (VER) successfully organized the Forum on Improving and perfecting the regulations for the development of gas, power projects and energy storage systems in Vietnam for the period 2026–2030. The forum brought together more than 270 delegates from central and local authorities, domestic and international businesses, and experts across the energy sector.

The election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly (2026–2031 tenure) has concluded successfully. According to the Resolution announced by the National Election Council on March 21, 2026, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Binh – Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam Energy Association (VEA) – has been elected to the 16th National Assembly.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has issued Decision No. 363/QD-BCT dated February 28, 2026, approving the revised National Energy Master Plan for the 2021 - 2030 period, with a vision to 2050. The plan covers oil and gas, coal, electricity, and new and renewable energy across the full value chain.

The forum “Realizing the objectives of Resolution No. 70 of the Politburo on ensuring national energy security” was successfully held in Hanoi on January 21, 2026. The event was jointly chaired by the Electricity Authority of Vietnam under the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Vietnam Energy Association (VEA), with the Vietnam Energy Review (VER) as the organizer. Following the forum, the organizing committee compiled a report summarizing key discussions and policy recommendations aimed at realizing the Politburo’s goals for national energy security. The report has been submitted to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

The Year of the Horse (2026) is expected to mark a pivotal phase in the implementation of Vietnam’s adjusted Power Development Plan VIII (PDP VIII), particularly for two strategic pillars: LNG-fired power and offshore wind. Building on the political and legal foundations set by the Politburo’s Resolution No. 70-NQ/TW and the National Assembly’s Resolution No. 253/2025/QH15, together with recent decisions allocating sea areas for offshore wind surveys, Vietnam is transitioning from planning to execution. This article examines the opportunities, risks, and key institutional conditions required for 2026 to become a year of controlled acceleration in the country’s energy transition.