Vietnam proposes time-of-use electricity pricing for households

The Vietnamese government has submitted a draft amendment to the Electricity Law to the National Assembly, proposing a roadmap to implement time-of-use electricity pricing for residential consumers. This mechanism would categorize electricity rates into peak, off-peak, and normal hours based on technical feasibility.

The proposal has sparked significant concern among citizens and lawmakers regarding its impact on daily life. Current national peak hours, as defined by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, typically run from 17:30 to 22:30, Monday through Saturday. This timeframe coincides with essential evening activities such as cooking, bathing, and studying.

Lawmaker Ta Thi Yen expressed caution, noting that while electricity conservation is necessary, families cannot easily shift their essential routines, such as meal times or children's hygiene, to late-night hours. She warned that without careful design, the policy could become an involuntary financial burden on vulnerable populations. Similarly, citizens have requested that peak hour designations be shifted later in the evening to mitigate the impact on household costs.