Vietnam electricity demand and supply trends

Vietnam has experienced a significant rise in electricity demand, leading to a substantial increase in power imports from Laos and China. During the first seven months of 2026, imports reached 7.21 billion kWh, a nearly 70% increase over the previous year, raising the proportion of imported power in the national system to 3.5%. This surge is largely driven by rapid load growth in Northern Vietnam.

To address these needs, Vietnam has approved plans to import electricity from 47 projects in Laos, with a total capacity of 8,260 MW. While 2,379 MW are currently operational, the remaining capacity is expected to come online between 2026 and 2030.

By mid-2026, Vietnam Electricity (EVN) reported a significant financial turnaround. Consolidated profit for the first half of the year exceeded 20,800 billion VND, a 136% increase compared to the same period in 2025. This growth was attributed to improved financial activities, including increased interest income, favorable exchange rate fluctuations, and a sharp reduction in financial costs. EVN Chairman Dang Hoang An noted that the group has successfully cleared accumulated losses from previous years and is focusing on restructuring to prioritize its core business of electricity production, transmission, and distribution.

Regarding energy supply, EVN estimates that production and imports for September 2026 will reach 30.3 billion kWh, a 10.3% increase year-on-year. The company continues to prioritize stable supply and disaster prevention during the rainy season, while also submitting proposed electricity retail price frameworks for 2026 to the Ministry of Industry and Trade.