Data from the (SHTP) Management Board shows that in the first nine months of 2026, SHTP attracted nearly $1.23 billion in newly registered capital, up 3.9 times year-on-year and reaching 87.9 percent of its annual target. Two data center projects accounted for $989.05 million, representing over 80 percent of newly registered capital.
In early November, the SHTP Management Board announced its investment attraction portfolio for the 2026-2030 period under Decision 7013/QD-UBND of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, dated October 20, 2026. The updated portfolio designates seven key sites while setting out priority criteria concerning the environment, energy, and emissions.
Specifically, prioritized projects must present a roadmap and commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2045 at the latest, complete with waste treatment plans, environmental impact mitigation strategies, and designated capital for environmental protection. Investors must be committed to waste reduction, reuse, and recycling, while prioritizing renewable energy, energy conservation, and greenhouse gas reduction.
Quantified targets require renewable energy to account for at least 20 percent of total primary energy by 2030 and 65-70 percent by 2045. Energy savings must reach 7-10 percent and 14-20 percent across these respective benchmarks. Greenhouse gas emission reductions from energy activities are set at 15-35 percent by 2030 and 70-80 percent by 2045.
For data centers specifically, the required Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) ratio is set below 1.3. This ratio measures the total energy consumed by the facility relative to the energy delivered to computing equipment, with values closer to 1.0 indicating higher efficiency. Setting a dedicated threshold highlights the focus on operational efficiency for continuously operating, power-intensive infrastructure.
One project at SHTP has announced a specific green roadmap. According to the management board, Evolution DC VN HCMC aims to utilize renewable energy, achieve a PUE ratio not exceeding 1.25, and secure LEED Gold certification. Land at plot T8 was handed over to the project in August 2026, with investment objectives focusing on developing green energy infrastructure and energy efficiency.
Presently, power demand for digital infrastructure is rising rapidly. According to Ho Chi Minh City Power Corporation (EVN-HCMC), the city needs to prepare approximately 200 MW for four data center projects with approved investment decisions. Over the long term, power demand for this segment could reach 1,000 MW.
Because data centers operate continuously with servers, storage, networking, and cooling systems running around the clock, stable power supply remains critical. With a total designed IT load capacity of 112 MW, the two projects at SHTP require comprehensive calculations regarding real power demand, renewable energy supply, and backup systems.
Beyond power supply, green commitments must translate into measurable criteria throughout the project lifecycle. For PUE, clear measurement protocols, evaluation timelines, and reporting mechanisms are required once facilities become operational. For renewable energy, verification procedures and supply structures must be clarified alongside environmental assessments for cooling solutions, water usage, and waste management.
With nearly $1 billion in data center capital inflows, the overall success of attracting green investment will depend on securing reliable power supplies, fulfilling environmental commitments, and establishing strict operational oversight.
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