Viet Nam is increasingly demonstrating a strong commitment to reducing emissions and responding to climate change by placing “sustainable cooling” at the center of urban planning and development. This approach not only mitigates urban heat effects but also promotes energy savings, protects public health, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

Integrating Sustainable Cooling into Urban Planning

Under an international cooperation program, the Department of Climate Change (DCC), UNEP, and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) have jointly implemented the initiative “Sustainable Urban Cooling in Vietnamese Cities.”
In pilot cities such as Can Tho, Tam Ky (Quang Nam), and Dong Hoi (Quang Binh), the parties have supported the development of Urban Cooling Action Plans (UCAPs) tailored to local conditions.

Figure 1. Methodology for developing an urban cooling model for Can Tho City

This marks an important step in making cooling — not merely a comfort need — an essential component of urban planning and design, ranging from building architecture to green spaces, water surfaces, and urban transportation systems.

Figure 2. Components of building cooling loads under extreme heat conditions

Prioritizing Passive Cooling: Greenery, Ventilation, and Smart Design

A core objective is to prioritize passive cooling solutions — such as increasing green cover, expanding shaded areas, using reflective materials, enabling natural ventilation, and integrating water elements — instead of relying solely on air conditioning. This strategy reduces the urban heat island effect, lowers electricity demand, and thereby indirectly cuts greenhouse gas emissions.

Pilot Implementation in Can Tho and Tam Ky — From Planning to Action

• In Can Tho: The UCAP provides a comprehensive assessment of urban heat conditions, cooling needs, and appropriate interventions to strengthen heat resilience and climate adaptability.

• In Tam Ky: Following microclimate surveys and analyses of temperature, humidity, building density, and land use, the city finalized its urban cooling plan with the goal of developing a greener, more sustainable, and heat-resilient urban area.

Experiences from these cities are considered model cases for replication in other fast-growing urban areas with high population and construction density.

The Role of Cities in Reducing Emissions from Cooling

Experts affirm that cities are critical nodes in efforts to reduce emissions from cooling activities. Cities concentrate dense populations and buildings — making them highly vulnerable to heat — while also having the ability to systematically manage planning, land use, and building codes to reduce artificial cooling demand.

A well-planned urban system — with greenery, water bodies, efficient ventilation pathways, and controlled construction density — can create urban microclimates that are cooler within and around buildings. In this way, each building or neighborhood becomes part of a natural cooling network, easing pressure on energy-intensive mechanical cooling systems.

Moreover, according to international data, the sustainable cooling market in developing countries — including Viet Nam — is expanding rapidly, creating significant opportunities for environmentally friendly investments and attracting private financing to support green growth.

Towards Cooler Cities — Lower Emissions — Sustainable Development

Integrating sustainable cooling into urban infrastructure planning is no longer optional; it is becoming a fundamental requirement for modern Vietnamese cities. Pilot efforts in Can Tho and Tam Ky — supported by UNEP and GGGI — demonstrate that the model is scalable nationwide.

Figure 3. The Department of Climate Change (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) collaborates with UNEP and GGGI to review activities on effective and climate-friendly urban cooling in Viet Nam.

If widely implemented, these efforts would help reduce energy-based cooling demand, cut emissions, protect public health, and enhance quality of life — guiding Vietnamese cities toward a greener, more sustainable, and climate-friendly development pathway.

Passive Cooling Solutions for Cities: Short-, Medium-, and Long-Term Roadmaps

Recommended passive urban cooling solutions are structured into three phases:

• Short term: Maintain and increase existing green spaces; expand shaded streets; preserve natural water bodies; and engage communities in creating green areas. At the same time, integrate cool roofs, green buildings, and material standards into planning and construction practices.

• Medium term: Improve access to large green spaces, plant more shade trees in residential areas, meet WHO recommendations for minimum green space per capita, and expand water-based cooling solutions. Adjusting the proportion of heat-absorbing surfaces (concrete, asphalt) and developing ventilation corridors also play key roles.

• Long term: Prioritize water surfaces and wind corridors in new urban masterplans; adopt heat-resistant design principles such as “porous cities” to enhance ventilation and reduce heat absorption. Public procurement should prioritize cool materials and thermal-control solutions. In parallel, expanding green transportation, reducing asphalt coverage, and transitioning to permeable materials will help cities better adapt to extreme heat.