THE MISSION, CHALLENGES, AND POTENTIAL OF SOLAR ENERGY DEVELOPMENT IN VIETNAM

Vietnam has increasingly acknowledged the critical role of sustainable energy in its long-term development strategy, particularly in response to the projected depletion of fossil fuel reserves and the escalating effects of climate change. Among the sustainable energy sources that need to be exploited, solar energy is emerging as a renewable energy source that plays a key role in Vietnam's sustainable development strategy. With its advantages of natural conditions, high radiation intensity, and long sunshine hours, Vietnam has great potential for exploiting and applying solar energy. Adopting and implementing a strategic orientation for sustainable energy development by 2030 and a vision for 2045 is another way the Vietnamese government has demonstrated its dedication to priorities. These initiatives promote the supply of reliable, superior, and affordable energy sources for long-term socioeconomic growth, contributing to environmental preservation. However, the development and exploitation of solar energy still face many challenges, including limitations in transmission infrastructure, unstable policy mechanisms, high initial investment costs, and issues related to the storage and management of renewable energy sources. This study focuses on analysing the mission of solar energy in contributing to ensuring energy security, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting green growth in Vietnam; at the same time, pointing out the main challenges, potential for solar energy development and proposing practical solutions to effectively exploit the available potential. With the right guidance and sustained policy support, solar energy has the potential to play a significant role in Vietnam's energy transition and long-term environmentally friendly economic growth.