To support industrial enterprises in strengthening their energy management capacity and progressively implementing energy efficiency solutions, the Vietnam Scaling Up Energy Efficiency Project (VSUEE) organized the training program "Raising Awareness of ISO 50001:2018 for Industrial Enterprises" in Ho Chi Minh City on July 30–31, 2026.

The training was one of the activities under Component 2 – Technical Assistance of the VSUEE Project, aiming to enhance the awareness and capacity of industrial enterprises in adopting modern energy management tools. Through the program, participants were equipped with fundamental knowledge of the ISO 50001:2018 standard and gained a clear understanding of the role of an Energy Management System in improving energy performance. The training also provided practical guidance to help enterprises gradually establish and implement an energy management system suited to their operational conditions.

ISO 50001:2018 is an international standard published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) that specifies the requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an Energy Management System within an organization. The standard enables enterprises to establish a systematic, data-driven energy management process based on the principle of continual improvement, allowing them to better control energy consumption, improve operational efficiency, reduce production costs, and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

The training program was designed to combine theory with practical application, enabling participants not only to understand the requirements of the standard but also to apply them effectively in their own organizations. The curriculum covered key topics including: An overview of the ISO 50001:2018 standard; Developing Energy Management System documentation, including policies, procedures, and templates; Conducting energy reviews and identifying Significant Energy Uses; Establishing Energy Performance Indicators and energy baselines based on actual operational data; Implementing monitoring, measurement, analysis, and performance evaluation activities to ensure continual improvement of the Energy Management System.

In addition to introducing the requirements of the international standard, the program also provided an overview of Vietnam's policies and legal framework on energy efficiency. Experts explained the relationship between ISO 50001:2018 and existing regulatory requirements, including periodic energy audits, the preparation and implementation of energy efficiency plans, annual energy consumption reporting, and the appointment of certified energy managers. This comprehensive approach helped participants understand that adopting ISO 50001 not only enhances internal energy management but also supports compliance with national energy efficiency regulations.

As sustainable development, green transition, and greenhouse gas emission reduction become increasingly important priorities for businesses, ISO 50001:2018 is widely recognized as an effective management tool for establishing a structured and transparent approach to energy management. Implementing the standard not only improves production efficiency and optimizes operating costs but also provides a solid foundation for enterprises to move toward Net Zero emissions by 2050 while meeting increasingly stringent Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) requirements and the sustainability standards of global supply chains.

A key feature of the training program was its practice-oriented approach. In addition to classroom instruction, participants engaged in case studies, group exercises, and practical examples drawn from industrial enterprises. This hands-on methodology enabled participants to better understand the implementation process of ISO 50001:2018 and strengthened their ability to apply the knowledge within their own production environments.

Through this training program, the Vietnam Scaling Up Energy Efficiency Project (VSUEE Project) continues to demonstrate its commitment to supporting industrial enterprises in enhancing their energy management capabilities and promoting the adoption of advanced standards and technologies for energy efficiency. As more enterprises adopt and implement ISO 50001:2018, the program is expected to foster a culture of professional energy management across Vietnam's industrial sector, enhance business competitiveness, and contribute to national objectives of strengthening energy security, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and promoting sustainable development.