Agriculture accounts for a major share of Vietnam’s total greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), largely stemming from rice cultivation, livestock farming, and fertilizer use. As carbon becomes a measurable and tradable “asset”, Vietnam’s agricultural sector must move quickly to adapt. Strategic investment in emission monitoring technologies, circular farming models, and internationally-standardized MRV (Measurement, Reporting, and Verification) systems will be essential for the country to strengthen its foothold in the global green economy.
Tracking agricultural emissions
Six national GHG inventories have been conducted in Vietnam, reflecting the government’s strong commitment to emissions transparency and compliance with international climate obligations. These inventories were carried out in 1994, 2000, 2010, 2013, 2014, and 2016, to support the preparation of national climate change reports.
Vietnam has also submitted multiple communications and reports detailing these results. In the agricultural sector, inventories cover not only GHG emissions from production but also energy consumption from agricultural activities within the energy sector.
In agriculture, CO₂ emissions stem from activities such as land preparation, irrigation and drainage, burning of crop residues, the operation of agricultural machinery, land-use conversion, and the production and transport of inputs like fertilizers, chemicals, and animal feed.
Methane (CH₄), which has 28-times the global warming potential of CO₂, is mainly generated from the digestion of feed in livestock, the decomposition of manure, and the anaerobic breakdown of organic matter in flooded or waterlogged soil. In rice cultivation, CH₄ is produced through the anaerobic decomposition of soil carbon in submerged paddy fields.
Nitrous oxide (N₂O), meanwhile, with a global warming potential 265-times higher than CO₂, arises from manure decomposition, nitrification and denitrification in soil, and indirect nitrogen losses through leaching, volatilization, and erosion. When excessive nitrogen or organic fertilizers are applied beyond crop needs, the surplus nitrogen converts into N₂O and is released into the atmosphere.
In the forestry sector, while GHG emissions occur, the overall balance remains negative due to high carbon absorption. Emissions arise from tree mortality, deforestation, forest fires, and slash-and-burn cultivation, whereas carbon sequestration occurs through storage in tree trunks, branches, roots, litter, and wooden products derived from harvested timber.
GHG emissions not only affect the environment but also directly impact the productivity, quality, and global competitiveness of Vietnam’s agricultural products. Major partners such as the EU, Japan, and the US have set carbon standards as technical trade barriers. Without proactive control, Vietnam’s agriculture risks losing ground in global supply chains.
To curb emissions, the Institute of Agricultural Environment (IAE) has developed and implemented practical solutions for rice farming, including alternate wetting and drying irrigation, rational organic fertilization, and using straw for compost or biochar production instead of open burning. These practices can reduce CH₄ emissions by 30-55 per cent while improving soil fertility and lowering production costs.
Another promising approach is adopting circular economy models in rice production, where post-harvest straw is recycled into mushroom substrates, organic fertilizer, or biochar. The CARICE (Circular in Rice Production) model developed by the IAE has demonstrated up to 40 per cent emission reduction compared to conventional farming methods.
Based on research results, targeted mitigation measures have been developed for each agricultural subsector. In livestock production, improving animal feed by adjusting the carbon / nitrogen ratio, managing manure and waste through biogas systems, and promoting nutrient recycling are key.
In rice cultivation, water management, straw handling, and nitrogen reduction are essential, alongside energy efficiency. For other crops, measures include optimizing fertilizer use, applying slow-release or low-emission fertilizers, managing crop residues, and saving energy. Slash-and-burn agriculture should be minimized through reduced deforestation, reuse of crop by-products, and soil-covering practices to enhance soil health.
Carbon governance backbone
In agricultural emissions management, MRV is not merely a technical requirement, it is the backbone of modern carbon governance. GHG gas emissions are currently measured using three main approaches: direct measurement, IPCC-guided calculation, and modeling.
Direct measurement is carried out in the field using gas chambers, automated devices, or sensor systems to monitor CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O emissions. These provide the foundation for developing national emission factors, which are essential for large-scale calculations. At the same time, climate-soil-crop simulation models are used to forecast emissions under different farming practices, ecological zones, and climate conditions.
In forestry, the “Gain - Loss” method is applied to calculate carbon absorption and loss. When forests are protected, restored, or newly-planted, carbon accumulation in biomass and soil increases. Conversely, deforestation or forest fires cause significant emissions. This provides the scientific basis for developing forestry carbon credits - a new economic resource for rural areas.
2025 marks an important milestone, as the government approved the National Carbon Market Establishment Plan under Decision No. 232/QD-TTg. The 2025-2028 period will serve as a pilot phase, aiming for the official operation of a carbon trading exchange by 2029. This market will enable organizations and businesses to trade carbon credits - units equivalent to one ton of CO₂ reduced or removed.
Additionally, Decree No. 119/2025/ND-CP, recently issued to supplement and refine Decree No. 06/2022/ND-CP, establishes a solid legal framework for Vietnam’s carbon market. It clearly defines the responsibilities of ministries, local authorities, and enterprises in inventorying and reporting emissions, while encouraging voluntary and innovative carbon reduction and sequestration initiatives.
With effective MRV implementation and active participation in the carbon market, Vietnam’s agriculture sector can not only contribute to achieving its commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050 but also unlock new revenue streams from carbon credits, creating strong incentives for farmers and businesses to invest in green production.
(*) Associate Professor Mai Van Trinh is the Director of the Institute for Agricultural Environment at the Vietnam Academy for Agricultural Sciences.
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