Abstract
Vietnam is relatively rich in renewable energy resources. Renewable energy (RE) is considered to play a significant role in providing electricity services to rural communities in Vietnam where many households are still without access to the National Grid. Those suitable for electricity generation include small hydro, solar, biomass, wind and geothermal. Nowadays, the Government of Vietnam encourages clean energy development in an effort to fulfill obligations and commitments under the UNFCCC and Paris COP21 agreement, continuing to implement the National strategy, programs and plan in response to climate change. At the moment, RE practices are implemented mainly driven by donor funds and grants whilst commercial investment and local community initiatives is still limited. The paper reviews constraints on RE practices in rural community through small hydropower and biogas case studies in Hoa Binh, Quang Nam and Lam Dong provinces of Vietnam. It then proposes key recommendations for RE development at community level in rural Vietnam.
