IPS Vietnam 2026 — A Historic Milestone for a Forum,Marking the Beginning of Vietnam’s SAF Journey

From 6–8 May 2026, at Courtyard by Marriott Danang Han River Hotel, the city of Da Nang became the focal point of the region as it hosted, for the first time, a dedicated international event on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) — the Policy & Technology Innovation Forum for SAF – IPS Vietnam 2026.

Co-organized by ASAFA, Star Consulting, and Veritas Advisory, the event was not only a success in terms of organization, but also generated tangible impact, laying the groundwork for a SAF ecosystem that is gradually taking clearer shape in Vietnam.

More Than 60 Organizations, One Shared Voice

One of the clearest indicators of IPS Vietnam 2026’s success was the scale and quality of participation. More than 60 organizations, representing over 120 domestic and international delegates, gathered in Da Nang — from senior government bodies such as the National Assembly’s Committee for Economic and Financial Affairs, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Construction, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Science and Technology, to major industry players including PetroVietnam BSR, Petrolimex, Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, and ACV Da Nang, as well as internationally renowned organizations such as ICAO, IATA, Airbus, Axens Group, Honeywell UOP, Taiyo Oil, TotalEnergies, ADB, Neste, U.S. Grains & Bioproducts Council, Velocys, and many others.

This diverse and aligned participation was no coincidence — it was the result of the sustained relationship-building and strategic engagement that Star Consulting and its partners have cultivated over time.

From Dialogue to Action — Tangible Outcomes

IPS Vietnam 2026 was far more than a forum for theoretical discussion. It reflected and reinforced real progress in advancing SAF development in Vietnam:

• A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Agency for Innovation, Green Transition and Industrial Promotion under the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Asian Sustainable Aviation Fuel Association (ASAFA) to promote strategic cooperation between Vietnam’s regulatory authorities and the international SAF network, supporting the development of Vietnam’s SAF ecosystem, policy framework, capabilities, and market.

• A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Da Nang Innovation Startup Support Center (DISSC) and the Asian Sustainable Aviation Fuel Association (ASAFA) to combine ASAFA’s international network and expertise with DISSC’s local ecosystem connectivity, with the aim of positioning Da Nang and Vietnam as a hub for cooperation, innovation, and SAF development in the region.

• A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Binh Son Refining and Petrochemical Joint Stock Company (BSR) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) to promote collaboration in developing sustainable energy solutions, particularly in the production of e-methanol and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (e-SAF) using green hydrogen from renewable electricity and CO₂ from biomass sources or direct air carbon capture technology. The objective is to reach an investment decision that will pave the way for BSR to build a pilot plant by 2028.

These are concrete milestones demonstrating that Vietnam is steadily moving from the research stage toward practical implementation — exactly the message that the Forum sought to convey.

Strengthening the Policy Framework, Structuring the Market

One of IPS Vietnam 2026’s most significant contributions was creating an effective policy dialogue platform between the public and private sectors. At the Forum, several important policy signals were highlighted:

• Vietnam will officially participate in the CORSIA carbon offsetting mechanism from 2026.

• SAF technical standards have been issued in alignment with international standards.

• SAF-related provisions have begun to be integrated into the revised Civil Aviation Law and into national energy development strategies.

This represents a transformative shift — from voluntary commitment to mandatory commitment — establishing a stronger legal foundation for a transparent and sustainable SAF market in Vietnam.

Vietnam — From Potential to Strategic Positioning

IPS Vietnam 2026 also offered the international community a clearer view of Vietnam’s strategic position within the regional SAF ecosystem. With abundant biomass resources from agricultural residues, used cooking oil (UCO), seafood by-products, and organic waste, along with seaport infrastructure, energy logistics capabilities, and an existing refining base in Dung Quat and Nghi Son, Vietnam possesses the necessary conditions to become a regional hub for SAF production and supply in the Asia-Pacific.

Reflections from Delegates

The success of the Forum was clearly reflected in remarks shared by participating delegates:

“Pioneering test flights have shown that the links in Vietnam’s SAF value chain are beginning to connect effectively. From production and supply networks to commercial operations, this process has already demonstrated initial real-world feasibility.”— Mr. Ho Quang Buu, Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People’s Committee

“The period from 2026 to 2030 will be critical for shaping the market, requiring support mechanisms, investment incentives, and coordinated efforts to build a viable domestic SAF ecosystem.”— Mr. Tran Huu Linh, Director General of the Agency for Domestic Market Management and Development, Ministry of Industry and Trade

“Developing domestic biofuel production capacity and enhancing energy self-reliance will contribute to economic stability. We need to develop feedstock supply, master technologies, build distribution systems, and expand SAF adoption among domestic airlines.”— Mr. Dao Duy Anh, Deputy Director General, Agency for Innovation, Green Transition and Industrial Promotion, Ministry of Industry and Trade

“The development of sustainable aviation fuel always requires strong institutional and policy support. The key challenges today remain high costs, limited supply, substantial capital investment requirements, and the lack of long-term offtake agreements.”— Mr. Do Hong Cam, Deputy Director General, Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, Ministry of Construction

Star Consulting — A Connector in Vietnam’s SAF Journey

As co-organizer and strategic partner of ASAFA, Star Consulting made a direct contribution to the success of IPS Vietnam 2026 — not only in event organization and coordination, but also in building policy connections, facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogue, and creating a collaborative foundation across the SAF value chain.

IPS Vietnam 2026 stands as clear evidence that with the right collaboration among government, businesses, financial institutions, and international partners, major transitions can indeed become reality.

Looking Ahead

IPS Vietnam 2026 is not the end point — it is only the beginning. The key challenge after the Forum is to translate commitments and momentum into concrete policies and actions, including: finalizing the SAF policy framework, developing feedstock sources, advancing SAF technologies and blending mechanisms, introducing investment incentives, mobilizing green finance instruments, and establishing sustainability certification frameworks aligned with international standards.

With strong government direction, active private sector participation, international cooperation, and growing innovation capacity, Vietnam has significant potential to become an important link in the SAF ecosystem and the green energy transition across the Asia-Pacific region.

Star Consulting remains committed to accompanying this journey.