Vietnam’s LNG sector held back by high prices and delays

The country had been poised to embrace LNG-to-power on a large scale

Vietnam was tipped to finally join the ranks of Asian LNG importers this year, as it looks past coal to meet booming electricity consumption. But the country may not be able to unlock the full potential of its LNG demand until the second half of this decade, amid substantial delays to major projects and the extreme volatility in global gas prices. LNG has captured considerable interest in Vietnam as a potential new source of energy, but prospective suppliers have been left waiting for demand to materialise. Obstacles including tariffs, location and bureaucracy have stymied greater use of gas-fired power generation. At the same time, no long-term LNG contracts have been signed by Vietnamese c