Vietnam Builds World's First 100% Clean Energy Megacity

Vietnam just earned recognition as the first project worldwide to join the "7 Wonders of Future Cities" campaign, and it's easy to see why. Vinhomes Green Paradise, a massive coastal development near Ho Chi Minh City, will operate on 100% clean energy while actively restoring the environment around it.

The numbers tell an ambitious story. Spanning 2,870 hectares between the Pacific Ocean and a UNESCO-protected mangrove forest, the megacity features 121 kilometers of coastline and an 800-hectare saltwater lagoon at its center. Offshore wind turbines located 20 kilometers from shore will power the entire development, supplemented by large-scale solar systems.

What makes this project different from typical green developments is its "ESG++" approach. Instead of simply reducing environmental harm, the city actively gives back to nature through dedicated mangrove restoration funds and breakthrough construction technology that converts dredged coastal mud into building materials, eliminating waste discharge entirely.

Jean-Paul de la Fuente, Director of New7Wonders, visited the site personally and called it a "precious jewel" that shows how cities can "dare to dream" about a future where nature and urban growth support each other. His organization selected Vinhomes Green Paradise from more than 90 global submissions.

The timing couldn't be better for Vietnam. The country just crossed into upper-middle-income status in 2025, with GDP reaching $514 billion and per capita income surpassing $5,000. Leading ASEAN with 8.02% growth, Vietnam now faces the challenge many developing nations encounter: how to sustain growth without sacrificing environmental health or quality of life.

The Ripple Effect spreads far beyond one development. As global investment increasingly favors sustainable projects, Vietnam's commitment to building cities that restore rather than deplete natural resources positions the country as a model for emerging economies worldwide. The project protects not just its own footprint, but serves as an ecological shield for all of Ho Chi Minh City.

Transportation within the city prioritizes zero-emission vehicles, and the preserved mangrove ecosystem acts as a natural climate regulator. The 75,000-hectare Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve behind the development continues functioning as a living carbon sink and biodiversity hotspot.

Traditional development treated nature as a backdrop or obstacle, but this megacity proves it can be a partner. The saltwater lagoon functions as the city's "green heart," naturally balancing climate and sustaining urban vitality without mechanical systems.

Vietnam is showing the world that crossing income thresholds doesn't require choosing between prosperity and planet.