Despite the end of peak summer season, air conditioning demand remains strong
The 2026 hot season arrived earlier and more intensely than usual, putting Vietnam’s power system under significant pressure. On March 31, 2026, the country’s daily electricity consumption surpassed 1 billion kWh for the first time this year. Cooling equipment, particularly air conditioners, can account for 25–50% of household electricity consumption during the hot season. While temperatures have eased in many areas, the pressure of summer is reshaping the HVACR industry’s focus on energy efficiency.
Policy pushes the Market toward Greater Efficiency
On March 30, 2026, the Prime Minister issued Directive No. 10/CT-TTg, setting a target of saving at least 3% of the country’s total electricity consumption in 2026, with savings of at least 10% during the peak hot months from April to July. The Ministry of Industry and Trade is also implementing Demand-Side Management (DSM) and Demand Response (DR) programmes, aiming to reduce peak-hour demand by at least 3,000 MW.
Technical requirements for cooling equipment are also being strengthened. QCVN 04-3:2026/BXD sets minimum energy efficiency requirements (COP/CSPF) for packaged air conditioners, VRV/VRF systems and chillers. TCVN 13256:2026 standardises energy efficiency assessment methods for VRF/VRV systems. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Science and Technology is seeking feedback on a draft revision to the Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for non-ducted air conditioners, based on market research conducted by GIZ Vietnam in 2025–2026.
Data Centres and Industry: New drivers for high-efficiency cooling
While residential demand reflects the impact of rising temperatures, industrial facilities and digital infrastructure are emerging as longer-term drivers of cooling demand. According to Le Ba Tan, CEO of Viettel IDC, AI-focused data centres account for less than 1% of data centres by number but consume as much as 25% of the sector’s total electricity, requiring upgrades across power capacity, network infrastructure and cooling technologies to become “AI-ready.”
In logistics, TOMEXCO’s smart large-space cooling solution at SPX Vinh Long’s 20,000 m² warehouse achieved overall energy savings of up to 36% annually, equivalent to nearly 200,000 kWh per year. The case highlights the significant energy-saving potential that remains in large-scale facilities.
Looking ahead: Demand doesn’t end with the hot season
As August begins, seasonal demand for residential air conditioners may start to soften. However, this does not mean the cooling industry is entering a low season. Growth is increasingly shifting from weather-driven consumer demand toward project-based investment, which is less dependent on seasonal temperatures.
According to Houselink, Vietnam’s industrial HVAC market is forecast to grow at an average annual rate of 9.1% between 2024 and 2026, driven by FDI flows into manufacturing infrastructure. TechSci Research estimates that Vietnam’s air-conditioning market will grow from USD 1.02 billion in 2024 to USD 2.89 billion by 2030, representing a CAGR of around 7.98%, with VRF/VRV and chiller systems among the segments to watch.
This is also when developers and MEP contractors begin planning procurement and tendering for projects scheduled for completion in 2027, as new energy efficiency requirements gradually come into effect. As a result, the final months of the year could become a new peak season for HVACR businesses to prepare compliant product portfolios and anticipate project demand increasingly driven by technical standards.
Opportunities for HVACR businesses
The convergence of extreme weather, energy-saving targets and stricter technical standards is turning energy efficiency from a competitive advantage into an essential requirement. This creates growing opportunities for advanced cooling solutions – from residential air conditioners, VRF/VRV and chillers to specialised cooling technologies for data centres – as demand continues to evolve in the months ahead.
Connect with the HVAC and Smart Building market at HVACR Vietnam 2026
As smart buildings continue to reshape HVAC investment priorities, is your business ready to engage with customers seeking solutions for the next generation of buildings?
HVACR Vietnam 2026 offers a valuable platform to connect directly with developers, consultants, M&E contractors, facility managers, and industry stakeholders looking for smart, energy-efficient, and sustainable HVAC solutions.
HVACR Vietnam 2026 alongside Vietnam Energy Week and Vietnam Data Center Confex, provides a comprehensive platform connecting the HVACR, Energy and Data Center communities to directly tackle these challenges, with 10,000m² of space, 400+ exhibiting companies, and 16+ countries/territories participating.
Joining the exhibition helps businesses:
- Connect with partners across the entire value chain
- Understand trends and gain competitive advantages
- Expand international partnerships
- Improve investment strategies in a changing market
References: Congluan.vn, VnEconomy, Daidoanket.vn, Tapchixaydung.vn.
