“This was the first time in my life that I went down into a coal mine, and being 350 meters underground was truly something extraordinary,” shared journalist Nguyễn Linh Chi (Pháp luật Việt Nam), after returning from a special activities organized as part of Press Trip 2025 by the Clean, Affordable, and Secure Energy for Southeast Asia (CASE) project, held from August 20-22, 2025 in Hanoi and Quang Ninh.
Linh Chi recalled the moment of stepping into the steel-caged elevator, as the light gradually disappeared, replaced by anticipation for a unique working environment hidden deep underground. “When the lift stopped at a depth of more than 350 meters, I felt like I had just entered a parallel world – a place where miners work day and night to contribute to the nation’s development,” she said.
A journey into the “heart” of the coal industry
The underground mine of Vinacomin Nuibeo Coal Joint Stock Company (Quang Ninh) is not only a production site but also a vivid example of Viet Nam’s technological advancements and modernized coal mining models. The press delegation of 12 journalists from central and local media agencies had the chance to witness the coal extraction process, learn about the working environment and conditions, and hear stories directly from the miners themselves.
For journalists accustomed to diverse reporting conditions, the opportunity to immerse themselves in the underground rhythm of life was rare. “Behind every cubic meter of coal is a whole technological operation, with the highest priority being worker safety and maintaining a stable energy supply for the country,” noted reporter Thu Phương from the Vietnam News Agency.
An unforgettable experience for the press
The trip was not only about field notes, exchanges, and interviews with domestic and international experts on energy transition, but also about conversations with coal workers and technical staff. They spoke about their years of dedication to mines, their efforts to ensure occupational safety, and their concerns as the country gradually reduces reliance on coal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
In addition, the journalists also met with the Vinacomin’s Environment Department at Quang Ninh Production Management Center to discuss the Group’s strategic orientation toward the Net Zero 2050 target. Vinacomin is steadily shifting its investments, adopting more mechanized and digitalized mining technologies as well as strengthening waste treatment capacity, and proactively adapting to climate change.
Journalist Thu Phương shared: “Standing inside the mine, I realized that a just energy transition is not only about numbers in reports, but also about the lives of people who have devoted their entire careers to coal and are now facing major changes in the future.”
Colleagues from printed newspapers, broadcast, and radio shared a common sentiment: the trip provided valuable insights to capture both sides of the issue – the need to ensure national energy security, and the challenge of transitioning toward cleaner, more sustainable energy sources.
From Hanoi – Where the Story of Energy Transition Begins
Before heading to the field trip in Quang Ninh, journalists attended the opening session of the Press Trip in Hanoi on the afternoon of August 20. The discussion took place in an open and engaging atmosphere at Bonjour Café, gathering more than ten reporters from central and local media outlets along with energy experts.
At the session, GIZ ESP experts presented ongoing global trends in energy transition – context, motivation and opportunities for countries. The discussion session “Technological and Policy Trends in the Energy Transition” drew significant attention. Mr. Nguyen Anh Dung, Energy Projects Director at The Asia Foundation, shared insights on cutting-edge technologies shaping the future of energy, including high-efficiency solar power, next-generation wind turbines, battery storage systems, green hydrogen, small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs), and carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS). He also highlighted innovative financial mechanisms such as transition credits, which support the early retirement of coal-fired power plants and reinvestment in clean energy.
The Hanoi session concluded with an exchange on “New Opportunities for Workers in Coal-Mining Areas Amid Energy Transition,” featuring diverse perspectives from the media. “We realized that the story of the energy transition will truly resonate with the public only when it is told through the voices of workers – those who stand at the heart of change,” shared journalist Trong Trung from Nhân Dân Online.
Connecting to amplify the story
CASE hopes that through this trip, journalists will gain broader and deeper perspectives on the process of a just energy transition. The exchanges within the trip aimed to present a comprehensive picture – from strategic directions and international experience to key issues in the coal power sector, as well as the social aspect involving the workforce. In this way, the concept of “just” is highlighted not only at the macro level, but also through the stories of those directly engaged in this process.
Press Trip 2025 is organized by the project Clean, Affordable, and Secure Energy for Southeast Asia (CASE) and Just Energy Transition for Coal Regions (IKI JET), funded by the German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Actions (BMWK) via the International Climate Initiative (IKI), and jointly financed by the EU Commission (EC).
