Lao Electricity Exports to Vietnam Surge as Regional Energy Trade Expands

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Electricity exports from Laos to Vietnam rose sharply in early 2026 as Vietnam increased purchases to support growing energy demand and strengthen supply stability.

Vietnam imported around 2.92 billion kWh of electricity from Laos during the first quarter of 2026, nearly 120 percent higher than the same period last year, according to Vietnamese energy data.

Before the latest surge, Vietnam had already been steadily increasing electricity imports from Laos as power demand continued rising, especially in its northern industrial areas.

By the end of 2025, Vietnamese authorities had approved electricity imports from 47 Lao energy projects with a combined capacity of more than 8,260MW. Projects with installed capacity totaling 2,379MW were already supplying electricity to Vietnam last year, up from around 1,700MW in 2024.

Cross-border electricity trade has become increasingly important for the Lao economy.

Nam Theun 2 (NT2) Hydropower Project. Source: World Bank Group