Assessing resource efficiency in Vietnam: Insights from material stock and flow indicators

This study aims to comprehensively evaluate Vietnam's resource efficiency to support sustainable development by developing and applying an integrated resource efficiency assessment framework (IREAF). Since the 1990s, Vietnam's economy has undergone rapid development, resulting in unprecedented growth in resource consumption and environmental pressures. To address this, we propose a multidimensional framework that combines economy‐wide material flow analysis, IPAT‐based decomposition, and environmental impact indicators. Using national‐scale data from 1990 to 2021, this study shows that domestic material consumption increased by over eight times, with construction materials dominating. Net additions to stock remained high, reflecting large‐scale infrastructure expansion. Limited absolute decoupling between economic growth and resource use was shown throughout the period, although material productivity has slightly improved since 2015. Our decomposition analysis highlights affluence per urban resident and urbanization as key drivers of escalating resource inflow, while efficiency gains have sometimes offset these pressures. The IREAF framework enables holistic monitoring of material, energy, and water flows and can guide policy through hotspot identification and efficiency benchmarking. The findings underscore the need for stronger policies on circular economy practices, data collection, and green‐growth incentives. For other emerging economies, this study's approach provides a replicable model to enhance sustainable resource management.