Biomass is an important energy source in the Mekong Delta (MD) of Vietnam. Several studies have focused
on specific areas of biomass energy, but the results to date have not been coherently and systematically
integrated. Applying a material flow analysis approach, this study aimed to draw a comprehensive picture of the
biomass situation and to provide future projections up to 2030. These projections take into account not only the
changes in biomass material flows, but also socio-economic and environmental driving forces in the upcoming
period. The results demonstrated that the theoretical biomass potential in the MD has significantly increased,
from 466.8 PJ in 1996 to 637.1 PJ in 2005, and will further increase to between 500.5 and 617.7 PJ by 2030,
depending on the degrees of urbanization and industrialization in the area. In terms of utilization, 70.7% of the
biomass in 2006 was utilized, while the other 29.3% was wasted. Urbanization also results in a significant
reduction in household biomass consumption, and therefore increases the net biomass surplus value.