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IV. Main findings and discussion

4.1. Green finance education needs and demand of students

4.1.1. General awareness and understanding of green finance

The varied levels of awareness about green finance among university students in
Vietnam are indicative of the nascent stage of green finance education in the country. A

significant 20.7% of students have never heard of green finance, suggesting a

considerable gap in basic financial education. This gap is crucial because awareness is

the first step towards understanding and adoption. On the other hand, 5.3% of students

who have a clear understanding represent a small but potentially influential group that
could spearhead green finance initiatives and influence their peers. The middle ground,

where 41% of students have a neutral understanding, is particularly interesting (Figure

2). This group represents a significant potential for educational programs to make a

meaningful impact. Their basic awareness is a foundation that can be built upon through

targeted educational interventions. However, this also suggests that current exposure to
green finance, perhaps through general media or peripheral mentions in coursework, is

insufficient for a comprehensive understanding.

Figure 2. Have you ever heard of the term “green finance”?

The survey results regarding specific green finance instruments paint a picture of
selective familiarity among students. For instance, green private equity is somewhat

better understood, which might be due to its more frequent inclusion in mainstream

financial discussions or its more direct link to visible projects and companies. However,

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