Among the 32 high-priority technological products for development by 2030 recently announced by the Ministry of Science and Technology on May 13, 2025, Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and solid-state batteries are listed as strategic items. However, according to Prof. Nguyen Van Lien, it is time to seriously consider developing Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) as a more sustainable and feasible alternative to LIBs.

This article is divided into two main parts. The first part analyzes the current status, challenges, and prospects of both LIBs and SIBs; provides a detailed comparison between them; and highlights the key advantages of SIBs: abundant raw materials, lower capital cost, simpler technology, and eco-friendliness—making SIBs a truly “green battery.” The second part focuses on the research and development process of SIBs, including types of SIBs that have been or will soon be commercialized, development trends in the coming decade, and the important role of computational physics in advancing all-solid-state sodium-ion batteries (ASSSIBs).

Conclusion: While LIBs have gone through over three decades of development and are approaching their performance limits, green SIBs are still in their infancy, offering wide potential. Investing in SIBs means investing in both the Environment and the Future.