To combat climate change and lower carbon emissions, many nations are currently adopting a circular economy as a development trend. Vietnam is among the countries now implementing measures to shift towards a circular economy. However, public involvement is crucial for successfully shifting to a circular economy. So, the first question is: Are individuals prepared to engage in the circular economy? As a result, 431 persons were questioned for this study to determine their readiness to engage in the circular economy using the structural equation model and the theory of planned behaviour. This research findings have demonstrated that environmental awareness and attitude towards intention are the key determinants of the desire to engage in the circular economy. The authors offer the Vietnamese government some policy recommendations for the shift to a circular economy based on the listed contributing factors.