Responsible Business: Fueling Enterprise Growth

Entering a new phase with many challenges, sustainable business has become the key for enterprises to remain resilient and expand.

At the VBCSD Plenary Meeting for 2025-2028 term, VCCI Vice President and VBCSD Chairman Nguyen Quang Vinh emphasized that VBCSD will continue strengthening its role as a bridge between the government and businesses toward sustainable business development

Global sustainable business trends

Since the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), the world has experienced an unprecedented wave of change. More than 140 countries have pledged to reach net-zero emissions by mid-century, with many embedding this target into their national development plans. In the next three to five years, the global economy is likely to be influenced by major trends, including a just energy transition, green and climate finance, responsible investment, and the growth of the circular economy and sustainable consumption.

Looking at the domestic landscape, Vietnam is implementing comprehensive reforms with unprecedented speed and determination, guided by key resolutions such as Resolution 57, Resolution 59, Resolution 66, Resolution 68, and Resolution 70. They have also set targets for double-digit economic growth in the coming years. These efforts aim to seize opportunities from global recovery and investment shifts while balancing rapid growth with sustainable development, macroeconomic risk management, and social equity during the transition.

These developments send a clear signal that the business community must accelerate and strengthen the shift from traditional business models to greener, more sustainable models built on innovation and creativity.

In 2009, VCCI Vice President and VBCSD Chairman Doan Duy Khuong, together with VBCSD members, met with Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan, Chairman of the National Council for Sustainable Development

VBCSD’s 15-year journey: leading, connecting, and creating value

Founded in 2010 by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) with Government approval, the Vietnam Business Council for Sustainable Development (VBCSD) has spent 15 years supporting the business community in advancing sustainable business - a journey defined by trust, vision, and action for a sustainable future.

From its early days, VBCSD pioneered bringing new sustainable business concepts closer to Vietnamese enterprises, including business engagement with low-income communities, transparency and integrity, promotion of the circular economy, and building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable business culture. At the same time, it actively fostered public-private collaboration to implement programs, projects, and initiatives aligned with these sustainable business principles.

A key achievement of VBCSD is the Corporate Sustainability Index (CSI), introduced to the business community through the Program on Benchmarking and Announcing Sustainable Companies in Vietnam since 2016. Today, the CSI serves as a leading tool for sustainable corporate governance in Vietnam. In addition, the Vietnam Corporate Sustainability Forum (VCSF), an annual event organized by VBCSD since 2014, has become an effective platform for policy dialogue on sustainable business development among the Government, enterprises, and domestic and international organizations.

Currently, VBCSD brings together nearly 200 member companies and organizations, along with a network of domestic and international partners, all pioneering sustainable business development. Its members, including Nestlé Vietnam, HEINEKEN Vietnam, Vinamilk, BIDV, Traphaco, PNJ, SABECO, Unilever Vietnam, GreenFeed, Samsung Electronics Vietnam, PAN Group, Coca-Cola, and AEON Vietnam, are leading examples of responsible business practices. They measure emissions, invest in renewable energy, practice extended producer responsibility, ensure employee welfare, and create value for local communities.

VBCSD co-organizes the 2025 program sharing sustainable development with media partners

Future orientation: leading the transition, strengthening green trust

On October 21, 2025, VBCSD held its Fifth-Term Plenary Conference (2025-2028) to approve its strategy, action plan, and Executive Board for the new term, aiming to enhance its role as a leading organization supporting the business community in practicing sustainable business.

In this new phase, VBCSD will focus on three main priorities. First, it will enhance its role as a bridge to policy-making agencies by raising business awareness of laws and policies and strengthening dialogue between enterprises and government authorities. Second, it will build capacity and support responsible business practices through training programs, expanding green and sustainable business models, fostering industry and sector linkages, and recognizing outstanding companies through initiatives such as the CSI program. Third, VBCSD will strengthen international cooperation, enhance its reputation, and mobilize global resources.

To implement these objectives effectively, VBCSD will prioritize establishing and operating working groups on sustainable and responsible business support, green finance and ESG, and member and partner development and networking. A Net Zero Hub will also be launched to harness human, financial, and intellectual resources from domestic and international partners, supporting businesses in the green transition toward the Net Zero 2050 goal.

Building on the successes of its first 15 years, VBCSD, as a trusted bridge between the Government and the business community, will continue to accompany Vietnamese enterprises on the journey toward a green, prosperous, and sustainable future.

Source: Vietnam Business Forum