Inclusive Economy: Turning Vulnerable Groups into Development Resource

As traditional advantages such as natural resources and low-cost labor gradually diminish, Vietnamese enterprises are facing the need to reposition their growth models. As ESG standards increasingly become a “passport” for accessing markets, capital, and global supply chains, the inclusive economy - particularly the integration of vulnerable groups and persons with disabilities into value chains - is emerging not merely as a humanitarian option, but as a strategic platform that enables enterprises to strengthen competitiveness and adapt sustainably.

According to Bui Anh Tuan, Director General of the Agency for Private Enterprise and Collective Economy Development under the Ministry of Finance, the private economic sector currently serves as a leading force of the economy, playing an important role in job creation, promoting innovation, and participating more deeply in domestic and global value chains. In the new era, the role of enterprises does not stop at generating purely economic value, but also requires them to become links in addressing social and environmental issues, guided by the principle that no one is left behind.

Inclusive business - a strategic platform for enterprises

Unlike approaches that treat inclusion as part of social welfare, inclusive business is increasingly being recognized as a strategic choice for enterprises, particularly as traditional growth advantages gradually narrow.

According to Dao Ngoc Tien, Vice President of Foreign Trade University, inclusive business is not a “fashion trend” but a guiding trajectory. As resources such as natural assets or low-cost labor no longer provide sustainable competitive advantages, enterprises are compelled to seek new growth spaces. Integrating vulnerable groups into value chains, when organized in a structured manner, represents a way to expand the development base by effectively mobilizing social resources that have not been fully utilized.

According to Tien, the new value that inclusive enterprises generate for communities, particularly vulnerable groups, goes beyond improving livelihoods or income, and contributes to the formation of closely connected ecosystems linking enterprises, workers, and society. This spillover effect creates long-term competitive advantages, enabling enterprises to strengthen their reputation, adaptive capacity, and market position in both domestic and international markets.

From an international perspective, Srinivas Tata, Director of the Social Development Division at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP), assessed that Vietnam possesses favorable conditions to promote inclusive business, with more than 6 million persons with disabilities representing a potential resource that has not been fully utilized. When provided with opportunities to participate in the labor market and value chains within appropriate environments, this group can make a meaningful contribution to sustainable economic growth.

From ESG policy frameworks to enterprise practices employing vulnerable labor

Practical experience from enterprises shows that inclusive business becomes truly sustainable only when it is embedded in strategic thinking, rather than approached through charity or isolated social responsibility activities.

According to Vu Thi Quyen, CEO of We-Edit Vietnam, who lives with congenital brittle bone disease, inclusive business is a core strategy of the enterprise. The greatest barrier facing vulnerable groups does not lie in capability, but in the lack of opportunities to study and work in professional environments.

“At We-Edit, the enterprise builds its model on the principle of synergy: the company provides opportunities, and workers contribute their capabilities. The company commits to paying wages based on the true value of the work and does not lower product quality standards. Instead of compromise, We-Edit invests strongly in training and recruitment processes so that persons with disabilities can work and compete on equal terms with other professionals in the global market,” Quyen shared.

The working environment at We-Edit is considered demanding, as all clients come from international markets. These strict requirements have enabled the workforce, including many persons with disabilities, to demonstrate their substantive value. The model shows that when placed within professional processes, vulnerable groups can reach global markets and generate high value-added outcomes.

Sharing experience in integrating persons with disabilities into operational structures, Nguyen Thi Hong Hanh, Chief Happiness Officer of TokyoLife, said that for this model to succeed, a consistent mindset from leadership and engagement across the entire organization are required. For TokyoLife, this is not merely a humanitarian activity, but a long-term business criterion aligned with its sustainable development strategy. The enterprise is prepared to share its experience and implementation processes to help spread positive impact across the business community.

However, according to Dr. Le Ha, Deputy Director of the Center for Innovation and Incubation at Foreign Trade University, inclusive business in Vietnam continues to face significant barriers. Currently, only just over 23% of persons with disabilities of working age are employed, most of them in low-skilled jobs. The greatest challenge lies in limited intersectoral coordination and fragmented support policies.

To address these constraints, Dr. Le Ha said that support objectives for vulnerable groups should be integrated into existing policy frameworks, particularly the implementation roadmap of Program 167 on supporting sustainable business practices. In parallel, administrative procedure reform, the establishment of centralized support focal points, and the promotion of public procurement for products from inclusive enterprises would create tangible market advantages, enabling enterprises to compete with confidence rather than relying solely on social support mechanisms.

From a regulatory perspective, Bui Anh Tuan said that the Prime Minister has issued Decision No. 167/QD-TTg approving the Program to Support Private Sector Enterprises in Sustainable Business for the 2022-2025 period. Resolution No. 68-NQ/TW of the Politburo has also reaffirmed the private economy as an important driver of economic development, with a leading role in green transition and sustainable growth. As of the end of 2025, Program 167 had provided in-depth training for more than 10,700 enterprises and mobilized over VND6,000 billion (US$240 million) from the private sector and international partners.

The first foundational building blocks have been laid; the next challenge is to achieve more synchronized coordination among the Government, educational institutions, and enterprises, transforming humanitarian values into intrinsic strength for Vietnams sustainable economic growth.

By Giang Tu, Vietnam Business Forum