According to Mr. Nguyễn Quang Vinh, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), Chairman of the Vietnam Business Council for Sustainable Development (VBCSD): For Vietnam, sustainable development is not only a requirement to fulfill the commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, but also an opportunity to restructure the growth model, enhance competitiveness, and integrate more deeply into global value chains.

• So what are the key prerequisites for realization, Sir?

First is consistency in policy orientation and synchronization in implementation. In recent years, the Government has issued many strategies and action programs on green growth, circular economy, energy transition, and carbon market development. These provide an important foundation for businesses to invest long-term with confidence. However, in the coming period, what enterprises expect more is synchronized implementation, clearer enforcement mechanisms, and sufficiently strong support policies to drive transformation.

Second is promoting technological innovation, digital transformation, and the development of high-quality human resources. Green transition is essentially a transformation in governance models and development mindset. Therefore, businesses need support in accessing green technologies, green finance, and improving management capacity.

Third is the need to build a more effective multi-stakeholder cooperation ecosystem among the State, enterprises, financial institutions, international organizations, educational institutions, and consumers. Only with the cooperation of all stakeholders can the transition take place faster and at a more reasonable cost.

Finally, the most important factor is still the change in business development mindset. More and more enterprises realize that sustainable development (SD) is not a cost, but a strategy to enhance resilience, optimize operations, increase brand reputation, and expand access to international markets.

This is also why VCCI–VBCSD has persistently implemented the Vietnam Corporate Sustainability Index (CSI Program) for many years to spread the mindset of sustainable development and support enterprises in a more substantive and effective transformation.

The ceremony announcing the “Sustainable Enterprises in Vietnam 2025” organized by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), Vietnam Business Council for Sustainable Development (VBCSD–VCCI).

• In your opinion, what are the solutions for sustainable development for businesses in the context of limited resources?

In my view, enterprises should start with small but substantive actions such as optimizing energy use, reducing material waste, saving water, improving operational processes, enhancing employee welfare, and increasing transparency in governance. These solutions help businesses both reduce costs and improve operational efficiency.

In addition, businesses need to shift their mindset from “compliance cost” to “long-term competitiveness investment.” In practice, many companies after applying sustainable governance models have improved operational efficiency, access to capital, and opportunities to join global supply chains. In the context of increasingly stringent export markets regarding emissions standards, traceability, and social responsibility, early transition gives businesses a significant advantage.

At the same time, enterprises should proactively leverage support resources from the Government, international organizations, banks, and business associations through technical assistance programs, ESG training, green finance, and technology transfer.

In particular, businesses should not “go alone” on the sustainable development journey. Participating in networks, initiatives, or reputable assessment programs will help enterprises access appropriate governance tools and build more effective transformation roadmaps.

For many years, the CSI Program led by VCCI has become a platform supporting enterprises in this direction. Through the CSI Index, enterprises can self-assess governance activities, identify gaps for improvement, and develop suitable sustainable development roadmaps.

• As VCCI has been a pioneer in promoting sustainable development, could you please share the main contents of the Vietnam Corporate Sustainability Index (CSI) 2026 Program as well as VCCI’s support and accompanying programs for the business community in the coming time?

The year 2026 marks the 11th consecutive year of implementing the CSI Program, demonstrating VCCI–VBCSD’s strong commitment to accompanying the business community in promoting sustainable growth in Vietnam.

The Program continues to receive coordination from many important ministries and agencies such as the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Policies and Strategies, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, and the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour. This cooperation helps the Program become increasingly refined in both expertise and practicality, while also reflecting its credibility.

One of the key highlights of CSI 2026 is the continued promotion of improvements from CSI 2025, especially the orientation to expand and encourage participation of micro, small and medium enterprises, alongside medium and large enterprises. This is a very important direction, as SMEs account for the majority of Vietnam’s economy and are also the group that needs stronger support in green transition, digital transformation, and governance capacity building.

Accordingly, the Program continues to maintain a separate CSI version for micro and small enterprises with a more streamlined and user-friendly approach while still ensuring core principles of sustainable governance. This is also aligned with the spirit of Resolution 68 on private sector development.

The CSI Index continues to be designed under the principle of “simple in form, easy to understand, easy to apply in practice” and is continuously refined to suit Vietnam’s context. It can be considered that CSI today is a “Made in Vietnam Corporate Sustainability Governance Index.”

In addition, CSI 2026 also upgrades the online application system to facilitate enterprises in submission, while also helping the organizing committee analyze data more effectively to design support programs that better meet business needs.

In the coming time, VCCI–VBCSD will continue to implement training programs on ESG, sustainable governance, and greenhouse gas inventory. At the same time, it will promote the CSI Club as a network connecting pioneering enterprises to share experiences, effective models, and strengthen cooperation in the transformation process.

We believe that sustainable development is no longer a matter of “should do” but has become a “must do.” And VCCI–VBCSD will continue to act as a bridge, accompanying Vietnamese enterprises on their long-term journey to enhance competitiveness and sustainable development.

• Thank you very much!

Launch and training program of CSI 2026. Enterprises interested can learn more at http://www.vbcsd.vn