General Secretary To Lam Meets Outstanding Vietnamese Entrepreneurs on the Occasion of Vietnam Entrepreneurs’ Day, October 13, 2024

Responsible Business – An Imperative Requirement

In reality, businesses make significant contributions to socio-economic development through job creation, technological advancement, and the provision of goods and services. At the same time, however, business activities can also have negative impacts on the environment, people, and society. All businesses—regardless of their position, size, industry, or structure—must operate responsibly. They are expected to identify and manage potential risks associated with their products and services, across both their supply chains and broader business relationships.

The government has issued a National Action Plan to improve policies and promote responsible business practices for the 2023–2027 period. This program encourages responsible behavior among businesses and supports the creation of a favorable environment for responsible business conduct.

This is also the central theme of the Vietnamese Business Culture Forum 2025, expected to be held in late March 2025 in Hanoi by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI). The forum sets out four main objectives:

(i) To contribute to the implementation of the Party and State's vision of building a team of entrepreneurs with a strong national spirit, a business culture rooted in ethics, and a high sense of social responsibility;

(ii) To create a platform for entrepreneurs, experts, and representatives of socio-economic organizations to connect, exchange ideas, and promote Vietnamese business culture, including discussions on cultural values in business, business ethics, and corporate social responsibility;

(iii) To advance the sustainable development of the Vietnamese business community by raising awareness of the role of ethics and culture in business;

(iv) To affirm the role of VCCI in guiding and building a strong foundation for a healthy business culture.

Responsibility Is Not a Choice

Globally, business culture and business ethics play a vital role in shaping leadership style, building brand reputation, and creating long-term value for enterprises. Business culture and ethics are considered essential components of corporate identity—they ignite innovation, drive progress, and reflect the entrepreneurial spirit and sense of responsibility of the business community.

In Vietnam, business culture and ethics are reflected through responsible business conduct. It is no longer optional but a necessary requirement as the country enters a new era of growth and integration. As Vietnam deepens its participation in the global economy and embraces sustainable trade through free trade agreements (FTAs), responsible business practices become the foundation and prerequisite for enterprises to seize opportunities and move toward sustainable development.

The Vietnamese Business Culture Forum 2025, with its theme of “Responsible Business,” presents an opportunity for stakeholders to share core cultural values in business and propose solutions to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of enterprises in today’s evolving context. The forum aims to promote and mainstream the concept of responsible business across the corporate sector, striving to generate lasting, sustainable value for all stakeholders—from employees and shareholders to supply chains, society, and the environment.

In practice, issues concerning people and the planet are no longer a matter of choice in business—they are a responsibility. The responsibility to change. Businesses have no other option but to change. Responsible businesses will endure in the long term; those that are not will simply not survive.

At its 7th National Congress, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) approved six key task groups, including three strategic breakthroughs. Notably, for the first time, it identified the promotion of business ethics and the cultivation of business culture as a foundational pillar for the sustainable development of the Vietnamese entrepreneurial community.

Spreading the Concept – Driving Action

A highlight of the Vietnamese Business Culture Forum 2025, themed “Responsible Business”, is the series of keynote presentations delivered by distinguished speakers, experts, and entrepreneurs, focusing on six critical topics:

(i) Vietnamese business culture in the context of international integration;

(ii) Business ethics and social responsibility of entrepreneurs;

(iii) Solutions for building a sustainable corporate culture;

(iv) The role of business culture in enhancing national competitiveness;

(v) Challenges and opportunities in building sustainable corporate culture;

(vi) Solutions to promote business ethics and social responsibility among Vietnamese entrepreneurs.

In reality, entrepreneurs play a pivotal role in leading, building, managing, and operating responsible enterprises. It is time for businesses to adopt modern, progressive practices instead of holding on to outdated ones. Businesses must evolve to ensure that the work they pursue generates positive impacts for people, the environment, society, and the planet. This year’s forum discussions will offer practical solutions to help entrepreneurs and businesses tackle pressing challenges on their path toward responsible business.

In business, profit may be the sole focus for some. However, to truly deserve the fruits of their labor, entrepreneurs must realize that profit can only take them so far—unless they integrate ethics and responsibility into their operations. Entrepreneurs must stay true to their commitments—whether to their industry, customers, or communities—because without integrity, today’s profits may well vanish tomorrow.

Entrepreneurs and businesses interested in attending the Forum can register here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1EAy8ioJ0aG7TXb_m3U-uyf4xd6n4Dsqm?usp=drive_link

he Vietnamese Business Culture Forum 2025 attracts the participation of entrepreneurs and leaders from large, medium, and small enterprises; representatives from industry associations and economic organizations; experts and researchers in business ethics and corporate culture; representatives from the Government and relevant ministries; as well as media and press agencies.

The event also features a series of documentary segments introducing key themes such as: What defines responsible business? Emerging trends in responsible business; The current development of Vietnamese enterprises and the growing need for responsible business practices; Outstanding examples of entrepreneurs and companies that embody business ethics and corporate culture; and VCCI’s initiatives to promote ethical business conduct and a healthy business culture.