HÀ NỘI — Enterprises are the central force driving Việt Nam’s sustainable development agenda, said Deputy Prime Minister Hồ Đức Phớc, speaking at the 12th Việt Nam Corporate Sustainability Forum (VCSF) held in Hà Nội on Friday.

Phớc, who also chairs the National Council on Sustainable Development, called firms “the place where creative ideas become reality, where new business models take shape and where Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards take root".

He praised the Vietnam Business Council for Sustainable Development (VBCSD) under the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) for its 15-year journey in promoting responsible business practices.

He stressed that the Government will continue to act as a development enabler and companion of enterprises.

To support the transition, policies will focus on four key pillars: completing institutions and legal frameworks to ensure a favourable business environment; developing strategic infrastructure in transport, renewable energy, digital connectivity and climate resilience; boosting green finance and sustainable credit markets; and mobilising social and international resources to help enterprises adopt green and digital business models and improve their competitiveness in global value chains.

“This is the time for businesses to accelerate transformation, to innovate and to embrace sustainable practices as part of their growth strategy,” the Deputy PM said, noting that 2025 marks a critical juncture as it is the final year of the current five-year socio-economic development plan and the foundation for Việt Nam’s path towards becoming a high-income country by 2045.

“Soldiers of peace”

VCCI Chairman Phạm Tấn Công described Vietnamese entrepreneurs as “soldiers of peace” who share the responsibility of building a prosperous and inclusive economy.

“Over the past 12 years, the forum has been a platform for dialogue and policy advocacy, helping translate Party and Government resolutions into practice, while enhancing Việt Nam’s competitiveness and investment climate,” Công said.

Marking VBCSD’s 15th anniversary this year, he reaffirmed the council’s role in connecting Government, businesses and partners to advance sustainability.

VCCI Vice Chairman and VBCSD President Nguyễn Quang Vinh echoed this view, stressing that sustainable development must be considered a “survival strategy, not merely a matter of corporate social responsibility”.

He said VBCSD will continue to expand awareness, training, international cooperation and partnerships to strengthen business commitment to sustainable and responsible growth, helping Việt Nam move into a new era of greener, more inclusive prosperity.

A recurring theme at the forum was the importance of high-quality human resources in sustaining long-term growth.

 

Binu Jacob, general director of Nestlé Việt Nam and co-chair of VBCSD, said nurturing young talent is a key pillar of the company’s strategy and a decisive factor for Việt Nam’s development.

“Through initiatives such as Nestlé Needs YOUth and the Nesternship programme, we want to create opportunities for young people to unlock their creativity and contribute to national progress,” he said.

Nestlé has also teamed up with Vietnam National University HCM City to promote the 'three-party co-operation' model linking Government, academia and enterprises, aligning education with market and technological needs.

“These are concrete actions to realise our commitment to a green, inclusive and sustainable future in line with Resolution 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo on science, technology, innovation and digital transformation,” he said.

For his contributions, Jacob received the VCCI Medal 'For the Development of Vietnamese Business' during the event.

Nguyễn Hoàng Giang, general director of Saigon Trading Co Ltd (SATRACO), a member of SABECO, said that sustainability in the new era requires measurable and consistent action, not just vision statements.

“At SABECO, ESG is not a slogan but a philosophy of operations – it defines how we create value, measure success and uphold social responsibility,” he said.

“In a world of uncertainty, ESG strengthens resilience. We want to grow sustainably together with the Government, partners and the community, so that no one is left behind and the value we create endures for both the company and the country.”

International partners also shared insights at the forum.

The UNDP’s Resident Representative in Việt Nam emphasised the need to strengthen public-private cooperation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and Việt Nam’s Vision 2045.

Government representatives from the Central Economic Commission, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment updated delegates on new policy directions, including implementation of Resolution 68 on private sector development and climate change adaptation measures.

The forum, held annually since 2014, this year attracted over 400 delegates in person and thousands online, featuring more than 30 speakers. Discussions covered green transition practices, ESG strategies and innovation ecosystems to support sustainable business models.

Recommendations from the event will be compiled by VBCSD-VCCI and reported to the Government and National Council on Sustainable Development as inputs for new policy-making.

Closing the plenary session, Vinh said: “As we enter the next phase of development, enterprises must embrace sustainability not as a choice but as a core strategy. Only then can we together build a Việt Nam that is stronger, greener and more inclusive.” — VNS