On 23 April 2025, Dan Tri News hosted the first Vietnam ESG Forum with the theme “Strategy for Sustainable Development in the New Era”. EuroCham’s Sustainable Finance Sector Committee (SFSC) Vice-Chair Deep Sen delivered a presentation titled “Flexibility for Adaptation in the New Era,” highlighting the increasing importance of strategic adaptability for Vietnamese businesses.
Mr. Deep Sen underscored that flexibility is no longer that flexibility is no longer a choice but a necessity—driven by global regulatory pressures, evolving market demands, and the shifting criteria of financial markets.
ESG Regulations: pressure from key export markets
Mr. Deep Sen shared that most Vietnam’s key export products (machineries, leather, textile, woodwork, agricultural and aqua food products, etc.) are affected by the new Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) regulations in major export markets. Hence, businesses cannot apply a “one size fits all” approach and need a customised transformation roadmap for each industry.
On top of strict international ESG regulations, Vietnam also faces challenges from regional and international shifts in tariffs and trade. However, Mr. Deep Sen explained that tariffs and ESG risks are two sides of the same coin, both underscoring the fragility of unsustainable supply chains.
Flexibility is the key to adapt to the new era
In the context of increasing pressures, Mr. Deep Sen emphasised that Vietnamese enterprises must move from passive compliance to pro-active transformation, particularly by:
- Redesigning business model
- Incorporating ESG into corporate strategy and culture
- Building capacity to access green finance – enhancing reporting, fine-tuning risk-management tools, and building ESG assessment frameworks
- Advancing public-private dialogues on ESG regulation customisation for each market and sector
Additionally, with only 10% of total bank lending in Vietnam currently qualifying as “green,” Mr. Deep Sen called for the urgent development of tailored financial instruments.
In conclusion, Mr. Deep Sen encouraged Vietnam to leverage its industrial base and openness to global markets to build a flexible, resilient growth model aligned with sustainable development. The presentation positioned flexibility not merely as a defensive measure, but as a strategic tool to future-proof Vietnam’s economy amid increasing global volatility and ESG-driven restructuring.
EuroCham Vietnam and its Sustainable Finance Sector Committee is committed to accompanying Vietnam’s sustainable economic growth – particularly with the development of new green financial products – one of our Must-Win Battles for 2025.
Dan Tri News’ first Vietnam ESG Forum welcomed distinguished guests:
- Ms. Nguyen Thi Ha – Deputy Minister of Home Affairs
- Dr. Le Thai Ha – Executive Director of VinFuture Fund, Green Future Fund
- Ms. Pham Minh Huong – Director of Sustainable Development Services – Deloitte Vietnam
- Ms. Phan Thi Hong Dung – Director of Global GSM Training
- Mr. Nguyen Tien Huy – Director of the Office of Enterprises for Sustainable Development – VCCI
- Mr. Pham Tuan Anh – Member of the Board of Members – PetroVietnam Power Corporation (PVN)
- Mr. Nguyen Van Khoa – General Director of FPT Corporation
- Dr. Bui Thanh Minh – Deputy Director of the Office, Private Economic Development Research Department (Department IV)
- Mr. Arghya Mandal – General Director of TH Milk Joint Stock Company
- Dr. Mac Quoc Anh – Director of the Institute of Economics and Enterprise Development, Vice President and General Secretary of Hanoi SME
- Representatives of business community and business associations
