The event drew numerous domestic and international experts aiming to support and promote improved business governance practices, including climate governance, toward sustainable development. Photo: Bong Mai / Tuoi Tre
At the conference titled “Climate Governance: Strategies, Commitments, and Business Actions,” held on Wednesday at the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange, experts emphasized that green transition is no longer optional for Vietnamese businesses.
Pursuing a green path not only reflects environmental responsibility but also brings tangible economic returns for committed companies.
A matter of survival
According to the “State of Southeast Asia 2025” survey conducted by the ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute, 55.3 percent of respondents across the region identified climate change and extreme weather events as the most urgent challenges.
In Vietnam, this figure rises to 70.3 percent, surpassing concerns about unemployment and economic recession.
Simon C.Y. Wong, an independent advisor and Co-Head Tutor of the Sustainable Finance online course at the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL), stated transitioning and developing an action plan to tackle climate change is an inevitable journey for every business.
It demands strong commitment, investment of time and resources, a learning mindset, and continuous improvement, Wong said.
Sharing this view, Dinh Hong Ky, chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Green Business Association, remarked that climate change is no longer a distant concern - it has become a matter of business survival.
He stressed the need for Vietnamese companies to restructure, embrace strategic thinking, and fully integrate ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles.
Going green, reaping rewards
Phan Minh Thong, CEO of Phuc Sinh Joint Stock Company, shared from experience: “ESG is not just a responsibility - it’s an unavoidable trend.”
His company currently exports Vietnamese agricultural products to 102 countries, with estimated revenue this year reaching US$320 million.
Initially, Thong’s company faced many challenges. However, with sustained efforts, it has obtained Rainforest Alliance certification along with other sustainability credentials.
These not only facilitate export to demanding markets like Europe but also help attract capital from international investment funds.
Similarly, Vo Thi Lien Huong, vice-chairwoman and CEO of Secoin Joint Stock Company, underlined the value of certification.
“People trust certifications! If I just say that 'My factory embraces green values,' no one will believe it,” she said.
Her company currently manufactures handcrafted cement tiles from natural materials, deliberately avoiding the use of clay to preserve agricultural land. It has received an environmental safety certification with a VOC Class A+ rating, which indicates very low emissions.
Nguyen Thi Ngoc Quynh, deputy CEO of SolarBK, urged that “Vietnamese businesses must go green now. There’s no room for complacency.”
Those that succeed in green transformation can more easily join global supply chains and export to markets such as Europe and the U.S..
The results go beyond climate responsibility - they also generate immense economic value.
The conference “Climate Governance: Strategies, Commitments, and Business Actions” marked the first collaboration between the Vietnam Institute of Directors and the Ho Chi Minh City Green Business Association.
The event gathered a wide range of domestic and international experts to promote stronger climate governance among businesses and to advance sustainable development.
A highlight of the seminar was the practical insights shared by companies that have successfully undergone green transition.
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