The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), with support from the International Labour Organization (ILO), launched a Training of Trainers (ToT) program in Hanoi on 4–5 September to promote Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles and responsible business conduct. The initiative aims to equip VCCI trainers from its extensive national network with the skills and tools to deliver ESG-focused training, ensuring that knowledge cascades to a wide range of enterprises across sectors and regions. This approach helps create a business community that complies with international labour, environmental, and governance standards while remaining competitive in global markets where ESG performance is increasingly essential.
The program is also critical for aligning Vietnam’s private sector with national and international commitments, including the country’s net-zero target by 2050, the labour and sustainability provisions of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, and global ESG reporting standards. In line with these efforts, Vietnam recently launched the pilot phase of its first national Emissions Trading Scheme covering sectors such as steel, cement, and thermal power, with emissions allowances for 2025–26 to be distributed by the end of the year. Companies exceeding their allowances will need to purchase credits. Additionally, the State Securities Commission plans to introduce national ESG standards by 2026 to support SMEs, although current ESG adoption remains limited, with only 14% of firms listed on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange publishing sustainability reports.
Through this ToT initiative, VCCI strengthens its role as a key advocate for responsible business conduct, helping enterprises anticipate regulatory changes, access sustainable finance, and improve supply chain resilience. A follow-up training session for enterprises is scheduled to take place in Da Nang next week to pilot the training materials and extend the program’s reach across Vietnam.
