A report urging stronger policy support to foster sustainable agriculture in Vietnam was announced in Hanoi on March 20, offering an in-depth assessment of environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices across the sector.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Vietnam is facing an estimated annual credit gap of up to US$24 billion as they seek increasing funding to meet ESG standards and accelerate their green transition, experts said at the Impact Investment Connect: Capital for Growth Forum held in Ho Chi Minh City on March 10.

Vietnam has launched an updated corporate governance framework aimed at lifting standards among listed and public companies and aligning the market more closely with international practice as investor expectations continue to rise.

Strong talent pools, competitive operating costs and an expanding supply of ESG-compliant Grade A offices are strengthening Ho Chi Minh City’s appeal as a top destination for Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in the long-term expansion plans of multinational corporations.

After more than a decade of negotiations, the Vietnam–EFTA Free Trade Agreement (VEFTA) is expected to open up significant opportunities for Vietnamese businesses to access some of the world’s highest-income markets.

The Academy for Green Growth (AGG) under the Vietnam National University of Agriculture and the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment (VACNE) wrapped up the “For a Green National Environment” programme 2025 while unveiling the results of its "National Green ESG Enterprises 2025" survey.

Japan and the Republic of Korea (RoK) are among Vietnam’s most important economic partners, with considerable room for further cooperation, but Vietnamese enterprises must adopt clearer strategies and continuously upgrade technological capacity to attract more investment and expand trade, experts said.

Vietnam has the capacity, ambition and technological foundation to join the group of leading sustainable coastal urban nations in the coming decade, experts said at a dialogue on "advancing to the sea with ESG++ megacities: breakthroughs through green technology", held in Hanoi on December 9.

As Vietnam's stock market moves closer to an emerging market classification, improving the quality of listed companies is becoming a central policy priority, particularly through the presence of high-quality foreign direct investment (FDI) enterprises and stronger Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices.

Foreign investments in Vietnam's industrial and energy sectors are on the rise, signalling strong interest from international players and presenting new opportunities for growth.