Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) readiness in Vietnam: why companies need to act now

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) readiness in Vietnam is becoming increasingly important, not only in response to domestic developments but also as a requirement for participating in global supply chains.

Vietnam has introduced sustainability disclosure requirements for listed companies, aligned with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In October 2024, an official ESG Implementation and Disclosure Handbook was launched to support businesses in adopting a more structured approach to reporting. While a mandatory regime aligned with the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) is still under development, market expectations are already rising.

Vietnamese manufacturers and suppliers are facing increasing pressure from multinational buyers, many of whom are already subject to stricter ESG requirements under international regulations. This includes growing expectations around value chain transparency, emissions reporting, and supplier-level ESG data. At the same time, Vietnam is progressing toward national taxonomy standards as part of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Sustainable Finance Taxonomy framework.

Investor expectations are evolving in parallel. Financial institutions and institutional investors are increasingly incorporating ESG screening into decision-making, using sustainability performance as one of the factors in evaluating companies before committing capital. In addition, buyers linked to the European Union Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (EU CSRD), the Singapore Exchange (SGX), and Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) are placing greater focus on supplier disclosures and value chain data.

For companies in Vietnam, ESG readiness is therefore becoming more than a compliance consideration. It is increasingly linked to market access, investor confidence, and long-term competitiveness. In many cases, buyers and investors are already asking these questions ahead of any formal domestic deadline.

CRIF Vietnam supports businesses in responding to these expectations through Synesgy, a digital ESG assessment platform that enables companies to complete a structured self-assessment, receive an industry-benchmarked ESG score certified by CRIF Ratings, and identify practical improvement areas based on internationally recognised standards.

As ESG expectations continue to strengthen across supply chains, capital markets, and regulatory frameworks, businesses that act early will be better positioned to build transparency, resilience, and long-term credibility