The Vietnam Corporate Sustainability Forum (VCSF) 2025, jointly organized by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the Vietnam Business Council for Sustainable Development (VBCSD), recently took place in Hanoi under the theme “Sustainable Development in a New Era: Turning Resurgence Aspiration into Actions.”

VCSF continues to affirm its position as the country’s leading dialogue platform on sustainability for the business community. The forum emphasized that ESG (Environmental - Social - Governance) provides essential guidance for enterprises to manage risks effectively while seizing opportunities to strengthen competitiveness in an ever-changing world.

The forum brought together over 400 in-person delegates and thousands of online participants

At the panel discussion “Driving Innovation in ESG Strategy Formulation and Execution Amidst Uncertainty”, in addition to ESG requirements from both export and domestic markets, shifts in consumer behavior and financial pressures were also highlighted. Many speakers noted that, in the current economic climate, consumers have become more cautious and sensitive about their personal finances. This creates pressure on the consumer finance industry, which not only needs to provide accessible financial solutions but also ensure responsible lending practices, helping customers plan their personal finances before borrowing and meet repayment obligations on time.

This calls for a stronger focus on risk management, transparency, and financial literacy promotion, while still maintaining profitability. Businesses therefore seek to further integrate ESG into their core business models from governance (responsible lending, data protection), to social (empowering vulnerable groups), and environmental aspects (carbon management, green transition). Failure to do so could risk losing trust from key stakeholders - such as customers, employees, regulators, and the public - and ultimately weaken competitiveness.

Sharing practical experiences on how businesses can build and implement ESG strategies to navigate uncertainties, Mrs. Pham Thi Bich Lien, Head of Marketing Operation and Sustainability at Home Credit Vietnam, emphasized that ESG has always been a core part of the company’s business operations, even before the term “ESG” became widely known. Home Credit has embedded ESG into its business model by structuring ESG principles into six key pillars, covering the company’s entire strategy and day-to-day execution.

Mrs. Pham Thi Bich Lien, Head of Marketing Operation and Sustainability at Home Credit Vietnam

Six ESG key pillars of Home Credit Vietnam:

1. Responsible Finance: We provide safe and transparent financial products tailored for underbanked customers. This pillar is implemented through clear loan procedures without complex jargon, thorough credit assessments to ensure customers’ repayment capacity, and a cooling-off period that allows customers to cancel their loans without penalty.

2. Financial Inclusion: This pillar focuses on populations without bank accounts or with limited access to financial services, enabling them to purchase essential goods, start small businesses, and improve their quality of life. Our extensive retail partner network also brings financial services to even the most remote areas.

3. Digital empowerment: By fully digitizing the process from application to repayment, we make financial services more convenient and accessible. The Home App, AI-powered chatbots, and online platforms enable customers to manage their finances anytime, anywhere.

4. Economic Growth: Home Credit supports retail partners, especially local SMEs, by providing financial solutions that help them attract new customers and increase sales. In recent years, we have expanded partnerships with manufacturers and retailers of sustainable products, such as electric vehicles, to promote green consumption and contribute to a more sustainable economy.

5. Diverse Workforce: We focus on fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive (DEI) workplace culture.

6. Sustainable Communities: We invest in initiatives that support education and social inclusion for disadvantaged women and children. Specifically, two flagship programs stand out: Home for Life, which provides financial literacy training and seed capital for disadvantaged women to help them achieve financial independence; and Home Love, which rebuilds schools and grants scholarships for students in remote areas, contributing to stronger and more resilient communities.

In addition, we leverage digital technology to advance ESG goals across key areas, utilizing AI virtual assistants and chatbots to provide 24/7 customer service, offering fast and convenient support. This approach helps minimize default risks and promotes a more transparent and ethical lending environment. For example, in 2024, Home Credit’s financial education content generated over 12 million interactions on digital platforms - six times higher than the 2 million recorded in 2023.

At the same time, Home Credit has also rolled out preferential loan programs for electric vehicle (EV) adoption through strategic partnerships with companies such as VinFast. These financing packages not only enable consumers to access environmentally friendly vehicles with greater financial flexibility but also deliver long-term savings on operating and maintenance costs. This is a clear testament to our efforts to integrate sustainability considerations into financial product design right from the ideation stage, serving not only business objectives but also creating lasting value for society and the environment.

At the forum, VCCI Chairman Pham Tan Cong once again emphasized the role of the Vietnamese business community and entrepreneurs as “peacetime warriors”, proud, responsible drivers of the nation’s progress, committed to pursuing sustainable and inclusive economic growth toward a prosperous and globally integrated Vietnam. He also shared: “We firmly believe that the VCSF will continue to serve as a driving force for dialogue and dissemination, helping to bring national policies and resolutions into real-life practice. Through this process, the forum contributes to improving institutions, enhancing national competitiveness, and creating a more favorable business and investment environment.”