On June 25, 2025, the ESG Forum 2025 took place in Ho Chi Minh City under the theme “Dual Transition Toward Eco-Industrial Parks.” Co-hosted by The Saigon Times and Green Transition Consulting & Training, the event brought together corporate leaders, industry experts, and international organizations to discuss emerging ESG trends and practical solutions for promoting sustainable development in Vietnam.
As Vietnam accelerates its commitment to Net Zero, ESG has become a strategic priority in corporate planning and operations. During the forum, speakers analyzed the concept of “dual transition”—a synergy between green transformation and digital transformation—as an inevitable pathway to enhance competitiveness, reduce operating costs, and meet global environmental, social, and governance standards increasingly demanded by international investors.
Representing VILANDCO, M.Arch. Nguyen Trung Kien—CEO of VILANDCO and the Vietnam Green Building Academy (VGBA)—delivered a keynote presentation titled “From Green Buildings to ESG.” He emphasized that green buildings serve as a foundational step, delivering measurable benefits in energy savings, carbon emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and financial returns for businesses. However, ESG requires a more comprehensive approach, encompassing environmental, social, and governance dimensions to optimize performance, manage risks, and create long-term value for both stakeholders and the wider community.
Drawing from hands-on experience with numerous EDGE, LOTUS, and LEED-certified projects across Vietnam, Mr. Kien highlighted the critical role of transparent data and long-term strategy in ESG transformation. Green building standards, he noted, not only help businesses reduce operational costs but also serve as a gateway for developing a robust ESG management system—one that can be expanded to include labor practices, governance structures, and supply chain oversight.
In the forum’s panel discussions, Mr. Kien also proposed a model for ESG-integrated eco-industrial park development—aimed at fostering sustainable ecosystems that align with the stringent requirements of foreign direct investors and enhance competitiveness in global markets. This vision reflects VILANDCO’s ongoing efforts to collaborate with enterprises and industrial zone developers nationwide in advancing sustainable practices.
VILANDCO’s participation in ESG Forum 2025 reaffirmed the company’s strong commitment to driving sustainable development in Vietnam. By offering integrated green solutions that bridge expertise in green buildings with comprehensive ESG strategies, VILANDCO contributes meaningfully to the nation’s Net Zero ambition.