From Energy Labels to Green Leadership: The ESG Rise of a Vietnamese Compliance Firm

HANOI, Vietnam, July 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As ESG (Environmental – Social – Governance) becomes a global imperative, many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are still struggling to find a practical pathway forward. But ExtendMax, a Vietnam-based SME, proves otherwise: sustainable development does not solely belong to billion-dollar corporations with abundant resources—it begins with strategic intention and internal commitment.

ExtendMax proudly receives the Green Leadership Award at the Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards (AREA) 2025

As a legal and technical consulting firm focused on import/export compliance for IT products, ExtendMax facilitates hundreds of VNEEP energy labeling certifications annually. However, the company doesn't stop at helping clients meet regulatory requirements—it has elevated this service into a foundational pillar of its ESG strategy.

According to Tran Thanh Phuong, CEO of ExtendMax, the company works directly with the R&D teams of its clients, helping design products from the ground up to maximize energy efficiency and minimize environmental impact.

"We don't just help products pass legal thresholds—we create competitive advantages," said Phuong. "For Vietnamese tech products, the energy label has become a 'green passport' to access markets with strict sustainability standards. At the same time, we support international brands in navigating Vietnam's environmental regulations, enabling them to enter the market faster and more responsibly. Compliance is no longer just about legality—it's a strategic step toward long-term business success," said Phuong.

By embedding ESG principles into supply chain advisory services, ExtendMax has helped numerous technology brands—from laptops, TVs, and monitors to printers—achieve energy efficiency certification and reduce emissions.

Building ESG from Within: People and Governance First

Beyond product-focused initiatives, ExtendMax sees people as the cornerstone of sustainable transformation. Guided by the belief that "Compliance Begins with People", the company has built a three-tier ESG capacity-building model that includes mentorship, training, and real-time performance feedback.

Within just 18 months, over 80% of ExtendMax employees had upskilled in ESG competencies, contributing to an above-industry-average retention rate. The company also launched "Governance with Integrity," a digital platform that enables transparent management, risk control, and compliance across all operations—with no legal violations recorded to date.

"ESG transformation is not a checklist or CSR formality. At ExtendMax, ESG functions as our operating system—from how we design services to how we hire, train, and lead," Phuong emphasized.

Green Finance Opens New Pathways

According to the World Bank, by the end of Q1 2024, Vietnam's outstanding green credit reached approximately VND 640 trillion (~USD 28 billion), accounting for 4.5% of the nation's total credit portfolio. Vietnam also ranks among the top two ASEAN countries in issuing green, social, and sustainability (GSS) bonds.

This evolving financial landscape increasingly favors businesses with transparent and well-defined ESG strategies. It offers new opportunities for SMEs like ExtendMax—companies with modest size but ambitious, well-executed ESG roadmaps.

Green Leadership: Leading Through Action, Not Obligation

PwC's 2024 regional data reveals that 53% of Asia-Pacific companies have set net-zero targets, yet only 42% have linked ESG performance to executive compensation—a clear sign of the implementation gap.

In this context, companies like ExtendMax—those who proactively integrate ESG into operations instead of waiting for top-down mandates—are reshaping the standards of leadership. The AREA 2025 recognition is not only a personal achievement but also a testament to a replicable green model for other Vietnamese and regional SMEs.

"Green Leadership is not a title—it's a living commitment reflected in everyday decisions," said Phuong.

Vietnam to Asia: A New Chapter for ESG Transformation

For ExtendMax, the AREA 2025 award is a milestone—but not the final destination. The company aims to expand its sustainable advisory programs into emerging sectors in Vietnam while sharing its ESG transformation framework with other markets across Asia.

From a local SME to a regional enabler, ExtendMax is emerging as a force in shaping ESG standards in Asia—a challenging yet promising journey in the age of green economy.

Website: https://extendmax.vn