Sustainability commitment deemed key for businesses to break barriers

Dr. Le Thi Hong Na, director of Sustainable Development Strategy at Phuc Khang Corporation, highlighted that the company is positioning itself as an international-standard green real estate brand in Vietnam, a vision it aims to fulfill by 2035.

Dr. Le Thi Hong Na

"As a real estate developer, our products, whether standalone structures, low-rise developments, or urban areas, are all designed to meet both domestic and international green building standards. In the early stages, we faced numerous challenges, including personnel - not just internal, but also partners and collaborators needed to create green projects, as well as technical, market, technological, financial, and policy difficulties,” Na said.

"Phuc Khang has certain advantages, having embraced sustainability and green building from the start, which has facilitated our access to financial institutions and green credit sources. Our goal is not just to deliver tangible green buildings but also to spread a green lifestyle and build green communities, a commitment we have upheld for 15 years," she added.

Meanwhile, Nguyen Thi Ngoc Hue, general manager of Strategic Human Resources Management at AEON Vietnam, pointed out the unique challenges posed by the retail sector’s large and diverse workforce when implementing sustainability initiatives.

"Building a skilled workforce is an integral part of our human-centric sustainability strategy, enabling the company to plan and implement its sustainable development objectives. People are a valuable asset that helps the company comply with sustainability regulations and standards while enhancing AEON’s competitive edge in Vietnam’s retail market,” Hue said.

Nguyen Thi Ngoc Hue

A sustainable workforce also stimulates the development of innovative solutions, driving process and product innovation, which allows AEON to adapt quickly to changing customer demands and shifts in the business environment. These advantages supported AEON Vietnam’s goal of opening three new shopping centres in 2024.

Hue noted that human sustainability is one of the three main pillars in AEON Vietnam’s sustainability strategy, alongside environmental and social sustainability. Sticking to this strategy provides a foundation for future growth and helps the company weather difficult periods.

“One area AEON is developing to strengthen competitiveness in e-commerce is the supply and delivery of high-quality fresh products, along with an integrated system that allows customers to utilise loyalty points throughout AEON’s entire ecosystem and its partners. We see this as a challenge that can be turned into an opportunity to accelerate our progress,” said Hue.

In addition, to address the pressure of reducing logistics costs, AEON has implemented strategies such as developing its private-label products, including agricultural products in partnership with local producers. These products not only serve domestic supermarkets but are also exported overseas.

"This approach is part of AEON’s plan for green logistics development over the next five years in Vietnam,” Hue added.

Taking the lead in dual transition for a greener Vietnam On November 12, VIR will host its annual sustainable development conference, with the presence of hundreds of leaders from ministries, international organisations, and domestic and foreign businesses pursuing digital and green transitions in Vietnam.

VIR sustainable development conference opens in Hanoi VIR’s annual sustainable development conference, themed “Taking the Lead in Dual Transition for a Greener Vietnam,” opened at the Pullman Hanoi Hotel on November 12. The event brings together key stakeholders to explore innovative solutions for achieving Vietnam's dual transition of green and digital transformation.

Vietnam on the verge of green industrial revolution At the first panel of VIR's sustainable development conference, experts highlighted the pressure facing Vietnam as the country enters a green industrial revolution.