APPLY NOW
On June 24, 2025, Mr. Sam Hanna was a guest speaker in Hanoi, Vietnam at a forum entitled: "Digital Transformation Solutions and ESG practices - Key towards integrating the global economy" as a collaboration between AIT, Dan Tri Newspaper and VietinBank. The forum was focused on Vietnam's digital transformation and development of ESG as the key to global economic integration.
Mr. Hanna, former CEO and Vice President of Strategy ASEAN Shell Global Lubricants used the platform to emphasize the growing role of ESG in Vietnam. He mentioned that Asia is playing an increasingly large role in global trade. In fact, it is forecasted that by 2050, 52% of world GDP will come from Asia Pacific region.
“Asia faces a great opportunity and Vietnam is at a decisive moment,” Mr. Hanna emphasized.
According to Dan Tri newspaper, he cited Vietnam's GDP growth data among the fastest economies in Asia with 7.8% in 2023. Vietnam also emerged as a destination for global investment capital flows by attracting 31.9 billion USD of FDI in 2023. Vietnam is also in the group of 20 countries rising to expand its global economic position.
Although Vietnam is facing the need to develop rapid growth and sustainable growth at the same time, he stressed that ESG can be a bridge between both these goals. He explained that ESG, based on the three main pillars of environment, society and governance, will help businesses make better decisions and better strategies. It is much different than the CSR framework, which is seen as voluntary. "ESG is a far more structured framework where companies need to report to keep everybody honest,” he explained.
According to Mr. Hanna, Vietnamese companies have a long way to go in implementing ESG and must overcome many obstacles to successfully integrate the framework in their growth and development. He mentioned that 80% of Vietnamese businesses have a commitment or plan to implement ESG, but up to 34% of businesses do not have an ESG program. For large businesses, only 15% of businesses have completed a report on their ESG implementation and 76% of businesses lack an ESG governance structure in terms of roles, responsibilities and supervision mechanisms.
“Vietnam has talent, momentum and vision to lead in ESG, not to follow,” said Mr. Hanna
In his speech, Mr. Hanna also shared 5 steps to help businesses easily embed ESG into their business platform.
Vietnamese companies need to plan the implementation of ESG carefully and identify important ESG factors/opportunities related to their business activities and stakeholders.
ESG must be integrated into key decisions by introducing ESG elements into specific business strategy of the company.
These companies must monitor implementation results through a system of data and indicators.
They need to create products and processes to solve environmental challenge though innovation for sustainable development,
And finally, there must be firm and clear commitments to shareholders, communities and regulators.