Joining Forces for Sustainable Development

Sustainable Development as Inevitable Path for Jewelry and Gemstone Industry
Ngo Ba Duc, Standing Vice Chairman and General Secretary, Hai Phong Gemstones Jewelry and Art Craft Association

Sustainable development and ESG are increasingly important for the jewelry and gemstone industry. They provide a framework for businesses to reduce risks, create opportunities for long-term responsible growth, strengthen reputation with customers, minimize environmental impact in production and craftsmanship, ensure safe waste management, and maintain product traceability. Effective ESG implementation also supports smooth supply chains, generates additional jobs, and contributes positively to society.

In recent years, Hai Phong Gemstones Jewelry and Art Craft Association has proactively implemented practical initiatives, including training courses for members on labor safety, environmental protection, marketing, and brand development; vocational training programs to encourage young generations to inherit traditional jewelry-making skills; and active participation in trade fairs, exhibitions, skill competitions, and artisan recognition programs to promote the reputation of craft villages and local products.

In the coming period, we will continue to raise awareness of sustainable development among our members, build reputable brands for businesses and artisans, and link products to the One Commune One Product (OCOP) program as well as craft village culture and tourism. We also plan to propose policies to the Hai Phong People’s Committee to support artisans and craft villages in accordance with Decision 801/QD-TTg dated July 7, 2022, issued by the Prime Minister on the conservation and development of Vietnamese craft villages for the 2021-2030 period.

Sustainable growth for people and planet 
Le Thi Hong Nhi, Head of Communication, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability - Unilever Vietnam

With the National Green Growth Strategy and the goal of achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050, Vietnam is undergoing a strong transformation toward building an economy that balances growth with environmental responsibility. In this context, Unilever Vietnam continues to embrace sustainability as our guiding principle, because we believe that growth only truly matters when both people and the planet benefit. We commit to transparency in setting targets, updating our roadmap to reflect reality, and linking every pledge to measurable action plans. Guided by this principle, we have achieved many proud milestones in recent years – from protecting public health during the pandemic, pioneering comprehensive digital transformation, to delivering on our green growth and sustainability commitments across the entire production and consumption value chain.

ESG must become part of a company’s DNA
Binu Jacob, General Director of Nestlé Vietnam and Co-Chair of VBCSD

ESG is not a trend or a way to make reports look better. It is the foundation for sustainable growth and long-term competitiveness. Companies that ignore ESG today risk losing their place in the global supply chain tomorrow.

At Nestlé, ESG is not treated as a separate project. It is a mindset and operational approach applied across all functions. Every decision, from product design and ingredient selection to partnerships with farmers and suppliers, is guided by the three ESG pillars: Environment, Social, and Governance.

On the environmental side, Nestlé Vietnam follows a circular economy model and aims for Net Zero by 2050. All factories are landfill-free, and packaging is designed to be recyclable.

On the social side, Nestlé is committed to creating shared value through programs that empower women, develop youth, support sustainable coffee farming, and promote healthy nutrition.

In governance, the key factor is genuine commitment from leadership. ESG cannot succeed as a slogan or marketing message. It requires consistency, transparency, and close collaboration across the entire value chain.

No company can achieve a green future alone. Only when businesses share responsibility and act together can Vietnam truly achieve sustainable development goals.

Practicing ESG through local herbal products: a sustainable path for remote cooperatives
Tran Thi Thu Lan, Director of Ban Quyen Agroforestry Production and Service Cooperative, Trang Dinh, Lang Son

Sustainable development and ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) are essential in the era of integration. For mountain cooperatives like ours, ESG brings both challenges and opportunities. We see ESG not just as standards for large companies but as a guide for small cooperatives to pursue long term growth, linking economic benefits with social responsibility and environmental protection.

In production, we use local materials such as star anise, cinnamon, and medicinal herbs to make clean, green products like star anise tea, cinnamon and star anise foot soak, and herbal pillows. Deep processing reduces waste burning and emissions, supporting ecological protection, which reflects the “E” in ESG. At the same time, we provide stable jobs for ethnic minority residents, giving them extra income and improving their livelihoods, reflecting the “S” aspect.
On the “G” side, we apply digital transformation in production and sales. Digital platforms allow mountain communities to reach broader markets and promote natural products to consumers both in Vietnam and abroad. To fully implement ESG, cooperatives need support in training, technology, and research on local medicinal herbs to meet higher standards and strengthen market positions.

We believe that when each cooperative applies ESG in ways suited to its scale and local conditions, Vietnam’s green economy and sustainable development can become a reality.

Human capital - the core engine driving ESG strategy
Bui Ngoc Quoc Hung, CEO of CareerViet Solution Joint Stock Company

ESG is not just reports or metrics; it is a new mindset for running a responsible business. Human capital is the core engine that turns this mindset into reality.

To embed this approach across the organization, employees need knowledge and empowerment to turn sustainability goals into concrete actions, from optimizing energy use to building a fair and transparent work environment. They are the ones generating initiatives that create real impact, not just commitments.

Corporate culture acts as the organization’s operating system and a solid foundation for sustainable development. Without ethics in environmental practices, transparency in governance, and social responsibility as the base, ESG strategies cannot be effectively implemented. Culture serves as the glue that ensures sustainable values are maintained consistently.
To enhance ESG implementation, two key solutions are essential: applying technology such as AI and Big Data to measure, monitor, and report ESG metrics in real time, and developing sustainable human resources by integrating ESG criteria into internal training and recruitment programs.

CareerViet’s “Most Loved Companies 2025” survey, with over 88,000 respondents, shows that in companies with fewer than 1,000 employees, environmental awareness is seen as a key indicator of sustainability. In larger companies, fairness, diversity, and inclusion are rated more highly. This demonstrates that investing in people and responsible action is the key to attracting and retaining talent on the path to sustainable growth.

Sustainability embedded at the core
Kim Le Huy, Head Country Leadership, DKSH Vietnam

At DKSH, sustainability is embedded at the core of our business strategy. Our sustainability framework provides clear direction and accountability, uniting all business units and functions to identify strategic priorities and translate them into actionable initiatives. This collaborative approach ensures alignment, ownership, and measurable progress across the organization. Guided by four key objectives, Enable Our People to Flourish, Make Our Value Chains More Sustainable, Achieve Net-Zero Emissions, and Make a Positive Local Impact, we deliver tangible results that create long-term value for our stakeholders and communities.
Robust governance, transparent monitoring, and comprehensive reporting frameworks ensure consistency and accountability across the entire organization, while local initiatives adapt global priorities to market-specific needs. This dual approach, global consistency with local relevance, underpins the effective governance and implementation of our sustainability activities. 

Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond business operations to social impact, supporting education, health, gender equality, and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. DKSH has joined the United Nations Global Compact, committing to responsible business conduct aligned with its Ten Principles and actively contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Sustainability is the foundation of how we operate, enabling both DKSH and our partners to advance shared ambitions across the value chain. Through this commitment, DKSH demonstrates that every business decision can help shape a sustainable, equitable, and prosperous future for all stakeholders.

Sustainable growth through shared values, Cao Thi Ngoc Dung, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors, Phu Nhuan Jewelry Joint Stock Company (PNJ)

Throughout 37 years of establishment and development, we have consistently upheld our sustainable development philosophy: “Integrate the customer and society interests into the company’s interests”. 

We strongly believe that PNJ’s growth is intrinsically linked to the shared prosperity of the community and society.
With the declaration “PNJ acts responsibly to honor the beauty of people and life in a sustainable way”, PNJ vigorously advanced ESG practices across all three pillars Environmental (E), Social (S), and Governance (G) with a breakthrough mindset, striving for a balanced integration of economic performance, social responsibility, and environmental stewardship.
We continuously strengthen our governance capacity, building a transparent, efficient operational system anchored in accountability. We are committed to long-term value creation, safeguarding stakeholder interests, and ensuring resilience while driving sustainable growth.

Innovation remains central to our approach, enabling resource optimization and promoting a circular economy model with reduced greenhouse gas emissions. PNJ recognizes the environment not merely as a matter of legal compliance but as a strategic pillar in building a sustainable enterprise. Environmental responsibility is integrated across all operations from production and distribution to business management and customer experience.

Concurrently, we maintain our commitment to social welfare initiatives, expanding community impact through strategic partnerships and scalable CSR programs that lay the foundation for long-term positive transformation.

Sustainability must be driven by purposeful actions
Lester Tan, General Director of Saigon Beer-Alcohol-Beverage Corporation (SABECO)

At SABECO, sustainability is more than an operational goal. It is a long-term strategic approach that strengthens our adaptability, reinforces our values, and ensures that we grow responsibly in the face of constant change. We place ESG at the center of how we operate and how we plan. It guides the way we invest, the way we innovate and how we connect with our stakeholders. As one of Vietnam’s leading companies in sustainability, we are determined to build a more resilient SABECO that is aligned with national priorities and global aspirations.

We believe that sustainability must be driven by purposeful actions that are implemented consistently throughout every areas, achieving stable and sustainable growth while creating positive values for communities. SABECO is proud to be at the forefront of that journey.