On the afternoon of July 29, in Ho Chi Minh City, the Global Reporting Initiative officially launched the Vietnamese translation of the GRI Standards. The event aimed to remove the language barrier, helping enterprises standardize ESG reporting, enhance climate risk governance capacity, and unlock global green capital.
Removing the Language Barrier, Driving ESG Data Transparency
From July 29, the latest versions of the GRI Standards officially have a Vietnamese translation, helping organizations and enterprises report transparently on their impacts in line with global practices. The fully translated material set includes the Universal Standards, Sector Standards, and Topic Standards.
According to the organizers, small and medium enterprises in Vietnam account for approximately 98%, contribute nearly 50% to GDP, create 50% of employment opportunities, and account for 17% of export turnover. Despite acting as the backbone of the economy, the English language barrier is a major factor quietly holding back SMEs from disclosing ESG data. The provision of the world’s most widely applied sustainability reporting framework free of charge in the vernacular will help enterprises resolve this bottleneck, easily quantifying and disclosing their impacts on the economy, environment, and people.
Opening the event, Mr. Werner Bardill, Consul General of Switzerland in Ho Chi Minh City, emphasized that sustainable economic development requires robust institutions, responsibly operating enterprises, and a conducive environment to compete. Global value chains today are increasingly shaped by transparency expectations. International customers and investors do not only focus on the products, but also emphasize production methods and community impacts.
According to Mr. Werner Bardill, Switzerland has accompanied the promotion of global responsible business practices since 2012. Notably, the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association member states creates a framework to tighten economic relations, in which transparent reporting helps businesses connect effectively with international networks.
Ms. Esther An, GRI Supervisory Board Member and Chief Sustainability Officer at City Developments Limited, stated that sustainability reporting builds trust and empowers organizations to make better decisions. Providing reliable information on impacts helps enterprises strengthen resilience, attract investment, and enhance competitiveness in a globalized economy.
Regarding the implementation process, Mr. Nguyen Cong Minh Bao, GRI Country Manager for Vietnam, noted that the program is coordinating with the State Securities Commission and the Stock Exchanges to review the legal framework. The objective is to prepare the issuance of guidance materials for ESG disclosure according to Circular 96 for listed companies in the third quarter of 2026.
Concurrently, the STAR Accelerator Program is also being deployed with support from the Agency for Private Enterprise and Collective Economy Development under the Ministry of Finance, providing practical tools to help SMEs practice reporting and regulatory compliance.
‘Green Passport’ Unlocking Capital and Expanding Value Chains
Beside information transparency, Vietnamese enterprises are confronting risks from climate change such as supply chain disruptions, resource scarcity, and shifting investor expectations.
Dr. Allinnettes Adigue, Head of the GRI ASEAN Regional Hub, analyzed that climate risk today is business risk. Real-world events such as super typhoon Yagi or the COVID-19 pandemic show that a non-financial risk can trigger a concatenated risk chain, leading to supply chain disruptions, operational standstills, and severe liquidity reductions. Investors today do not merely request raw data, but require enterprises to understand risks and maintain adaptation plans.
To address this challenge, the concept of double materiality, combining impact materiality and financial materiality, is assessed as an effective tool to unlock green capital flows. When enterprises transparently disclose data and proactively manage sustainability risks, the threat of financial loss is minimized, thereby generating long-term value and attracting investment.
Ms. Esther An shared the approach via 4 I’s: Integration across the operating apparatus, Innovation to find solutions, Investment to attract capital, and Impact through practical action. The core objective is utilizing data to prove the embedding of ESG into business strategy.
In agri-food exports, stringent international regulations such as the EU Deforestation Regulation turn data compliance into an essential ‘green passport’. Failure to provide verifiable sustainability data leaves enterprises facing the risk of exclusion from high-value markets and investment portfolios.
To support businesses in adapting, Golden Gate BCE Group officially signed to join the ASEAN Sustainability & Impact Alliance initiated by GRI, committing to building competitive and resilient agricultural value chains.
Dr. William L. Nolten, Chairman and CEO of Golden Gate BCE Group, affirmed that the future competitiveness of this sector relies entirely on transparent, traceable value chains. Joining the alliance will support responsible growth and improve access to finance for enterprises and cooperatives.
At the event, Golden Gate BCE also signed a strategic cooperation agreement with LPF FUND Co., Ltd. Reflecting on this step, Mr. Huynh Quoc Khanh, Chairman of the Board of Members of LPF FUND Co., Ltd., observed that every development era requires a common language to connect with the world. That language has now expanded from product quality to transparency and accountability.
Accordingly, the GRI Standards provide the foundation for Vietnamese businesses to share the same ‘ESG language’ with the global investment community, remaining prepared to participate deeply in world value chains and access long-term capital flows.
Article and photos: Hải Yên/Tin tuc va Dan toc Newspaper
- Northann Corp Enters Strategic Relationship with Rexil Group of Companies Netherlands to Promote Sustainable Technology and Products
- Golden Gate BCE Participates in Vietnam–Australia Green Transition Forum 2026 to Advance Low-Carbon Agriculture and Manufacturing
- GRI 2026 Announcement Event: Green Passport for Vietnamese Enterprises
- LPF FUND Aims to Build an ESG Capital Ecosystem for Sustainable Agriculture
- Industry advances packaging solutions as “renewables do not mean compromise”
- Vietnamese translation of the GRI standards has been launched.
