Vietnam consolidates its leading position in ASEAN on impact investment

In his opening speech, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ho Sy Hung, President of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), stressed that the business sector is not only an economic driving force but is also increasingly contributing to solving social and environmental issues, thus helping to achieve the nation's sustainable development goals.

The event was co-organized by VCCI, the IIX Impact Investment Exchange, and Global Affairs Canada (GAC), aiming to promote Vietnam as a leading impact investment hub in Southeast Asia.

According to Mr. Hung, the business sector currently contributes 60% of GDP, 98% of export turnover, and employs 85% of the country's workforce, showcasing its pivotal role in the industrialization process and international integration.

It is noteworthy that, in addition to traditional economic contributions, an increasing number of Vietnamese enterprises are choosing a path of development based on social impact. This is not just a shift in business mindset, but also reflects a growing awareness that sustainable business models have the potential to create long-term value, boost community trust, and are more appealing to international investors.

According to IIX data, the number of social impact businesses (SIBs) has increased from approximately 22,000 in 2022 to 26,000 in 2025, indicating a positive development step for this ecosystem.

One of the key highlights at the forum was the result of the Vietnam Impact Investment Index (Orange Index) 2025. Vietnam scored 51 out of 100 points, continuing to lead ASEAN and surpassing the global average of 44 points.

According to the VCCI President, this is clear evidence that the domestic impact investment ecosystem has reached a certain depth and breadth, with the maturity of enterprises, the increasing interest of investors, and national policies geared towards sustainable development.

He noted that Vietnam achieved balanced scores in three areas: Gender, Climate, and Community Impact. Specifically, the result on gender equality was impressive, with 65% of social impact businesses led by women, reflecting the increasingly strong trend of empowering women and marginalized groups through innovative business models.

Mr. Hung affirmed that continuing to lead ASEAN in the Orange Index is a "great pride" for Vietnam, but it also necessitates further enhancing the core capacity of SIBs.

"To maintain this momentum, social impact businesses need to improve their core capacity and market mindset; investors need to prioritize high-impact sectors and strengthen cooperation with development financial institutions; and regulatory bodies need to soon complete the legal framework and business environment to encourage the development of a comprehensive impact investment ecosystem. VCCI commits to continuing to accompany domestic and international organizations and investors to promote impact investment, contributing to the realization of Vietnam's sustainable and inclusive development goals," Mr. Hung shared at the forum.

Mr. Ho Sy Hung reaffirmed VCCI's commitment to accompany domestic and international organizations to support social impact businesses. He emphasized that VCCI will continue to promote consulting, training, financial connection, and legal framework improvement, aiming to create momentum for sustainable business models to develop.

From the perspective of international cooperation, the forum continues to receive strong support from Canada and IIX. Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam, Mr. Jim Nickel, shared: "Canada is proud to accompany Vietnam on its journey to become a leading impact investment hub in Southeast Asia. Through development cooperation programs, we share experiences on blended finance and building an impact investment ecosystem, while mobilizing capital from the private sector to promote sustainable and inclusive growth."

He emphasized that through development cooperation programs, Canada has contributed to building the impact investment ecosystem in Vietnam by sharing experiences on blended finance, providing technical support, and mobilizing private capital.

The Impact Investment Readiness Project (IIRV), funded by GAC and implemented by IIX, has supported domestic enterprises to enhance their capacity, expand their network, and access capital flows worth 17.5 million Canadian dollars.

Professor Durreen Shahnaz, Founder and CEO of IIX, commented that Vietnam is at a "pivotal moment" where market demand, policy orientation, and enterprise maturity are aligning.

She stated that the IIRV project has supported nearly 250 enterprises and unlocked important financial access opportunities for businesses led by women or providing climate solutions – two major priorities of the global impact ecosystem. According to her, if appropriately supported, Vietnam could completely "unlock billions of dollars" in the next decade.