The 2026 Vietnam ESG Investment Forum for SMEs & Startups, co-organized by Raise Partners and Vietnam Innovators Digest, will take place over two half-days on January 22–23, 2026, bringing together key stakeholders, industry leaders, expert keynotes to examine how this transition is reshaping the future of Vietnamese businesses.
Under the theme ESG’s Competitive Edge: Navigating Trade Shifts, Climate Risks & Investor Demands, the Forum focuses on three interconnected dynamics affecting SMEs and startups today: shifting requirements for export market access linked to ESG standards; growing investor attention to sustainability as part of capital and green finance decisions; and climate- and labor-related considerations that are increasingly shaping operational costs and long-term scalability.
Evolving Challenges For Vietnamese SMEs And Startups
SMEs and startups continue to play a central role in Vietnam’s economy. Together, they account for approximately 98% of all enterprises, contribute over 45% of GDP, play a significant role in Vietnam’s export activities, and generate more than 60% of total employment.
At the same time, the environment in which these businesses operate is changing. Global frameworks governing trade, climate policy, and investment are developing at a rapid pace. Requirements related to traceability, carbon emissions, labor standards, and supply chain governance, particularly in the European Union and other developed markets are gradually moving ESG from a voluntary consideration toward a standard expectation for international market access and financing.
For Vietnamese SMEs and startups, the focus is therefore shifting from whether ESG should be adopted to how it can be implemented in a practical and proportionate way, given limited resources and increasing competitive pressures.
Clarifying The Landscape And Practical Responses
Within this context, the 2026 Vietnam ESG Investment Forum for SMEs & Startups is designed as a space for shared learning and practical discussion, examining how ESG considerations are influencing competitiveness across global trade, investment, and supply chains.
Rather than approaching ESG from a purely conceptual perspective, the first day of the Forum emphasizes applied tools and real-world approaches. Discussions begin with a guiding question: How can ESG support business growth and resilience, rather than simply adding complexity or cost?
The plenary session, “New Rules, New Winners,” will look at how Vietnamese SMEs can respond to ESG-related shifts at both global and domestic levels, highlighting areas where early alignment may support market access and new business opportunities.
Breakout sessions throughout the day allow participants to engage with topics most relevant to their sectors and stages of development. These include ESG requirements in supply chains through 2025–2030, a practical “Zero to ESG in Six Months” roadmap for businesses starting their ESG journey, and investor perspectives on integrating sustainability with financial performance while managing greenwashing risks.
The program also features a Case Study Spotlight, where a Vietnamese SME or startup shares how targeted ESG upgrades helped unlock international investment or partnerships, offering concrete insights that other businesses can realistically apply.
The day concludes with a Demo Lab, introducing accessible tools for measuring carbon footprints and social impact, and offering a starting point for more data-informed ESG practices.
Finance, Buyers, And Pathways To Growth
If the first day addresses how to act, the second morning turns to where support comes from. The opening session on green and impact finance clarifies what capital providers are now seeking as ESG becomes an integral part of investment screening.
Subsequent parallel sessions are designed with distinct audiences in mind. Manufacturers and exporters gain direct insights from international brands on responsible purchasing expectations; startups participate in Pitch Clinics to refine their ESG narratives and fundraising strategies; and investors exchange perspectives on due diligence in high-risk yet high-potential environments.
In particular, buyer-focused discussions highlight how ESG requirements are increasingly shaping supplier selection, contract renewal, and long-term partnerships — making responsible purchasing practices a decisive factor in staying within global supply chains.
The Forum concludes with a Pitch Session featuring five selected enterprises, followed by the launch of a curated Deal Room, designed to facilitate targeted connections between businesses, investors, and buyers aligned around sustainability priorities.
Advancing Collaboration With Purpose
At its core, the 2026 Vietnam ESG Investment Forum is about enabling substantive connections. Moving beyond theory, the Forum creates opportunities for founders to engage directly with impact investors and multinational corporations seeking sustainable supply chain partners.
Whether you are a startup searching for direction, an SME navigating new standards, or an investor looking for resilient, sustainability-driven opportunities, the Forum offers the mindset and practical tools needed not only to adapt — but to move ahead in the decade to come.
The 2026 Vietnam SME/Startup ESG Investor Forum, co-hosted by Vietnam Innovators Digest and Raise Partners, is designed as the kick-off event to the 2026 Vietnam ESG Investor Conference. Themed "ESG's Competitive Edge: Navigating Trade Shifts, Climate Risks & Investor Demands," the forum will convene industry-leading experts to deliver practical solutions for SMEs/Startups and foster meaningful collaboration opportunities.- Time & Date: 1 PM - 7 PM, January 22nd & 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM, January 23rd, 2026 .
- Location: TBU