On 29 August 2025, LNT & Partners, in collaboration with VCCI – HCM and DLA Piper Singapore, successfully organized the seminar “Vietnam in Focus: ESG Trends and Trade Tactics Amid Global Uncertainty” at the VCCI headquarters in Ho Chi Minh City.

The event brought together over 120 distinguished participants, including representatives from enterprises, international organizations, regulatory bodies, and leading legal experts. The seminar provided an in-depth forum for sharing multi-dimensional insights, updating participants on global ESG trends, international trade policy changes, and strategic solutions to help Vietnamese businesses strengthen competitiveness and seize new opportunities.

Opening the seminar, Mr. Nguyen Doan Thong, representing VCCI – HCM, emphasized the growing significance of ESG in the context of rapidly evolving global trade. He highlighted that ESG is not merely asocial responsibility but an essential strategic pathway for Vietnamese enterprises to enhance their competitiveness, expand partnerships, and integrate more deeply into global value chains.

Mr. Sammy Fang(Partner, DLA Piper) began the presentations by offering a comprehensive overview of global ESG trends and their direct impacts on trade and investment in Vietnam. He analyzed the latest regulatory developments in Europe, including the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive(CSDDD), and highlighted upcoming changes under the EU’s Omnibus Plan that will affect thousands of businesses. He also stressed that Vietnamese companies may face sanctions, exclusion from supply chains, or missed collaboration opportunities if they fail to meet ESG requirements imposed by global markets or partners—even when those regulations are not directly applicable in Vietnam.

Following Mr. Sammy, Ms. Hoang Nguyen Ha Quyen (Managing Partner, LNT & Partners) provided an in-depth analysis of the ESG landscape in Vietnam, including significant changes in domestic ESG regulations and the influence of international standards on local businesses. She highlighted potential legal risks associated with greenwashing and recommended proactive strategies such as ESG due diligence, data collection systems, and internal capability-building to transform ESG compliance into a competitive advantage.

Closing the seminar, Mr. Nathan Bush (Partner, Head of International Trade &Competition, Asia – DLA Piper)shared his insights on global trade policies and compliance risks. He discussed the impacts of new U.S. trade policies, including “Trump 2.0 Tariffs”, export controls, investment restrictions, and economic sanctions, while also outlining opportunities and challenges for Vietnamese enterprises under key regional trade agreements such as CPTPP and RCEP.

The seminar offered practical knowledge, actionable strategies, and valuable networking opportunities, equipping Vietnamese businesses to navigate ESG challenges, enhance trade readiness, and achieve sustainable growth amid global uncertainty.