HM&P lawyer joins ESG Forum 2025 hosted by The Saigon Times

On June 25, 2025, at the invitation of The Saigon Times, Managing Partner Nguyen Van Phuc, representing HM&P Law Firm (“HM&P”), attended the ESG Forum 2025 themed “Dual Transition Towards Eco-Industrial Parks”, held at Saigon Prince Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City. The event brought together a wide range of experts, policymakers, and business leaders from Vietnam and abroad to discuss the integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors into corporate development strategies, particularly in the field of industrial real estate.

During the forum, Mr. Phuc participated in a panel discussion that focused on key drivers compelling ESG to become an essential component of corporate strategy, including:

• Global investors and partners, especially from Europe and the United States, increasingly require Vietnamese companies—as links in the global supply chain—to disclose emissions, labor conditions, gender equality, and governance practices;
• International financial institutions and major commercial banks have adopted ESG as a prerequisite for financing decisions and have begun developing internal ESG assessment metrics for their clients;
• Leading FDI corporations in Vietnam are pioneering ESG integration into their operational models and have established dedicated ESG compliance units for their factories, supply chains, and workforce.

Notably, Mr. Phuc emphasized that ESG is no longer a voluntary option but is rapidly becoming a mandatory requirement for businesses seeking sustainable growth and global integration. Delayed adaptation to ESG standards may result in loss of market access, cancelled orders, or ineligibility for funding from both domestic and international credit institutions.

Business representatives also raised questions to HM&P regarding Vietnam’s legal framework for ESG, which remains under development and lacks a unified system. In response, HM&P’s legal team highlighted the importance of proactively monitoring current regulations across relevant sectors and staying abreast of emerging ESG policies and standards in practice. From a legal perspective, Mr. Phuc outlined three urgent action areas for businesses:

• Identifying relevant ESG criteria that may impact business operations and developing tailored implementation roadmaps based on company size and industry;
• Establishing transparent, verifiable governance and disclosure systems, alongside internal staff training to ensure correct understanding and compliance;
• Reviewing existing legal frameworks and contracts to ensure alignment with applicable environmental, labor, data protection, and disclosure obligations.

The ESG Forum 2025 played a pivotal role in shaping a strategic and compliance-oriented ESG approach for Vietnamese businesses. Mr. Phuc concluded:

“This forum is a valuable opportunity to reflect on the role of legal frameworks in sustainable development. HM&P is committed to supporting businesses in building a strong legal foundation for ESG that aligns with both Vietnam’s context and global trends.”

As a trusted legal advisor to both domestic and international enterprises in corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and cross-border transactions, HM&P remains committed to accompanying the business community in adapting to ESG standards. We believe that investing in a robust, transparent legal infrastructure aligned with global norms not only minimizes risks but also lays the groundwork for long-term growth in a rapidly evolving market.