On May 13–14, 2025, the Vietnam ESG Investor Conference brought together over 300 leaders, policymakers, and experts from around the world at the New World Saigon Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. The event spotlighted ESG as a key driver for sustainable and resilient growth amid global uncertainty. Leading voices included representatives from Department of Foreign Affair and Trade (DFAT), HSBC Vietnam, S&P Global, DEEP C Industrial Zones, and media partners such as Vietcetera.
Representing AIT Vietnam, Dr. Phung Van Dong, Executive Director, emphasized that ESG is not a fleeting trend but an essential framework for sustainable development. He highlighted that AIT has long embedded environmental sustainability, social inclusion, and good governance into its training, research, and operations—well before ESG gained global prominence.
During the panel, Dr. Dong outlined how AIT Vietnam actively turns ESG values into impactful action. The institute offers executive education and postgraduate programs in ESG leadership, innovation, and digital transformation—specifically designed for mid-career professionals, SME leaders, and individuals from underserved communities. Through strategic partnerships, such as with the Hanoi People’s Committee and development agencies like DFAT, USAID, and JICA, AIT has delivered training to over 1,000 SME CEOs and supported ESG capacity-building nationwide.
Australian Consul General Sarah Hooper praised Vietnam’s ESG progress and affirmed Australia’s continued support for inclusive, sustainable development. She emphasized the importance of long-term collaboration between both countries, especially in climate resilience and education reform.
One of AIT Vietnam’s defining features is its commitment to inclusive access. With hybrid formats, evening classes, and tuition subsidies—including 100% scholarships for women-led businesses—AIT ensures that opportunities are available regardless of location, gender, or income level. Over the past three years, AIT Vietnam has invested more than USD 1 million in scholarships, drawn from its own operational surplus as a non-profit.
Dr. Dong also emphasized the importance of digital learning platforms and modular training models that enable learners – particularly those in remote or low-income settings – to access high – quality education flexibly. Collaborations with banks, universities, and international partners help scale these solutions across Vietnam and the region.
In addition to its educational mission, AIT leads by example. The institute was awarded the prestigious International Green Gown Award in the “2030 Climate Action” category for its Net Zero Campus Initiative – a transformative project supported by the UN Environment Programme and Allianz Global Investors, aimed at turning its campus into a Botanical Garden Net Zero campus by 2030.
Concluding the session, Dr. Dong shared a bold vision: a future where Vietnam leads Asia in inclusive, sustainable innovation. Achieving this vision, he stated, begins now—by investing in accessible, hybrid, and lifelong learning systems.
