Amid escalating demands for information transparency, risk management, and sustainable development, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting has emerged as a critical tool for enterprises to demonstrate managerial competence, meeting the expectations of investors, partners, and international markets.

Leveraging nearly seven decades of expertise in conformity assessment, Vinacontrol provides comprehensive ESG reporting consultancy services and sustainability strategy advisory. We assist enterprises in assessing their current state, identifying material topics, establishing robust data infrastructure, and disclosing information in alignment with applicable global standards, paving the way for transparent governance and sustainable growth.

Service Background

An ESG report is a corporate disclosure document detailing how an enterprise manages its impacts, risks, opportunities, and performance across three core pillars:

• E – Environmental: Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, energy efficiency, water resource management, waste management, pollution control, and ecosystem impact.
• S – Social: Working conditions, occupational health and safety (OH&S), human rights, workforce development, customer responsibility, and community engagement.
• G – Governance: Corporate governance structure, business ethics, internal controls, risk management, anti-corruption measures, and operational transparency.

A high-quality ESG report not only highlights achievements but must also clearly define material topics, disclose verifiable data, and reflect corporate accountability for impacts generated throughout operations.

Strategic Benefits of Preparing an ESG Report:

• Ensuring compliance with regulatory disclosure mandates and stakeholder expectations.
• Enhancing transparency, thereby solidifying brand reputation with clients, investors, and international partners.
• Identifying ESG risks and uncovering operational and managerial improvement opportunities.
• Improving supplier evaluation ratings, facilitating access to sustainable finance, and expanding export market entry.
• Establishing a data baseline to formulate long-term sustainability strategies, targets, and roadmaps.

When Should Enterprises Prepare an ESG Report?

• Listed Companies: Required to disclose ESG information to satisfy investor expectations and regulatory body mandates.
• Exporting Enterprises: Demanded to comply with stringent ESG criteria from key markets such as the EU, the US, and Japan.
• High-Impact Sector Enterprises: Operating in manufacturing, energy, mining, chemicals, and heavy industry.
• Sustainability-Oriented Companies: Seeking to build a green brand identity and elevate market standing.
• Enterprises Subject to Statutory Obligations: Operating in jurisdictions where ESG disclosures have become mandatory for specific sectors.

Applicable Frameworks and Regulations in ESG Reporting

Selecting the appropriate reporting framework depends on an enterprise’s sector-specific characteristics, operational scale, legal obligations, and stakeholder demands.

Domestic Regulatory Framework in Vietnam

• Circular No. 96/2020/TT-BTC issued by the Ministry of Finance (and subsequent amendments) governing information disclosure on the securities market. Appendix IV provides guidelines for annual reports, including disclosures on environmental and social impacts.
• Decision No. 46/2026/QD-TTg (effective from 1 November 2026) provides guidance on identifying green projects, projects fulfilling circularity criteria, and applying ESG reporting frameworks. Entities executing green or circular projects are required to prepare disclosures applying ESG frameworks as a basis for relevant support policy evaluations.

ESG disclosure obligations vary across business models. Therefore, conducting a preliminary review of applicable scope and target criteria is an essential prerequisite before drafting a report.

International Standards and Reporting Frameworks

• GRI Standards (Global Reporting Initiative): The world’s most widely adopted sustainability reporting framework, focusing on an organisation’s material impacts on the economy, environment, and people. Universal standards (GRI 1, GRI 2, and GRI 3) are applied alongside relevant Sector and Topic Standards.
• IFRS S1 and IFRS S2 (ISSB): Global sustainability- and climate-related financial disclosure standards focused on risks and opportunities that affect enterprise prospects. Adoption depends on jurisdictional mandates and market disclosure requirements.
• ESRS (European Sustainability Reporting Standards): Mandatory sustainability reporting standards under the European Union regulatory framework for applicable undertakings.
• GHG Protocol & ISO 14064-1: Technical methodologies utilised to quantify, manage, and report greenhouse gas emissions data.

Vinacontrol’s ESG Reporting Procedure

Vinacontrol deploys a data-driven approach, combining current-state assessments with corporate disclosure requirements and strategic orientation through a structured 5-step process:​​​​​​​

• Step 1: Current-State & ESG Readiness Assessment
• Step 2: Materiality Assessment & Material Topic Identification
• Step 3: Data Collection, Standardisation, and Analysis
• Step 4: ESG Report Drafting Aligned with Selected Standards
• Step 5: ESG Performance Improvement Advisory & Public Disclosure

Unlike basic information aggregation, professional ESG advisory requires an integrated approach combining sustainable governance insights, data analytics, technical expertise, and precise application of international standards.

Driven by technical excellence and cross-sector expertise, Vinacontrol delivers tailored ESG solutions embedded in daily operations—emphasising data accuracy, audit trail traceability, and strict compliance with global disclosure standards.

In addition to ESG reporting, Vinacontrol offers integrated technical services including GHG inventory accounting, environmental parameter testing, and conformity assessment—building a solid data foundation for corporate governance and sustainable development.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is ESG reporting mandatory for all enterprises?

Not all enterprises are legally required to publish an independent, standalone ESG report. Disclosure obligations depend on ownership structure, regulatory jurisdiction, investment activities, and specific mandates enforced by investors, commercial partners, or export markets.

2. How much does an ESG reporting consultancy engagement cost?

Consultancy fees depend on enterprise scale, chosen reporting standards, operational boundaries, and data collection scope. Please contact Vinacontrol directly for a tailored consultation and detailed quotation.

3. How should an enterprise with no pre-existing ESG data system begin?

Enterprises should begin with a current-state readiness assessment to establish operational boundaries and identify material topics, followed by selecting a KPI framework tailored to their current data collection capacity. This forms a structured baseline to systematically enhance disclosure quality over subsequent reporting cycles.