This activity forms part of the “Capacity Building Support for Enterprises, Organizations, and the Startup Community (2026–2029)” project, funded by Catalyste+. Through this project, the Da Nang Union of Friendship Organizations, the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) for the Central and Central Highlands regions, and Catalyste+ are jointly implementing a series of initiatives to advance responsible business practices.

The overarching goal is to strengthen the management, operational efficiency, digital transformation, and green transition capabilities of local enterprises, thereby fostering sustainable and ethical growth within the business community.

First consultation meeting on the development and refinement of the Responsible Business Practices Index (RBP Index). (Photo: Viet Nam Business Magazine)

The development and refinement of the Responsible Business Practices (RBP) Index has been identified as a key priority. The Index provides enterprises with a practical tool to self-assess their current performance, identify areas for improvement, and chart a roadmap toward sustainable development.

To qualify as a responsible business, enterprises must meet a broad range of criteria: safeguarding the well-being and rights of their workforce; managing resources and waste responsibly; ensuring product and service quality while protecting consumer interests; and upholding transparency and integrity in operations. By promoting the RBP Index, the initiative seeks to foster a business environment where corporate growth is harmonized with the interests of employees, consumers, and the wider community.

Speaking at the consultation, Nguyen Ngoc Binh, President of the Da Nang Union of Friendship Organizations, emphasized that the RBP Index serves not only as a reliable measure of corporate adherence to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards, but also as a strategic compass. It empowers Da Nang’s business community to proactively integrate into the global economy and meet the increasingly rigorous standards of international markets.

Nguyen Ngoc Binh, President of the Da Nang Union of Friendship Organizations. (Photo: Viet Nam Business Magazine)

This consultation conference serves as a vital starting point for gathering insights, knowledge, and expertise from consultants, the business community, specialists, scholars, and researchers representing various organizations and institutions. The in-depth, valuable feedback and proposals shared during the conference will assist the Organizing Committee in refining a robust and scientifically sound methodology. This, in turn, will make a significant contribution to the development and finalization of the RBP Index, ensuring it is accurate, practical, and aligned with global trends.

During the conference, the consulting firm tasked with developing the RBP Index presented its objectives, legal basis, research methodology, international reference frameworks, results from business surveys, and the proposed structure of the index.

As currently proposed, the RBP Index comprises 73 individual indicators. These include 52 mandatory indicators categorized into five groups: governance, compliance, and integrity (9 indicators); environment, resources, and waste (13 indicators); labor and support for vulnerable groups (17 indicators); product, service, and customer responsibility (6 indicators); and procurement and market access (7 indicators). Additionally, the index includes one contextual indicator, intended specifically for export promotion purposes, as well as 20 voluntary indicators focused on advanced practices.

According to the Organizing Committee, the consultation process, involving the business community, academic institutions, including universities and colleges, and subject-matter experts, aims to validate the relevance of each group of indicators and solicit recommendations to refine the tool before its formal implementation.

Dinh Trung Hieu, General Director of Nuoa JSC, which developed the RBP Index, presents the RBP Index proposed for implementation in Da Nang. (Photo: Viet Nam Business Magazine)

Nguyen Tien Quang, Director of VCCI for the Central and Central Highlands region, suggests that the development of the RBP Index, which integrates ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria, can help businesses assess their level of responsibility, identify areas for improvement, and gradually foster a culture of responsible business conduct. However, he notes that for the index to be applied effectively, it must meet three key requirements.

First, the index must be practical and representative. Given that businesses vary in size, resources, and industry-specific characteristics, the criteria must be flexible enough to accommodate micro, small, medium, and large enterprises. Furthermore, the language used should be clear and easy to apply across sectors such as tourism, industrial manufacturing, commerce, and services. The goal of the RBP Index is not to create additional administrative burdens, but rather to provide a tool for businesses to self-evaluate and enhance their operations.

Second, the index must be linked to tangible benefits for businesses. Responsible business practices should be viewed in terms of their potential to improve resource efficiency, strengthen risk management, enhance the workplace environment, bolster corporate reputation, and expand access to new markets, partners, and investors.

Third, the index must be practical to implement and subject to ongoing refinement based on real-world feedback. Consulting with businesses is a crucial step in gauging their readiness and capacity to meet these criteria, as well as ensuring that each criterion is clear and user-friendly.

VCCI for the Central and Central Highlands region stated that it will continue to engage with businesses, gather practical feedback, and collaborate with regulatory bodies, business associations, experts, and development partners to refine, disseminate, and promote the adoption of tools that support responsible business practices in Da Nang.

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