Vietnam's Top Innovative Firms for 2026 Named Amid Push for ESG Integration

The list of Vietnam's Top 50 Most Innovative Enterprises (VIE50) and Top 10 Most Innovative Enterprises in Key Industries for 2026 has been released, identifying businesses demonstrating significant progress in innovation and operational excellence.

The announcement was made on June 26 by joint organisers VIR and Viet Research. The awards, now in their fourth consecutive year, honour outstanding enterprises across 16 major economic sectors. The rankings are based on Viet Research's assessment methodology, which evaluates companies on comprehensive innovation spanning corporate governance, business operations, technology adoption, product development, and new business models that strengthen competitiveness and improve operational performance.

A survey conducted by the organisers found that 90 per cent of the ranked companies have made innovation a core strategic priority. The average Innovation Sentiment Index among the VIE50 and VIE10 firms reached 76 out of 100, a level categorised as 'systematically optimistic'. This reflects strong corporate confidence in their innovation capabilities, adaptability, and long-term growth prospects despite continued global economic uncertainty.

The announcement ceremony was held in conjunction with the Vietnam Business Forum 2026, which brought together policymakers, international organisations, business associations, and leading advisory firms. Prominent participants included Nguyen Duc Hien, deputy head of the Central Policy and Strategy Commission; Cyril Loisel, first secretary of the European Union Delegation to Vietnam; Michael Han, vice-president of the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Vietnam; and Nguyen Viet Long, deputy general director of Advisory Services at EY Vietnam.

Discussions at the forum focused on key trends reshaping Vietnam's corporate landscape. These included innovation as a long-term growth driver, the green transition and circular economy as pathways to deeper participation in global value chains, and the integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into corporate strategy. The growing role of data, digital technologies, and AI in strengthening operational resilience and competitiveness was also a central topic.

Speakers agreed that innovation and ESG are increasingly becoming complementary strategic pillars for Vietnamese businesses. As global markets impose stricter requirements on carbon emissions, resource efficiency, transparency, and corporate responsibility, companies must move beyond mere compliance to transform these challenges into opportunities for sustainable growth. C.P. Vietnam was among the companies honoured as one of the Top 10 Most Innovative Enterprises.

The forum also highlighted practical strategies for enterprises seeking to accelerate digital transformation, improve governance, and enhance resilience amid an increasingly volatile global business environment. The organisers stated that the VIE50 and VIE10 programme aims to recognise enterprises that have achieved outstanding business performance while encouraging the wider adoption of innovation-driven and sustainable development strategies across the Vietnamese business community. As Vietnam pursues higher-quality economic growth and deeper international integration, enterprises capable of combining technological innovation with responsible governance are expected to play an increasingly important role in strengthening the country's competitiveness and supporting long-term economic development.