SSC launches Vietnam Governance Manual 2025

THE HANOI TIMES — First published in 2010, the Vietnam Corporate Governance Manual aligns with local laws and global standards, offering guidance for shareholders, corporations, and regulators.

The State Securities Commission (SSC) of Vietnam and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) today [April 2] in Hanoi co-launched the Vietnam Corporate Governance Manual 2025.

The event, along with a similar one in Ho Chi Minh City on April 4, is part of an ongoing partnership between the SSC and IFC, supported by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), to strengthen corporate governance practices in Vietnam.

IFC, a global investor, incorporates corporate governance assessments into its investment decisions and evaluates governance risks and opportunities.

"Companies that adhere to high governance standards tend to have stronger boards, better management, improved decision-making processes, and greater operational efficiency, while mitigating risks," the group said in a statement.

First published in 2010, the Vietnam Corporate Governance Manual is aligned with Vietnamese law and international standards and provides recommendations for shareholders, companies, and regulators. Over the years, businesses have increasingly benefited from clearer guidelines on shareholder rights, voting processes, and governance structures within a more consistent regulatory framework.

Vietnam's corporate governance landscape has evolved significantly over the past 15 years, marked by major legislative developments such as the Securities Law 2019 and the Enterprise Law 2020. More recently, the adoption of the G20/OECD Corporate Governance Principles in September 2023 has set new global benchmarks, emphasizing corporate responsibility in sustainable development, accountability in managing stakeholder interests, and transparency in financial and non-financial disclosures.

As Vietnam's capital market regulator, the SSC, together with IFC and SECO, aims to align governance practices with international standards. The 2025 edition of the Corporate Governance Manual will provide updated insights and best practices to help listed companies strengthen their governance frameworks.

In addition, the SSC, with the support of IFC and SECO, plans to update Vietnam's Corporate Governance Code of Best Practices in 2025 to bring corporate governance standards closer to those of ASEAN and the latest G20/OECD principles, reinforcing corporate governance as a pillar of Vietnam's capital market and broader economic growth.