Regional advancements in Vietnam promote sustainable careers through regional initiatives within the ASEAN community.
In a significant stride towards a greener future, Vietnam is accelerating its shift towards sustainability and advanced technologies. By 2030, the World Economic Forum predicts that there will be 170 million new jobs worldwide, of which 35 million jobs are directly related to green transition. Vietnam is set to capitalise on this opportunity, with the potential to create up to 500,000 new green jobs, particularly in the solar energy, energy efficiency, and clean transportation sectors.
Vietnam's industrial sector is not shying away from this transformation. Green manufacturing, semiconductors, and data infrastructure are emerging as new growth pillars. This transition is evident in the country's expanding data centre development, as Vietnam seeks feasible solutions to balance technological advances with environmental sustainability.
Education plays a crucial role in this green revolution. Dr. Nguyen Chi Truong, the head of Skills Development at the Ministry of Education and Training in Vietnam, emphasises that Vietnam is shaping educational policies to foster green human resource development. RMIT University, for instance, is integrating the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals into all disciplines and using the school's facilities as a living laboratory for students to apply concepts such as circular economy.
The Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam is integrating sustainable development goals into its curriculum, introducing courses on global governance, and enhancing negotiation skills through international simulations. Nguyen Thi Thin, deputy director at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, emphasised the importance of diplomatic training in promoting regional cooperation on sustainable development.
Education, stronger career guidance, and public-private partnerships will be critical to seizing new opportunities in sustainable careers. This was highlighted by Dinh Thi Quynh Van, chairwoman of PwC Vietnam, who discussed the global momentum behind sustainable careers and the challenges Southeast Asia faces from a widening skills gap.
The commitment to sustainable finance is also evident. Four Vietnamese banks have joined the Alliance for Green Commercial Banks, signalling a major step in advancing sustainable finance in the country. This membership allows these banks to access knowledge and tools for green investments, improve green project risk management, and enhance sustainable financing capacity in Vietnam, fostering long-term sustainable development in the financial sector.
Dr. Ananya Mehta, a senior lecturer at RMIT University Vietnam, discussed the university's approach to integrating sustainable thinking and interdisciplinary problem-solving skills into the curriculum. Tongjai Thanachanan, chief of Sustainability and Strategy at Thai Beverage Public Co., Ltd. (ThaiBev), outlined the company's sustainability approach in three concentric circles: internal operations, partnerships, and community engagement.
The 'Group Sharing 2025: Career Development in Sustainability' event, held on September 12 at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam in Hanoi, brought together industry leaders, academia, and government officials to discuss the future of sustainable careers in Vietnam.
Vietnam is also set to host the SX Roadshow 2025 Vietnam, a lead-up to Sustainability Expo 2025 - ASEAN's largest sustainability exhibition. As Vietnam navigates this green transition, it is clear that the country is committed to building a sustainable future, one that is built on adaptability, digital and green skills, fair income, and opportunities for growth.
