Hai presented the proposals at the Autumn Economic Forum 2025, held from 25-27/11 in Ho Chi Minh City.

Overview of the Autumn Economic Forum 2025. Photo: Nam A Bank

Opening his presentation, the Nam A Bank leader emphasized that green supply chain finance (G-SCF) is a crucial component for attracting global financial institutions. G-SCF aligns well with global environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards set by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and other international development finance organizations. This working capital model is also designed with ESG criteria, offering preferential interest rates and credit limits to suppliers meeting sustainability standards.

Additionally, leveraging the strength of anchor companies in the supply chain, G-SCF helps mitigate risks and can expand into Vietnam's key export sectors, such as textiles, electronics, and agricultural products.

To enhance operational standards, Hai proposed applying blockchain, internet of things (IoT), and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies for traceability and ESG scoring. He also called for piloting a "sandbox" mechanism for green supply chain finance platforms in Vietnam to align with international benchmarks, citing models like MAS-BNP Paribas, IFC's GSCF program, and the EU's sustainable factoring model.

Vo Hoang Hai, deputy general director of Nam A Bank, speaking at the event. Photo: Nam A Bank

Concurrently, Vo Hoang Hai proposed developing a carbon credit trading market, a sector with billions of US dollars in assets and significant demand from foreign direct investment (FDI) enterprises, multinational corporations, and climate funds.

"The establishment of a national carbon exchange for high-quality credits will open extensive international cooperation opportunities. Collaboration with Singapore under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement is seen as a promising direction to promote voluntary transfers of carbon credits among nations, aiming to achieve greenhouse gas emission reduction targets," Hai stated.

To ensure credit quality, the Nam A Bank leader suggested using satellite technology and internet of things (IoT) for measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) activities. This aims to direct capital towards renewable energy and regenerative agriculture, positioning Vietnam as a regional carbon hub.

Finally, Hai proposed that Vietnam leverage its strengths in agriculture and renewable energy to pilot exchanges for environmental commodities. These include: green metals, renewable energy certificates (RECs), power purchase agreements (PPAs), green coffee, low-carbon rice, and other sustainable agricultural products.

According to Hai, these commodities are in high demand from RE100 member companies and impact investment funds. To anticipate this trend, Vietnam must quickly adopt international standards, ranging from the London Metal Exchange's (LME) low-carbon metals and SP Group's blockchain-based RECs, to traceability models like GrowForMe.

The Nam A Bank leader emphasized that these three proposals are not merely product-level initiatives but form a comprehensive green finance development strategy. When implemented correctly, they will effectively mobilize international capital, increase market attractiveness, and directly support the goal of establishing the Ho Chi Minh City International Financial Center, positioning it as the region's green finance hub.

He believes this strategy is a crucial foundation for Vietnam to enhance its global ESG market reputation, foster a transparent digital ecosystem, and contribute to the Net Zero target by 2050.

The Autumn Economic Forum 2025 was directed by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee and chaired by the Ho Chi Minh City Center for the 4th Industrial Revolution (HCMC C4IR), in coordination with various agencies, the World Economic Forum (WEF), and central ministries and sectors. This year marks the third time Nam A Bank has accompanied the forum, participating in activities such as the "CEO500 - Tea Connect" dialogue program, a discussion session on "Smart Logistics and Seaports," and the GRECO 2025 exhibition area.

As one of the leading banks in greening capital flows and connecting international resources, Nam A Bank is becoming a key link supporting the city in realizing its goal of establishing an International Financial Center oriented towards green finance.

Minh Ngoc