Enterprises pioneering sustainable water resource management initiatives

On September 16, the Vietnam Business Council for Sustainable Development under the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VBCSD-VCCI) organized the 8th consecutive program on sharing about sustainable development with media agencies under the theme “Enhancing governance, conserving water resources for sustainable development goals and effectively adapting to climate change.”

The program gathered nearly 70 delegates, including representatives of VBCSD members and news agencies in the VBCSD Sustainable Development Media Network. It consisted of two main activities: a seminar of the same name that provided new and valuable information on sustainable water resource governance, and a field trip and working session at the Coca-Cola Vietnam plant in Hanoi.

Water is the lifeblood of the economy and society

At the seminar, Nguyen Quang Vinh, Vice President of VCCI and Chairman of VBCSD, stated: Water is the lifeblood of the economy and society, from agricultural and industrial production to daily life and services. Clean water is also the key to achieving Sustainable Development Goals No.6 (clean water), No.12 (sustainable consumption and production), and No.13 (climate action).

Currently, Vietnam’s total surface water resources (flows) are estimated at 830 - 840 billion m³ per year, while groundwater amounts to around 47.5 - 63 billion m³ per year. However, in reality, only about 37% of the available water is generated within Vietnam’s territory; the remaining over 60% depends on surface water from outside the territory, making us vulnerable to climate change and transboundary impacts. “In this context, the role of enterprises in conserving and efficiently using water resources is becoming increasingly important,” Nguyen Quang Vinh emphasized.

Agreeing with this view, Hoang Viet, Water Program Director at WWF-Vietnam, said that globally in general and in Vietnam in particular, water is not only a natural resource but also the foundation for food, energy, and the livelihoods of tens of millions of people. Faced with the negative impacts of climate change, uncontrolled exploitation, and water pollution from human activities, we are witnessing water depletion and scarcity, along with risks to water security. This requires a more comprehensive and scientific approach to governing this essential resource of life.

Hoang Viet believes that water security can be ensured for today and the future only with the joint efforts of all parties, from the State, enterprises, communities, and the press.

Many enterprises are pioneering sustainable water management initiatives

At the seminar, Nguyen Quang Vinh said that many enterprises in Vietnam have pioneered sustainable water management initiatives, improving water-saving technologies, reusing, and regenerating water in production activities. However, the challenge lies in the fact that many small and medium-sized enterprises lack financial capacity, technology, and support mechanisms to keep up. Therefore, strong support is needed from policies, financial institutions, and especially the press to spread, inspire, and connect communities to act together.

Nguyen Huu Hoang, Head of Sustainability, emphasized: At HEINEKEN Vietnam, conserving water and nature is one of the top priorities in the company’s sustainability strategy. Through many water conservation initiatives and strengthened multi-stakeholder cooperation, HEINEKEN Vietnam has realized its ambition to achieve water balance 5 years earlier than planned in the Tien River basin, an area facing significant water stress.

As part of the program, VBCSD organized a field trip and working session at the Coca-Cola Vietnam plant in Hanoi. It is known that in July 2025, Coca-Cola Vietnam inaugurated a new production plant in Tay Ninh province with a total investment of USD 136 million and a designed capacity of over 1 billion liters of beverages per year. The plant is equipped with modern production lines that meet international and Vietnamese food safety and hygiene standards, applying advanced automation technology to save resources and minimize environmental impacts efficiently. The new plant once again reaffirms the company’s commitment to accompanying the Government of Vietnam in achieving sustainable growth goals and reaching net zero emissions by 2050.

Sharing about sustainable development with media agencies is an initiative of VBCSD-VCCI, implemented annually since 2018. The program aims to provide news agencies with updated information on the sustainable development policies and orientations of the Party and Government, as well as best practices in sustainable business from the business community in Vietnam. Through this, VBCSD-VCCI helps raise awareness, supports the media in more effective reporting, and encourages journalists to engage more closely with the business community on the journey toward responsible business.