Masan secures spot in Vietnam’s Top 50 Sustainable Businesses

At a ceremony held on July 15, Nhip Cau Dau Tu magazine recognised Masan in two categories: Outstanding Corporate Governance and Outstanding Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Activity, reflecting the company’s continued focus on responsible business practices and community impact.

The list is assessed by many reputable organisations including HSBC Vietnam, PwC Vietnam, Schneider Electric, the Institute for Circular Economy Development, Talentnet, and VinaCapital. The evaluation criteria cover sustainable development strategies, governance efficiency, social and environmental impact, and the ability to create long-term values for relevant stakeholders.

Guided by a philosophy of 'doing well by doing good,' Masan – Vietnam’s leading player in the consumer and retail industry – aims to provide essential, high-quality products and services that meet the increasingly evolving demands of over 100 million consumers in the local and international markets. Masan’s ecosystem encompasses subsidiaries and brands in high-growth potential sectors.

Masan Consumer operates in the fast-moving consumer goods industry with flagship products like Chin-su, Nam Ngu, Omachi, Wake-Up 247, while Masan MEATLife specialises in branded meat with MEATDeli, Ponnie, and Heo Cao Boi brands. In the retail sector, WinCommerce operates the WinMart and WinMart+ chains. This is coupled with Phuc Long tea and coffee chain and Masan High-Tech Materials in the high-tech materials field.

Masan has gradually embedded sustainability into its business strategy with a view to balancing financial growth with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) responsibilities. This is reflected in initiatives such as product innovation, supply chain management, compliance with safety standards, and long-term community engagement.

To support its sustainability goals, Masan has established a Group-level ESG Committee to coordinate efforts and ensure effective implementation across its ecosystem. The company’s Sustainability Framework is built on three core pillars: fostering innovation for sustainable growth, protecting the environment and supporting communities, and strengthening engagement with employees and customers.

This framework is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the International Finance Corporation’s Performance Standards, aiming to balance operational efficiency with long-term environmental and social responsibility.

In 2024, Masan recorded notable progress in advancing its sustainable development strategy. All of its manufacturing facilities are now certified to international food safety standards, including FSSC 22000, ISO 22000, and HACCP. Around 25 per cent of the energy used at these facilities came from renewable sources. Women represent 43 per cent of management positions and 62 per cent of the total workforce. Additionally, the company conducted 2,555 internal training sessions, engaging more than 58,000 participants.

By leveraging its international-standard operation capability, a flexible governance model, and transparency commitment, Masan continues to maintain its competitive edge and build investor confidence both at home and abroad.

Masan’s approach to sustainable development goes beyond product innovation and environmental efficiency, extending to impactful community programmes. In 2024, the group allocated more than VND144 billion ($5.5 million) towards social initiatives focused on education, healthcare, and nutrition.

Masan Consumer alone rolled out nine community initiatives with a combined budget of over VND25 billion (approximately $950,000), aimed at improving living standards across multiple localities. Other subsidiaries, such as Masan MEATLife, WinCommerce, and Masan High-Tech Materials, also carried out targeted ESG activities to support the group’s broader sustainability goals.

In the branded meat sector, Masan MEATLife is advancing the development of high-tech farms with a focus on eco-friendly and energy-efficient operations. Its pig farms in Nghe An (Farms S1 and S2) use biogas technology to convert livestock waste into renewable energy. The farms produced approximately 3.67 million cubic metres of biogas through anaerobic digestion last year, which was used to generate electricity on-site. This initiative helps lower environmental impact while cutting operating costs through clean energy production.

WinCommerce has promoted its marketing activities at points of sale to raise awareness about sustainable consumption. The company encourages customers to use biodegradable and reusable bags, contributing to reducing plastic waste and encouraging eco-friendly consumer habits.

Meanwhile, Masan High-Tech Materials blends mining operations with ecological restoration efforts. A standout initiative is a partnership with Germany’s UFU Institute to plant energy crops in post-mining areas. Research indicates that Acacia hybrid trees can absorb 172 tonnes of CO₂ per hectare over six years, laying the foundation for sustainable land rehabilitation.

Sustainability is integrated into Masan's operations and strategic planning. Its ESG practices, from governance to community engagement, are aimed at supporting long-term competitiveness while addressing the expectations of consumers, shareholders, and investors. Backed by a defined roadmap and institutional commitment, Masan is aligning its business growth with broader social and environmental responsibilities – an approach increasingly relevant in attracting sustainable investment capital.

Rising disposable incomes and evolving consumption patterns in Vietnam present multi-billion dollar growth potential for businesses operating closed-loop retail ecosystems.

WinCommerce, a member of Masan Group, in collaboration with Magnit Group and leading distributors, launched Russia Corner at WinMart Royal City in Hanoi on June 12.

Digital transformation is a key part of Masan’s strategy to improve operational efficiency, optimise costs, and comprehensively serve consumers, contributing to unlocking Vietnam’s potential to attract tech capital inflows.