Back to members
Social Innovation Country Report:
Vietnam
In Viet Nam, we have not yet defined “social innovation”, but “social enterprise” has been legally recognized under the Enterprise Law since 2014.
Legal and Policy Frameworks

Viet Nam has adopted the following legal frameworks, strategies, and vision documents related to social innovation:

  • Social Entrepreneurship
  • Social Innovation
  • Social Businesses
  • Social [and Solidarity] Economy
  • SDG
  • ESG
Current stage of implementation:
Stage4: ESG
Stage5: SDG

with

  • Stage1: “No Policy or Recognition: No formal recognition, discussion, or policy exists. The sector operates informally or without government involvement.”;
  • Stage2: “Initial Discussions & Awareness: The government acknowledges the sector and has started discussions or consultations, but no formal policy framework or regulation exists.”;
  • Stage3: “Draft Policy or Framework in Development: A draft policy, strategy, or regulatory framework is currently being developed. The government may be conducting research, stakeholder consultations, or legislative drafting.”;
  • Stage4: “Pilot Programs or Limited Implementation: Some initiatives, pilot projects, or partial government-backed programs exist, but full implementation has not yet been achieved. Policies may be tested in select regions or for specific groups.”;
  • Stage5: “Policy Adopted but Not Fully Implemented: A formal law, policy, or regulation has been passed, but it has not been fully implemented, enforced, or funded. Gaps in execution may still exist.”
  • Stage6: “Policy in Effect & Actively Implemented: The policy is fully enacted and actively being implemented. There is clear government support, funding, and enforcement mechanisms in place.”;
  • Stage7: “Policy Reviewed & Strengthened: The existing policy has been evaluated and improved over time based on feedback, data, or evolving needs. New funding, incentives, or structural reforms may have been introduced.”; and
  • Stage8: “Leading in Policy Innovation: The country is recognized as a leader in this policy area, with best practices, strong regulatory frameworks, and incentives that actively promote and support the sector.”

More details:

  • Social enterprises are defined in Article 10 of the Enterprise Law, both in the 2014 and 2019 versions.
  • Mentioned in the government’s sustainable development policies.
  • Required for listed companies by the Securities Commission and stock exchanges.
Ecosystem Actors
Key Actors in the Ecosystem

The leading actors driving social innovation in Viet Nam include government ministries, social enterprises, NGOs, philanthropic institutions, academia, and other ecosystem builders. The top three most influential actors are:

  • Government entity (ministries/agencies)
  • Social entreprises & social innovateurs (Impact hubs)
  • NGOs
Education and Capacity Building

Formal and informal education programs that support social innovation exist in the following forms in Viet Nam:

  • Limited or informal programs:“ Some training programs, workshops, or university courses are available, but they are not widespread or systematically integrated into the education system
  • University-level courses or degrees:“ Social innovation, social entrepreneurship, or impact-driven business programs are offered as courses, degrees, or research tracks in universities or technical institutions
  • Government-supported training programs:“ The government has launched or funded capacity-building programs, incubators, or skill-development initiatives to support social innovation
  • Private sector or NGO-led programs:“ Non-governmental organizations, incubators, or private sector actors actively run training, mentorship, or acceleration programs for social innovation

Examples:

  • Some programs for training lecturers on social enterprises are offered through the British Council and the Ministry of Education and Training.
  • The National Economics University and several other universities offer courses on social enterprises and social entrepreneurship.
  • The Impact Village at Techfest has been established since 2018, and the 844 program has funded several initiatives to support incubation and acceleration of impact-driven businesses.
  • The ISEE COVID project by UNDP, along with the programs and projects of CSIP, CSIE, FIIS, IID, Greenhub, and IIX.
  • There is no official program; most offerings are informal or limited to a single course, rather than a full program or specialization related to social innovation (SI).
Coordinating Bodies

A centralized body responsible for coordinating social innovation efforts across sectors exists in Viet Nam.

Ecosystem Communication
The level of communication and coordination among key actors in Viet Nam’s social innovation ecosystem is currently Moderate:“ some collaboration, but existing gaps in coordination.
Support Mechanisms for Policy and Finance
Policy Incentives and Support Mechanisms

To support social innovation, Viet Nam has implemented the following incentives and mechanisms:

  • Social security measures for social businesses,R
  • Public-private partnerships to foster innovation,S
  • Public/private crowdfunding/lending platforms

Further information:

  • Social enterprises that employ people with disabilities are exempt from corporate income tax.
  • Only private initiatives of crowdfunding platforms
Financing Mechanisms

Social innovation in Viet Nam is financed through a variety of mechanisms including:

  • International funding (e.g., EU/bilateral/multilateral funds)
  • Philanthropy & foundations
Impact
Flagship Programs and Achievements
International Collaborations

Viet Nam is involved in international collaborations on social innovation through the following initiatives:

https://iseecovid.vn/home https://iixglobal.com/impact-investment-readiness-vietnam/?utm_source=GAC+IIRV+%28Vietnam%29&utm_campaign=870cb13b55-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2023_09_26_04_54_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-2dd17a34de-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D https://main.ipsc.vn

Tech for Good Innovations
Impact Measurement Frameworks

Viet Nam does not have a formal framework or methodology for measuring social innovation impact.

Economic Contribution of Social Innovation

Social innovation contributes to Viet Nam’s economy through:

Reports on Social Impact

https://www.undp.org/vietnam/publications/fostering-growth-social-impact-business-sector-viet-nam https://iseecovid.vn/library?fbclid=IwY2xjawJcmIFleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHSW0iq2Qq5HruYkfS1SGfvZlfF1eGET1YmD4wa-pUavnLt_pADzk0Pmp3g_aem_9q9u5rAG0lGG84w7kK8VxA

Policy Momentum

Momentum for social innovation as a public policy issue in Viet Nam is currently rated as:

Some Momentum: There is growing awareness and initial efforts in public policy, but implementation remains limited or fragmented.

‍

Barriers to Growth

The following barriers are currently hindering the growth of social innovation in Viet Nam:

  • Lack of sustainable funding model
  • Regulatory and legal barriers
  • Lack of awareness and understanding of social innovation
  • Weak collaboration between public, private, and civil society sectors
  • Difficulty in measuring and demonstrating impact
Collaborative Ideas
Stay Updated
Receive fresh insights, stories, and calls-to-action directly to your inbox.
HomeAbout GCSIGCSI MembersStrategic ObjectivesAction PlanSocial Innovation
ContactAccessibilityPrivacy Policy