Vietnam Social Enterprise Casebook

Acknowledging the importance of respecting and spreading creative ideas for social goals through social enterprise models, this book has been published to introduce examples of social enterprises in Vietnam. It is the result of a partnership between the Central Institute of Economic Management, the British Council in Vietnam and the National Economics University, in cooperation with national and international stakeholders.

In addition, 11 example social enterprises have been selected based on business fields, beneficiaries, operational areas, legal statuses, and effectiveness in addressing social and environmental issues. 

These enterprises operate in various business areas and serve different beneficiaries. Selected business areas include culture, art, eco-tourism, medical services, production of environmentally friendly products, organic agriculture and microfinance. In terms of beneficiaries, the enterprises focus on groups including disadvantaged women and children, people living with disabilities and ethnic minorities. These enterprises operating under various forms and legal statuses might or might not register as social enterprises under the Enterprises Law 2014.

In addition, the book also introduces six successful examples of social enterprise from the United Kingdom as well other countries in South East Asia – Cambodia, South Korea, Hong Kong, the Philippines and Singapore. Here, examples of social enterprises are listed in alphabetical order and we will continue to add to them and update on their progress in successive editions.

The publication of this book aims to:

• Increase awareness of and respect for social enterprises

• Mobilise wider participation of the private sector, social organisations, associations and social enterprises in addressing social and environmental issues in an effective and sustainable manner

• Encourage reform and creativity in dealing with social and environmental issues

• Inspire the state’s thinking in terms of planning and enforcement of social policies to ensure more practical, effective and sustainable policies

• Serve as an educational curriculum of business administration programmes for business people at universities and institutes.

This book is written by a group of authors including: Dr Nguyen Dinh Cung, President of the Central Institute of Economic Management, Nguyen Minh Thao, Director of the Business Environment and Competitive Capacity Department, Central Institute of Economic Management, Ngo Minh Tuan, Deputy Director of the Public Service Policy Department, Central Institute of Economic Management, Associate Professor Dr Truong Thi Nam Thang, the National Economics University, Tran Thi Hong Gam, Development and Society Manager of the British Council in Vietnam and journalists Hoang Tu Giang and Vu Thi Huong Giang.

Vietnam Social Enterprise Casebook