Introduction
Corporate governance has become an increasingly important focus for businesses worldwide, driven by growing expectations for transparency, accountability, sustainability and effective risk management. Environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations, together with evolving regulatory standards and investor expectations, have also significantly influenced corporate governance practices across jurisdictions.
In Vietnam, the legal and regulatory framework on corporate governance has continued to evolve in recent years. In addition to the Law on Enterprises No. 59/2020/QH14 and the Law on Securities No. 54/2019/QH14, Vietnam has introduced important legislative updates under Law No. 76/2025/QH15 amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Enterprises and Law No. 56/2024/QH15 amending and supplementing a number of laws in the financial and securities sectors, together with their implementing regulations. These developments reflect Vietnam’s ongoing efforts to strengthen corporate transparency, enhance governance standards, improve investor protection and align its corporate governance framework with international best practices.
In parallel, the State Securities Commission of Vietnam (SSC) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) jointly published the Vietnam Corporate Governance Manual in 2010 and subsequently updated it in 2025, together with the Vietnam Corporate Governance Code of Best Practices for Public Companies. These publications provide guidance and recommendations aimed at promoting higher standards of corporate governance, enhancing corporate transparency and strengthening investor confidence in the Vietnamese market.
This Guide provides an overview of the key legal framework and practical aspects of corporate governance applicable to companies operating in Vietnam, including governance structures, shareholders’ rights, management and supervisory bodies, decision-making mechanisms, disclosure obligations and other key compliance requirements under Vietnamese law.
