Central Retail Vietnam has released its 2025 report on the implementation of the “Better for Vietnam” strategy, outlining its ambition to become a pioneer in sustainable retail.
Joining Hands to Protect the Environment
As consumers grow increasingly concerned about environmental issues, product packaging has become a decisive factor in purchasing decisions. Recognising this, Central Retail has transitioned its private-label products to biodegradable packaging to reduce plastic waste and promote green consumption.
These brands are owned and directly managed by Central Retail; products are strictly controlled in quality to ensure consumer safety and are offered at reasonable prices, thereby making sustainable development accessible and reliable.
Central Retail is also among the pioneering retailers in Vietnam to proactively implement a roadmap to reduce single-use plastics, replacing plastic bags at the cashier counter with biodegradable packaging despite significantly higher investment costs.
The newly constructed shopping malls of Central Retail Vietnam are developed with the intention of obtaining EDGE green building certification granted by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group. This initiative enhances energy efficiency, conserves resources, and delivers a more sustainable and environmentally friendly shopping environment.
Central Retail Vietnam has implemented the installation of solar panel systems at GO! shopping malls.
Notably, Central Retail has installed rooftop solar systems across its retail network, with 32 GO! malls already equipped with solar panels. This effort contributes to clean energy production and emissions reduction.
Beyond this, the Group has deployed 78 Reverse Vending Machines (RVM) across 44 GO! malls and hypermarkets, encouraging consumers to adopt environmentally responsible habits. Designed to make recycling simple and rewarding, the RVM allows customers to return plastic bottles and aluminum cans in exchange for shopping incentives. This initiative fosters daily recycling practices while reducing landfill waste.
In recent years, the Group has partnered with P&G Vietnam to organise the “Forests for Good” campaign. In September 2025, Central Retail collaborated with P&G and the Gaia Nature Conservation Center to host a tree-planting event at the Ta Kou Nature Reserve in Lam Dong Province, planting 1,000 new trees and raising the total number of trees planted nationwide to more than 35,000.
According to a company representative, this milestone underscores Central Retail Vietnam’s commitment to supporting national goals in forest restoration, biodiversity protection, and community development.
Central Retail Vietnam, in collaboration with its partner P&G Vietnam, organised the “Forests for Good” campaign.
Advancing Community Initiatives
Beyond its business operations, Central Retail Vietnam continues to invest significantly in community development through the “One Mall One School” initiative, the Group commits to implementing an educational project alongside the development of each new GO! Mall, thereby contributing to a stronger foundation for social progress.
In 2025, Central Retail successfully handed over two educational facilities to Dong Hai Primary School (Vinh Hau Commune, Ca Mau Province), and Dai Son Primary School (Phan Rang Ward, Khanh Hoa Province), reinforcing its ongoing efforts to improve teaching and learning conditions for local teachers and students.
With the completion of these two projects, Central Retail Vietnam has contributed more than VND 12.8 billion to support 15 primary and secondary schools, benefiting 8,712 students with improved educational infrastructure.
The handover ceremony of the educational facility at Dai Son Primary School (Khanh Hoa Province), within the “One Mall – One School” program.
With a strong spirit of sharing and spreading joy to disadvantaged communities, Central Retail also organises a range of annual CSR programs, including “Tet Nhan Ai” (with an estimated 5,300 Tet gift packages worth a total of VND 1.07 billion), the construction of charity houses, and sponsorship for the Vietnam Red Society to build four boarding kitchens in Nghe An, Dien Bien, Dak Lak, and Quang Tri provinces.
As a responsible retailer, Central Retail reaffirms its commitment to becoming a pioneer in sustainable retail. This is not only a strategic direction but also a strong affirmation of the Group’s long-term commitment to the community and the environment – working towards a sustainable future for generations to come.
“Central Retail Vietnam is proud of the milestones we have achieved and remains committed to contributing to Vietnam’s sustainable development. We believe that by working together, we can build a greener and more sustainable future for generations to come,” emphasised Mr. Olivier Langlet, Group CEO of Central Retail Vietnam.
For more information, kindly read Central Retail Vietnam’s “Better for Vietnam” 2025 Report of here.
