‘Millions of green acts’ open up sustainable consumer markets

As requirements related to emissions, traceability, supply chain transparency, and environmental responsibility become mandatory conditions for global trade, green consumption is evolving from a voluntary movement into a market standard.

Green consumption is no longer optional

The current green consumption trend is influencing not only export activities but also the domestic market. Consumers are increasingly seeking products that are safe, transparent, environmentally friendly, and socially responsible.

In recent years, many major markets have continuously tightened regulations on carbon emissions, traceability, and data transparency throughout supply chains. This has compelled businesses to shift from traditional manufacturing models toward green production, green governance, and sustainable development.

On June 6, Sai Gon Giai Phong News, in collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Trading Cooperatives (Saigon Co.op), organized the launch ceremony of the Green Consumption Campaign 2026 under the theme “Millions of Green Acts – Activating Green Markets.”

Since its implementation in 2010, the campaign has helped spread awareness of sustainable consumption, encouraged businesses to improve production standards, expanded the domestic market, and enabled deeper participation in global supply chains. The goal is to connect businesses and consumers through responsible consumption.

According to Bui Thi Hong Suong, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Sai Gon Giai Phong News, what distinguishes Green Consumption Campaign 2026 is its focus not only on raising awareness through communication activities but also on changing purchasing behavior directly at points of sale, where market decisions are ultimately made. “We want ESG values, clean production, and sustainable development to move beyond corporate reports and become visible to consumers through their everyday purchasing choices,” she said.

Connecting businesses, retailers, and consumers

According to the organizers, the Green Consumption Campaign 2026 is built on a three-way connection model involving businesses, distribution systems, and consumers.

Businesses are responsible for implementing green production and sustainable development practices; retailers bring green values to the marketplace; and consumers drive change through their purchasing decisions.

With a network of nearly 800 retail outlets nationwide, Saigon Co.op continues to serve as the campaign’s central distribution partner. The Co.opmart, Co.opXtra, Co.op Food, Finelife, and other retail formats will simultaneously introduce Green Consumption 2026 branding, helping consumers easily identify and select products that meet green criteria.

“The market is entering a new phase in which green products must be clearly identified and given direct access to consumers at retail points. Saigon Co.op aims not only to sell products but also to connect stakeholders and guide the market toward responsible consumption. When consumers choose green products more frequently, businesses gain stronger incentives to invest in sustainable production, creating a positive cycle between green production, distribution, and consumption,” said Nguyen Ngoc Thang, Deputy General Director of Saigon Co.op.

According to the plan, the campaign aims to connect at least 1,000 suppliers within the Saigon Co.op system and Vietnamese businesses that are implementing green production or undergoing green transformation. It also seeks to establish green product categories by industry, deploy a unified identification system across the retail network, and gradually build a database of businesses and products meeting environmental criteria.

Bringing green values to the market

Nguyen Dang Hien, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Food and Foodstuff Association (HFFA) and General Director of Tan Quang Minh Manufacturing and Trading Co., Ltd. (Bidrico), said that green transformation is becoming a mandatory requirement for businesses wishing to participate more deeply in modern supply chains.

“Standardizing production, ensuring quality control, and maintaining supply chain transparency not only help businesses meet increasingly stringent export market requirements but also provide advantages when entering modern domestic retail systems,” said Vice Chairman Hien.

Sharing a similar view, Lam Thuy Ai, Chairwoman of Mebi Farm, said green consumption is not only about environmental protection but is also closely linked to public health. Investing in clean raw material areas, safe production processes, traceability systems, and quality control throughout the supply chain has become essential for delivering safe products to consumers.

From her point of view, programs such as the Green Consumption Campaign 2026 play an important role in helping environmentally friendly products gain greater visibility, improve market access, and spread sustainable development values throughout the community.

Alongside the nationwide rollout of green product identification, Saigon Co.op will organize the “Vietnamese Families – Green Ambassadors” promotion program from June 11 to July 1, 2026, across nearly 800 retail locations nationwide. Thousands of environmentally friendly products, along with many essential goods, will be offered through promotional activities such as shopping vouchers, bonus loyalty points, green gifts, and initiatives encouraging reductions in plastic waste.