Developing suitable talent for greener financial ambitions

Vietnam's ambition to develop international financial centres is sharpening the focus on talent capable of navigating sustainable finance and evolving standards.

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To Quoc Hung, country manager of ACCA Vietnam, spoke with VIR's Khanh Linh about how the country can strengthen its green finance talent pipeline.

Vietnam is developing sustainable finance and aiming to become a regional financial hub. How serious is the talent gap, and which skills are most needed?

While Vietnam has made progress in encouraging such finance, the talent gap remains both significant and structural, with demand growing faster than the supply of internationally qualified professionals. High-quality human capital is essential for any international financial centre (IFC), not only to deliver professional services but also to drive innovation, strengthen competitiveness, and position the country credibly in global markets.

Key gaps are emerging in three areas. Firstly, specialised finance expertise, including knowledge of green financial instruments, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) integration, and climate-related financial analysis. Secondly, capabilities in sustainability reporting and assurance, driven by rollout of the national green taxonomy and the growing demand for green financing. Thirdly, broader competencies aligned with global frameworks, governance, risk management, and transparency.

At the same time, financial services are becoming increasingly technology-driven. This has created additional demand for professionals who can operate at the intersection of finance and technology, including data analytics, risk systems, and fintech, across both industry and regulatory functions.

The International Finance Corporations January 2026 report shows climate transitions are changing jobs and skills globally. How should Vietnamese finance and accounting professionals prepare?

The report reflects what we are already seeing in practice: green finance has become a core component of financial markets, driven by both regulatory direction and investor expectations.