The role of social actors in creating a sustainable business environment in the Nghi Son Economic Zone, Thanh Hoa Province, Vietnam

Nghi Son Economic Zone (EZ) is one of the national key coastal EZs, with a strategic position for socio-economic development of Thanh Hoa province, the North Central region, and the whole country of Vietnam. Considering Vietnam's deep international integration and strong commitment to sustainable development goals (SDGs), creating a sustainable business environment in Nghi Son EZ has become an urgent requirement, balancing economic growth with environmental protection and social equity. Based on research that analysed and synthesised secondary documents, this article focuses on clarifying the roles, actions, and interactions of key social actors, including local authorities, the business community, local people, and social organisations, in shaping a sustainable business environment in this EZ. The analysis results are that effective coordination and trust among actors are key factors; however, many challenges remain to promoting the transition to a green and sustainable development model in the Nghi Son Economic Zone. These findings imply that enhancing multi-stakeholder governance and trust is essential for advancing the region's sustainable development agenda.