Strengthening linkages between cooperatives and enterprises

On the afternoon of November 28, Deputy Prime Ministers Nguyen Chi Dung and Mai Van Chinh co-chaired the 2025 Cooperative and Collective Economy Forum, themed “Effective Linkages Between Cooperatives and Enterprises.” The forum was held online, connecting with provincial government venues across the nation.

Nguyen Thi Hoang, Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairwoman of the Dong Nai People’s Committee, presided over the session at the Dong Nai venue.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung speaks at the forum. Photo courtesy of the VGP News (Viet Nam Government News)

According to statistics from the Ministry of Finance, the collective economy, with cooperatives at its core, has recorded impressive growth. By the end of 2025, more than 35,000 cooperatives were operating nationwide, representing a 34.2% increase from 2020. Cooperative membership reached nearly six million, reflecting a growing trend among individuals and small businesses to return to the cooperative model as a safe and effective form of collaboration. Additionally, the country had 164 cooperative unions and 65,900 cooperative groups, which continued to play a significant role in community development.

The connection between cooperatives and enterprises has been increasingly promoted, yielding many positive outcomes. Numerous value-chain partnership models have been established, particularly in the agricultural sector. However, many such partnerships remain short-term and lack long-term binding commitments. Cooperatives still face limitations in financial capacity, technology, and governance, making it difficult for them to meet the requirements of larger enterprises. Moreover, in several localities, the implementation of support policies has been slow and inconsistent.

Nguyen Thi Hoang, member of the Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairwoman of the Dong Nai People’s Committee, attends the conference at the Dong Nai venue alongside other delegates. Photo: Vuong The

At the forum, representatives from various provinces, organizations, cooperatives, and leading enterprises discussed and presented issues related to the current state of linkages and cooperation, as well as the opportunities, challenges, and solutions to promote stronger partnerships between cooperatives and businesses.

Speaking at the forum, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung highlighted that the collective and private economies are closely linked and mutually supportive, playing a crucial role in the national economy. Resolution No. 68-NQ/TW, issued by the Politburo, emphasizes that the private economy, alongside the state and collective sectors, serves as a core force in building an independent, self-reliant, and resilient economy, while promoting deep and practical international integration to drive the country’s prosperous development.

Cooperatives support the private economy, particularly the household economies of their members, and serve as key drivers in forming value-chain partnerships with businesses. To become strong and resilient players in the national economy, cooperatives need to shift from a traditional agricultural production approach to a broader agricultural economy model focused on sustainable development. They must address structural barriers, modernize their mindset and practices, and adopt effective, long-term strategies to foster durable and productive links with businesses.

Alongside the efforts of cooperatives themselves, corporations and enterprises play a crucial role in developing cooperative–enterprise value chains. Several standout examples have moved beyond traditional models, becoming partners in forming value-chain clusters not only in agriculture but also in sectors such as industry, tourism, and services.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung instructed the Ministry of Finance, in coordination with relevant ministries and agencies, to review existing mechanisms and policies and propose amendments or new regulations concerning the collective economy. He emphasized the need to promptly issue a comprehensive government plan to concretize and align guidance with the current realities of cooperative and collective economic development.

By Vuong The - Translated by Tam Binh, Minho