ICS Center - Equal rights for LGBTQ+ people in Vietnam

What ICS Center - Equal rights for LGBTQ+ people in Vietnam does

ICS Center is a Vietnamese non-profit organization founded in 2008 as part of the country's LGBTQ+ rights movement and officially established in 2011 as a registered limited liability company (CT TNHH MTV TU VAN VA DAO TAO ICS). Headquartered in Ho Chi Minh City with a 7-person staff, the organization operates as Vietnam's leading LGBTQ+ advocacy body, serving LGBTQ+ individuals and youth, families, educational institutions, and corporate partners through four interlocking program pillars: ViLEAD (a leadership development program for young LGBTQ+ activists running annually since 2014), ICS Hub (a physical community cafe and library in Binh Thanh District serving as a safe gathering space), VietPride (Vietnam's signature annual pride celebration expanded to 25-37 provinces), and Social & Policy Advocacy (covering media, family, education, workplace inclusion, marriage equality, and transgender rights). Sub-products include LGBTea Talk language exchanges, weekly film screenings (Ổ Phim ICS), handicraft workshops, an online library, COVID-19 emergency support, and a Young Researchers Program.

ICS Center operates a community-led, event-driven go-to-market model with no proprietary technology platform. Core distribution relies on a physical hub in Ho Chi Minh City, a network of 25+ regional LGBTQ+ partner groups across Vietnamese provinces, and digital channels (Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, TikTok, website). The organization runs a hybrid revenue model combining international grants and diplomatic mission funding (Irish Aid, CFLI Canada, British Embassy, Dutch Embassy, ILGA Asia), corporate sponsorships (Durex, Baker McKenzie, KPMG, Cocoon Vietnam, NetNam), individual donations, ticketed Hub events (~30,000 VND per film screening), and merchandise sales. All direct community services are provided free of charge under a freemium pricing approach, with the organization monetizing only ancillary event participation and goods to sustain the community space.

Name

ICS Center - Equal rights for LGBTQ+ people in Vietnam

Legal name

CT TNHH MTV TU VAN VA DAO TAO ICS

Website

https://ics.org.vn

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ICS Center is a Vietnamese non-profit organization founded in 2011 that advocates for LGBTQ+ equal rights through leadership training (ViLEAD), a physical community hub (ICS Hub), annual VietPride celebrations across 25+ provinces, and social and policy advocacy programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

LGBTQ+ Advocacy and Community Services

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

LGBTQ+ Rights & Advocacy Organizations (BPAGAFAE)

Keywords

• LGBTQ+ rights advocacy
• Community empowerment programs
• Leadership development training
• Pride celebration events
• Social policy advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Ho Chi Minh City

HQ country

Vietnam

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donations and Sponsorships: The organization relies on donations from individuals and sponsorships from businesses and organizations to fund operations, community programs, and advocacy activities.
2. ICS Store Products: Sale of rainbow merchandise and products through ICS Store to support organizational activities and community events.
3. Event-based Revenue: Revenue generated from paid events at ICS Hub including film screenings, workshops, and community activities, which help sustain the community space.
4. International Grants and Support: Funding and support from international organizations, diplomatic missions, and development partners for LGBTQ+ advocacy and community development programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ICS Center is a non-profit organization that empowers Vietnam's LGBTQ+ community through leadership development training (ViLEAD), a community cafe and library space (ICS Hub), annual Pride celebrations (VietPride), and social and policy advocacy across media, family, education, workplace, and legal areas. It also runs community engagement events such as LGBTea Talk, film screenings, and handicraft workshops, alongside emergency support and research programs. All core services are provided free of charge to community members.

Product overview

ICS Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering the LGBTQ+ community in Vietnam. The organization operates several interconnected programs: ViLEAD, a flagship leadership development program that trains young LGBTQ+ leaders; ICS Hub, a community cafe and library space that serves as a safe gathering place; VietPride, the annual pride celebration held across multiple Vietnamese provinces; and Social & Policy Advocacy initiatives covering media, family, education, workplace, and legal policy areas. Additional offerings include community events like LGBTea Talk (language exchange), Ổ Phim (film screenings), and handicraft workshops at ICS Hub, as well as emergency support programs and research initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ViLEAD: Leadership development program for LGBT+ youth in Vietnam, conducted annually since 2014 to build capacity for community leadership and advocacy.
• ICS Hub
• VietPride

Products and services

• ViLEAD Leadership Development Program Multi-day leadership development program for LGBTQ+ community members in Vietnam, providing training in leadership skills, project management, human rights, community mobilization, fundraising, and communications to build capacity of young LGBTQ+ leaders.
• ICS Hub Community Space Community cafe and library space in Ho Chi Minh City that serves as a safe gathering place for LGBTQ+ community activities, meetings, workshops, film screenings, and networking.
• VietPride Annual Pride Celebration Annual pride celebration events for the LGBTQ+ community in Vietnam, held across multiple provinces and cities with activities including parades, workshops, and community gatherings.
• Social & Policy Advocacy Program Advocacy programs covering social advocacy in media, family, education, and workplaces, as well as policy advocacy for marriage equality and transgender rights.
• LGBTea Talk Weekly English language exchange and networking event connecting Vietnamese LGBTQ+ community members with foreigners, held at ICS Hub.
• Ổ Phim ICS Film Screenings Weekly film screening event showcasing LGBTQ+ themed short films from Vietnam and internationally, followed by community discussions.
• Khéo tay cùng Hub Handicraft Workshops Handicraft workshop series held at ICS Hub where participants learn to make crafts like friendship bracelets and keychains.
• COVID-19 Emergency Support Program Emergency assistance program providing food, medical supplies, and financial support to vulnerable LGBTQ+ individuals affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Young Researchers Program Research program recruiting young researchers to study mental health support needs and accessibility for LGBTQ+ youth in Vietnam.

Quantifiable outcome

• VietPride 2024: ~2,000 participants across 25 events in 9 days
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• British Embassy HanoicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK diplomatic mission supporting LGBTQ+ rights in Vietnam through funding and advocacy partnerships with ICS Center for community programs and events.
• Netherlands and You (Embassy of the Netherlands)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDutch Embassy supporting LGBTQ+ advocacy programs and community development initiatives in Vietnam through partnership with ICS Center.
• ILGA AsiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional network of LGBTQ+ organizations; ICS Center participates in ILGA Asia conferences and benefits from regional advocacy resources and connections.
• COC NetherlandsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDutch LGBTQ+ organization providing support, resources, and international connections for Vietnamese LGBTQ+ advocacy efforts.
• iSEE (Institute for Studies, Society and Environment)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVietnamese research institute collaborating on LGBTQ+ studies, publications like the 'Open' photo book, and community education initiatives.
• CSAGA (Center for Support Community Development Initiatives)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVietnamese NGO partner in gender and sexuality advocacy, sharing resources and collaborative programs for LGBTQ+ community support.
• Durex VietnammajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSexual health brand sponsoring PrideBus 2020 and VietPride 2023 events, providing funding and visibility for LGBTQ+ celebrations.
• CEPEW (Center for Education Promotion and Empowerment of Women)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVietnamese women's organization collaborating on gender equality advocacy and intersectional programming.
• G-link VietnamminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLGBT-friendly business network participating in VietPride events and supporting LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion initiatives.
• GenderFunkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal LGBTQ+ community group organizing events and participating in VietPride celebrations in Vietnam.
• CECEM (Center for Community Empowerment)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity capacity building organization; contributes trainers and expertise to ViLEAD leadership development program.
• UK Consulate GeneralmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBritish diplomatic mission in Ho Chi Minh City supporting Rainbow Wall installation at VietPride 2024.
• NetNamminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVietnamese internet service provider sponsoring VietPride 2025 events.
• Cocoon VietnamminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVietnamese brand sponsoring VietPride 2025 celebrations.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Stonewall UK: Major UK-based LGBTQ+ rights charity. Comparable as a national LGBTQ+ rights and workplace-inclusion organization, but with far greater resources, established legal-advocacy infrastructure, and donor base than ICS Center.
• Outright International: Global LGBTQ+ human rights organization funding and supporting local groups in Asia. Comparable in advancing LGBTQ+ rights globally but operates at a much larger scale as an international grantmaker and advocacy organization.
• Asia Pacific Transgender Network (APTN): Regional network advancing transgender rights in the Asia-Pacific. Comparable in its Asia-focused LGBTQ+ advocacy and rights work, particularly overlapping with ICS Center's transgender law advocacy agenda.

Direct peers

• ILGA Asia: Regional federation of LGBTQ+ rights organizations across Asia. ICS Center is a member organization and hosted ILGA Asia 2022; comparable in mission (LGBTQ+ advocacy, capacity building, network coordination) though operating at regional rather than national scope.
• CSAGA (Center for Support Community Development Initiatives): Vietnamese NGO focused on gender and sexuality advocacy. Listed as a major ICS Center partner; operates in the same Vietnamese civil-society space addressing SOGIESC issues with overlapping community and policy-advocacy programs.
• PFLAG Vietnam: Vietnamese chapter/affiliate of the PFLAG family-acceptance movement supporting parents and families of LGBTQ+ individuals — directly comparable to one of ICS Center's stated segments (families of LGBTQ+ individuals).
• COC Netherlands: Dutch LGBTQ+ rights organization and one of the oldest in the world. Listed as a major ICS Center partner; comparable mission of advancing LGBTQ+ rights, providing community spaces, and engaging in legal advocacy, though at far greater scale and maturity.

Others

• Save the Children Vietnam: International NGO referenced among ICS Center's funding partners. Not a direct peer (child-focused rather than LGBTQ+) but comparable as an international NGO operating in Vietnam dependent on donor funding.

Emerging players

• iSEE (Institute for Studies, Society and Environment): Vietnamese research institute collaborating with ICS Center on LGBTQ+ studies and publications like the 'Open' photo book. Comparable in being a Vietnamese civil-society actor on gender and sexuality but more research-oriented than advocacy-focused.

Regional players

• Prague Pride: Czech LGBTQ+ pride organization listed as an ICS Center partner on its website. Comparable as a national pride organizer and LGBTQ+ advocacy body, but operating in a European jurisdiction with very different legal context.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/icsvietnam
• Facebookfacebook.com/icsvn
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/icsvn

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about ICS Center - Equal rights for LGBTQ+ people in Vietnam