<p>This paper contributes to the literature by being among the first to investigate whether citizens’ perceptions of the environment are associated with their perceptions of corporate bribery, in a context where many developing countries, such as Vietnam, have been fostering the expansion of the enterprise sector as a key driver of economic growth. Employing provincial data from Vietnam during 2018–2024 and spatial econometric models, the study finds that citizens’ perceptions of environmental quality are significantly associated with their perceptions of corporate bribery. In particular, when residents view the local environmental quality as degraded, they are more inclined to believe that enterprises resort to bribery to evade environmental responsibilities. Moreover, citizens’ perceptions of corporate bribery are related not only to local conditions but also to those in neighboring localities; the association between perceived environmental quality and perceived corporate bribery thus extends beyond administrative boundaries. These findings provide valuable insights for the design of environmental governance and anti-corruption strategies, helping to reinforce public trust in government while promoting greater environmental accountability among enterprises.</p>