Several products from Saigon Beer–Alcohol–Beverage Corporation (SABECO) were recognised at established international beer competitions, a development analysts view as a positive signal as the brewer upgrades its portfolio and expands its presence in higher-value segments.

At the Brussels Beer Challenge 2025 in Belgium, with results announced on November 18, 333 Pilsner won a Gold Medal in the Light Lager category, while Saigon Chill secured Gold in the Ice Lager category. Saigon Export Premium also received a Silver Medal in the same category.

The accolades continued in Asia, as Saigon Export Premium secured a Silver Medal at the Japan International Beer Cup 2025, a competition with more than 25 years of history and participation from brewers in over 30 countries. This marked the third year, and the second consecutive year, that SABECO products have been recognised in the Japanese market.

According to the company, the award-winning beers are part of the product lines prioritised for upgrades during the 2021–2025 period, when SABECO accelerated its strategy towards the mid- to high-end segments in line with changing urban consumption trends and international standards. While 333 Pilsner and Saigon Chill are designed to meet demand for more diverse drinking experiences, Saigon Export Premium is positioned as an international-standard premium lager.

SABECO noted it has collected more than 50 international awards in recent years, reflecting the outcomes of sustained investment in technology and operational improvements. The company is pursuing a three-pillar strategy encompassing people development, operational standardisation, and efficiency enhancement. Among these, improving efficiency is viewed as critical to cost optimisation and margin expansion, metrics that investors are closely monitoring as competition in the beer market intensifies.

According to Lester Tan, CEO of SABECO, the brewer is strengthening its product portfolio through diversification and clear positioning across price segments. “We aim to offer consumers more choice, from heritage brands to modern products. Each plays a strategic role in SABECO’s growth structure,” he said.

Tan added that the group’s ambitions extend beyond consolidating its domestic position. “As Vietnam sets its sights on stronger regional competitiveness, SABECO seeks to grow alongside the country,” he noted.

Market conditions show domestic beer consumption has been affected by stricter road safety regulations, evolving consumer behaviour, and broader economic pressures. However, the premium segment is expected to maintain solid growth, particularly in major cities. Analysts believe SABECO’s newer product lines could help the company strengthen its presence among younger consumers who favour more contemporary beer-drinking styles.

Industry experts suggest that the increasing presence of Vietnamese brands, including SABECO, at international competitions highlights a clear improvement in the quality of domestic beer. This trend could enhance investor confidence and raise brand visibility in export markets.

Over the longer term, SABECO’s portfolio upgrade strategy is expected to support gross margin improvement and provide a foundation for sustainable growth as Vietnam’s beer market becomes increasingly polarised between mass-market and premium segments.

The event continues the joint efforts by HEINEKEN Vietnam and the Ho Chi Minh City Traffic Police to promote a culture of traffic safety and the responsible behaviour of “when you drive, never drink” among young people, youth union members, and the wider community, contributing to a safer and more sustainable Ho Chi Minh City.

Representatives of the partnership and students of UIT-VNUHCM

Speaking at the event, James Crampton, corporate affairs director at HEINEKEN Vietnam , said, “As a leading beverage company in Vietnam, we recognise our responsibility to advocate moderation where alcohol is consumed through practical and relatable initiatives. The partnership with Ho Chi Minh City Traffic Police represents an important step in our journey towards reducing harmful drinking and promoting responsible consumption, as we work closely with authorities to empower young people and encourage behaviour that protect both themselves and others.”

“As Tet approaches, we will continue to roll out further initiatives with our partner to raise awareness and drive meaningful impact in support of responsible drinking and traffic safety,” he noted.

James Crampton, corporate affairs director at HEINEKEN Vietnam

The event offered a variety of exciting and interactive activities that helped students engage with traffic safety knowledge in a practical and accessible way, including fast-paced quizzes, short scenario-based videos, and knowledge-based trivia.

“Today’s event was really useful and felt very relevant to students, with case studies and scenarios that we could easily relate to. It made the content easier to understand and remember, and really encouraged us to take our responsibility seriously when participating in traffic,” shared Nguyen Quoc Dat, a Youth Union member at the Faculty of Information Science and Engineering, UIT-VNUHCM.

Students receive traffic safety guidance from the Ho Chi Minh City Traffic Police

On this occasion, HEINEKEN Vietnam also awarded three scholarships worth VND5 million ($200) each to outstanding students from disadvantaged backgrounds in recognition of their academic achievements and active involvement in Youth Union and student activities.

The scholarships aim to encourage these students to continue their efforts and serve as role models in “Traffic Safety – When you drive, never drink” among the younger generation.

Through the initiative, HEINEKEN Vietnam, through its Heineken 0.0 brand, will continue to collaborate with the Ho Chi Minh City Traffic Police to roll out traffic safety and responsible drinking initiatives targeting new drivers and road users as the new lunar year approaches, raising awareness and promoting encouraging safer, more responsible behaviour on the road.

HEINEKEN Vietnam continues sustainability ambitions amid challenging times HEINEKEN Vietnam issued an update on its sustainability progress on September 10, highlighting its continued efforts and achievements towards “Brewing a Better Vietnam” – despite a challenging year.

HEINEKEN Vietnam’s journey towards net zero HEINEKEN Vietnam, a staple in Vietnam’s beverage industry for over 30 years, is reinforcing its commitment to Vietnam’s sustainable development goals.

HEINEKEN Vietnam’s clear path towards net-zero Pioneering through many sustainable development initiatives, HEINEKEN Vietnam is making efforts to promote transformation towards overall net-zero goals. Tran Ngoc Anh, the company’s corporate affairs director, talked to VIR’s Bich Thuy about the journey.

PPL’s ​​specialised tractor-trailer is transporting wind turbine blades

Building on domestic experience, Precious Prestige Logistics (PPL) is expanding into the international market. Since 2024, the company has successfully conducted a site-move and load-out of 33 offshore substation topsides for the Greater Changhua 2b&4 venture, carried out by Petrovietnam Technical Services Corporation (PTSC) for Danish partner Ørsted.

In total, nearly 800 shipments were transported over 18 months, contributing to 9.7 million safe working hours of the entire project. The success has established PPL as an indispensable link in the offshore wind supply chain.

In 2025, PPL also marked an important milestone in its development history with the successful site-move and load-out of a 4,000-tonne offshore substation topside. The topside, fabricated by PV Shipyard from August 2023 to June this year, is a key component of the offshore substation system, exported to Taiwan.

With dimensions of 58x39x37m high, including launch beams, the topside is not only the heaviest structure transported by self-propelled modular transporters in Vietnam, but also one of the heaviest substation topsides ever manufactured domestically for export.

In the wind sector, each shipment is extremely large and categorised as oversized and overweight cargo. To manage such loads, PPL has pioneered the adoption of transport route simulation systems, field surveys, specialised trailer designs, and implementation processes in line with international safety standards.

A notable example is the Tan Tan Nhat wind farm in the former province of Kon Tum, where PPL handled shipments weighing up to 114 tonnes and 76.5 metres long along the longest transport route of 722km. These achievements underscored the company’s technical capabilities and utmost safety standards, reaffirming its pioneering role in super-long and superheavy transportation for wind power ventures nationwide.

Do Hoang Phuong, chairman and CEO of PPL, said Vietnam’s wind power industry entered a golden period between 2020 and 2022. “In 2020 alone, the country had 106 wind power ventures nationwide, yet only around 40 prime movers were capable of pulling wind power equipment up to 100 tonnes per shipment. A lack of internal capacity remains a major challenge for Vietnam’s logistics industry,” Phuong said.

By addressing this issue, PPL has quickly emerged as Vietnam’s leading wind power transportation company. During this period, the company participated in seven major wind ventures across the central and Central Highlands regions, delivering nearly 200 complete sets of wind power equipment in a safe and timely manner.

Key ventures included 18 turbines for the aforementioned Tan Tan Nhat wind farm; 19 turbines for Huong Linh 3,4 in Quang Tri province; and 73 turbines for Cu Ne 1,2 and Krong Buk 1,2 in Dak Lak province. “To complete these ventures, PPL passed through challenging terrain, steep mountain passes, and long distances. These challenges were compounded by global supply chain disruptions during the pandemic, which caused shortages of specialised transport equipment,” Phuong said.

Despite such obstacles, PPL met all project timelines, ensuring the wind power ventures were connected to the grid as scheduled. As a result, PPL has earned the reputation as Vietnam’s leading wind power transportation company thanks to its safe, innovative, and efficient solutions.

From a homegrown transportation company, PPL has engaged in the global supply chain, especially in the production and logistics of offshore substation topsides for export.

ASEAN has endorsed an action plan to increase the share of renewable electricity to 45 per cent of total capacity by 2030. Meanwhile, the ASEAN Power Grid initiative aims to support cross-border power grid ventures. With its proven track record, PPL is well-positioned to become a strategic partner in ASEAN’s energy network, supporting green transition and sustainable development in the region.

To realise this vision, PPL is aligning its operations and safety standards with international benchmarks while investing in fleets, lifting equipment, and digital logistics systems. The company is also deepening partnerships with regional investors, contractors, and original equipment manufacturers, while developing manufacturing capabilities for wind power components serving the ASEAN market.

As ASEAN heralds a new era of sustainable energy collaboration, PPL’s vision of “From Vietnam to ASEAN” is more than a slogan – it represents an action plan to bring Vietnamese logistics capabilities to the region and contribute to ASEAN’s greener energy future.

PPL’s journey to become leading player in Vietnam’s heavy transport segment Precious Prestige Trading and Logistics One Member Co., Ltd. (PPL) has set a record for Vietnam’s logistics industry by successfully performing a site-move and load-out of a 4,000-tonne offshore substation topside.

PPL earns Asia-Pacific Corporate Excellence Award Precious Prestige Trading and Logistics One Member Co., Ltd. (PPL) has earned the Corporate Excellence Award at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Enterprise Awards (APEAs), in recognition of its growing international stature.

Looking back on your career and leadership approach, what drew you back to Vietnam to lead Mondelez Kinh Do at this stage of its development?

I’ve spent more than 25 years building my career across many countries and cultures, starting in India, then moving to Nigeria, Singapore, Indonesia, and ultimately Vietnam.

Working across diverse markets has shown me how people, cultures, and consumer behaviours differ, and what truly motivates them. These experiences have shaped a leadership style that values ​​empathy, adaptability, and a profound understanding of local context.

Vaibhav Bhanchawat, vice president and managing director of Mondelez Kinh Do Vietnam

Vietnam, in particular, stands out to me. The country shows promising economic growth, significant headroom in per-capita consumption, and a dynamic, fast-evolving innovation landscape.

From an innovation perspective, Vietnam is one of the most exciting markets in the region, with consumers being incredibly open to trying new products.

This makes it an ideal environment for brands to test, refine, and introduce new ideas. For a global organisation like ours, with scale, capability, and deep category expertise, combining those strengths with a consumer base eager to experiment opens tremendous opportunities.

Another factor that drew me back is the quality of talent in Vietnam. I have always found Vietnamese professionals to be resilient and capable problem-solvers. This blend of determination, resilience, and solution-oriented thinking is truly unique and energising.

Mondelez Kinh Do’s diverse, capable, and future-ready workforce

Having experienced this firsthand, returning to Vietnam felt natural. The market’s potential, combined with the strength of its people, makes it an incredibly inspiring place to lead Mondelez Kinh Do into its next chapter.

How would you evaluate the company’s development journey and the values ​​it has contributed to Vietnam’s snacking culture?

Mondelez Kinh Do’s journey in Vietnam is defined by our ability to combine global expertise with strong local heritage, creating meaningful value for consumers.

Our portfolio brings together iconic Vietnamese brands such as Kinh Do, Cosy, AFC and Solite with global favourites like Oreo, LU, Ritz and Cadbury, allowing us to preserve cultural familiarity while introducing world-class snacking experiences that expand choice and elevate everyday enjoyment.

A key part of our contribution lies in making quality snacking accessible to all Vietnamese consumers. Solite exemplifies this, appealing to consumers from major cities to rural areas with products that feel both familiar and premium.

At the same time, our distribution network of more than 450,000 retail outlets gives consumers nationwide access to a wider range of products. This scale ensures that our offerings are available in every community.

We have also focused on delivering better value. By investing in automation and digitalisation, we continuously improve efficiency and pass those benefits back to consumers, through more consistent quality, competitive pricing, and products tailored to local tastes.

What are the key priorities of Mondelez Kinh Do’s purpose-led growth strategy in Vietnam for the forthcoming years?

At Mondelez Kinh Do, our purpose of ‘empowering people to snack right’ shapes how we prioritise our portfolio, innovate, and create long-term value for Vietnamese consumers.

In the years ahead, we will continue to strengthen the brands that are part of Vietnam’s culture, giving consumers products that they feel familiar, accessible, and emotionally resonant.

Alongside that, we will expand our global portfolio to bring world-class snacking experiences closer to more Vietnamese consumers. With our distribution and manufacturing capabilities, our consumers across the country can enjoy high-quality and globally trusted snacks.

To strengthen connection with the Vietnamese market, we invest heavily in seasonal categories like traditional Lunar New Year (Tet) and Mid-Autumn, crafting gift assortments that elevate moments of sharing and connection. In doing so, we help consumers snack right during the moments that matter most.

Mondelez Kinh Do has invested significantly in its Tet gift portfolio

Finally, we are accelerating digitalisation to create more value at every shopping touchpoint, using AI and data-driven tools to place the right products in the right outlets at the right time.

The latest consumer snacking trends report includes key insights in Vietnam. How will it guide product innovation and brand building for Mondelez Kinh Do?

Mondelez Kinh Do’s first-ever Vietnam State of Snacking Report reveals strong potential in Vietnam, with 95 per cent of locals snacking daily. The report highlights that while consumer motivations for snacking – nutrition, indulgence, or healthier choices – are broadly similar across markets, the real differences lie in the way our consumers want to experience products.

This is where packaging and other sensory experience become critical. Those preferences inspire us to go further in developing seasonal Tet packages that mix global and local brands, or Kinh Do fresh portfolio for those preferring convenience, and so on.

To achieve this, we launched a regional research and development hub in Singapore, combining advanced technology and market expertise to blend global scale with local relevance. For example, our Vietnamese Kinh Do mooncake innovations are developed through this integrated system while staying culturally authentic.

How is the company directing its investments in Vietnam to strengthen long-term growth while advancing its sustainability goals?

Our investment philosophy for Vietnam is clear – we invest strategically where it strengthens our long-term growth engine and reflects our purpose. Over the past years, a significant portion has gone into enhancing our manufacturing footprint with sustainability at the core of our operations.

We’ll continue to drive our four sustainability engines, aligned with Mondelēz International’s 2030 goals, consisting of packaging, ingredients, climate, and social impact.

Up to now, we’ve already achieved a milestone of 100 per cent recyclable packaging.

We’re also utilising sustainable sourcing, leveraging cage-free eggs into our portfolio, as well as reducing food waste, CO₂ emissions, and water usage in manufacturing beside creating impactful changes to the employees and community.

Mondelez Kinh Do receives Top 100 sustainability recognition in Vietnam under the 2025 Corporate Sustainability Index

We are also making sustained investments in brand building. Vietnam is a dynamic market, and strong consumer awareness is critical for both our local jewels and global power brands.

Another priority is our route-to-market and talent ecosystem. We continue to invest in the capability of our teams, our distributor network, and digital tools that help retailers grow alongside us. Furthermore, we are investing in our people, the talent driving innovation, commercial excellence, and execution every day.

By balancing between brand innovations, operational efficiency, people-first culture and environmental responsibility, this enables us to optimise performance, create lasting value for consumers, communities, employees, and the broader market we serve.

Mondelez Kinh Do unveils first Vietnam snacking trends report Mondelez Kinh Do has released the first-ever ‘Vietnam State of Snacking Report’, providing a comprehensive look into the changing behaviours, expectations and values that are shaping the way Vietnamese enjoy snacking today.

Mondelez Kinh Do provides learning support to children in remote communities Mondelez Kinh Do and its employees have donated books and learning materials through the ‘Love Library’ initiative, improving learning conditions for more than 6,000 students across seven localities in Vietnam.

Mondelez Kinh Do secures fourth Top 100 Sustainable Company nod Mondelez Kinh Do Vietnam has secured a place among the country’s most sustainable manufacturers for the fourth year running, reflecting the food manufacturer’s long-term push to integrate sustainability across its operations.

At the Vietnam Socioeconomic Achievements Exhibition in August in Hanoi, TH Group showcased what it described as a “digital miracle” to visitors: an advanced traceability technology that allows comprehensive tracking of every stage in the 12-step production process of TH true MILK – from pasture, farms, and factory all the way to consumer’s dining tables.

High-tech adoption for TH true MILK

This innovation mirrors the agricultural digitalisation vision persistently pursued by the company, in which modern agricultural development is inseparable from data, technology, and AI.

With this major step, TH has become the first dairy enterprise in Vietnam to provide traceability data on the National Data Association’s (NDA) Trace platform, a blockchain-based, nationally integrated system developed by Vietnamese experts, featuring decentralised identity technology.

The technology allows users to control their digital identities by managing their own personal data, which is secured using cryptography and distributed ledger technology like blockchain.

Each batch of TH true MILK is provided with a unique digital ID, enabling end-to-end tracking from raw material input, production, quality control, packaging, and transportation to final distribution.

Every action in the supply chain is recorded, verified, and protected against tampering or forgery. This technology complies with international GS1 standards and is compatible with EBSI Trace 4EU – the European Union’s global traceability system – providing comprehensive assistance for the enterprise’s cross-border supply chain connection.

On every TH milk carton, the QR code works as a digital certificate of trust. “When scanning the code, consumers can access full details about the milk’s origin, production process, ingredients, nutritional content, storage instructions, expiry date, and packaging specifications,” said Nguyen Xuan Khoa, chief information officer at TH Group. “They can even discover what, when, and how the cows were fed and treated, and how they were milked. Everything is transparent and verifiable.”

TH taking the lead in using data and technology for product traceability has marked a defining moment in its 15-year journey to bring greater transparency to the Vietnamese dairy market in a bid to protect consumers’ health.

TH Group has spent years advocating for clearer labelling regulations, urging authorities to revise the technical standards for dairy ingredient declarations on product packaging. The company has consistently adhered to full disclosure of its raw materials. All of its products are made from pure fresh milk sourced directly from its own dairy farms, processed using world-class technology to preserve the natural purity and nutritional essence of its milk products.

Product traceability is the latest solution in TH Group’s evolving ecosystem of high-tech innovation and scientific management. The company has consistently stressed the crucial role of digital transformation in unlocking the full potential of agriculture. In TH’s strategy, agricultural products must meet two key criteria including competitive pricing and high quality – both of which require high technology.

Thanks to a vast data repository accumulated over the past 15 years, TH Group is now well positioned to implement a comprehensive traceability system. For consumers, scanning a QR code on TH true MILK packaging reveals a journey that begins in the feed crop fields that nourish TH’s nearly 70,000-strong dairy herd.

These fields are maintained by smart irrigation systems that use sensors to monitor soil moisture and adjust water usage accordingly. Crops such as maize, kaoliang, and mombasa and mulato grass are continuously monitored by sensors and AI-powered analytics to ensure optimal nutritional value. TH’s automated machinery performs the work equivalent of hundreds of manual labourers each day.

Each TH dairy cow is installed with an electronic identification chip connected with Afifarm, an advanced Israeli livestock management software. This system provides real-time tracking of each cow’s health, diet, milk output, and reproductive cycle.

TH has also adopted IVF technology for dairy cows, enabling the group to independently breed high-quality herds. Data collected from farm to factory is synchronised, ensuring consistent quality control from the milking stage.

Since it was established, TH’s fresh milk processing plant was equipped with state-of-the-art technology sourced from G7 nations and Europe. It currently produces one million litres per day – a record for Vietnam’s dairy industry.

Particularly, TH Group has applied an enterprise resource planning platform from SAP to manage and analyse real-time data across the entire production chain. This system allows TH to anticipate market demand, adjust production schedules, and accurately plan agricultural activities such as sowing, fertilising, and harvesting, ensuring that product quality remains consistently high.

TH Group commences construction of foodstuff factory in Thai Binh On February 18, TH Group commenced the construction of a foodstuff factory in Quynh Trang commune in the northern province of Thai Binh’s Quynh Phu district, marking an important milestone on the company’s journey to bring consumers nutritious and safe products such as fresh milk, vegetables, and drinking water, among many others.

TH Group showcases products at CAEXPO 2024 TH Group, the owner of the TH True Milk brand, is showcasing its high-quality products at the 21st China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) from September 24-28.

Thai Huong: a visionary business leader bridging Vietnam and Russia Russian President Vladimir Putin has presented the Order of Friendship to Thai Huong, founder and chairwoman of the Strategic Council of TH Group, and general director of BAC A BANK.

Kaluga governor praises TH Group’s world-leading dairy farm Governor of Russia’s Kaluga province visited TH Group’s high-tech dairy farm in Nghe An, the world’s largest closed-loop facility of its kind.