The EuroCham Vietnam Gala Dinner and Business Awards 2024, a signature annual event for the Europe-Vietnam business community, was held on 22 October, 2024 at the Autograph Collection Hotel at Vinpearl Landmark 81 in Ho Chi Minh City. The event celebrated the connections between European and Vietnamese businesses, organisations, and governments, as well as the outstanding achievements of EuroCham member companies in the areas of sustainable growth, innovation, and contribution to the SMEs community.
The EuroCham Vietnam Business Awards 2024: A Celebration of Exceptional Businesses
The centrepiece of the evening was the EuroCham Vietnam Business Awards 2024 ceremony, which recognised EuroCham members that excelled in the areas of sustainability, innovation, and contributions to the SME landscape over the past year. These awards highlight EuroCham’s consistent focus on recognising companies in the Europe-Vietnam businesses community which transcend expectations with their pioneering practices and initiatives. The winners were as follows:
Green Business of the Year: Heineken Vietnam (Netherlands) took home this award for the second year in a row, thanks to its wide range of efforts to ensure the environmental and social sustainability of its beverage-brewing operations. These include using the use of biomass thermal energy at all breweries and being the first to brewery to invest in a heat pump for its Vũng Tàu location, digital and technology products to reduce waste and energy consumption, X-dock logistical solution for network optimization and CO2 reduction, and various circularity and upcycling initiatives. The other finalists for this award were Vestas Wind Technology Vietnam and Nestlé Vietnam.
Business Innovation Award: FPT Digital (Vietnam) won this award as a result of its advanced AI factory in collaboration with Mila, offering cloud-based AI services that help automate production and optimise operations while focusing on human-centric solutions to enhance the capabilities of employees and management via customised AI training, data-driven consulting, and advanced chatbot solutions. Fellow finalists were Nano Technologies Vietnam and AkzoNobel Vietnam.
SME Excellence Award: Eagle Technology JSC Vietnam (Norway), a provider of environmentally-friendly sustainable technology systems and solutions, won this award for their introduction of the ground-breaking VÍXLA SYSTEM, which leverages advanced pyrolysis technology to convert plastic waste into a valuable resource, and their role in the cutting-edge carbon capture project Agogo CCS. The other finalists were Van Der Leun Vietnam and Finest Future Vietnam.
To evaluate the many excellent candidates, EuroCham invited a panel of judges with deep knowledge of Vietnam’s business landscape:
- Ms. Huong Dang – Regional Director at Navigos Search, with over 17 years’ experience recruiting for high-level positions across various industries.
- Mr. Fabien De Geuser – Dean at French Vietnamese School of Management (CFVG), specialising in managerial skills and social responsibility, with a wealth of international experience.
- Ms. Kim Lê – Founder & Managing Director at CL2B, dedicated to circular economy solutions and sustainable business practices.
- Mr. Timen R. ter Meulen Swijtink – Founder & Managing Director at Lacàph Coffees of Việt Nam, a pioneer in sustainable coffee sourcing and quality.
- Mr. Hao Tran – CEO at Vietcetera Media, provider of business and cultural insights that connect Vietnam to the world and the world to Vietnam.
Inspiring Words from Key Leaders
The event gathered over 550 guests, including prominent business leaders from Europe and Vietnam, investors, diplomats, and political leaders, in a powerful display of unity and shared commitment.
Held on the second day of GEFE 2024—the Green Economy Forum & Exhibition, EuroCham’s largest event of the year—the Gala Dinner & Business Awards adopted the theme ‘Five Elements of Life.’ This theme symbolises the interconnectedness needed for sustainable development, where every stakeholder plays a vital role, just as each element in the natural world contributes to maintaining balance and harmony.
Chairman of EuroCham Vietnam, Mr. Bruno Jaspaert, opened the evening by drawing a parallel between the event’s theme and the importance of collaboration for sustainable growth. He noted, businesses, governments, and communities must join forces to foster a resilient, prosperous future. He expressed deep gratitude to all participants, emphasising how events like the Gala, within GEFE 2024, strengthen the bonds between Europe and Vietnam.
Following this, Mr. Laurent Lourdais, First Counsellor and Deputy Head of the Trade Section from the EU Delegation reflected on the role of cross-border partnerships in addressing global challenges. With the Business Award interlaced with GEFE 2024, Laurent highlighted that, much like the interconnected elements, the EU and Vietnam need to cooperate closely to unlock opportunities in the green economy. With sustainability at the forefront of both regions’ priorities, the representative stressed that only through collaboration can lasting solutions be achieved. He remarked: “GEFE 2024, as expected, and like previous editions, is a big success. The European Commission Vice President, Margaritis Schinas, was really impressed by the dimension of this event and the EU business presence in Vietnam. Not only was he impressed, but he was proud of it as it is part of our European project.”
Last but not least, Mr. Vo Van Hoan, Vice-Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, underscored the city’s commitment to fostering international cooperation. He noted that just as the elements must work together for harmony, sustainable development depends on strong partnerships across sectors and borders. Mr. Hoan expressed hope that such cooperation would continue to evolve, driving both economic prosperity and environmental resilience in Vietnam and beyond.
This harmonious evening exemplified EuroCham’s dedication to bridging gaps between the European and Vietnamese business communities. By bringing together leaders from across industries, governments, and civil society, the Gala Dinner not only celebrated the achievements of the past year but also reaffirmed the shared commitment to building a sustainable future—one that mirrors the perfect balance of the five elements.
Following the business awards, an exciting lucky draw was conducted, with random ticket-holders winning fabulous prizes sponsored by EuroCham partners: Air France, Vietnam Airlines, Mövenpick Resort Cam Ranh, Sofitel Saigon Plaza, and The Reverie Saigon.
“We are very proud to organise this prestigious event once again, and grateful to the wonderful sponsors, venue, and of course the inspiring Europe-Vietnam business community that made it possible. This year’s event has also been an excellent companion piece to GEFE 2024, with a compatible theme and numerous shared guests. We eagerly anticipate another year of meaningful exchange between Europe and Vietnam that drives our mutual sustainable growth and prosperity,” said Delphine Rousselet, Executive Director at EuroCham Vietnam.
