EuroCham Vietnam Gala Dinner and Business Awards 2023: Commemorating a quarter century of championing Europe-Vietnam trade and investment ties

 The EuroCham Vietnam Gala Dinner and Business Awards 2023, a signature event for the Europe-Vietnam business community, was celebrated with splendor at Vinpearl Landmark 81 in Ho Chi Minh City on November 17. The event commemorated EuroCham’s two and a half decades of bolstering economic collaboration between Europe and Vietnam, and spotlighted the outstanding achievements of its member companies in the areas of innovation, sustainability, employee welfare, and overall performance.

In a fitting testimony to EuroCham’s commitment to fostering a robust and dynamic and European-Vietnamese collaborative relationship, the get-together was attended by hundreds of attendees, including esteemed business leaders, investors, diplomats, political leaders, and other distinguished guests. 

Acknowledging excellence: the EuroCham Vietnam Business Awards

Central to the evening was the presentation of four EuroCham Vietnam Business Awards, aimed at acknowledging members of the business community for their remarkable contributions in innovation, sustainability, employee welfare, and overall business performance. These awards symbolize EuroCham’s commitment to elevating industry standards  in Vietnam and across the globe.

Green Business of the Year: Heineken Vietnam clinched this prestigious award for its remarkable environmental sustainability efforts. The company was celebrated for significantly reducing its carbon footprint and achieving zero waste to landfill across all breweries, underpinning their commitment to a sustainable future. Bayer Vietnam and Nestlé Vietnam were also lauded as finalists in this category.

Business Innovation Award: FPT Software emerged as the winner, recognized for its transformative DX Garage framework and its pioneering “best-shore” model. This accolade underscores the company’s global reach and flexibility, as well as its substantial growth in digital transformation revenues. ECOTEK and FiinGroup were also shortlisted, highlighting their innovative approaches.

SME Excellence Award: DAFC (Duy Anh Fashion And Cosmetics JSC) was awarded for its exceptional growth, digital transformation, and customer-centric innovations. The company’s significant revenue surge and adaptation to digital shifts, particularly during the pandemic, set a benchmark for SMEs. Eagle Technology and Mermaid Maritime were also finalists, demonstrating the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit within the SME sector.

Employer of the Year: Nestlé Vietnam received this award for its comprehensive focus on employee well-being, professional development, and corporate social responsibility. The award reflects Nestlé Vietnam’s dedication to creating a positive and engaging workplace, along with extensive training and global exposure opportunities for employees. Bosch Vietnam & Bosch Global Software Technologies Vietnam, and Home Credit Vietnam were also honored as finalists, showcasing their exceptional HR practices.

The panel of judges for the EuroCham Business Awards comprised:

• Christina Ameln, Sustainability Strategist & Advisor at Ameln & Co. AB;
• Minh-Phuong Dang, Founder & CEO of MP Logistics;
• Huong Dang, Regional Director at Navigos Search;
• Fabien De Geuser, Dean at CFVG (French Vietnamese School of Management); and 
• Hao Tran, CEO at Vietcetera Media.

Speeches and insights from business leaders and dignitaries

EuroCham Vice-Chairman Torben Minko, in his opening address, reflected on EuroCham’s journey, noting that “From a humble start of 60 members in 1998 to a growing community of fourteen hundred today, EuroCham stands as a symbol of unity. We’ve built more than a network; we have constructed a sturdy bridge between Europe and Vietnam. This bridge, reinforced by mutual support and collaboration, has fostered ties that span continents and unite people.”

In his remarks at the celebration, European Union Ambassador to Vietnam Julien Guerrier said that “This anniversary serves as a testament to the long-term investment in Vietnam made by EU business, fostering the country’s economic growth, promoting trade and investment, and strengthening the bilateral relationship between Vietnam and the European Union. Through your advocacy work, EuroCham has played a crucial role in improving the business climate for the European companies but also for all businesses active in Vietnam, including Vietnamese ones.”

A focal point of discussion among speakers was the success of EuroCham’s Green Economy Forum (GEF) 2023, held in Hanoi on November 2. The forum, attended by dignitaries such as Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, and European Commission Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis, was a hub of insightful discussions and high-level exchanges, all centered on the theme of accelerating Vietnam’s transition to a green economy. This event served as a prelude to EuroCham’s second iteration of its Green Economy Forum & Exhibition, scheduled to take place from October 30 to November 1, 2024, in southern Vietnam

Special awards and honors

The evening’s highlights also included the prestigious presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Alain Cany, Chairman of the EuroCham Advisory Board. During his tenure, Mr. Cany served two significant mandates as Chairman of EuroCham, first from 2005 to 2011 and then from 2021 to 2023, culminating in nine impactful years. His tenure was marked by several notable contributions, including the development of the Business Confidence Index, the successful launch and continuous evolution of the Whitebook, now in its fifteenth edition, and the establishment of the influential Green Economy Forum & Exhibition. These endeavors have been instrumental in defining and advancing EuroCham Vietnam’s strategic path.

EuroCham Vietnam honored its foundational members in a special tribute during the event, presenting them with certificates to recognize their unwavering commitment and enduring support since the chamber’s inception. This acknowledgment celebrated the dedication and contributions of key members who have been instrumental in the chamber’s journey. The honorees included prominent organizations such as:

• Allianz Partner
• Ericsson Vietnam Company Limited
• Ernst & Young Vietnam Limited
• ING Bank N.V. Hanoi Representative Office
• Nestlé Vietnam Limited
• Representative Office of Organon Hong Kong Limited in Hanoi City
• Prudential Vietnam Assurance Private Co.
• Raiffeisen Bank International
• Shell in Vietnam
• Signify Vietnam Limited
• Unilever Vietnam International Company Limited

The event also featured the presentation of the “Shared Vision, Collective Success” award, which honored the nine EuroCham-affiliated Vietnam-based European business associations, including:

• Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce (Beluxcham)
• Central and Eastern European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (CEEC)
• Chamber of Commerce and Industry Portugal-Vietnam (CCIPV)
• Dutch Business Association Vietnam (DBAV)
• French Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vietnam (CCIFV)
• German Business Association (GBA)
• Italian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (ICHAM)
• Nordic Chamber of Commerce Vietnam (Nordcham)
• Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (SCCV)

This accolade acknowledged their invaluable contributions and unwavering dedication to the growth and success of the EuroCham community, underlining their integral role in fostering a robust Euro-Vietnamese business network.

“To the nine EuroCham-affiliated European business associations – I extend my deepest respect. Together, we’ve built a ‘chamber of chambers’ that is not only the most influential in Vietnam but also ranks among the top in the region and certainly among the top five European chambers in the world. This spirit of cooperation is a true reflection of your commitment to the idea of Team Europe,” said EuroCham Vice-Chairman Torben Minko.

Về EuroCham Việt Nam

Since 1998, EuroCham Vietnam has served as the representative voice for European businesses in Vietnam, supporting a range of sectors from SMEs to multinational corporations. EuroCham plays a pivotal role for European businesses eyeing the Vietnamese market and for Vietnamese firms aiming for European expansion, offering a bridge to benefits under the European Union-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement.

With 1,400 members, EuroCham Vietnam stands as a leading foreign chamber in Vietnam, representing companies that employ over 150,000 people nationwide.

The organization also serves as an umbrella chamber, encompassing nine affiliated European business associations:

• Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce (Beluxcham)
• Central and Eastern European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (CEEC)
• Chamber of Commerce and Industry Portugal-Vietnam (CCIPV)
• Dutch Business Association Vietnam (DBAV)
• French Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vietnam (CCIFV)
• German Business Association (GBA)
• Italian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (ICHAM)
• Nordic Chamber of Commerce Vietnam (Nordcham)
• Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (SCCV)

This diversity allows EuroCham to champion the interests of a broad spectrum of industries and businesses, amplifying their collective voice and influence.

For media-related inquiries, contact:

EuroCham Việt Nam

Mr. Dan Martin, Public Relations Officer 

dan.martin@eurochamvn.org