Nearly 50 years after its founding, Vinamilk stands 36th worldwide in dairy industry revenue and is recognized as the world’s top potential dairy brand.
Labor Hero of the Renovation Era Mai Kieu Lien, former member of the Party Central Committee, Board Member and CEO of Vinamilk, says autonomy and resilience remain essential for Vietnamese businesses to withstand volatility, seize new opportunities, and contribute to national development goals.
*Looking back at Vinamilk’s nearly five decades of growth, how has the idea of “sustainability” changed?
- Mai Kieu Lien: In any era, businesses must pursue sustainable development, but its meaning evolves over time.
Fifty years ago, as Vietnam emerged from war and faced embargoes, companies lacked capital, foreign currency, raw materials and technology. There were moments when production lines stopped entirely. At that time, sustainability simply meant restoring operations, supplying essential products, ensuring quality and gradually meeting people’s needs.
Today, the world is changing rapidly. Sustainability now covers net-zero emissions, operational transparency and future readiness. Digital transformation, green transition and innovation have become mandatory standards. Enterprises that do not raise their capabilities or continue investing will struggle to move forward.
* Amid these shifts, what core values remain constant for businesses and entrepreneurs?
- Mai Kieu Lien: Certain values never change. Entrepreneurs always need courage, autonomy and passion for their work.
What distinguishes the present era is the heightened demand for dynamism and creativity. Without innovation and breakthroughs, businesses will fall behind. Leaders must also guide their teams through transformation, ensuring everyone moves in the same direction over the long term.
* For Vinamilk, what has been the key factor in navigating economic volatility?
- Mai Kieu Lien: Our greatest value is captured in two words: autonomy and resilience.
Autonomy allows a company to build a strong foundation, from production capacity to corporate culture. Once autonomous, a business becomes less dependent on external conditions. Resilience means maintaining core values despite changing circumstances.
This mindset has helped Vinamilk pursue long-term strategies—investing in technology, expanding production and strengthening the brand—while steadily improving our position in both domestic and international markets.
* After nearly 50 years, which milestones stand out most for Vinamilk?
- Mai Kieu Lien: Vinamilk began in 1976 with three small, outdated factories. Today, we operate 16 factories in Vietnam and overseas, and our products reach 65 countries and territories.
Each year, exports generate roughly USD 250–300 million, with many years of double-digit growth. Since 1997, cumulative export revenue has surpassed USD 3.5 billion. We currently rank 36th worldwide in dairy industry revenue, have been named the world’s top potential dairy brand, and hold an AAA+ brand strength rating—the highest on the scale.
These achievements reflect not only business performance but the endurance of a Vietnamese enterprise built on long-term strategy and perseverance.
* As a “new era of opportunity” opens, where do you see the greatest prospects for Vietnamese enterprises?
- Mai Kieu Lien: This is a period full of opportunity. Green transition, digital transformation and sustainable development are becoming global standards. Vietnamese companies can leapfrog by adopting global technologies in ways that suit local conditions.
With strong internal capabilities and long-term strategies, Vietnamese enterprises can participate more deeply in global value chains.
* How is Vinamilk preparing for the future?
- Mai Kieu Lien: We always plan far ahead. Each 10-year cycle prepares us for the next decade.
At present, Vinamilk is focused on developing human resources, refining long-term strategies, and applying technologies such as artificial intelligence, automation and robotics. We are also driving product innovation and repositioning the brand for a new stage of development.
At the same time, we are committed to green development. Vinamilk is the first dairy company in Vietnam to have two factories and one farm certified as Net Zero. We are committed to achieving Net Zero by 2050, aligned with national goals, with a clear emissions-reduction roadmap verified by independent organizations.
* What message would you share with the Vietnamese business community as this new era begins?
- Mai Kieu Lien: Every enterprise has its own path. But if, in every decision, we prioritize the country’s long-term interests and the value of the Vietnamese brand over short-term gains, competition will naturally become healthier.
When businesses understand their role in supporting the nation—raising the standards of Vietnamese goods and enhancing the country’s image internationally—this era of opportunity will become a foundation for sustained, resilient growth, not just a fleeting moment.
