60 years of pioneering in Innovation and Integration

The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) organized an event to honor the 60th anniversary of VCCI's Traditional Day on April 26, 2023. This unique event was attended by Mr. Vo Van Thuong, member of the Politburo and President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, as well as leaders of the Party, National Assembly, Government, central and local departments and agencies. The ceremony was also attended by ambassadors from 28 nations and foreign guests from 57 countries.

VCCI Chairman Pham Tan Cong revealed during the occasion that the inaugural Chamber of Commerce Congress was held in Hanoi on March 14, 1963, with 93 founding members. The Congress approved the Charter, elected the Executive Board, and Prime Minister Pham Van Dong signed Decision No. 58-CP approving the Charter on April 27, 1963. Since then, April 27 has been designated as the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry's (VCCI) Traditional Day.

According to the VCCI Chairman, VCCI has been a pioneering organization in establishing and implementing numerous key initiatives for business growth over the last 60 years.

VCCI's statewide system conducts hundreds of trade and investment promotion activities, business consultation and training, and foreign exchange activities each year to help firms improve their capacity and grow their production and company. VCCI also serves as a foundation and link for the operations of business groups around the country. VCCI has grown from 93 members to a countrywide network of over 200,000 firms and 200 business groups.

"Looking back on the 60-year development journey, we are proud of the substantial pioneering contributions of generations of VCCI members, authorities, and employees to the innovation process, economic growth, and business community development. The Ho Chi Minh Medal, the First Class Independence Medal, and several other distinguished medals and distinctions have been bestowed upon VCCI by the Party and the State," Mr. Pham Tan Cong shared.

The mission of entrepreneurs

After 37 years of Doi Moi, the country has achieved significant accomplishments, as stated by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong: "Never before has our country had the infrastructure, potential, position, and international prestige as it does today."

However, this is only the beginning. Looking ahead, the purpose of entrepreneurs stands in stark contrast to the nation's ambitions and aspirations. The 13th Party Congress declared the goal of Vietnam being a developed country with a high income by 2045 in January 2021. The vision for the 7th VCCI Congress in December 2021 was Strong Enterprises - Prosperous Nation. A country's success is always inextricably connected to the robust growth of its business community.

To achieve this, VCCI needs to continue to promote policy activities, participate in improving the institutional environment to nurture and develop the entrepreneur and business community. "VCCI will continue to encourage and promote entrepreneurs and enterprises as they seek for development, deserving of their position as a backbone force in the country's industrialization and modernization. In addition to promoting quantity development, we must foster the formation of large enterprises, leading enterprises in the industry, the 'cranes in the flock' to lead the development of small and medium-sized enterprises, thereby contributing to the development of an independent, self-sufficient, and successfully integrated economy. I am glad to inform you that the VCCI Executive Board has recently agreed to establish the Leading Business Council of Vietnam, the first 21 members of which will be unveiled during today's anniversary celebration", said VCCI Chairman.

In VCCI Chairman's view, another important priority that VCCI and the business community will aim to achieve in the future is the development of business ethics and business culture in order for individuals to self-identify their own character and place in the worldwide business community. Vietnam's business ethics and culture must be established on a foundation of blending the best of Vietnamese culture with the best of global business culture. Culture must evolve into a soft power, leading and assisting Vietnamese entrepreneurs and enterprises to expand sustainably, with rising high positions and reputation both locally and globally.