Vietnam has emerged as a beacon in the F&B sector, with Euromonitor projecting a robust 10.92 per cent increase in the country's F&B market value for 2024 compared to 2023.

In the spotlight is Lotus Group, which recorded an impressive growth of over 20 per cent in 2023, marked by the inauguration of five new restaurants, thus elevating its total outlets to 28. Noteworthy among Lotus Group's renowned restaurant brands in the Vietnamese market are Marukame Udon, Coco Ichibanya, and Chiyoda Sushi.

Recognising the immense potential, Beacon Fund - an advocate for women-owned and led enterprises in Southeast Asia - has opted to inject capital into Lotus Group's F&B sector.

Led by Le Van May, CEO and chairwoman of the board of directors, Lotus Group has left a lasting impression with its profound industry knowledge and extensive experience, particularly in Japanese cuisine.

Do Hong Yen, investment manager at Beacon Fund, remarked, "Lotus Group's resilience in operations and robust post-pandemic resurgence have earned significant investor interest."

Under the leadership of May, Lotus Group underscores its commitment to gender diversity, with over half of its nearly 1,000-strong workforce made up of women.

Focusing on workforce quality, Lotus Group invests in regular training and development activities tailored to international standards.

Beacon's investment will drive the expansion of Lotus Group's F&B division, with plans underway to unveil 10 new Japanese restaurants under different banners in 2024.

This collaborative initiative between Beacon Fund and Lotus Group not only supports the company's F&B expansion but also catalyses the development of human capital, nurturing and enhancing leadership skills for female employees within the group.

Established in 1996, Lotus Group has emerged as a premier supplier and distributor of premium Japanese products and services, prioritising health and safety in the Vietnamese market.

Presently, Lotus Group operates across four primary domains: food production and distribution; imports and distribution of consumer goods; restaurants, and retail.

With extensive experience collaborating with Japanese partners, particularly in food and restaurant brands, Lotus Group's astute understanding of the Japanese market, coupled with its insight into Vietnamese consumer preferences, underscores its contemporary success.

Beacon, founded by Patamar Capital in 2020, spearheads gender lens investing and impact initiatives from Singapore. Distinguished from traditional venture capital or lending institutions, Beacon pioneers debt investment, with a focus on supporting women-owned and led small- and medium-sized enterprises.