A zero-VND market in Hanoi in January

On January 8, Coca-Cola Vietnam broke records for the largest Vietnamese Tet meal table.

The event, with 1,000 multi-generational families taking part at Hoa Lu Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City, was recognised as “the Vietnamese Tet table with the largest number of participating families in the world” by the World Records Union.

A total of 436 tables were arranged into the characteristic shape of two Coca-Cola bottles. More than 3,000 people from 1000 Vietnamese families were seated around the tables to set the record, in which they enjoyed a Lunar New Year party with a variety of traditional dishes and at the same time exchanged special memories of past family reunions.

After several years of hardship for many people and complexities in connecting with others, the event highlighted the warm magic and belonging of family reunion meals that Coca-Cola wishes to bring to Vietnamese consumers.

A Lunar New Year meal with the largest number of participating families in the world

“Coca-Cola has been part of millions of Vietnamese family dinners for almost 30 years, and we know how important the Tet reunion meal is for the Vietnamese people,” said Leonardo Garcia, general director of Coca-Cola in Vietnam and Cambodia. “This year, with the ‘Timeless Magic Table’ event, we brought back the memories of past family meals with an ice-cold Coca-Cola because we know those meals can connect family members of all generations, something that never changes.”

The corporation has also contributed over $230,000 to support underprivileged people and families across the country during this Tet season.

Furthermore, together with Al Fresco’s, the two companies set the record for a pizza party serving the most families in Vietnam at the same time, with 1,000 pizzas involved. Both records were awarded two certificates to establish as Vietnamese records.

Reuniting with loved ones

Coca-Cola Vietnam has supported more than 5,400 underprivileged people and families across Vietnam to bring home the magic of Tet, with a total value of over $230,000 in 2022 alone. The achievement was made together with support from associations, unions, strategic partners, and local authorities.

The company also committed to contributing 65 US cents to the Lunar New Year fund of the Vietnam Red Cross every time consumers interacted with the brand on its website. Through this initiative, Coca-Cola and the Vietnam Red Cross has supported 3,000 households and underprivileged people across the country through a zero-VND Tet market.

More than 4,000 traditional Vietnamese cakes have also been sent to students, as well as homeless people and individuals with unidentified income in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

Coca-Cola Vietnam has accompanied the Vietnam Red Cross in various community activities for a decade. “We appreciate Coca-Cola’s efforts to promptly support people affected by floods,” said Bui Thi Hoa, president of the Vietnam Red Cross.

“We jointly held the Tet Compassion initiative for the first time with the theme of respecting human dignity and beneficiaries’ right to participate. The programme also respects local cultural habits and traditions, and promotes the community support network so that everyone can demonstrate their social responsibility to the poor and underprivileged by participating and contributing available resources.”

Beneficiaries are welcomed with a warm Lunar New Year atmosphere both physically and spiritually, with a network filled with messages of love and sharing, according to Hoa.

“This year, we especially acknowledge Coca-Cola’s efforts to support resources and ideas to accompany us in the Tet Compassion programme, which has been a warm, respectful, and meaningful event in many regions across the country. The company not only contributes physically, but also accompanies us in spreading the positive values of community support to young people and consumers in Vietnam,” Hoa said.

Additionally, Coca-Cola has continued its tradition of handing out Lunar New Year gifts for households and underprivileged people in the neighbourhoods of its factories. The programme, supported by local people’s committees, women’s unions, and departments of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, has presented 2,400 Lunar New Year gifts to underprivileged people and families in 13 cities and provinces across the country.

In all activities, regardless of the forms of support, Coca-Cola Vietnam aims at practicality, gratitude for people, and ensuring no-one is left behind.