Setting foot in Vietnam in the early 1970s when the country was facing multiple hardships, with fine quality and reasonable price household products, under the earlier 'National' brand, Panasonic has been winning people's hearts and minds ever since.

This was also the first time ‘Japanese quality’ was introduced and deeply imprinted in the minds of Vietnamese people.

Not only bringing the best products, Panasonic had soon laid the foundation for its production activities in Vietnam, bringing with it professional expertise and technologies, strictly following the Group’s standards, from production and assembly, to quality control and sales.

After more than half a century of efforts, Panasonic has shaped a comprehensive production-business model with six companies in the Panasonic Group in Vietnam, not only serving the domestic market, but also exporting to other countries, including Japan.

Panasonic has set up factories in both the south and the north, developing other business areas besides household electronics, from research and development to production, marketing and distribution, customer service, and CSR, among others, contributed to enhancing capacity for local industries while assisting in social outreach.

“The trust and support of our customers is a valued reward for our efforts for the mission of bringing a better life to each citizen, as well as contributing to Vietnam’s sustainable development,” said Marukawa Yoichi, general director of Panasonic Vietnam at the occasion of Panasonic marking its 50-year journey in the country.

Panasonic has always tried to further contribute to society, especially on problems like pollution, obesity, food hygiene, and new diseases.

The company has recently announced its new vision to become a comprehensive healthcare solutions business in the next 50 years, putting people at the heart of technology development, along with finding solutions to pressing problems of the society, striving to bring a healthy, safe and comfortable life to all consumers.

To fulfill the mission, the company continues to develop and perfect healthcare solutions leveraging cutting-edge technologies, such as nanoe™X germicidal solution for refrigerators, BlueAg+ for washing machines, or an inclusive clean air solution helping to control temperature, humidity, and fine dust.

“More than a solution provider, we want to become a ‘companion’, protecting every family,” said Marukawa.

As Vietnam continues to play a key role in Panasonic's development strategy, Panasonic Electric Works Vietnam has invested about 42.19 million to build a factory specialising in the production of indoor air quality equipment in the southern province of Binh Duong to feed the domestic market and export to markets in the ASEAN bloc and the Middle East.

Simultaneously, the company continues to invest $10.54 million to expand the production and trading of wiring devices, sockets and circuit breakers. In addition, entire production lines of washing machines and refrigerators at Panasonic Appliances Vietnam factories have been completely transferred from Thailand and expanded to supply products to the entire region.

Panasonic has also focused on promoting research and development (R&D) activities which are tied to product creation, including two R&D centres placed at the washing machine factory and IAQ factory to develop state-of-the art technologies dedicated for Vietnam and ASEAN countries.

Not stopping there, the company will continue promoting its business-to-business activities, aiming at serving the business community and contributing to solving social problems.

Elevating Vietnamese talent

For more than five decades, the philosophy ‘perfecting people before creating products’ ha been the lodestar for human resource development at Panasonic enterprises, simultaneously contributing to cultivating Vietnam’s talent pool.

The Panasonic Scholarship Programme has persisted for 20 years, awarding more than 180 scholarships with a total value of VND55 billion ($2.32 million). Young people not only receive financial support, but also hone more soft skills and experience a professional working environment, in which many have been working for Panasonic.

At Panasonic, human resource training has become a distinct culture on building high-quality human resources for the company and to contribute to the country’s development.

Employees regularly take part in training programmes and have the opportunity to acquire production techniques and know-how formed based on the Group's 100 years-plus production experience, and are encouraged to improve skills with field trips to Panasonic’s overseas facilities and those based in Japan.

More than expertise, Panasonic actively empowers every employee to bring forth their potential. Many product improvement initiatives developed by Vietnamese employees help create better products and affirm Vietnam's image globally.

Sustainable development

Environment and education have always been the focus of Panasonic's activities in Vietnam, in addition to comprehensive healthcare for the people.

Planting trees is one of passionate activities at Panasonic. For 10 consecutive years, Panasonic has planted and donated more than 610,000 trees in localities across the country, contributing to ‘a greener Vietnam’.

This is an effort to realise the ‘Panasonic Green Impact’ commitment announced by the Group in early 2022, with the goal of cutting 300 million tonnes of CO2 in its value chain, equivalent to 1 per cent of CO2 emissions globally.

Not only that, Panasonic strives to inspire the young generation in creating a green, healthy and sustainable Vietnam. Typically, Panasonic Risupia Vietnam Project had welcomed nearly 900,000 students, parents and teachers to visit the Mathematics and Science Museum over 11 years, creating a useful playground, and stimulating the passion for science.

A recent campaign for young people has spread awareness of ‘Gen G’ – a new concept of a pioneering generation promoting a green and sustainable lifestyle, and directly supporting innovative projects on the environment by young people to come true.

These recognitions, along with the trust and love of customers, are a testament to Panasonic's efforts in Vietnam for over half a century.

The driving force for the company to realise the mission of bringing a healthy life to people and contributing to the sustainable development of society over the next 50 years. This also contributes to strengthening the lasting relationships between Vietnam and Japan.