In response to Politburo Directive No. 34 on renewing emulation and commendation work and the Government’s Decree No. 152/2025/ND-CP on decentralization and delegation of authority in the field of emulation and commendation, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has relaunched the Vietnam Industrial, Trade and Services Awards after a 10-year hiatus, marking the 20th anniversary of Vietnam’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). On this occasion, Industry and Trade Newspaper interviewed Mr. Hoang Quang Phong, Vice President of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI).

Mr. Hoang Quang Phong, Vice President of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI).

A Measure of Business Capacity and Reputation

– Sir, how do you assess the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s decision to relaunch the Vietnam Trade and Services Awards after a 10-year hiatus and expand them into the Vietnam Industrial, Trade and Services Awards?

Mr. Hoang Quang Phong: Politburo Directive No. 34-CT/TW on continuing to renew emulation and commendation work, issued in 2014, emphasized the need to reform emulation and commendation practices in a practical, effective, open and transparent manner, avoiding formalism and focusing on replicating outstanding examples. This spirit has continued to be concretized in the Government’s Decree No. 152/2025/ND-CP on decentralization and delegation of authority in the field of emulation and commendation, as well as the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s Circular No. 16/2026/TT-BCT detailing the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Emulation and Commendation.

In particular, I highly appreciate the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s decision to relaunch the Vietnam Trade and Services Awards after a 10-year hiatus and rename them the Vietnam Industrial, Trade and Services Awards. This marks a comprehensive renewal of emulation and commendation work, helping to accurately assess the actual strength and capabilities of products and services, as well as the efforts of employees within businesses.

This represents a significant source of encouragement when businesses’ products and services are recognized by society, regulatory authorities and the market. The Awards assess not only products, but also management capabilities, innovation and the ability to develop highly competitive products.

Comprehensive and fair recognition and commendation will enable honored products to gain greater recognition in the market, contributing to the development of a reputable domestic production and export sector.

This is particularly important for maintaining the competitiveness of domestic production while safeguarding Vietnamese product brands in the international arena. It also demonstrates that Vietnamese people and Vietnamese products possess the capabilities needed to compete in the international environment.

The Vietnam Industrial, Trade and Services Awards Emphasize Innovation, Science and Technology Applications, Digital Transformation, Automation, and Corporate R&D

Criteria Focused on Sustainable Development Capacity

– One notable feature of this year’s Vietnam Industrial, Trade and Services Awards is that businesses are assessed against a wide range of criteria, from business performance and product quality to innovation, digital transformation and sustainable development. How do you view this approach?

Mr. Hoang Quang Phong: Businesses participating in the Vietnam Industrial, Trade and Services Awards must have complete documentation, comply with the law, and demonstrate effective production and business operations. They must achieve growth in revenue and profit, fully fulfill their tax, financial and social insurance obligations, and ensure employment, income and the rights of their employees.

The Awards also assess product and service quality, brand reputation, competitiveness and customer satisfaction. Factors such as innovation, the application of science and technology, digital transformation, automation, and investment in research and development are also given particular emphasis.

In addition, businesses are expected to pursue sustainable development, implement ESG practices, protect the environment, ensure occupational safety, fulfill their social responsibilities, and build a strong corporate culture.

In my view, this is a very modern approach that is well aligned with global trends. The Awards not only honor products, but also recognize Vietnamese people, Vietnamese values and the business culture of Vietnam. We have the capacity and intelligence to integrate more deeply into the global economy and create industrial, trade and service products with international standing.

These Awards will help elevate Vietnamese businesses in the context of increasingly deep international integration. Some of our industries have already become leading players in global production chains.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has made the right decision in relaunching the Awards after a 10-year hiatus, a period long enough for Vietnamese businesses to undergo significant transformation. This is a platform for businesses to confidently demonstrate their capabilities and the reputation of “Made in Vietnam” brands and earn international recognition. We also seriously assess businesses’ social responsibility toward the community and society in order to create long-term, sustainable value.

Strengthening Linkages Between FDI and Domestic Businesses

– The 2026 Vietnam Industrial, Trade and Services Awards are the only awards of the Ministry of Industry and Trade that include both domestic businesses and foreign direct investment (FDI) enterprises. In your view, what significance does this participation have for promoting linkages among different business sectors?

Mr. Hoang Quang Phong: The Ministry of Industry and Trade has developed comprehensive and practical criteria for the 2026 Vietnam Industrial, Trade and Services Awards. In particular, these are the only awards of the Ministry of Industry and Trade that include the participation of foreign-invested enterprises.

This is consistent with the context in which Politburo Resolution No. 10-NQ/TW on developing the foreign-invested economy identifies the foreign-invested sector as an important component of the national economy. It not only contributes medium- and long-term capital for development investment, but also serves as a channel for accessing advanced technologies and modern management practices, improving the quality of human resources, and expanding markets. The State encourages its long-term development, equal treatment and fair competition with other economic sectors in accordance with the law.

Accordingly, honoring both domestic and foreign-invested enterprises through the Awards will promote linkages among FDI enterprises and create opportunities for domestic businesses to participate more deeply in the value chains of global corporations. In particular, whether an enterprise is foreign-invested or domestic, every business seeks to demonstrate its capabilities. Being honored through a prestigious award of the Ministry of Industry and Trade will serve as an incentive for businesses to strengthen their production and business activities and make greater contributions to socio-economic development.

– Thank you very much, Mr. Phong.

Businesses participating in the Vietnam Industrial, Trade and Services Awards must have complete documentation, comply with the law, and demonstrate effective production and business operations, with growth in revenue and profit, full fulfillment of tax, financial and social insurance obligations, and assurance of employees’ rights.

The 2026 Vietnam Industrial, Trade and Services Awards also assess product and service quality, brand reputation, competitiveness and customer satisfaction, while placing strong emphasis on innovation, the application of science and technology, digital transformation, automation, and research and development. Participating businesses are expected to pursue sustainable development, implement ESG practices, protect the environment, ensure occupational safety, fulfill their social responsibilities, and build a strong corporate culture.