This article was originally published in the Brand Finance ASEAN 500 2025 report
Vinamilk has once again been recognised by Brand Finance in 2025 as Vietnam’s most valuable and strongest dairy brand, earning an impressive AAA+ rating that reaffirms its position as a symbol of trust, quality, and innovation in the country’s food and beverage industry. From its early mission to improve child nutrition in post-war Vietnam, the brand has grown into a global dairy powerhouse, known for setting international benchmarks in product excellence, sustainability, and innovation.
In this spotlight interview, Nguyễn Quang Trí, Executive Director of Marketing at Vinamilk, shares how the brand continues to evolve while staying true to its founding mission, from pioneering sustainable dairy farming and advancing digital transformation to strengthening its international presence and inspiring a new generation of health-conscious consumers.
Interview with Nguyễn Quang Trí
Executive Director
of Marketing,
Vinamilk
Vinamilk has established itself as Vietnam’s leading dairy brand and a longstanding symbol of nutrition. Could you elaborate on the brand’s evolution from its inception to the strong position it holds today? What key factors have underpinned Vinamilk’s sustained growth in brand value over the years?
Founded in the post-war era, Vinamilk was established with a mission to improve child nutrition in Vietnam. The company remains steadfast in its commitment to “nurturing people through high-quality, internationally standardised nutritional products.” From modest beginnings with just three outdated and incomplete factories, Vinamilk has risen to become the only Southeast Asian enterprise ranked among the Top 10 most valuable dairy brands globally, and among the Top 36 worldwide by revenue. Vinamilk’s sustained growth is anchored by three core pillars:
Sustainable Development: Vinamilk’s sustainability journey began long before concepts like CSR, sustainability, or Net Zero became mainstream in Vietnam. To date, the two of its factories and one farm are certified carbon-neutral under the PAS 2060:2014 standard.
Uncompromising Quality: As Vinamilk’s CEO once remarked, “When food enters the human body, there is no room for error.” This philosophy has made quality the cornerstone of the company’s operations, inspiring
bold initiatives to bring international standards to Vietnam and ensuring our products consistently meet the world’s most stringent benchmarks. Since the late 1990s, Vinamilk has led a nationwide dairy farming initiative
to secure high-quality fresh milk while supporting local economic development. Today, Vinamilk manages one of Southeast Asia’s largest dairy herds, practicing agriculture aligned with Organic EU and Global S.L.P. standards. Vinamilk also pioneers advanced manufacturing technologies, notably two fully automated mega factories launched in 2013. These facilities
enabled Vinamilk to become the first company to receive Clean Label certification for fresh milk from the U.S-based Clean Label Project, and the first in Asia to earn the Purity Award for infant formula - one of the most stringent global recognitions for purity and transparency.
Relentless Innovation: In 2024, Vinamilk launched and refreshed 125 products, averaging one new product every two working days. In the first half of 2025, an additional 70 products were introduced.
After establishing a strong market leadership position in Vietnam, what initiatives is Vinamilk undertaking to reinforce its brand strength both domestically and internationally?
After nearly five decades of growth, Vinamilk is undergoing a comprehensive transformation - building on its brand legacy while engaging a new generation of consumers. Under the message “We change for you,” this transformation goes beyond a refreshed visual identity to encompass product innovation, digitalisation, business restructuring, and renewed consumer touchpoints.
Internationally, Vinamilk maintains a strong presence at leading regional and global industry forums, alongside countries regarded as the “cradles of the dairy industry,” such as the U.S., New Zealand, and the EU. Vinamilk’s participation not only elevates
its brand stature but also strengthens Vietnam’s visibility on the global dairy map. In several Middle Eastern markets, Vinamilk’s names has even become the everyday word people use when referring to milk. From its early mission to combat malnutrition,
Vinamilk has grown to become a driving force in improving both the physical and cognitive health of generations of Vietnamese people. Milk, once regarded as a basic nutritional necessity, has been elevated into a beloved part of daily culinary life. Today, Vinamilk products are available in 65 countries, with export revenues consistently achieving double-digit annual growth
Sustainability has evolved beyond a trend to become a shared responsibility. As a leading enterprise, Vinamilk has also been a pioneer in sustainable development. Why did Vinamilk choose to pursue this path so early on?
Vinamilk embraced sustainability early on - not only through large-scale national initiatives but also through meticulous efforts aimed at reducing carbon emissions, minimising plastic use, and optimising renewable energy. Since 2012, the company has
independently published its Sustainable Development Report in accordance with international standards, implemented circular economy models across 100% of its farms, and installed solar power systems at every factory and farm. From the outset, Vinamilk’s CEO established a guiding principle: every business activity must create value for the community, employees, and
the brand. Today, sustainability is no longer a choice - it is imperative. For Vinamilk, sustainability is not merely a compliance cost but a strategic investment that strengthens competetiveness. The company’s strong export growth in markets with stringent
environmental standards stands as a clear testament to this commitment.
Moving forward, can you share some of the brand goals that Vinamilk is setting? If you had to name three core factors that will help VNM achieve its goals, what would those factors be?
Looking ahead, Vinamilk is focused on three strategic goals: becoming one of the world’s top 30 dairy companies, reinforcing its leadership in Vietnam’s dairy industry, and establishing itself as the most value-generating dairy brand in Southeast Asia. To achieve these goals, Vinamilk upholds three core principles: An unwavering commitment to quality; a relentless drive to raise standards, and a deep sense of responsibility and compassion. In the Brand Finance Food & Drink 2025 report, Vinamilk was recognised Vinamilk as the world’s leading potential dairy brand, reflecting robust market performance and enduring consumer trust. This recognition serves as a strong foundation for Vinamilk to pursue higher positions in the global dairy industry with confidence.
