HEINEKEN Vietnam creates value for a better Vietnam

HEINEKEN Vietnam launched its 5th annual Sustainability Report, highlighting its sustainability accomplishments in 2018 which included:

• Contributing 0.91% of Vietnam’s total GDP
• Implementing circular economy practices by reusing or recycling almost 99% of all waste
• Putting consumers first by encouraging over 30 million people to drink responsibly and not to drink-and-drive. 

Ho Chi Minh City, June 18, 2019 – Choosing Green is a deliberate choice made by HEINEKEN on a global level as well as in Vietnam to be a sustainable business. For a company that has made “Brewing a Better Vietnam” its core purpose, Choosing Green means creating real value for Vietnam in all aspects of its business operations, an approach which HEINEKEN has taken on over 28 years in Vietnam and also inspired others to follow. By focusing on value creation, HEINEKEN Vietnam can ensure that its approach is truly sustainable over the long term, as its initiatives are lasting and self-sufficient – leading to gains to the business, the community and the environment. 

 

In 2018, HEINEKEN Vietnam was honoured as the most sustainable company in Vietnam (in the manufacturing sector) for the second consecutive year, as well as being named one of the best companies to work for in Asia by HR Asia Magazine. These achievements were made possible thanks to the company’s effort in creating value for People, Planet and Prosperity in everything that they do, including:

• Sustaining Prosperity for a Better Vietnam: In 2018, HEINEKEN Vietnam directly and indirectly employed and supported 166,000 jobs throughout its value chain, (50% increase compared to 2014). HEINEKEN Vietnam contributed nearly 1% of Vietnam’s total GDP in 2018 (50% increase in its contribution compared to Vietnam GDP 5 years ago). With the goal of creating a sustainable culture and relationship between stakeholders, HEINEKEN Vietnam actively engaged with its suppliers by providing sustainability workshops for 100 suppliers and also holding circular economy workshops with 20 Vietnam Business Council for Sustainable Development members to share its sustainable practices.
• Empowering People for a Better Vietnam: In 2018, HEINEKEN Vietnam continued to invest significantly in responsible consumption initiatives to influence behavioural change regarding drink driving and responsible consumption. These significant campaigns reached 30.5 million consumers, regardless of their brand choice. In addition, HEINEKEN Vietnam continually pursues the goal of creating a safe working environment, with substantial investment in road safety training in particular.
• Sustaining the Planet for a Better Vietnam: HEINEKEN Vietnam reuses or recycles almost 99% of its waste or by-products and currently 4 out of its 6 breweries already source all of their thermal energy needs from carbon neutral, biomass-generated steam. Biomass is the use of agricultural by-products (which would otherwise have become unused waste) to generate steam to power HEINEKEN Vietnam’s breweries. HEINEKEN Vietnam has also worked extensively on reducing our CO2 footprint in logistics – by optimizing our fleet and making other improvements, we reduced 2,500 tonnes of CO2 emissions from our logistic operations alone in 2018.HEINEKEN Vietnam also treats 100% of its wastewater and returns it safely to the environment. 

 

In a clear example of how acting sustainably can create value for people and planet while at the same time creating prosperity, HEINEKEN Vietnam pioneered a program in 2018 to recycle Tiger Beer Bottle Caps and to use those caps to create the iron to build a new bridge for the community in the Mekong Delta. This program not only helps to encourage recycling and reducing waste, but also provides vital infrastructure for the community and is beneficial to Tiger Beer, one of the leading beers in Vietnam. 

HEINEKEN Vietnam proactively goes beyond its own green practices throughout its supply chain; it also seeks to inspire and influence other businesses in Vietnam and the wider public to choose green for a better Vietnam. Mr. Hoang Anh Dung, from Hoang Nguyen garments, a local small business, said he has “adopted many HEINEKEN Vietnam initiatives such as Life Saving rules, water conservation and sustainability reporting” at his company. 

In order to inspire the wider public to “choose green” and act more sustainably, HEINEKEN Vietnam has collaborated for the first time with singer-songwriter Kimmese to create a Rap Song named Our Green Home as a way to inspire and call for everyone to choose green by taking simple, realistic actions in their everyday life. 

Leo Evers, Managing Director of HEINEKEN Vietnam, said: “We believe that “Choosing Green” or acting sustainably, is not an abstract concept that only sounds good on paper. In fact, our sustainability journey shows concrete evidence of the tangible value that HEINEKEN Vietnam has created to brew a better Vietnam. As some of our partners shared onstage today, if we can continue to create real sustainable value we can create even greater impact here in Vietnam. It all starts by taking the first simple step, therefore we hope to inspire others to choose green also by releasing a music video with leading artist Kimmese.” 

On 19 June, Our Green Home will be released on both Kimmese’ social media accounts and HEINEKEN Vietnam Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/HEINEKENVietnam/ 

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About HEINEKEN Vietnam

HEINEKEN Vietnam is a subsidiary of HEINEKEN, the world’s most international brewer. Originated in the Netherlands, this family-owned business with a history of over 150 years, brews and distributes over 300 beer & cider brands in more than 190 countries.

HEINEKEN Vietnam was established in 1991 and operates six breweries in Hanoi, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Ho Chi Minh City, Vung Tau, Tien Giang and nine sales offices across Vietnam.

From humble beginnings with only 20 employees in Vietnam, HEINEKEN Vietnam is now the second largest brewer in Vietnam with more than 3,500 employees. HEINEKEN Vietnam makes a significant annual economic contribution to Vietnam, amounting to approximately 0.9% of the nation’s total GDP. 

In Vietnam, HEINEKEN produces and distributes Heineken, Tiger, Amstel, Larue, BIVINA, Sol, Desperados, Affligem and Strongbow cider.

In 2017 and 2018, HEINEKEN Vietnam was recognized as the most sustainable company in Vietnam by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) based on the annual Corporate Sustainability Index.

More information about HEINEKEN Vietnam is available on HEINEKEN Vietnam’s website: http://heineken-vietnam.com.vn/

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For more information, please contact:
Ms. Nguyen Van Anh
Head of Communications
Heineken Vietnam Brewery Limited Company
Telephone: +84 28 3822 2755
Email: NguyenVan.Anh@heineken.com