HEINEKEN Vietnam receives merit award for sustainability practices - brings popsperity to Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – 20 November 2020. Today, HEINEKEN Vietnam was awarded the Saigon Times Corporate Social Responsibility Merit Award, which recognizes companies with strong sustainability practices that create value for Vietnam. The event was organized by The Saigon Times and took place at the Caravelle Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

The Merit Award is based on companies that show outstanding sustainability practices, including economic impact, supporting the health of communities, and efforts to protect the environment.

Holly Bostock, Corporate Affairs Director at HEINEKEN Vietnam, describes that the brewer’s approach to business is to “always bring prosperity to Vietnam through our sustainability practices, which are embedded in the business. Our value chain includes everyone from distributors to restaurant owners, and it’s important that everything we do has a positive impact economically, socially, and environmentally.”

HEINEKEN Vietnam’s economic impact is extensive, supporting 212,000 jobs through its entire value chain and contributing nearly 1% of Vietnam’s GDP. HEINEKEN Vietnam was also recently listed among the top 5 tax contributors in Vietnam.

To support the health of communities, earlier this year, HEINEKEN Vietnam donated VND 12 billion and 22,000 masks via Bia Viet and Larue brands to COVID-19 relief funds to serve the most vulnerable locations across Vietnam. Many shops, especially bars and restaurants nationwide, were forced to close due to social distancing regulations, which caused some to close permanently. In response to the market climate, the company launched an internal program, ‘Join Hands to Recover,’ to mobilize their staff, where 440 employees visited over 100 bars and restaurants across Vietnam after social distancing measures were lifted. Tiger beer launched ‘Uncage the Street Vibes’ and gave away 1.5 million Tiger bottles across 47 cities and provinces to encourage consumers to visit their favorite bars.

More recently, Central Vietnam has been facing some of the most relentless typhoons causing disastrous flooding in the region. Bia Viet, standing for unity and solidarity, committed to VND 3 billion in in-kind and in-cash to communities most affected by the storm in Central Vietnam, particularly Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue, Quang Nam, and Quang Ngai.

HEINEKEN Vietnam’s efforts in sustainability are directly linked to prosperity in Vietnam. By supporting local suppliers, 99% of packaging is sourced locally, creating VND 5.7 billion for local suppliers annually. The brewer uses renewable energy at 5 out of 6 of its breweries. When HEINEKEN Vietnam switched to clean biomass energy to brew, the company was able to source approximately 40,000 tons of agricultural waste, which also generated VND 52.6 billion for local farmers in 2019. These practices reinforce that it is not only good for the environment and local suppliers and farmers but also beneficial to the business.

The company is regularly recognized for its practices in applying the circular economy model in its business operations and is often invited to present their best practices in the circular economy at forums, workshops, and webinars throughout the year. In contrast to the linear model of ‘take-make-waste,’ circular economy is an approach that aims to have no waste or pollution and keep materials or products in use. HEINEKEN Vietnam has achieved nearly zero waste (99%) in production which means that all waste and by-products in production are either reused or recycled. This means resources are being conserved, less energy used and less pollution emitted to the environment.

HEINEKEN Vietnam has been accredited as one of the most sustainable companies (manufacturing) in Vietnam by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) for the last four years consecutively. Earlier this year, the company announced its 2025 ambition to achieve zero waste to landfill, 100% renewable energy, and be 100% water balanced.

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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 operated six breweries in Hanoi, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Ho Chi Minh City, Vung Tau, Tien Giang and 11 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 0.95% of the nation’s total GDP.

In Vietnam, HEINEKEN produces and distributes Heineken®, Tiger, Larue, BIVINA, Bia Viet and Strongbow cider.

In 2017, 2018, and 2019, HEINEKEN Vietnam was recognized among the most sustainable companies in Vietnam by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and as the best place to work in Asia by HR Asia Magazine, one of Asia’s leading publications for HR professionals.

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 Huong Mai
Head of Communications
HEINEKEN Vietnam Brewery Limited Company
Telephone: +84 28 3822 2755
Email: nguyenhuong.mai@heineken.com