Nearly 200 enterprises submit entries

The Ministry of Industry and Trade is accepting applications for the Vietnam Industry, Trade and Services Awards 2026, with the awards ceremony expected to take place in the fourth quarter of 2026 as part of activities marking the 20th anniversary of Vietnam's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Under the award regulations, the program is expected to honor the Top 30 Outstanding Enterprises and the Top 100 Exemplary Enterprises for their exceptional contributions to the industry, trade and services sectors. Eligible participants include enterprises from all economic sectors, domestic economic organizations, and foreign-invested enterprises operating efficiently in these fields.

According to the organizing committee, nearly 200 enterprises have submitted applications so far. All are businesses with strong production and business performance that have contributed to socio-economic growth, including many FDI enterprises.

Commenting on the participation of foreign-invested enterprises in the Vietnam Industry, Trade and Services Awards 2026, ESG expert Pham Hoai Trung said: "I highly appreciate that the awards are open to both domestic enterprises and foreign-invested enterprises operating in Vietnam. This is significant because it creates a broader evaluation framework that accurately reflects the current structure of Vietnam's economy."

According to Pham Hoai Trung, FDI enterprises bring management expertise, technological standards, supply chain standards and international compliance requirements. Vietnamese enterprises, meanwhile, possess advantages in their understanding of the domestic market, adaptability and increasingly deeper integration into global value chains. Evaluating both groups under the same set of criteria could encourage enterprises from both sectors to raise their standards.

Representing the industrial business community, Do Thi Thuy Huong, Vice Chairwoman and Secretary General of the Vietnam Electronic Industries Association, said allowing FDI enterprises to participate demonstrates fairness and equal treatment between foreign-invested and domestic enterprises.

"In my view, this is an appropriate approach under current circumstances. By placing FDI enterprises and domestic enterprises on the same playing field and assessing them using fair and equal criteria, the awards will encourage businesses to strengthen their competitiveness, enhance corporate responsibility and make greater contributions to the economy," Do Thi Thuy Huong said.

Sharing the same view, Le Dang Doanh, former Director of the Central Institute for Economic Management, said the inclusion of foreign-invested enterprises reflects economic realities, as the FDI sector has become an integral part of Vietnam's economy. In many industries, FDI enterprises contribute not only to exports, state budget revenue and employment but also to supply chain development, technology transfer and competitive pressure that drives innovation among domestic enterprises.

The participation of FDI enterprises also enhances the awards' international outlook by creating a common platform where both domestic and foreign-invested enterprises are assessed on business performance, innovation, sustainable development and corporate social responsibility, while facilitating mutual learning in corporate governance, technology, digital transformation and green standards.

An opportunity to raise standards and deepen integration

One of the new features of the Vietnam Industry, Trade and Services Awards 2026 is the inclusion of the industrial sector. According to experts, this addition reflects the evolution of the modern economy, where the boundaries between industry, trade and services are becoming increasingly interconnected.

The success of an industrial product depends not only on manufacturing capability. Enterprises also need logistics, e-commerce, marketing, finance, after-sales services and strong branding capabilities.

Nguyen Canh Cuong, lecturer and expert at the University of Economics under Vietnam National University, Hanoi, said expanding the awards to cover the industrial sector is a logical step forward. By placing industry alongside trade and services, the awards provide a more comprehensive reflection of modern enterprises, which must excel not only in manufacturing and sales but also in value chain management, customer service, brand development and compliance with evolving market standards.

From the business community's perspective, Hoang Quang Phong, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), said the Ministry of Industry and Trade's approval of the project to organize the Vietnam Industry, Trade and Services Awards 2026 and the issuance of the award regulations are of great significance. The awards not only recognize outstanding business achievements but also encourage enterprises to continue innovating, enhance competitiveness and make greater contributions to the industry, trade and services sectors.

As Vietnam becomes more deeply integrated into the global economy, standards related to corporate governance, social responsibility and sustainable development are becoming increasingly important. Therefore, a prestigious award should evaluate not only business performance but also compliance with the law and responsibilities toward employees, communities and society.

"The honored enterprises will serve as role models for the business community, promoting responsible, transparent and law-abiding business practices. This is also an important factor in enhancing the reputation of Vietnamese enterprises among international partners and investors," Hoang Quang Phong said.

Le Dang Doanh said the awards not only recognize outstanding enterprises but also create momentum for innovation, stronger competitiveness and international expansion. To ensure long-term influence, the evaluation criteria should continue to emphasize technological innovation, brand development, export expansion, digital transformation and green growth.

In addition, post-award activities should focus on promotion, business networking and continued support for award-winning enterprises. Honored businesses could form a network of exemplary enterprises participating in trade promotion programs, investment promotion activities, international trade fairs, business missions and national branding initiatives. Successful management models, innovation stories, branding experience and market expansion strategies should also be widely shared to benefit the broader business community.

The Vietnam Industry, Trade and Services Awards 2026 are expected to honor the Top 30 Outstanding Enterprises and the Top 100 Exemplary Enterprises for outstanding achievements in the industry, trade and services sectors. The awards have been expanded from the former Vietnam Trade and Services Awards to include the industrial sector, with participation open to both domestic and foreign-invested enterprises.