Vietnamese products rise from villages to global markets

VinFast showcases its complete range of electric vehicles at the BIMS 2024 exhibition. (Photo: VNA)

The application of new technologies in production and close collaboration between farmers and businesses have significantly contributed to taking Vietnamese products from rural areas to the global stage, which is a challenging but inspiring journey.

Many Vietnamese brands like VinFast, Hoa Phat, Viettel, Vinamilk, and GrowMax have steadily increased their market share at home, expanded their export markets, and built production and value chains, all while contributing to the country’s economic growth.

As a member company of the Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup, VinFast, with its vision of becoming a leading smart electric vehicle brand, is not only conquering the domestic market but also making significant inroads internationally. In August 2023, VinFast exported over 1,000 VF34 electric vehicles to Indonesia. In October 2024, it sent a batch of electric cars to the Philippines, which marked a major step in VinFast’s international expansion, highlighting its growing competitiveness in Southeast Asia.

VinFast aims to extend its reach to at least 50 countries worldwide. Beyond Vietnam, VinFast is also building electric vehicle production plants in the US, India, and Indonesia.

Similarly, Bibica Joint Stock Company, a beloved national brand in Vietnam, is gradually gaining recognition among global consumers. Its products are now exported to 17 markets, including the Republic of Korea, Japan, the US China, and Thailand.

Nguyen Quoc Hoang, CEO of Bibica, said that recently, the firm has introduced Vietnamese confectionery into Walmart’s network in China.

Products from Vietnamese companies exhibited at Foodex Japan 2023. (Photo: VNA)

Although the company does not have an advantage in raw materials like butter, milk, or flour, Vietnamese enterprises like Bibica have carved out their own path, utilising tropical agricultural products and national branding. The company has successfully developed biscuits and crispy coconut cookies that have been well received. Following the industry’s rapid expansion, Bibica's export turnover in 2024 was estimated at 5.5 million USD, representing a 25-35% increase compared to 2023 and accounting for 8% of the company's total revenue.

Lafooco, a Long An-based export processing and production company, has also successfully pivoted from exporting raw cashews to processed cashew products. Several of its items have ranked among the Top 100 best-selling cashews on the Amazon e-commerce platform. Initially offering seasoned cashews, Lafooco expanded into importing nuts from reputable farms in the US, including almonds, walnuts, and pistachios, after securing long-term partnerships with major supermarket chains like Vanguard (China), Sungiven (China), and T&T (Canada).

The company is currently diversifying its product line to include dried pineapples, dried mangoes, and vacuum-fried fruits and vegetables. Lafooco’s products are now available in over 16 countries. The company plans to expand further in Singapore.

For many years, Chu noodles have been a point of pride for the people of Luc Ngan district of northern Bac Giang province. With a perfect blend of rice and water from the Luc River's mountainous area, this simple dish has become a local favourite and is now exported to several countries. It is also a beloved, affordable treat for many Vietnamese families, particularly during the Lunar New Year.

Nguyen Van Nam, Chairman of the Board at the Nam The Chu Noodle Production and Consumption Cooperative in Nam Duong commune of Luc Ngan said that to meet both domestic and export standards, in addition to sourcing high-quality ingredients and expanding production, the cooperative has invested in new technology. This has enhanced productivity and product quality, while enabling its members to better meet market demand, he stated.

Nam added that the cooperative produces and sells an average of 3.5 to 4 tonnes of noodles daily.

Currently, the cooperative's products are protected by collective trademarks in countries such as Japan, the Republic of Korea, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and several European nations, including Russia, the UK, France, the Czech Republic, and Poland. The cooperative has also signed contracts with numerous large enterprises and supermarkets both inside and outside Vietnam.

To support these global ambitions, experts agree that technological innovation and creativity in production are essential for businesses to compete on an international level, helping Vietnamese products secure their place on the global map./.