C asean inaugurates branch in Vietnam

This is C asean’s first-ever presence outside of Thailand. Under the umbrella of Thai Beverage Plc. (ThaiBev), C asean is a non-profit entity aiming to create a platform to connect ASEAN communities, focusing on the three key pillars of business and sustainability, leadership and talent development, and arts and culture.

Joining the opening ceremony were the representatives from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Royal Thai Embassy in Vietnam, leaders from ThaiBev Group, other Thai corporations, and SABECO.

Delivering the opening speech at the event, Nguyen Phuong Hoa from the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism shared her appreciation for the good intentions of C asean and showed openness for potential collaboration.

“We are delighted that Vietnam was chosen as the first country outside of Thailand for the expansion of C asean’s missions. We highly appreciate C asean’s aim to foster collaboration to better ASEAN connectivity and we are also inspired by the initiatives and actions that C asean has taken over the years."

"The Ministry looks forward to the potential collaboration with C asean in the fields of culture, arts, tourism, and sports and hopes that with C asean Vietnam, the network and cooperation between the ThaiBev Group and its ecosystem will be expanded,” added Hoa.

Managing director of C asean Tongjai Thanachanan stated, “Today marks another milestone in our journey after almost a decade since the establishment of C asean in Bangkok with an ambitious mission to be a collaboration platform for ASEAN connectivity."

"We have been collaborating with business communities, government entities, the ASEAN Secretariat, academic institutions, social entrepreneurs, artists, young talent, and future leaders across the region to strengthen our unity and build a more sustainable ASEAN together,” Thanachanan added.

Tran Kim Nga, general director of Vietnam Beverage Company Ltd.

Tran Kim Nga, general director of Vietnam Beverage Company Ltd., who is the main sponsor and the founding member of C asean Vietnam also shared her thoughts, “We are honoured to be laying down the first tiles for the development of C asean in Vietnam so that the entity can continue carrying out its meaningful missions."

Nga added, "Vietnam Beverage has always been active in sustainable development activities and has collaborated with C asean in supporting teachers and students in central Vietnam impacted by natural disasters. We are also very much interested in a potential collaboration with C asean in its remaining two pillars – talent development and arts and culture. Additionally, Melia Hotel in Hanoi is a great rendezvous for international guests and offers great support for C asean’s mission of ASEAN connectivity."

Since its establishment in 2015, C asean has been collaborating with different public and private entities with the aim of enhancing ASEAN connectivity.

In the business dimension, C asean aims to promote sustainable development practices across all segments of the economy, ranging from young entrepreneurs to large corporations including the Thailand Corporate Sustainability Symposium, the Thailand Sustainability Forum, and the Sustainability Action Hero Photo Contest.

The most significant initiative under this pillar is the Win Win WAR Thailand – the first TV show dedicated to social enterprises in Thailand.

C asean fosters the future leaders of ASEAN through various leadership and talent development programmes with key activities such as the ASEAN Youth Speech Contest, ASEAN Youth Showcase, and the collaboration with the US government’s signature youth programme in the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Summit and YSEALI Smart Cities Regional Workshop.

The organisation also celebrates ASEAN art and cultural dialogues, believing that it is the universal language that creates stronger bonds of mutual understanding and harmony. Programmes include the C asean Consonant, the only ASEAN traditional ensemble with 10 artists from 10 countries.