Heineken Vietnam continues to inspire the business community

Heinekin Vietnam shared its inspiring story with the business community at a sustainability conference

At the conference, Heineken Vietnam shared its success story of incorporating sustainability in its core business strategy, enhancing competitiveness and providing long-term socioeconomic benefits.

Besides, Heineken Vietnam spread out its “Choosing green” commitment derived from the company’s core belief that each individual, organisation, business, and nation can proactively choose between “Grey”—a desolate future with environmental devastation and impoverished and backward communities—and “Green”—the sustainable development path achieved through the commitment to take care of people and the planet to sustain prosperity.

“The private sector plays a vital role in the sustainable development of Vietnam. We appreciate the contribution of enterprises, especially Heineken Vietnam’s pioneering role in applying advanced sustainability innovations and technologies, as well as inspiring the business community to pursue sustainable development,” said Nguyen Quang Vinh, secretary general of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and vice chairman cum secretary general of the Vietnam Business Council for Sustainable Development (VBCSD).

Vinh added that the company has made practical and efficient contributions to the implementation of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and the government’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Heineken success story demonstrates that the commitment to sustainable development is not a burden to businesses, and instead provides long-term socioeconomic benefits to both businesses and the local community.

Heineken’s global and Vietnamese sustainability strategy is designed to support the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through innovative partnerships with relevant stakeholders from both the state and private sectors, focused on key areas where the company believes it can have the greatest impact in Vietnam, Heineken has contributed to implementing eight out of 17 SDGs with the three targets of taking care of people, taking care of the planet, and sustaining prosperity.

The first target is taking care of our people by advocating responsible consumption; promoting health and safety; people development; and growing with community.

Notably, in 2017 Heineken Vietnam invested VND16 billion in responsible consumption initiatives, reaching ten million Vietnamese consumers, which support SDG 3 (Good health and wellbeing); SDG 12 (Responsible consumption and production); and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

It invested VND18.9 billion ($820,354) in people development, including over 2,600 training hours for employees on road safety and health, which supports SDG 8 (Decent work and economic growth), and SDG 3 (Good health and wellbeing).

Besides, it invested a further VND7.8 billion ($338,559) in community support, funded the construction of three new water stations, and gave direct support to over 4,000 underprivileged households, which implements SDG 8 (Decent work and economic growth) and SDG 6 (Clean water and sanitation).

The second target is taking care of the planet by using renewable energy, reducing water consumption, wastewater treatment, and moving towards zero waste to landfill.

Accordingly, four out of six Heineken breweries in Vietnam brew with 100 per cent renewable energy, which implement SDG 3 (Good health and wellbeing), SDG 7 (Affordable and clean energy), and SDG 15 (Life on land).

With the success in reducing water consumption, Heineken Vietnam’s breweries are the most water efficient of all Heineken operating companies in the Asia-Pacific Region, which implements SDG 6 (Clean water and sanitation) and SDG 13 (Climate action).

It invested VND229 billion ($993,974) in wastewater treatment plants, implementing SDG 6 (Clean water and sanitation), SDG 13 (Climate action), and SDG 15 (Life on land).

The company pioneers the circular economy model and move towards zero waste to landfill. 99.01 per cent of waste and by-products were re-used or recycled, which implements SDG 12 (Responsible consumption and production), SDG 13 (Climate action), and SDG 15 (Life on land).

Regarding sustaining prosperity, supporting SDG 8 (Decent work and economic growth), in 2017, Heineken Vietnam contributed VND42.3 trillion ($1.83 billion) to the Vietnamese economy, equivalent to 0.88 per cent of the country’s total GDP.

The company created over 158,000 jobs throughout its value chain, accounting for 0.3 per cent of the Vietnamese labour force. The company continued to prioritise and maximise local sourcing whenever possible with its local partners in Vietnam, reaching VND9.3 trillion ($403.66 million) in 2017.

Vietnam is currently faced with many opportunities and challenges in terms of environment, society, and economic development. Willingness to change and innovate, as well as dedication and commitment by relevant stakeholders to select and expand efficient and sustainable business models will help seize these opportunities and overcome challenges.

Matt Wilson, corporate affairs director of Heineken Vietnam

“Sustainability has always been one of our strategic priorities throughout our 27 years of presence in Vietnam. We are proud that the company as well as each individual at Heineken Vietnam plays an active role in promoting a sustainable future for Vietnam. Although there is still so much more to be done, we hope to see more businesses and individuals also commit to Choosing Green, choosing sustainability, and joining us on this meaningful journey,” said Matt Wilson, corporate affairs director of Heineken Vietnam.

Heineken Vietnam is a subsidiary of Heineken, one of the world’s leading international brewers. Originally from the Netherlands, this family-owned business has a history of over 150 years, and brews and distributes over 250 beer and cider brands in more than 180 countries.

Heineken Vietnam consists of Heineken Vietnam Brewery Company Limited and Heineken Hanoi Brewery Company Limited.

From humble beginnings with only 20 employees in Vietnam, Heineken Vietnam is now the second largest brewer in Vietnam with more than 3,000 employees. The company makes a significant annual economic contribution to Vietnam, amounting to approximately 0.88 per cent of the nation’s total GDP.

In Vietnam, Heineken produces and distributes Heineken, Tiger, Larue, BGI, and BIVINA, Desperados, Affligem, and Strongbow cider. Heineken has six breweries across Vietnam, in Hanoi, Danang, Quang Nam, Ho Chi Minh City’s District 12, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, and Tien Giang.

In 2017 Heineken Vietnam was recognised as the most sustainable company in Vietnam by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) based on its annual Corporate Sustainability Index.