Vietnam Entrepreneurs’ Day (October 13) this year will honour 100 exemplary Vietnamese entrepreneurs who obtained outstanding business achievements, made major contributions to the state budget, participated actively in social activities and created a lot of jobs for three years from 2010 to 2012. The Vietnam Business Forum reports.

Following up Thanh Giong Awards in earlier years, this year 100 entrepreneurs will be honoured with title “Exemplary Vietnamese Entrepreneurs” and Thanh Giong Awards 2013. The award began in 2006 to honour entrepreneurs and businesses of their contributions, images and trademarks in the economic integration.

Thanh Giong Award, granted on the recommendations of concerned parties namely ministries, agencies, localities, is the first award of national scale. The “Exemplary Vietnamese Entrepreneur” title is honoured by Vietnamese business community of managers of all economic sectors for their outstanding achievements in developing businesses, contributing to socio-economic development and workers’ welfare.

Exemplary Entrepreneur and Thanh Giong Award is the main event of the celebration of Entrepreneurs’ Day this year. In the economic recession, the event is a new endeavour encouraging businesses and entrepreneurs to overcome challenges and develop new headways to get out of the crisis.

The event is more meaningful as this year also marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry(VCCI). In 50 years of development with several achievements, VCCI together with business associations recommended the Prime Minister to celebrate October 13 each year as “Entrepreneurs’ Day”. The message “Entrepreneurs - Soldiers in peace time” initiated by VCCI has greatly inspired entrepreneurs.

VCCI has sponsored several awards for entrepreneurs such as “Thanh Giong”, “Golden Rose”, “Corporate Social Responsibility” and others. VCCI has also advised and participated in the drafting of Resolution “Developing the role of Vietnamese entrepreneurs in industrialisation, modernisation and international integration” – the first document of the Party and State on entrepreneurs. The resolution affirms the role of entrepreneurs as well as viewpoint, policy and solution to develop entrepreneurs together with workers, peasants and intellectuals in new era.

Presently, VCCI has 11,000 direct members and over 100,000 associated members, representing most effectively the interest of business community and entrepreneurs. VCCI has also established relations with nearly 200 international organisations and partners to help Vietnamese businesses expand to the world market. VCCI is an active member International Trade Chamber, Asia-Pacific League of Trade and Industry, ASEAN Chamber of Trade and Industry as well as world and regional leagues of employers.

According to VCCI President Vu Tien Loc, VCCI has successfully involved businesses and entrepreneurs in national activities developing business environment, economy and State management. It has in fact become a national organisation representing and promoting Vietnamese business community in the process of developing market economy and international economic integration.

On the occasion of the day this year, in addition to honouring businesses and entrepreneurs, there are also seminars on pressing issues such as restructuring businesses in the new conditions.

As the economy and business community need a modern and unstainable structure, VCCI with its role of the national organisation of business community will assist businesses in this endeavour. VCCI must play its advisory role in the socialist oriented market economy, ensuring an equitable and accountable business environment, and be fully devoted and professional in business assistance and promotion activities, especially regarding SMEs, business linkage, association network and business community, representatives of enterprises said.-VNA