60 outstanding Vietnamese entrepreneurs to be honoured

Hanoi (VNA) – As many as 60 entrepreneurs will be awarded the title of "Outstanding Vietnamese Entrepreneurs 2022" for their efforts and creativity in doing business and overcoming difficulties in their career, according to President of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) Pham Tan Cong.

At a press conference, Cong said a celebration of Vietnam Entrepreneurs Day (October 13) and a ceremony to award the title will be held on October 12 with the participation of Party and State leaders.

Among the honorees, 10 people will be honoured as "Most Outstanding Entrepreneurs", Cong noted.

According to the official, the award was launched by the VCCI in July this year. Applying business ethics for the first time was one of the important new points of this year's review programme. Applying these rules requires that title winners are not only good businesspeople but also have business ethics and culture and are respected by society.

Hoang Quang Phong, Vice President of the VCCI, said this year's voting was strictly organised, with two pre-qualification rounds and a final selection.

The appraisal of dossiers was carried out by the secretariat, with the participation of experts from Deloitte Vietnam, Phong said.

The Review Council set up working groups of experts and press representatives led by a council member to visit each enterprise for verification and meet and discuss directly with the candidates.

Candidates must be the best representatives that meet six standards of the Vietnam Code of Business Ethics published by the VCCI, which are creating economic value for society; law compliance; transparency, fairness, integrity; creativity, cooperation, mutual development; respect for nature, environmental protection; and patriotism, responsibility to society and family.

The council also coordinated with the General Department of Taxation to review the implementation of tax obligations of enterprises led and managed by the candidates and information and public opinion about candidates and their businesses reflected on media and the Internet.

Phong said this is the first year the organisation board will honour 10 "Most Outstanding Entrepreneurs", whose businesses pay over 24 trillion VND (over 966 million USD) to the State budget every year, earn over 140 trillion VND in revenue, and create jobs for 94,000 labourers.

During 2021-2022, many entrepreneurs and businesses set bright examples of national spirit, patriotism, and social responsibility. They had to maintain production and business activities, ensure jobs for employees, and support the country's efforts in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Based on the recommendation of the Review Council, Phong said six outstanding entrepreneurs who have made achievements and significant contributions to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic will be commended at the event.

As part of the activities to celebrate Vietnam Entrepreneurs Day, the VCCI and the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics will co-host a science workshop which will highlight entrepreneurial ethics and business culture in the new context.

VCCI General Secretary Tran Thi Lan Anh said that at the VCCI's 7th national congress, building entrepreneurial ethics and business culture was considered a strategic breakthrough task in the 2021-2016 period.

She added that business ethics and culture are soft power and a great resource for every entrepreneur and business community in each country and locality.

The "Outstanding Vietnamese Entrepreneur" title was initiated by the VCCI in 2006 and has been organised eight times, with 800 entrepreneurs honoured and awarded the title.

It has become the noblest title honoured by the business community and worthy of national recognition. In terms of quantity, the number of winners this year will be reduced by 40%, and a maximum of only 60 entrepreneurs will be honoured this time (compared to 100 of the previous editions).

In the next three years, the VCCI will periodically release a set of books on 60 Outstanding Vietnamese Entrepreneurs to inspire society toward building a Vietnamese business community with ethics and culture, conducting model business, having sustainable development, and being the pillar to realise economic development goal of the country./.