A total of 157 businesses have been selected for the first ever “Vietnamese outstanding businesses” Gold Cup award, the organising board announced in Hanoi on July 30.

The board has also decided to present the “Outstanding Leaders” Gold Cup to 120 entrepreneurs nationwide in the second year of the award.

The “Vietnamese outstanding businesses” and the “Outstanding Leaders” Gold Cup programme 2009 is jointly launched by Radio The Voice of Vietnam (VOV), the Ministries of Industry and Trade; Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs; Public Health; Culture, Sports and Tourism and a number of organisations and donors.

The honoured businesses and individuals have contributed nearly 20.3 trillion VND (1.2 billion USD) to the State budget and 600 billion VND to social humanitarian activities over the past year.

The cup presentation ceremony will be held on August 15./.