For five decades, Vinamilk’s growth has gone hand in hand with the development of Vietnam’s dairy industry and the country’s ambition to secure its own nutritional future. From restoring the nation’s first dairy factories and pioneering domestic dairy farming to bringing Vietnamese dairy products to global markets, Vinamilk has grown into a brand valued at US$2.6 billion. It is now the only Vietnamese dairy company ranked among the world’s Top 36 dairy businesses by revenue and has been recognized as the World’s Most Promising Dairy Brand, with brand strength placing it in the top 5% globally.

From modest production facilities, Vinamilk has become Vietnam’s leading dairy company, operating 16 manufacturing plants and 15 internationally certified dairy farms. The company provides stable employment for thousands of workers and farmers, has contributed more than VND71 trillion to the state budget, and exports Vietnamese dairy products to 65 countries and territories.

Mai Kieu Lien - former member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Labor Hero, and General Director of Vinamilk (on the left) - receives the Third-Class Independence Order from Ms. Vo Thi Anh Xuan, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and Vice President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (Photo: Minh Anh).

Over the past 50 years, Vinamilk has helped drive economic growth, develop Vietnam’s dairy farming sector, strengthen the country’s national brand, and enhance the global reputation of Vietnamese businesses. At the same time, the company has fulfilled its social responsibility by improving nutrition, health, and physical development, especially for children, while creating jobs, supporting social welfare, and leading the transition toward green and sustainable development.

Guided by the belief that “A strong Vietnam begins with healthy Vietnamese people,” Vinamilk has always upheld one principle: “Food entering the human body leaves no room for mistakes.” For the company, product quality is more than a manufacturing standard—it is a professional ethic, a responsibility to consumers, and a non-negotiable commitment.

Reflecting on Vinamilk’s 50-year journey, CEO Mai Kieu Lien said the company’s greatest achievement is not awards or recognition, but the trust passed from one generation to the next. Millions of children in Vietnam and around the world have grown up with Vinamilk products, and many now choose the same brand for their own children.

She emphasized that Vinamilk has always operated with a spirit of service, seeing it as the best way to honor the trust and expectations of Vietnamese consumers. “Vietnamese nutrition should be shaped and owned by Vietnamese people,” she said.

Looking ahead, Mai Kieu Lien reaffirmed Vinamilk’s commitment to continuous innovation, ensuring that every new generation of Vietnamese children enjoys better nutrition than the last. She also aims to strengthen the global presence of a Vietnamese nutrition brand built on world-class quality. The company’s next 50 years will focus on creating sustainable value for public health, the environment, and the international standing of Vietnamese brands.

“Milk will always be an essential source of nutrition, and Vinamilk will continue its mission of helping Vietnamese people become healthier and happier. Vinamilk was born in Vietnam, nurtured by the Vietnamese people, and remains a source of national pride. We are deeply grateful and will continue striving to deserve that trust,” she said.

Five Decades of Building Vietnam’s Nutritional Independence

Vinamilk’s journey began in 1976, when Vietnam was rebuilding after the war and child malnutrition affected an estimated 50–60% of children. Established during this challenging period, the company’s mission was clear: provide quality nutrition for every child, help families improve their health, and build a self-reliant dairy industry.

Laying the foundation for Vietnam's dairy farming industry, Vinamilk currently owns a system of 15 Global S.L.P certified farms with a capacity to supply approximately 1.1 million liters of fresh milk per day.

Starting with two inactive condensed milk factories and an unfinished milk powder plant, Vinamilk’s leadership and employees worked tirelessly to restore production, secure raw materials, and launch Vietnam’s first domestically produced milk powder in 1989.

In the early 1990s, Vinamilk launched the “White Revolution,” laying the foundation for Vietnam’s fresh milk self-sufficiency. Despite starting with little natural advantage in dairy farming, the company now operates 15 Global S.L.P.-certified farms, manages a herd of approximately 130,000 dairy cows, and supplies around 1.1 million liters of fresh milk each day.

As production stabilized, Vinamilk—under the leadership of CEO Mai Kieu Lien—began exporting dairy products as early as 1997. From its first shipments to Iraq nearly three decades ago, the company has expanded to 65 countries and territories, generating cumulative export revenue of nearly US$3.9 billion.

As Vietnam integrated into the global economy and competition intensified with international dairy giants, Vinamilk demonstrated the confidence and independence of a Vietnamese brand. Rather than entering foreign joint ventures, the company invested in large-scale, state-of-the-art production facilities, expanded overseas through investments in the United States, Cambodia, and Laos, and became a pioneer in European-standard organic farming, helping shape Vietnam’s green consumption and sustainable development trends.

The year 2023 marked a major turning point as Vinamilk launched a comprehensive transformation covering brand identity, digitalization, and business restructuring. By 2025, the company had launched or relaunched more than 300 stock keeping units (SKUs) across 15 product categories, addressing growing demand for premium products, specialized nutrition, sustainable nutrition, and personalized consumer experiences.

Alongside portfolio expansion, Vinamilk accelerated product and technology innovation, aiming to set new industry benchmarks in Vietnam. Breakthrough technologies—including dual vacuum extraction, microfiltration, whole-grain milling, and Vietnam’s first 6HMO infant formula—have won strong consumer support while earning prestigious international recognition, including Monde Selection, Clean Label Project, Purity Award, First 1,000 Day Promise Certification, Superior Taste Award, and the World Dairy Innovation Awards.

By the end of 2025, Vinamilk’s charter capital had reached nearly VND20.9 trillion, a fourteen-fold increase from its privatization in 2003. Between 2004 and 2025, consolidated revenue grew more than 15 times, from VND4.2 trillion to VND63.7 trillion, while net profit increased more than 18 times, from VND518 billion to VND9.4 trillion.

With its understanding of consumer needs and access to the latest nutritional science research worldwide, Vinamilk's diverse product portfolio is setting unprecedented standards in Vietnam.

Today, Vinamilk is the only Vietnamese dairy company listed in the Fortune Southeast Asia 500 and among the world’s Top 36 dairy companies by revenue.

According to Brand Finance, Vinamilk’s brand is valued at US$2.6 billion, placing it among the world’s Top 10 most valuable dairy brands. It has also been named the World’s Most Promising Dairy Brand, while achieving the highest AAA+ brand strength rating.