50 Years of Raising the Bar: How Vinamilk Built Vietnam’s $2.6 Billion Dairy Brand

Vinamilk’s Journey to Build a Better Future for Vietnamese Children

More than a sporting activity, the event highlighted the spirit of a multi-generational workforce across different roles and locations, united by a shared sense of pride, a commitment to healthy living and the strong bonds that have shaped Vinamilk’s 50-year journey.

As part of a series of special events marking five decades of “Serving Vietnamese Aspirations,” Vietnam Dairy Products Joint Stock Company (Vinamilk) launched an online running challenge to celebrate its 50th anniversary, from August 20, 1976 to August 20, 2026. The event carried the message: “50 years, one journey, thousands of footsteps moving forward in the same rhythm.”

Over 1,500 Vinamilk employees from 30 units across the country participated in the virtual running race celebrating Vinamilk's 50th anniversary.

Through the event, Vinamilk sought to promote a healthy lifestyle, positive energy and pride in a resilient, united workforce that continues to work together toward common goals.

The initiative also reflected Vinamilk’s people-centered philosophy, in which the health and connection of its employees are given priority. From workers at farms, factories and logistics facilities to office staff, employees of different ages, professions and locations were able to take part, overcome challenges together and create a meaningful journey that connected thousands of Vinamilk employees across the country.

Held during the first 15 days of August 2026, the challenge attracted 1,563 employees, who collectively accumulated 89,424 kilometers—enough to circle the Earth more than twice.

This impressive figure was made possible by the sustained efforts of employees across Vietnam throughout the 15-day event. Many had to adjust their schedules and overcome challenges posed by work commitments and weather conditions to reach their individual targets.

Nguyen Thi Ngoc Lan, a Customer Relations Specialist at Vinamilk’s Hanoi branch, said the event coincided with a period of frequent heavy afternoon and evening rains in the capital.

“For women, daytime is often devoted to work and family, leaving the evening as the only opportunity to accumulate kilometers. Yet whenever we prepared to change into running clothes, dark clouds would gather,” she said.

“Still, difficulties never discouraged us. Some people carried umbrellas so they could keep exercising, while others patiently waited for the rain to ease. On some days, we even used our lunch breaks to walk or run a few laps together, contributing every step to the shared journey. The most rewarding part was not how many kilometers we completed, but being able to encourage one another and overcome challenges together,” Lan added.

Despite not starting from the same point, thousands of footsteps from all over the country are heading towards a common goal - celebrating Vinamilk's 50th anniversary.

The organizers set an individual target of completing 50 kilometers within 15 days. However, hundreds of participants crossed the finish line with more than 100 kilometers, while some “runners” completed 400–600 kilometers, equivalent to an average of up to 40 kilometers per day.

Among the standout participants was Ngo Phuoc Loc, Chief Accountant of Vietnam Dairy Cow Company, a Vinamilk subsidiary, who covered more than 200 kilometers. He said this meant completing an average of more than 13 kilometers a day—a significant challenge, particularly during busy working days.

“Knowing that I was running alongside thousands of colleagues across the country toward a shared milestone—the company’s 50th birthday—gave me additional motivation to finish,” Loc said. “It was not simply a personal achievement, but a source of pride in being part of this collective.”

Bui Thanh Xuyen, Chairman of the Trade Union at Vietnam Beverage Factory, a Vinamilk member company, said the most valuable outcome of the program was that it gave employees a stronger sense of connection with their colleagues and greater pride as they worked together toward the company’s 50th anniversary.

“What makes this especially meaningful is that most participants were not running for prizes. They wanted to share in the atmosphere celebrating Vinamilk’s 50th anniversary. Every step represented solidarity and was a congratulatory message to the company on this special milestone,” Xuyen said.

One journey draws to a close, yet the spirit of solidarity and positive energy of the Vinamilk team continue to fuel the 50-year journey ahead.

The online running challenge therefore served not only as an activity marking Vinamilk’s 50th anniversary, but also as an opportunity for thousands of employees from 30 units across the country to connect, improve their health and share their pride in the organization they work for.

The nearly 90,000 kilometers accumulated during the challenge represent more than a sporting achievement. They symbolize the connection, positive energy and collective pride of the people who are building Vinamilk every day.

That is also the deeper meaning behind the message, “50 years, one journey, thousands of footsteps moving forward in the same rhythm,” providing fresh energy for Vinamilk’s continued journey of “Serving Vietnamese Aspirations.”