When Vietnamese consumer trust recognised on the international stage

On November 3, 2026, at Hampton Court Palace in the United Kingdom, Vinamilk Optimum Gold was announced as the winner of the Brand of the Year award in the Infant Formula category for the Vietnamese market at the 2026-2027 World Branding Awards (WBA). It was the only Vietnamese brand to receive the honour in this category.

The World Branding Awards (WBA) are organised by the World Branding Forum (WBF), a non-profit organisation headquartered in London, to honour outstanding brands worldwide. Over successive editions, the awards have recognised numerous internationally renowned names across consumer goods, food, retail, technology and services.

Notably, the results are determined based on three factors: brand valuation (30%), market and consumer research (40%), and public voting (30%). This means that factors directly related to consumers account for as much as 70% of the overall assessment. Beyond economic value, brand awareness and consumer trust are important benchmarks for receiving the award.

Commenting on the result, Richard Rowles, Chairman of the World Branding Forum, said: “Infant Formula is one of the most rigorously assessed categories, as parents are making important choices for their children's development. Optimum Gold was recognised for meeting all three of our evaluation criteria: scientific foundations, commercial strength and genuine support from parents. This is not simply a popularity contest for brands.”

In the infant formula sector, parental trust is particularly important, as every choice is closely linked to children's health and development during their early years.

As consumers become increasingly concerned about the quality and transparency of nutritional products, the international recognition of Optimum Gold carries added significance for Vinamilk's efforts to build its brand reputation. It also reflects the company's long-term investment in research, quality and product innovation to meet the increasingly high expectations of Vietnamese families.

Nguyen Quang Tri, Executive Director of Marketing, receives the “Brand of the Year” award from Richard Rowles, Chairman of the WBF, at the 2026-2027 World Branding Awards ceremony in the United Kingdom. (Photo: Desmond Liu)

From nutrients found in breast milk to Vinamilk Optimum Gold's nutritional breakthroughs

Advances in nutritional science are opening up new opportunities to provide better care for children from their earliest years. For Vinamilk, keeping abreast of and applying the latest research findings is an important investment strategy for improving product quality, particularly in the premium infant and child nutrition segment.

In November 2024, Vinamilk relaunched Optimum Gold with a breakthrough formula containing six human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), making it the first infant formula product in Vietnam to incorporate a six-HMO complex (*). HMOs are a group of nutrients naturally present in breast milk. They help nourish beneficial bacteria in the digestive system, thereby contributing to the development of children's natural protective barriers. A key feature of Optimum Gold is its six-HMO complex, particularly the combination of DFL and 3-FL - two types of HMOs that had previously generally appeared separately in milk formulas. This breakthrough formula further reinforces Vinamilk Optimum's pioneering approach to developing nutritional solutions inspired by nutrients found in breast milk.

Commenting on the award, Nguyen Quang Tri, Vinamilk's Executive Director of Marketing, said: “Optimum Gold's recognition at the World Branding Awards is a source of pride not only for Vinamilk but also for Vietnam's entire nutrition industry. Every innovation in Optimum - the first milk product in Vietnam with a formula containing six HMOs, accounting for up to 58% of the total HMO content in breast milk, begins with a simple question: How can we better support parents on their child-rearing journey? This very question has driven us to continuously conduct research and apply the world's most advanced nutritional developments, including the breakthrough formula containing six HMOs.”

In addition to its six-HMO complex, Optimum Gold also combines whey protein rich in alpha-lactalbumin with two billion beneficial BB-12™ and LGG™ probiotics, together with soluble fibre (GOS/FOS), to support children's digestion and nutrient absorption.

From ingredient research to formula development, Optimum Gold's improvements demonstrate Vinamilk's investment in specialised nutritional solutions tailored to children's needs. This is also how the company is gradually enhancing product value and bringing international nutritional advances into the everyday choices of Vietnamese families.

Vinamilk Optimum Gold infant formula, featuring Vietnam's first breakthrough formula containing six HMOs.

Understanding the mindset of modern parents

Choosing milk for a child has never been solely about nutritional ingredients. Parents also consider whether a product is suitable for their child, whether its origin is trustworthy, whether its formula has been thoroughly researched, and whether its quality can be consistently guaranteed over time. These expectations also place greater responsibility on businesses operating in the infant and child nutrition sector.

For Vinamilk, understanding the needs of families is one of the driving forces behind its continued investment in research, the application of new nutritional advances and product quality improvements. Optimum Gold, with its six-HMO formula, is one tangible outcome of this approach.

Nguyen Quang Tri added: “Behind every child-rearing decision lie immense love and expectations, but also considerable pressure. Understanding this, Vinamilk consistently strives to take the lead in developing nutritional solutions inspired by nutrients found in breast milk to meet children's nutritional needs. With Optimum Gold and its breakthrough formula containing six HMOs - the first of its kind in Vietnam - we hope to give parents greater peace of mind on their child-rearing journey, particularly in circumstances where exclusive breastfeeding is not always feasible.”

Alongside its nutritional breakthroughs, Vinamilk has also proactively raised its standards for safety and purity through independent testing conducted by the Clean Label Project (United States), covering potential contaminants beyond the mandatory food safety requirements set by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This also provides the foundation for recognitions of safety and purity, including the First 1,000 Day Promise and the Purity Award, further underscoring Vinamilk's rigorous standards in safeguarding children's health from their earliest years.

Vinamilk Optimum products on display at the 2026-2027 World Branding Awards ceremony in the United Kingdom. (Photo: Desmond Liu)

In the year marking its 50th anniversary, Optimum Gold's “Brand of the Year” award further reflects international recognition of Vinamilk, a company whose products are now available in 67 countries and territories, with a portfolio of more than 350 products catering to consumers' diverse nutritional needs.

The title at the World Branding Awards recognises Optimum Gold and Vinamilk's sustained efforts in innovation. With science as its foundation, quality as its commitment and children's development as its goal, Vinamilk continues its journey of constantly raising standards, pioneering research and developing high-quality nutritional products in line with international standards, contributing to the care and nourishment of generations of Vietnamese children.

(*) As of March 25, 2025, all Vinamilk Optimum Gold and Optimum Colos nutritional products and nutritional milk drinks featured an exclusive formula inspired by nutrients found in breast milk, containing six HMOs - the first of its kind in Vietnam (according to the results of market research conducted by CI Research).

This formula contains 2’-FL, 3-FL, LNT, 3'-SL, 6'-SL and DFL, belonging to three major HMO groups and accounting for up to 58% of the total HMO content in breast milk (**).

(**) Soyyılmaz B, Mikš MH, Röhrig CH, Matwiejuk M, et al. The Mean of Milk: A Review of Human Milk Oligosaccharide Concentrations throughout Lactation. Nutrients. 2021;13(8):2737. Published 2021 Aug 9. doi:10.3390/nu13082737 [https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13082737].

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