Mr. Dang Hong Anh, Chairman of the Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs Association, discusses the outlook for the 2026 "Vietnam Gold Star" (Sao Vàng đất Việt) awards, the process of selecting exemplary brands, and the 23-year-plus journey of an accolade that has grown alongside the development of Vietnamese enterprises.
After more than two months of implementation, what is your initial assessment of the applications submitted for the 2026 Vietnam Gold Star Award?
Mr. Dang Hong Anh: The applications received this year demonstrate a clear diversity in terms of industries, scale, and operational focus. Alongside large-scale enterprises with well-established market reputations, we have also seen participation from many businesses that are growing rapidly and pursuing innovative approaches whether in product development, technology, management, or market expansion.
What I find particularly noteworthy is that when examining these corporate profiles, we look beyond mere figures such as revenue, capital, or production scale. Increasingly, companies are placing greater emphasis on other critical factors such as management capability, innovation, digital and green transformation, the quality of their human resources, and their responsibilities toward employees and the broader community.
Naturally, these are only preliminary assessments. The applications are currently undergoing review and data processing in preparation for the various selection rounds. The Organizing Committee places a high priority on ensuring that all data is complete, accurate, and consistent, as this serves as the essential foundation for the preliminary screening, in-depth evaluation, and final selection stages.
Mr. Dang Hong Anh, Chairman of the Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs Association
After 23 years of presenting these awards, how have the criteria for an exemplary enterprise evolved? And what are the notable differences you’ve observed in this year’s submissions?
The "Vietnam Gold Star" (Sao Vàng đất Việt) award was first organized in 2003, at a time when Vietnamese enterprises were gradually accumulating capital, technology, market presence, and management expertise. Over the course of 14 editions with more than 6,500 participating enterprises and 2,527 brands and products honored the award has accompanied Vietnamese businesses through various stages of their development.
A key distinction today is that the criteria for an "exemplary enterprise" have become more comprehensive. While factors such as revenue scale, capital, market share, and growth rate remain important, they are no longer sufficient on their own. Enterprises must now demonstrate capabilities in innovation, management quality, technology adoption, market adaptability, sustainable development, and a commitment to their workforce and the broader community.
In particular, as Vietnamese enterprises become increasingly integrated into global supply chains and set their sights on international markets, their brands must be built upon a foundation of substantive capability, product quality, and the ability to meet ever-rising standards. These positive shifts are clearly reflected in the applications submitted for this year’s awards.
93.8% of previously honored businesses saw an increase in revenue after receiving the award.
In your assessment, what is the value of this award for Vietnamese businesses today?
A survey conducted by the Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs Association reveals an interesting finding: 93.8% of the businesses that received an award reported an increase in revenue afterward. This serves as a positive indicator of the value that companies place on such recognition. However, it would be inaccurate to suggest that winning an award alone directly generated this revenue growth. Business performance is the result of a complex interplay of many factors ranging from a company’s core capabilities, products, and market positioning to its management practices and the timing of its development.
What is particularly noteworthy here is that businesses increasingly view their brand and the recognition associated with it as an asset that supports their commercial growth. As a company’s reputation strengthens, it gains better access to new customers, partners, and markets.
Young entrepreneurs honored in the Top 10 of the 2024 Vietnam Gold Star Awards
How should the awards continue to evolve in the coming time to support businesses?
In my view, the award must, first and foremost, evolve alongside the businesses it recognizes. If businesses change while the methods for identifying, evaluating, and honoring them remain static, the award will struggle to accurately reflect the reality on the ground.
The value of the award should extend well beyond the initial recognition facilitating connections, promoting trade, fostering partnerships, and creating further opportunities for brands to gain broader visibility.
Moreover, as Vietnamese enterprises increasingly set their sights on larger markets and integrate more deeply into global value chains, the award must also identify those with the potential to expand well beyond their domestic foundations.
This is the spirit we aim to embody for the 2026 edition. Our goal in seeking out exemplary Vietnamese brands is not merely to compile a list of achievements, but to highlight enterprises that are actively innovating, enhancing their capabilities, and steadily establishing their standing in the marketplace.
According to Thanh Nien Newspaper