The iron businesswomen in the Vietnamese market

Vinamilk, Traphaco and Hau Giang Pharmacy – three out of the largest Vietnamese conglomerates - all are led by women.

Vinamilk, the nation’s leading dairy producer, with VND40.223 trillion in revenue and VND7.7 trillion in profit in 2015 now holds 53 percent of the liquid milk market share, 84 percent of yogurt, 80 percent of condensed milk market shares and controls the distribution network with 212,000 retail points and 575 showrooms throughout the country.

Determined to develop the distribution network, the nation’s leading dairy producer allocates huge budgets for ads, listing itself among the three biggest consumer goods manufacturers which spend most on ads.

Mai Kieu Lien, the CEO of Vinamilk, is described as a courageous woman. Vinamilk once tried to make beer and coffee. However, Lien made an important decision on leaving the markets soon after realizing that it cannot find the opportunities there. The returning to its core business field helped the company gather its strength to develop.
Mai Kieu Lien, the CEO of Vinamilk
Mai Kieu Lien, the CEO of Vinamilk
Lien is praised as a courageous businesswoman because she decided that Vinamilk needed to conquer the international market and list itself among the world’s top 50 dairy producers by 2017.
It has bought Driftwood in the US, established cooperation with partners in New Zealand and set up representative office in Poland which would serve as a jumping board for Vinamilk to enter Europe.
Like Vinamilk, Hau Giang Pharmacy’s key to success is the focus on the core business field. 
Pham Thi Viet Nga, CEO of Hau Giang Pharmacy, is a pharmacist. 
Hau Giang Phamarcy had huge amounts of cash, but Nga did not pour the money into financial investments or invest in other business fields.

Nga’s strategy on focusing on core business fields has brought encouraging results. Hau Giang gets annual revenue of VND3.6 trillion and holds 9.6 percent of the share of the $1.7 billion market.

Pham Thi Viet Nga, CEO of Hau Giang Pharmacy

Pham Thi Viet Nga, CEO of Hau Giang Pharmacy

Traphaco, another pharmacy company, is also believed to gain big successes thanks to their large distribution networks. Hau Giang is the first pharmacy firm which pays attention to developing the distribution network throughout the country and compete directly with foreign imports.
Tran Thi Thuan of Traphaco decided that Traphaco must not rely on wholesale, but it needs to gather more strength to develop retail channels. Wholesale once brought 60 percent of revenue to Traphaco in the past, but now it accounts for 20 percent of revenue only.
Vietnamnet

Other News

Private economic sector poised for breakthrough growth

Private economic sector poised for breakthrough growth

More than a year after the Politburo's Resolution No. 68-NQ/TW on private sector development came into effect, expectations now extend beyond increasing the number of enterprises. The goal is to build a stronger business community with greater resilience, larger ambitions and the capacity to compete in global supply chains.

Vietnam remains ASEAN growth leader in 2026 despite global headwinds: WB

Vietnam remains ASEAN growth leader in 2026 despite global headwinds: WB

Vietnam is expected to remain one of ASEAN’s fastest-growing economies in 2026, supported by resilient exports, strong investment inflows and an ambitious reform agenda, despite mounting global uncertainties, according to the World Bank’s latest Vietnam Economic Update released on May 15.

Ministry establishes monitoring framework for carbon market

Ministry establishes monitoring framework for carbon market

Under a new circular, the exchange of greenhouse gas emission quotas and carbon credits is conducted on the domestic carbon credit exchange through the carbon trading system, which is interconnected with the national registration system.

Biofuel ready for nationwide rollout

Biofuel ready for nationwide rollout

For biofuels, particularly E10, to develop successfully, stronger and more coordinated policies are needed, especially pricing mechanisms capable of creating a sufficiently attractive gap between E10 and mineral-based petrol, an expert has said.

Vietnamese farm produce promoted at African investment, trade forum

Vietnamese farm produce promoted at African investment, trade forum

The 12th Africa Forum for Investment & Commerce (AFIC 12) opened in Algiers, the capital of Algeria, on May 9, drawing around 2,000 participants, including officials, economists, businesses, financial and development organizagtions from 43 African countries and international partners, including Vietnam.

Int'l medical, pharmaceutical expo opens in Hanoi

Int'l medical, pharmaceutical expo opens in Hanoi

The exhibition, which runs until May 9 at the Hanoi International Centre for Exhibition, showcases advanced products and technologies across a range of fields, including pharmaceuticals, drug manufacturing machinery and equipment, medical devices, hospital and clinic services and dental equipment.

Mega projects to transform Ho Chi Minh City urban landscape

Mega projects to transform Ho Chi Minh City urban landscape

Leading the charge in this massive building spree is the new central city square in the core of the Thu Thiem new urban area. Spanning more than 20 ha, it’s the crown jewel of the Central Square and new administrative center complex.

Vietnam establishes itself as one of region’s most dynamic manufacturing and supply bases

Vietnam establishes itself as one of region’s most dynamic manufacturing and supply bases

The country’s stable political and economic environment provides a critical foundation for long-term sourcing strategies. At the same time, Vietnam has demonstrated a strong ability to scale up manufacturing, supported by a continuously expanding industrial base capable of meeting both high-volume demand and increasingly complex technical and quality requirements.

Vietnamese pomelos gain broader access to Australian market

Vietnamese pomelos gain broader access to Australian market

The update by Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to its Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON) on April 10, officially setting out import conditions for Vietnamese pomelos, is regarded as a major milestone in market access efforts.

Vietnam's industry spearheads transition to circular economy

Vietnam's industry spearheads transition to circular economy

The circular economy is no longer just a policy choice. It has become an inevitable trend for delivering sustainable and green growth, sharpening competitiveness at home and abroad, and meeting Vietnam’s net-zero emissions target by 2050. It is now a prerequisite to sustain long-term economic expansion, particularly in industrial production and supporting industries.

Nearly 100 tonnes of Vietnamese fruits, vegetables airlifted to UAE

Nearly 100 tonnes of Vietnamese fruits, vegetables airlifted to UAE

Vietnamese fresh produce and processed foods are increasingly recognised for their quality, with items such as cashew nuts, coffee and spices gaining popularity among Middle East consumers. In 2025, Vietnam’s farm produce exports to the UAE exceeded 445 million USD, up nearly 24% year-on-year.