Illustrative photo. (Photo: nhandan.vn)
In addition, the programme has stepped up the promotion of the Viet Nam National Brand in close association with product and corporate brands.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade has issued Decision No. 2136/QD-BCT, recognising 499 products from 227 enterprises as meeting the Viet Nam National Brand standards for 2026. The announcement ceremony will be held in Ha Noi on October 16, 2026, under the theme “The flow of Vietnamese brands”.
Prioritising innovation capacity
According to a report by Brand Finance, the value of the Viet Nam National Brand reached 462.279 billion USD in 2026, up 45.14% compared with 2020, ranking 32nd out of 193 countries assessed. The 2020-2026 period witnessed a significant breakthrough, with the proportion of enterprises whose products had been recognised as national brands and ranked among Viet Nam's 50 most valuable brands rising from 42% to 50%. These figures affirm the strong potential and remarkable maturity of Vietnamese brands. After 23 years of implementation, the Viet Nam National Brand Programme has genuinely helped inspire the aspiration to build strong brands and bring Vietnamese intelligence, mettle and creativity to international markets.
After 23 years of implementation, the Viet Nam National Brand Programme has genuinely helped inspire the aspiration to build strong brands and bring Vietnamese intelligence, mettle and creativity to international markets.
Speaking on behalf of the Programme Secretariat, Hoang Minh Chien, Deputy Director General of the Viet Nam Trade Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said that, in response to the new context, the criteria for the 10th selection round of the Viet Nam National Brand Programme in 2026 had significantly increased the requirements for innovation capacity. On a scale of 1,000 points, the score allocated to this group of criteria had been raised from 180 to 300 points, accounting for 30% of the total. This strategic change underscores the importance of research and development, the application of science and technology, intellectual property protection, digital transformation, the green economy and human resource development. It ensures that the selection process links product quality with enterprises' capacity for innovation and their ability to maintain a sustainable competitive position.
Following a rigorous, objective and transparent selection process, 499 products from 227 enterprises have officially been recognised as meeting the Viet Nam National Brand standards for 2026. The honoured brands span a wide range of key sectors, including manufacturing and processing, agricultural and food products, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, finance, telecommunications technology, logistics and services. This extensive coverage affirms the growing reach of Vietnamese brands, from manufacturing and production to modern services, and from traditional strengths to high-tech sectors.
The Viet Nam National Brand title goes beyond recognition; it serves as a guarantee of the quality and reach of Vietnamese brands. Participation in the selection process provides enterprises with an opportunity to improve their management capacity, innovation and intellectual property protection, while also demonstrating their commitment to maintaining consumer trust. Moreover, receiving the title is not only an honour but also places a responsibility on enterprises to continue playing a leading role and step up investment in technology, human resources and sustainable development, ensuring that every product bearing the national brand symbol is backed by substantive value.
Taking Vietnamese brands to the world
Expressing pride that five of the company's products had received the Viet Nam National Brand title for the fifth consecutive time, Nguyen Manh Thang, Northern Region Director of Khanh Hoa Salanganes Nest Company, said the company had focused on improving quality in line with its orientation towards green production, energy conservation, the use of environmentally friendly packaging and the complete elimination of preservatives from its products. At the same time, the company had stepped up investment in science and technology for processing and quality control; accelerated digital transformation by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and management platforms from production to distribution; and actively researched and developed new product lines to meet the diverse needs of domestic and international markets.
Commenting on the milestone of having two products recognised as Viet Nam National Brands in 2026, Le Viet, General Director of Southern Steel Company (VNSTEEL), affirmed that the national brand was not the destination but the starting point for achieving higher standards. For Southern Steel, the title serves as a driving force for the company to continue optimising production, reducing emissions and remaining committed to the path of green and sustainable steelmaking. We hope that whenever customers see Southern Steel's /V/ symbol, they will not only feel confident in the superior quality of its steel but also recognise the company's spirit of innovation and social responsibility.
With Viet Nam aiming to become a developed, high-income country by 2045, Luong Hoang Thai, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, emphasised the strategic role of the national brand in defining the country's identity and the economy's competitiveness. In the coming period, the Viet Nam National Brand Programme will continue to promote cultural values in brand building, expand the application of science and technology, foster innovation and strengthen links with economic diplomacy and international cooperation activities. In this way, the global expansion of each Vietnamese brand will help spread the image of a Viet Nam rich in cultural identity, dynamic and innovative.
To provide a solid springboard for enterprises, the Ministry of Industry and Trade will strengthen coordination with ministries, sectors and localities to support enterprises after they receive the title in brand protection, green transition, digital transformation and market expansion. At the same time, enterprises recognised as Viet Nam National Brands need to make full use of their leading role and affirm their standing through superior quality, business credibility and social responsibility.