Nestlé Vietnam Chairman and CEO Binu Jacob, at the 2026 Thánh Gióng Cup awards ceremony organised by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) ahead of Vietnamese Entrepreneurs’ Day on October 13. — Photos courtesy of Nestlé Vietnam

HÀ NỘI — Nestlé Vietnam Chairman and CEO Binu Jacob has been named among the Top 100 Outstanding Vietnamese Entrepreneurs at the 2026 Thánh Gióng Cup awards, recognising his contributions to the country’s socio-economic development and the company’s long-term commitment to Việt Nam.

The awards ceremony, organised by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) ahead of Vietnamese Entrepreneurs’ Day on October 13, honours business leaders who have made outstanding contributions to the national economy.

The 2026 programme is being held in line with Politburo Resolution No 41-NQ/TW on promoting the role of the business community in the new era. This year’s selection criteria place particular emphasis on achievements during 2021–25, leadership and management capabilities, innovation, social responsibility and adherence to Vietnamese business ethics.

The selection council recognised Jacob’s management capabilities and strategic vision since he took the helm of Nestlé Vietnam in 2020. Under his leadership, the company has continued to promote initiatives based on its Creating Shared Value (CSV) approach.

Nestlé Vietnam has supported more than 23,000 farming households in the Central Highlands to adopt sustainable farming practices, improve incomes and help ensure a stable supply of consistent-quality, traceable coffee.

Through the NESCAFÉ Plan, Nestlé Vietnam has worked with more than 23,000 farming households in the Central Highlands to adopt sustainable farming practices, including regenerative agriculture. These efforts aim to improve farmers’ incomes while helping secure a stable supply of consistent-quality, traceable coffee for the production of higher-value processed products.

Jacob has also taken on leadership roles in several sustainability initiatives, serving as co-chairman of VCCI’s Vietnam Business Council for Sustainable Development (VBCSD), co-chair of the Vietnam Sustainable Agriculture Partnership (PSAV), and a member of the leadership team of the Packaging Recycling Organisation Vietnam (PRO Vietnam). Through these roles, he has actively promoted circular economy initiatives in support of Việt Nam’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Nestlé offers hundreds of job opportunities to students every year through its Management Trainee and Nesternship internship programmes.

Human resource development has been another focus of the company’s operations. Nestlé Vietnam provides stable employment for more than 2,300 direct employees, with average incomes growing sustainably. Vietnamese nationals account for 99 per cent of its workforce; receiving structured professional training, while 100 per cent of its modern factories’ leaders are Vietnamese.

The company received the Labour-Responsive Enterprise Certificate of Merit for five consecutive years from 2020 to 2024, an honour recognised by the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, and VCCI.

Nestlé Vietnam also supports women’s empowerment through its Nestlé Accompanies Women programme, implemented in cooperation with the Vietnam Women’s Union. Meanwhile, career orientation programmes and initiatives to equip young people with digital skills and technology application capabilities have reached more than 127,000 students and young people, helping prepare Việt Nam’s workforce for a new era.

Leadership and commitment to shared prosperity

In April 2025, Nestlé announced an expansion of its production capacity, reaffirming its long-term investment commitment and contribution to Việt Nam’s sustainable socio-economic development.

Amid global volatility and challenges, Jacob has led the company in maintaining strong revenue growth. By 2025, Nestlé’s total investment in Việt Nam had reached US$903.9 million, reinforcing its position as Switzerland’s largest investor in the country.

During 2021–25, Nestlé Vietnam was repeatedly recognised among enterprises with exemplary tax compliance. The company also received the Vietnam National Quality Award’s Gold Prize twice, presented by the Prime Minister, and topped VCCI’s Corporate Sustainability Index (CSI) rankings in the manufacturing sector for three consecutive years.

Speaking after receiving the award, Jacob said the honour had filled him with gratitude and a strong sense of responsibility towards Việt Nam, the company’s employees, farmers and partners.

“A few minutes ago, I was on stage to receive the Thánh Gióng Cup, one of the highest honours for business leaders in Việt Nam. But this recognition belongs to far more than one person. It belongs to our 2,500 colleagues, the farmers in the Central Highlands, and all our suppliers and partners who have been part of this journey,” he said.

“We see this recognition not as a reward, but as a responsibility to continue to invest in our people, our communities, farmers and supplier ecosystems, and, more importantly, to contribute to capability building here in Việt Nam and support the Government’s 2045 ambition,” he said.

Nestlé Vietnam General Director Binu Jacob said the Thánh Gióng Cup recognised the collective achievements of Nestlé employees and Vietnamese partners.

Jacob said his first feeling was gratitude, followed by a sense of responsibility not only towards Việt Nam but also towards the company’s employees, farming communities and partners.

“The most important meaning of receiving this award does not lie in the award itself, but in the actions and contributions that follow. I strongly believe that we have a responsibility to continue supporting the Government and the people, focusing on human resource development, supporting farmers and boosting investment to help realise the Vietnamese Government’s vision for 2045,” he said.

Reflecting on the story of Thánh Gióng, the legendary Vietnamese hero who grew rapidly into a powerful warrior to defend the country, Jacob said speed and strength both stemmed from a solid foundation.

“Thánh Gióng was able to grow strong and rapidly because he was nurtured by an entire community. In business, that foundation consists of clear values, strong governance and, above all, people,” he said.

When teams understand their purpose and are trusted to make decisions, organisations can move quickly without losing direction, he added. Like Thánh Gióng, businesses must also remember that their strength should serve a purpose greater than themselves: their customers, partners and the country in which they operate.

Established by VCCI in 2005, the Thánh Gióng Cup has honoured generations of entrepreneurs who have made significant contributions to Việt Nam’s economic reforms and international integration.

The recognition of Nestlé Vietnam’s leadership reflects the growing emphasis on a new generation of foreign-invested enterprises that bring not only capital but also management standards, green transition initiatives and stronger community engagement.

The 2026 award further underscores Nestlé Vietnam’s commitment to working alongside the Government to advance sustainable socio-economic development and contribute to building a resilient and prosperous Việt Nam. — VNS