Breakthrough 6 HMO: Vinamilk's nutritional progress at Asia's largest nutrition forum

(Chinhphu.vn) - Participating as the first and only speaker representing Vietnam at the Growth Asia Summit 2025, held in Singapore from July 15 to 17, 2025, Vinamilk, with its breakthrough 6 HMOs, attracted significant attention at the conference due to its contributions in establishing new nutritional standards for children and opening up new directions for the regional dairy industry by addressing contemporary concerns about breastfeeding.

Mr. Nguyen Quang Tri - Vinamilk Marketing Executive Director (2nd from right) - shared about the 6 HMO breakthrough with guests at the Asia Development Forum 2025 - Photo: VGP/Hong Nhan

Vinamilk introduces nutritional breakthroughs from Vietnam at a regional forum.

The Asian Development Conference is the largest forum on growth opportunities for the food, beverage, and nutrition industry in Asia, bringing together representatives from over 20 countries, research institutions, government and non-governmental organizations, and multinational corporations. The conference focuses on finding breakthrough scientific solutions to improve nutrition for people across Asia, especially mothers and children.

Vinamilk is known as the 6th most valuable dairy brand globally (2024). With this position, Vinamilk was invited to attend this year's Asian Development Conference as the first and only representative from Vietnam to present a paper on the breakthrough 6 HMO – a milk formula that sets international nutritional standards for infant formula.

Vinamilk Optimum's breakthrough 6 HMOs mimics the precious nutrients found only in breast milk, playing a role in supporting the nourishment of beneficial bacteria in a child's digestive system, thereby contributing to strengthening the natural protective barrier. This is also a rare product that simultaneously contains both DFL and 3-FL – two types of HMOs that other formulas typically only contain individually. This combination particularly impressed experts at the conference.

Previously, the breakthrough of 6 HMOs also received special attention at the Global Dairy Congress 2025 (Netherlands), as a prominent result of the strategy of "investing in science and technology to maximize the natural nutritional value of milk" from the Vietnamese dairy brand, which is ranked 6th globally in terms of value.

Vinamilk pioneers the introduction of the breakthrough 6 HMOs into nutritional solutions for children - Photo: VGP/Hong Nhan

Science raises nutritional standards based on understanding.

HMOs are known as precious nutrients found only in breast milk, playing a crucial role in the immune and digestive health of children. Despite continuous improvements in HMOs, for many years, the Vietnamese market remained stuck with a formula containing 5 HMOs, meaning the enormous potential of this nutrient has not been fully exploited. "With a spirit of constantly challenging limits, Vinamilk has strived to raise nutritional standards by launching Optimum – the first milk product in Vietnam with a formula containing 6 HMOs, accounting for up to 58% of the total HMOs in breast milk," shared Mr. Nguyen Quang Tri, Marketing Executive Director of Vinamilk, regarding the context behind the creation of this groundbreaking product.

In Vietnam, up to 55% of children are not exclusively breastfed during the first six months of life (according to UNICEF 2021), potentially depriving them of the full potential benefits of breast milk for their digestive and immune systems. Furthermore, approximately 60% of Vietnamese mothers work while caring for their children. These physical and life circumstances inadvertently make exclusive breastfeeding a major concern for many modern mothers.

Therefore, a nutritional solution inspired by the nutrients in breast milk, to accompany and support mothers to take care of their children with peace of mind and happiness in the journey of motherhood is a great and inevitable need today.

With this in mind, and a desire to provide equal opportunities for consumers to access the best nutrition, Mr. Shawn Lee, representing dsm-firmenich Asia Pacific , one of Vinamilk's six international strategic partners, shared at the conference: "As Mr. Nguyen Quang Tri said, the breakthrough 6 HMOs not only raises the nutritional standards of products to serve the needs of children but also provides a solution to the contemporary concern about the desire to exclusively breastfeed children. Regardless of the circumstances, parents can still give their children complete care and love. We completely agree with this viewpoint, because when parents are happy, their children's journey of growing up is also filled with happiness."

Vinamilk Optimum with 6 HMOs has been trusted by many Vietnamese mothers since its launch - Photo: VGP/Nguyen Hoang.

Opening new avenues, establishing international nutritional standards.

Over nearly 50 years of development, Vinamilk has successfully invested in research and production, from Vietnam's first infant formula can to owning the most modern infant formula factory in Asia, exporting to many countries around the world since 1997. From a country without an infant formula industry after the war, thanks to its investment strategy in science and technology and international cooperation, Vinamilk has made significant strides in infant formula, developing to be on par with the region, with its 6 HMOs being a prime example.

Gary Scattergood, Editor-in-Chief of FoodNavigator-Asia and NutraIngredients (the conference organizer), commented on Vinamilk's contributions at this year's forum: "We highly appreciate Vinamilk's contributions to this year's conference. Vinamilk has brought a unique perspective by combining its in-depth research and development capabilities in HMOs with a deep understanding of local consumers, thereby introducing practical nutritional solutions that meet the health and holistic development needs of young children in Vietnam and with the potential to expand throughout Asia."

Vinamilk's presence at this high-level regional forum once again affirms the prestige and influence of the leading Vietnamese dairy brand in the international market. Through its continuous research, production, and innovation capabilities, Vinamilk not only demonstrates the remarkable maturity of the domestic nutrition industry but also creates momentum for the strong development of the Asian market.

Phuong Dung

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/dot-pha-6-hmo-buoc-tien-dinh-duong-cua-vinamilk-tai-dien-dan-dinh-duong-lon-nhat-chau-a-102250717114426391.htm