Many of the philosophies of this "female leader" have become the defining characteristics of Vinamilk.

She was recently honored in "Fortune's Most Powerful Women ASIA 2024" and was also awarded the prestigious Third Class Independence Medal.

Make a strong impression on the dairy industry.

In 2013, Vinamilk made a strong impression on the Asian and global dairy industry by simultaneously commissioning the first two mega-dairy factories in Vietnam, with a massive investment of hundreds of millions of dollars.

"I want the world to know about Vietnam's dairy industry," an ambitious statement reflecting the strategic vision of Ms. Mai Kieu Lien. This event also marked a turning point for Vinamilk, from the goal of realizing the "Vietnamese milk dream" to the aspiration of "reaching the world."

From a country that had to import almost all of its milk, the name "Vinamilk" has gradually appeared on prestigious regional and global rankings. The brand's value has also steadily increased, placing it in the top 10 globally, in proportion to the company's growth in scale.

His entire career was tied to one company.

Ms. Mai Kieu Lien is an extraordinary businesswoman whose entire career has been dedicated to a single enterprise, a core business sector. Beyond business objectives in the marketplace, for this "female leader" of the dairy industry, the company represents a special mission.

During her time studying in Russia, she was assigned to study dairy processing – a field that was still quite unfamiliar in Vietnam at that time. Undecided about her choice of major, she wrote to her father to ask for his opinion.

Her father's statement, "Only milk can overcome malnutrition in children and improve people's health after the war," not only strengthened her resolve to pursue the dairy industry but also became a guiding principle throughout her nearly half-century journey with the company.

Through her dedication and commitment, she devoted all her efforts to answering the question of "how to improve the nutritional quality and health of the people, especially children."

Repeatedly reinventing itself

Not long ago, the company's creative imprint received special attention with the launch of its new brand identity and the subsequent "greening social media" campaign.

Regarding that landmark event, the CEO once shared: "Since its first anniversary, Vinamilk has reinvented itself many times."

This time is no exception. It's not just about the brand; the company is undergoing a comprehensive transformation." This statement clearly reflects Vinamilk, nearly 50 years old, yet still ready to innovate and keep up with trends.

When asked about the principles that have helped the company successfully conquer domestic and international markets, the "female leader" always mentions three core elements: quality, price, and service. Of these, quality must come first.

"We are a food company, producing food and drinks for people. We must create the best products, as if we were making them for our own loved ones and family." That's what she always reminds her team when they embark on researching and developing a new product to serve consumers.

To date, the company remains a leader in nutritional trends in the market. Notable examples include the first European-certified organic fresh milk and infant formula produced in Vietnam; and the world's first fresh milk to achieve Clean Label Project certification for safety and purity.

In the late 1990s, Vietnam was one of the most attractive markets for foreign direct investment (FDI) businesses, and joint ventures with foreign partners became a trend. In most deals, the FDI group typically held 70% of the shares, gaining controlling management power.

Believing that the company had sufficient resources and market understanding in the domestic market to stand on its own two feet, Ms. Lien and her colleagues decided against joint ventures, preserving the Vietnamese brand. Looking back after many years, she still believes: "Vinamilk's success today is thanks to that decision."

Bold and determined are the keywords the company used to describe its brand when it launched its new identity in 2023, asserting, "same as in 1976." This is one of the statements that clearly reflects this "personality" of the company, as the powerful female CEO laid the first bricks for Vietnam's dairy export sector in 1997.

To have a chance to participate in the Iraqi government 's oil-for-food program, the company donated two containers of powdered milk for children in the country at that time.

After inspecting the quality and visiting the factory in person, the Iraqi government requested Vinamilk to supply 300 tons of milk over three months. Without much hesitation, Ms. Mai Kieu Lien quickly agreed, demonstrating the company's ability to meet the quality, quantity, and delivery deadlines.

To date, the company's products have reached 62 countries/territories and this number continues to grow every year.

Ms. Mai Kieu Lien and her team, along with domestic engineers, found solutions to repair the machinery and restore production, successfully producing the first batch of milk on March 26, 1988. This was the first batch of powdered milk not only for the company but also for the Vietnamese dairy industry; the most compelling proof of the saying "nothing is impossible".

Sustainability doesn't mean going slowly.

According to Ms. Mai Kieu Lien, sustainable development is a long-term strategy, but that doesn't mean it can be done slowly. On the contrary, the female leader believes that companies always need to move quickly to get ahead and achieve their goals.

When the concept of sustainable development was not yet widespread in Vietnam, the company had a separate sustainability report from its financial statements (in 2012).

When Vietnam committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050, the company was among the pioneering businesses to announce its support for this goal.

To date, the company is also the first in the industry to have 3 units (2 factories and one farm) certified as carbon neutral according to PAS2060:2014 standards.

As a leader who embraced comprehensive digital transformation from an early age, Ms. Mai Kieu Lien believes that the success or failure of a business ultimately depends on its people. It's no coincidence that the company is often remembered as "the best place to work in Vietnam" and is always a "highly sought-after" name in the recruitment market.

With a focus on "nurturing talent," the company serves as a training ground and attracts many experts in Vietnam's dairy processing and dairy farming industries. Many current managers, farm directors, and factory managers are graduates of intensive training programs or overseas study programs sponsored by the company itself.

Besides the image of a strong, powerful businesswoman running a company with over 10,000 employees, Ms. Lien is also known for her simplicity and sincerity. She once surprised everyone by revealing that her family doesn't have any domestic helpers.

Instead, the whole family will find ways to divide and organize the chores. For her, doing housework helps her balance her life with work, and also helps her children avoid becoming dependent on others.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nhieu-triet-ly-cua-nu-tuong-tro-thanh-chat-cua-vinamilk-20241013143654073.htm