Masan Group’s imprint at the Asian Corporate Excellence & Sustainability Awards 2021

This award is a testament to Masan’s commitment to community development and sustainability. The eight edition of ACES, which saw a total of 420 nominees and 154 finalists from 15 different countries across the region, was once again held virtually due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

This accolade is conferred upon organizations that lead programs and initiatives that contribute significantly to communal causes. These projects are executed by the organization with clear objectives at hand focused on the development of the communities at large.

“Sustainability goals should never be looked at as a nuisance, but rather a way to align the financial and community give-back goals posts. Masan Group has done this admirably in its well-thought-out initiatives,” said Dr. Jayanthi Desan, Lead Jury, ACES Awards.

Masan supplies essential goods to meet consumer demand. Photo: Masan

Efforts to maintain production and supply essentials

Masan owns the largest retail chain in the country with nearly 2,500 WinMart/WinMart+ stores and supermarkets. The group also has more than 30 factories and numerous hi-tech livestock and crop farm producing essential items such as food, beverages, meat and meat-based products all over Vietnam.

During the peak of the epidemic, despite facing numerous difficulties in logistics, labor resources, etc., Masan always prioritizes protecting the health of consumers, employees and especially production and retail distribution channel. This is to prevent any potential shortage of stock, contributing to social security.

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the group and its subsidiaries has actively implemented many control and relief measures to cope with all situations. Strategic partnership agreements have been signed with suppliers to provide sufficient supply of groceries at stable prices.

Masan also set up 3 lines of defense to reduce the chance of spreading COVID-19 while still serving consumers’ grocery needs at VinMart/VinMart+.

In addition, WinCommerce (a subsidiary of Masan) offered flexible shopping methods, including online sales via VinMart.com website, mobile app, phone ordering, home delivery service or neighborhood groups to connect with local stores at isolated and quarantined areas.

There are nearly 500 supermarkets and VinMart supermarkets/VinMart+ stores in every districts/wards in HCMC. Each ward has at least one VinMart+ store capable of handling hundreds of orders per day. During stressful days of the pandemic, VinCommerce has closely coordinated with city authorities to quickly deliver essential goods to residents.

Contributing more than VND270 billion to epidemic prevention

Focusing on the health of the community, since 2020, Masan has has accompanied the government and people across the country to fight the disease. The group and its subsidiaries regularly implemented many activities to support the epidemic prevention in various ways.

In particular, in June 2021, Masan donated VND60 billion to the government’s vaccine fund, joining hands with to prevent COVID-19 epidemic. During the peak of the epidemic in July an August, the Group continued to sponsor essential medical equipment for more than 15 field hospitals, COVID-19 treatment hospitals, disease control agencies Ho Chi Minh City Police Departments and so on. The group also supported the frontline forces with millions of essential products.

The group has also donated ECMO systems, dozens of high-flow ventilators, tens of thousands of test kits, and personal protective equipment to the Departments of Health of Long An, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, and Hau Giang provinces, among others. It has also provided accommodations for doctors and nurses at Trung Vuong Hospital.

As of Sep 2021, Masan Group has contributed more than VND 270 billion to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

WinMart+ provides essential goods, applying strict epidemic prevention standards. Photo: Masan

Masan believes in improving the livelihoods of members of communities where it has operations. The Group and its subsidiaries have implemented numerous long-term healthcare, education as well as community development programs.

Various programs to serve communities in long term

Education plays an important role in poverty reduction and Masan Group has presented water purifiers to primary and middle schools in Hau Giang and Long An provinces (Masan Consumer), established scholarship fund for pupil in Ha Son commune, Quy Hop, Nghe An province (Masan Farm Nghe An), presented bicycles to children and teenagers in extremely disadvantaged circumstances (Masan High-Tech Materials).

Especially, Masan has invested heavily into social infrastructure including health facilities, schools, vocational trainings, and mentoring programs, establishing Economic Recovery Fund for people affected by Nui Phao projects and organizing vocational training programs in order to contribute to improving the living standards and social security of local people throughout the country.

“As the leading consumer goods and retail corporation in Vietnam, Masan believes in “Doing well by doing good”. Community Initiatives plays a crucial role in realizing our mission uplifting the material and spiritual lives of 100 million Vietnamese consumers each and every day.” said Masan Group’s representative.