Number of billion-dollar public firms in 2021 TOP 50 list hits record high to 22

In the earlier TOP 50 list, there were 18 listed firms having that market capitalization. The billion-dollar companies operate in various sectors from banking, real estate, retail, technology, aviation, oil and gas to insurance, food and beverage. 

Vietnam’s largest private conglomerate Vingroup (VIC) of the country’s richest man Pham Nhat Vuong was ranked top position of the list with the market capitalization at $17.96 billion. 

Vietcombank (VCB) took the second position with $15.51 billion. Vinhomes, a real estate arm of Vingroup was ranked third with $14.06 billion. Vinamilk (VNM), PetroVietnam Gas Corporation (GAS), Hoa Phat (HPG), Mobile World Group (MWG), Sabeco (SAB) were among prominent billion-dollar firms on the list. 

Among the 22 billion-dollar enterprises, 15 firms do not originate as State-owned enterprises. This confirms the increasingly important position of the private business sector of the economy.

Several firms in the list have gone beyond the borders and were selected to the list of major enterprises in Asia and the world.

2021 TOP 50 list sees impressive growth of businesses in key sectors such as banking and finance, consumer goods, securities, real estate, retail, and manufacturing. Photo: Quy Hoa

The Top 50 Award, organized by Nhip Cau Dau Tu Magazine in collaboration with Thien Viet Securities, has witnessed the impressive growth of several businesses in key areas of the economy such as banking and finance, consumer goods, securities, real estate, retail, and manufacturing. 

Despite great challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, with the effort to overcome difficulties and creativity, several businesses could maintain good growth momentum. 

Banking stocks have resumed their prestigious position impressively since 9 codes appeared in the ranking. They include ACB, HDB, MBB, SHB, TCB, TPB, VCB, VIB, and VPB. Besides VCB, firms that were honored this year came from the private banking sector, an area that was considered as dynamic of the economy.

Real estate is also a prominent field despite facing many challenges in terms of the scarce land fund, tight legality, and pandemic. The ranking named 8 prominent real estate brands, representing the industry such as Vinhomes (VHM), Novaland (NVL), Khang Dien (KDH), Nam Long (NLG), and Phat Dat (PDR). 

Novaland maintained its No. 2 position in the industry with a market capitalization of VND 81 trillion. Its operating efficiency remains at an effective level (ROE -17.8%). 

Another name on the list is Phat Dat Real Estate Development Joint Stock Company (PDR) as its share price increased 169.1% in the past 3 years.

The industry is the 3rd most impressive field with 6 firms selected to the Top 50 list. They are typical enterprises representing the steel industry (HPG), plastic industry (BMP), electric cables (CAV), garment (GIL) to businesses in the vibrant transport and logistics industry (TMS, VSC).

Two companies representing the healthcare sector entered the list this year. They are DHG Pharmaceutical (DHG) and Imexpharm (IMP). Representatives of financial services are SSI, HCM, VCI, VND; food and beverage are DBC, MSN, SAB, SBT, VNM.

Retail has become a potential sector in recent years thanks to the growing middle class. Retail firms are always listed as the best-growing businesses. Mobile World Investment Joint Stock Company (MWG) recorded revenue of VND 108,546 billion in 2020 and a net profit of VND 3,920 billion.

The year 2022 will be another challenging year for the business community in both Vietnam and the world. However, the positive signals of the economy were expected to curb the impact of the pandemic. 

The World Bank forecasts that the economy will grow 5.5% in 2022 as consumers and investors regain confidence, while the manufacturing and processing industries benefit from stable demand from the US, EU, and China. 

The growth momentum was also backed by the investment wave in technology, explosive digitization trends in all industries.

The economic stimulus package worth nearly VND 350,000 billion and the prospect of upgrading from frontier markets to emerging markets will create a boost for businesses both in terms of growth and capitalization value.