The Australian Chamber of Commerce hosted its sixth Annual Business Awards at the Park Hyatt Saigon on Saturday 8^th November 2008 at 5.30pm. The awards recognise the success of Australian and Vietnamese businesses that have made an outstanding contribution to the business development in Vietnam. AusCham would like to thank the Sponsors, without their generous support AusCham would not be able to present such a prestigious and successful event.

“Australian Business’s in Vietnam are an essential part in developing the relationship and bond between our two countries. It is important we recognise those who have made outstanding contributions; not only in their field, but to this country’s growing economy, therefore helping secure a future for Australian Business and industry here in Vietnam....” Glen Reinsch: AusCham HCMC Chairman.

The Award categories were redefined this year to broaden the scope under which businesses can apply. The event is an opportunity to recognise and reward outstanding local businesses as well as foreign-invested enterprises. There were many nominations this year and it was a challenge to select the finalists and winners.

The Overall Business Excellence Award, sponsored by ANZ, is the most prestigious award of the night, awarded to a company that has demonstrated the most outstanding performance in its field in the previous year. RMIT University Vietnam were very proud to win this award. They are delivering internationally recognised degrees to students in both Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi, with a major expansion of services underway in HCMC. In addition it makes a telling contribution to the environment, the community and staff development and has fostered improved relationships between the two countries. Many of RMIT’s graduates are employed by local and international companies operating in Vietnam.

The Best SME (Small & Medium Enterprises) Award, sponsored by OUT-2 Design, was won by Truss-Rite International Vietnam, this is the second year in a row Truss-Rite has won an award at the Australian Business Awards. Truss Rite has enviable safety standards with no reportable incidents, an enviable rate of staff turnover as a consequence on their focus on training and education (including training in Australia for local staff) they involve their staff in decision making and have established a demand for Australian structured timber products in Vietnam. The number of staff has grown from 34 twelve months ago to 66 and they are still hiring.

The Best Import/Export Award, sponsored by Austrade, was won by MM Soft. They are a leading software design company combining Australian knowhow and Vietnamese staff, exporting the services to a range of countries throughout Asia and the USA. MMSoft epitomises the type of business Vietnam needs to foster to export its talent and capabilities to the world.

The Best Environmental Excellence Award, sponsored by GHD, was won by HSBC. They have embedded sustainability into the DNA of their organisation. From the top of the organisation to the local business, climate change, carbon neutrality, environmental education, “Clean Up Day” and support of National Parks such as Cat Tien and Cuc Phong, plus Wildlife at Risk and WWF. This combined with a contribution to social needs and charitable causes makes them a genuinely environmentally aware organisation and their staff environmental ambassadors for the company.

The Best Employer Award, sponsored by RMIT, was won by OUT-2 Design. They demonstrated a comprehensive suite of support programs for staff, including professional development, a library, profit share and also many programs that go beyond just those in the workplace. For example, environmental management and awareness and alternative classes in living values, dancing, meditation and stress management. In addition to a strong focus on staff, the company is also making an active contribution to the communities and charities such as Operation smile and Wildlife at Risk.

This is the fourth year of the AusCham Young Starter’s Grant and this year there were a record number of applications. It is an initiative which contributes to the local community through the support and development of a young Vietnamese entrepreneur with aUS$5,000 grant to help realise their business dream. The prize was awarded to Nguyen Thuy Tinh Ca for the “Lovella One Stop Shop” project. This project was well researched, innovative and entrepreneurial. AusCham are proud to award the grant to someone who is taking a bright and enthusiastic approach to a "growing " market.

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