Partnership between Vietnam and Hyosung
2023.08.05
2022 marked the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Vietnam. Over this significant period, the official names used to address each other changed from "South Chosun" and "North Vietnam" to "Republic of Korea" and "Vietnam," reflecting the progress made in bilateral relations. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1992, the trade between the two countries has increased by 175 times. South Korea has become Vietnam's largest investor, and the number of Koreans living in Vietnam has reached 170,000, while there are 230,000 Vietnamese nationals residing in Korea, indicating the close relationship between the two countries.
On the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the two countries upgraded each other to a "comprehensive strategic partnership." In 2023, 205 economic envoys visited Vietnam with the president to hold a "Korea-Vietnam Business Forum."
The population of Vietnam is approximately 100 million, with an average age of only 32 years. It is regarded as a country with high growth potential in the future. With low labor costs, it is gaining attention as a country that can play a role as the 'world's factory,' following China. As a result, South Korea has become the top foreign direct investor (FDI) in Vietnam.
Many countries, companies, and businesspeople are paying attention to Vietnam as the 'POST CHINA' and making efforts to invest. However, the partnership between Hyosung and Vietnam began much earlier, under Hyosung's global investment leadership.
Anticipating the Post China, Vietnam
Over the years, Hyosung has been at the forefront of relentless global investments. In the 1990s, anticipating the growth of China, we proposed the establishment of a local production and sales system in China. As a result, Hyosung's first overseas branch and the leading player in the textile industry, Hyosung Spandex, established its iconic factory in Jilin City, China.
When everyone recognized China's potential and ventured into it, Hyosung sought a new stage. The place that caught their attention was Vietnam. Many expressed concerns about Hyosung's swift movements, but their determination could not be deterred. After investing significant time and effort in understanding the local situation in Vietnam, reviewing factory sites, and assessing the local conditions and market, Hyosung ultimately concluded that Vietnam has sufficient potential to become the next POST CHINA destination.
In 2007, Vietnam became the 150th member country of the World Trade Organization (WTO), a time when it was accelerating its reforms and opening up to the world. During this period, Hyosung established its first subsidiary in southern Vietnam's industrial complex. Hyosung's ambitious vision for a greater leap on the global stage aligned with Vietnam's growth, and the two became a reality.
Hyosung's expectations were right. Vietnam has transformed into a globally integrated production base for Hyosung's core products, including textiles, industrial materials, chemicals, and heavy industries. With overseas facilities in 90 locations across 28 countries worldwide, including Europe, South America, and North America, Vietnam is becoming an increasingly important front-line base for Hyosung's global market expansion and a crucial partner.
Unprecedented Success Hyosung in Vietnam
Dong Nai Province Industrial Complex, located one hour away by car from Ho Chi Minh City, was once predominantly covered with rubber tree plantations as recently as 2007. The area was practically barren, with the most residents making a living through farming.
Hyosung constructed a factory in 2007, measuring over 90 football fields and 1.2 million square meters total. This scale was astonishing for other companies that had entered and the Vietnamese government itself. As a result, Hyosung achieved profits for ten consecutive years since the year following the establishment of its first Vietnamese subsidiary. And in 2014, the company recorded sales up 2000 percent compared to its first year.
Following its first subsidiary in Vietnam, Hyosung established Dong Nai Corporation in 2015, expanding and sustaining its investment in Vietnam. This demonstrates Hyosung's resolute investment approach, which anticipates global investment trends and the future. Dong Nai Industrial Complex has transformed into the largest industrial zone in Vietnam, with over 5,000 employees. In 2012, Hyosung was recognized as an "Excellent Job Creation Company" by Dong Nai Province and received an appreciation plaque.
The establishment and investment of Hyosung Corporation in Vietnam have been steadily expanding since 2007.
- Established Dongnai Corporation in 2015 as a global production base, with the largest capacity for producing Spandex tire cords in a single factory.
- Established a $1.4 billion investment and polypropylene production plant for the southern Kaemap Cai mep Industrial Complex in 2018.
- Established tire reinforcement and automotive airbag production factories in Tam Thang IP, Vietnam
- Constructed an ATM manufacturing plant in the northern Yenphong Industrial Complex in Vietnam in 2020.
- Established an industrial motor production corporation in the Nhơn Trạch 5 Industrial Complex in 2022.
- Planned additional facilities for a nylon factory in 2024.
- Planned establishment of a Hyosung Advanced Materials carbon fiber factory in Thai Binh Province, Vietnam.
As such, Hyosung Group's state-of-the-art production facilities have been fully integrated across Vietnam.
As of 2022, Hyosung's cumulative investment in Vietnam amounts to 3.9 billion dollars, making it the third-largest domestic group to enter Vietnam. It has recorded sales of 3.2 billion dollars and is expected to surpass 4 trillion won in sales this year.
Hyosung's sales account for 1% of Vietnam's total exports, creating a partnership that grows together.
The Power of Local Vietnam in Achieving First Place
"Vietnam" and "World's Number One" have become inseparable words. The Vietnamese and Dongnai corporations boast the highest production capacity as a single factory among Hyosung's global production bases, and all Hyosung products, which remain the No. 1 in the world market, are produced in Vietnam.
Spandex, developed with Hyosung's proprietary technology, has become the global market leader just 10 years after its launch. Starting as a latecomer, Hyosung has achieved the top position globally as a tire essential reinforcement material, supplying uniform products that match the world's top brands domestically and in overseas factories. This reputation extends to tire cords and yarns for automotive safety belts and airbags.
Hyosung established a local-centric operating policy in the early stages of its entry into Vietnam, which has led to such achievements. Hyosung has been transferring its expertise in production, quality management, sales, and other business stages to the local people while developing and supporting educational programs to enable Vietnamese workers to grow as managers. This makes Hyosung products the world's number one by allowing them to excel.
The number of employees hired by Hyosung in Vietnam has increased from 190 in the first year to over 10,000. Hyosung is now the most popular workplace in Vietnam, known for producing top-quality products. With its pride in producing the best products, high wages, and welfare benefits, young talents in Vietnam aspire to work for Hyosung.
Hyosung's Social Contribution Impressed the Vietnamese Community
Good companies are more than just evaluated based on job creation or revenue alone. Hyosung Chairman Hyun-Joon Cho has long emphasized that “Vietnam is home to Hyosung's largest global production corporation, and Hyosung can also be said to be a member of the Vietnamese community."
According to Hyosung's management policy, which emphasizes corporate social responsibility, Hyosung continues to positively influence on the local community in Vietnam even now.
Hyosung's overseas medical volunteer group, "Miso Expedition," has provided free medical services in Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai Province since 2011. Up to now, 15,000 local residents have benefited from their services. We have also continued our efforts by donating to COVID-19 response, providing education and support for unmarried mothers and marginalized groups, and sponsoring underprivileged children in low-income areas.
In 2018, during a donation ceremony for Hyosung Vietnam's COVID-19 response fund, the Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front at that time, Do Van Chien, expressed his gratitude to Hyosung Vietnam for their contribution of 10 billion dong (440,000 dollars). He stated, "Hyosung Vietnam has been supporting vulnerable groups through various social contribution projects nationwide" and also thanked Hyosung for their participation in the government's COVID-19 response efforts.
In addition, Hyosung is making efforts in Vietnam to engage in ESG management activities, ranging from environmentally friendly smart base construction that utilizes sustainable materials to the producing spandex, tire cords, and ATMs. Hyosung's CSR, or corporate social responsibility, is highly regarded in Vietnamese society and has become an exemplary model for overseas companies.
- In 2012: Dong Nai Province received an award for 'Outstanding Employment Creation Enterprise.'
- In 2015: Award for Best Social Responsibility for Activities
- In 2021: Selected as an excellent cultural heritage social advocacy company.
- In 2022 & 2023: Received commendation for being selected as a leading sustainable company for two consecutive years.
Companion, More Than a Business Partner- Vietnam
It has been 16 years since Hyosung entered Vietnam. During this time, Hyosung and Vietnam have cooperated and grown together, becoming important and special partners beyond mere cooperation. Vietnam has become a global outpost for Hyosung's second leap, while Hyosung has contributed to the country's economic and community development in Vietnam.
Young talents who have graduated from the top universities in Vietnam perceive Hyosung as a desirable global company to work for. Moreover, Hyosung has established itself as a trusted brand representing Korea and leading the future lifestyle, especially among Vietnamese citizens who love the Korean wave.
All future Hyosung factories in Vietnam will be equipped with smart factory systems. This will be a catalyze manufacturing innovation by integrating IT technologies such as big data into core manufacturing processes. Additionally, it will lead to the establishment of a global standard manufacturing environment that addresses carbon neutrality and the climate crisis.
Hyosung has grown together with Vietnam and aims to become a key and reliable partner for future growth. To achieve this, Hyosung promises continuous investment and commits to running together for global sustainable growth. We look forward to a long-term enduring partnership between Hyosung and Vietnam.