Continuing to integrate Vietnam's dairy industry into the global market.

On August 6, 2015, in Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam Dairy Association (VDA) held its Second Congress (2015-2020 term). At the Congress, the VDA reviewed its activities during the 2010-2015 term, outlined its operational direction for the 2015-2020 term, and elected its Executive Board for the second term.

In her opening remarks at the Congress, Ms. Mai Kieu Lien, President of the Vietnam Dairy Association, stated: “To contribute to the common goals of the Vietnamese dairy industry during the period of accelerated industrialization and modernization of the country, in response to the Food Safety Year launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in 2015, the agricultural development policy - export of agricultural, forestry and aquatic products, and the national food safety management strategy, today the Vietnam Dairy Association is holding its second delegate congress for the 2015-2020 term to report on and evaluate what has been achieved and what has not, and to discuss directions and solutions for improvement in the next term, aiming to promote the dairy processing and dairy farming industry in Vietnam to be on par with the region and the world in terms of productivity, quality, and cost, so that businesses in the Association can enhance their competitiveness and carry out their production and business tasks in an efficient manner.”

A view of the Vietnam Dairy Association Congress.

The Vietnamese dairy industry has been one of the fastest-growing consumer goods sectors in recent years and still has significant potential for further development. According to data from the General Statistics Office, the number of dairy cows has increased by an average of 14% annually over the past five years, reaching nearly 230,000 by early 2015. This rapid growth of Vietnam's dairy herd demonstrates the significant contribution and impetus from dairy processing businesses within the Association.

The Vietnam Dairy Association (HHSVN) is a voluntary social and professional organization of organizations and individuals involved in the field of food safety science and technology or related to food safety. Currently, the Association has a total of 80 members, including 76 official members and 5 associate members.

During the 2010-2015 term, the Vietnam Dairy Association focused on monitoring the production and business activities of the dairy industry in general and of its members in particular. Through this, it grasped the needs and opinions of dairy businesses to report to state management agencies. The Association closely monitored and maintained relationships with state management agencies to understand the procedures and timelines for issuing relevant legal documents related to the dairy industry, and to provide input on the content of these documents. Specifically, this included: the Ministry of Industry and Trade's decision on the list of goods whose import is discouraged, which includes some dairy products and raw milk; and providing input to the Ministry of Health and the Food Safety Administration on draft circulars regarding food labeling, food quality inspection and supervision, and technical standards for liquid milk and infant formula.

Mr. Tran Quang Trung – Vice President of the Vietnam Dairy Association, former Director of the Food Safety and Hygiene Department (speaking) – was elected by the Executive Committee of the second term (2015-2020) as President of the Vietnam Dairy Association.

The Vietnam Association of Dairy Products and Hygiene (HHSVN) has also proactively and actively participated in disseminating legal information, collecting and processing information from businesses and association members to obtain timely and accurate information. It has coordinated with media outlets to address questions and dispel false rumors in the public regarding the production, business, quality, labeling, or advertising of dairy products in Vietnam and internationally.

In particular, the Dairy Association has intervened in many cases to clarify false information that negatively affects consumer perception and psychology regarding the dairy industry. In these activities, the Dairy Association has closely coordinated with state management agencies such as the Food Safety Department of the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Livestock Department and the Veterinary Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, as well as other associations such as the Consumer Protection and Supervision Association, the Livestock Association, and the Food Safety Science and Technology Association...

HHSVN strives to jointly promote the implementation of the main objectives of the Vietnam Dairy Processing Industry Development Plan to 2020, with a vision to 2025 (proposed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade), which are: In 2015, the whole country produced 1.9 billion liters of fresh milk, increasing this to 2.6 billion liters in 2020 and 3.4 billion liters by 2025; Milk consumption reached an average of 21 liters/person per year in 2015, 27 liters/person in 2020, and 34 liters/person by 2025; Domestic fresh milk production reached 660 million liters, meeting 35% of demand by 2015, 1 billion liters meeting 38% of demand by 2020, and 1.4 billion liters meeting 40% of demand by 2025.

The Executive Committee of the second term (2015-2020) of the Vietnam Dairy Association was introduced at the General Assembly.

In the next term, the Vietnam Dairy Association (HHSVN) strives to build a strong association, bringing together the majority of dairy production and processing businesses in Vietnam, gathering outstanding representatives from management organizations, businesses, socio-political organizations, research institutions, and educational and training institutions to have a strong membership with high qualifications and specialized knowledge, united to serve the development of the industry and the national economy, further promoting the creative power of young intellectuals to grasp modern science and technology, representing and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of members, actively contributing to food safety management, and deserving the trust of domestic consumers in Vietnamese dairy products.

Quynh Trang