VIAwards and the journey of connecting Vietnamese people with international friends
WVR - On November 7, Vietnam International Awards 2026 (VIAwards) marks its 5-year journey with a series of activities honoring outstanding achievements, cultural heritage, and international cooperation spirit in London, United Kingdom.
Latest
The ceremony was attended by Mr. Warwick Morris, former British Ambassador to Vietnam; Ms. Dao Thi Hong, Secretary of the Vietnamese Embassy in the United Kingdom; Prof. Michael Mainelli, former Mayor of the City of London; Mr. Jonathan Van-Tam MBE, former Deputy Chief Medical Officer of England, and 200 guests from Europe, Australia, America, and Vietnam.
With the theme “Vietnam Forward: Vision - Impact - Alliance”, the program gathered over 200 guests, including business leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, academics, healthcare, legal, and financial experts, as well as artists, content creators, philanthropists, and community representatives.
 |
| Co-founders Nguyen Nhu Thoai (left) and Hoang Ha (right) present the Lifetime Achievement Award to Mr. Warwick Morris, former British Ambassador to Vietnam and co-founder of the Vietnam-UK Network. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
The gala night honored individuals in the global Vietnamese community who have made positive contributions to the societies they live in, while also recognizing Vietnamese and international individuals and organizations that have made practical contributions to Vietnam.
12 categories honoring outstanding contributions and new faces
VIAwards 2026 received over 140 applications, with 95 from 15 countries qualifying for consideration. The applications spanned various fields, reflecting the international scope of the awards.
This year's awards featured 12 categories, including Excellence in Legal, Financial and Business Leadership, Culinary and Hospitality, Education, Healthcare, Technology and Digital Innovation, Global Innovation, Architectural Design, Creativity, Content Creator of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, and the People's Choice Award.
 |
| 12 individuals and 1 organization received the international VIAward 2026 in London. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
Two new categories were introduced in 2026. Content Creator of the Year acknowledges the growing influence of storytellers and creators on digital platforms. The People's Choice Award allows the public to directly choose individuals whose contributions inspire them.
The awards honor Vietnamese individuals who have made significant contributions to the societies they live in, while also recognizing promising faces in the global Vietnamese community and individuals and organizations both domestically and internationally that have made practical contributions to Vietnam.
On the occasion of the 5th anniversary, VIAwards co-founders Nguyen Nhu Thoai and Hoang Ha shared: “VIAwards began with the desire to recognize those with outstanding contributions. Over the years, the awards have gradually become a place to honor courage, creativity, and kindness.
By telling the stories of those doing good for the community, we hope young people will feel proud of their roots and believe they too can make a difference. We hope you will continue the good deeds that previous generations have nurtured, helping communities come closer together and building a more sustainable future.”
 |
| Prof. Michelle Hermiston, Head and Scientific Director of the School of Health Sciences, VinUni, co-recipient of the excellence award in healthcare. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
Gala Night honouring Vietnamese achievements and cultural heritage
In addition to the recognition in 12 categories, the gala night at Kimpton Fitzroy London featured artistic performances rich in Vietnamese identity, presented in a contemporary style. Guests also enjoyed a dinner menu crafted by the hotel's executive chef.
In the Victorian architecture of the hotel, guests from various countries and fields had the opportunity to meet, exchange ideas, and celebrate the achievements being honored.
Fundraising activities were a central part of the gala night, with four live auction categories and over 30 experiences offered in a silent auction.
One of the standout pieces in the live auction was The soaring dragon, a Bat Trang ceramic sculpture inspired by the dragon motifs of the Ly and Tran dynasties.
Handcrafted over 100 hours and fired for 23 hours, the piece with cloud swirl motifs and gold glaze honors the craftsmanship of artisans and Vietnamese cultural heritage.
The auction also featured Gracefulness in the moonlight, a double-sided embroidery artwork by XQ, and the Senzati Jet Class Experience, a road travel experience with amenities inspired by private jets.
Proceeds from the auctions will be used to support women and children, implement mentoring and career development programs for young people, and support initiatives of the Vietnamese community in the United Kingdom and worldwide.
 |
| Writer Isabelle Müller and LOAN Stufting at the award ceremony. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
UK-Vietnam healthcare conference opens opportunities for collaboration
Prior to the award ceremony, over 60 delegates attended the UK-Vietnam Healthcare Innovation and Investment Conference at the historic Wilkins Building, part of the Bloomsbury campus of University College London (UCL), as the university celebrates its 200th anniversary.
This is a non-profit conference organized annually by VIAwards, each year focusing on a specific field. The 2026 program brought together healthcare experts, researchers, business leaders, and investment specialists to exchange expertise and seek collaboration opportunities between the United Kingdom and Vietnam.
Chaired and moderated by Dr. Linh Nguyen, Associate Professor of Biomedical Materials at UCL, the conference focused on topics such as healthcare finance and investment, opportunities and challenges in cancer patient care, and the safe and responsible application of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare.
Speakers and panelists included: Sandy Boxall, CEO of Contract Finder Pro and Senior Advisor for Vietnam at Compass Capital, sharing insights on capital mobilization for projects, investment, and contract signing between the two countries; Prof. Michelle Hermiston, Dean of the Institute of Health Sciences and Scientific Director for health science innovation at VinUniversity, analyzing opportunities and challenges in cancer patient care in different healthcare environments; Dr. Yasmin Karsan, specializing in clinical safety in digital health, founder of a health tech company, and member of the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur program, discussing innovation with AI, clinical safety, and responsible technology deployment; Assoc. Prof. Pham Cam Phuong, Director of the Nuclear Medicine and Oncology Center, Bach Mai Hospital, Hanoi; Dr. Biswajit Podder, Research and Clinical Analysis Manager at Bupa, London.
 |
| The organizing committee, judges, guests, and finalists in 12 award categories. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
The panel discussion explored the future of cancer patient care, innovation, and investment in healthcare. Delegates exchanged views on collaboration prospects in applying new technologies, developing healthcare infrastructure, and building cross-border partnerships.
| VIAwards is an independent, non-profit initiative established in the United Kingdom in 2022. Through awards, annual conferences, and community programs, VIAwards recognizes outstanding contributions, connects Vietnamese people globally, and honors international friends of Vietnam. |
