Vietnam Plastics Association: 35 years of growth and aspiration to rise in a new era
The Vietnam Plastics Association (VPA) proudly celebrated its 35th anniversary at the Sheraton Saigon Hotel. The event not only marked a significant milestone for Vietnam’s plastics industry but also opened a forward-looking dialogue on the sector’s future - where innovation, circular economy, and social responsibility form the foundation for sustainable competitiveness.
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35 years of integration and development
At the ceremony, the feature film 35 years of formation and development of VPA vividly depicted the remarkable journey of Vietnam’s plastics industry — from its early days of modest production capacity to becoming a vital link in the global value chain, powered by modern factories, automated production lines, and internationally certified products that have elevated the industry's global standing.
In the keynote speech, Ms. Huynh Thi My - Vice President and General Secretary of the Vietnam Plastics Association, highlighted major milestones over the past 35 years in business scale, production capacity, and market expansion. She called on the business community to shift its growth model from quantity to quality, invest strategically in eco-design and advanced technology, and enhance environmental compliance to capture the rising green consumption trend.
From a strategic perspective, Prof. Dr. Vu Minh Khuong - Professor of Practice, Economic Development Strategy and Policy Analysis Lee Kuan Yew School Of Public Policy National University of Singapore outlined a breakthrough roadmap for Vietnam’s plastics industry, identifying digitalisation and automation as key drivers, public-private partnerships as the implementation mechanism, and circular economy as the operational framework for sustainable development and for enhancing the industry’s regional and global competitiveness.
Positioning the industry for the new era
A key highlight of the ceremony was the panel discussion “Vietnam Plastics Industry in the Era of Rising”, chaired by Mr. Dinh Duc Thang – Chairman of the Vietnam Plastics Association, with distinguished speakers including: Mr. Tran Duy Hy – Vice, Chairman of VPA - Chairman of the Members’ Council & CEO, Duy Tan Recycling - shared the formation and growth journey of Vietnam’s plastics industry to inspire today’s young newcomers. Ms. Pham Thi Ngoc Thuy, Director of the Office of the Private Economic Development Research Board (ViEF) – analysed the private sector’s driving role and proposed policy reforms to remove institutional bottlenecks and improve transparency in sustainability evaluation criteria.
Ms. Mai Ha Thanh Uyen, Sustainability Development Director, Dow Group Southeast Asia – shared insights into high-quality recycled materials, chemical recycling technologies, and traceability standards – emerging global trade requirements that Vietnamese enterprises must proactively adapt to.
Prof. Dr. Vu Minh Khuong highlighted strategies for private-sector development and future growth directions for the industry.
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| Mr. Dinh Duc Thang – Chairman of the VPA (center) shared at panel discussion “Vietnam Plastics Industry in the era of rising”. (Photo: VPA) |
“Aspiration to rise” – The guiding compass for Vietnam’s Plastics Industry
Speaking at the event, Mr. Dinh Duc Thang, Chairman of VPA, emphasized: “Vietnam is entering a new era with increasingly strict environmental, tariff, and international green trade requirements. This is both a challenge and a motivation for the plastics industry to restructure, innovate in technology and design, accelerate the circular economy, strengthen recycling, and develop eco-friendly materials.” He called on the business community to unite in building a sustainable development model that strengthens domestic competitiveness and integration into global supply chains.
Drawing from international experiences of “keeping plastics in the economy, out of the ocean,” the Chairman conveyed the message “Aspiration to rise” as the guiding compass for the entire industry. He also highlighted the need for greater self-reliance in raw materials — given that over 70% of plastic resins are still imported, by promoting domestic petrochemical industry development and aligning green and circular growth with Vietnam’s pursuit of double-digit GDP growth in the coming years.
Honouring excellence – Strengthening cooperation – Promoting responsibility
The anniversary celebration also honoured outstanding member enterprises (2020–2025) for their achievements in growth, innovation, and sustainable transformation. The recognition not only celebrated business success but also commitments to social responsibility, human capital development, and active contributions to VPA’s initiatives — encouraging continued investment in clean technology, ethical governance, and a culture of responsibility.
As part of the event, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Vietnam Plastics Association and the Vietnam Waste Recycling Association (2025–2028), marking a new step toward enhanced cooperation in promoting the circular economy, improving product quality, and strengthening domestic production capacity.
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| MOU signing ceremony between the Vietnam Plastics Association and the Vietnam Waste Recycling Association. (Photo: VPA) |
The two associations will jointly develop technical standards for recycled materials, share technological and market data, train human resources, and pilot local recycling and waste classification models, while supporting enterprises in meeting environmental certification and traceability standards for major export markets.
Vietnam’s plastics industry is entering a new era, where green standards, innovation and multi-stakeholder collaboration are the cornerstones for long-term competitiveness. When enterprises proactively innovate technology and strengthen management capacity, when the Association serves as a bridge of knowledge and resources, and when policies become increasingly transparent and stable, a responsible, efficient, and sustainable ecosystem for Vietnam’s plastics industry will take shape.
The 35th anniversary is not only a time to reflect on past achievements but also a new beginning — marking a phase of deeper transformation, greater sustainability, and stronger aspirations under the leadership of the Vietnam Plastics Association and the shared commitment of the entire business community across the industry.
