On January 7, Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam Ltd. (Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam) officially inaugurated a new EkoCenter in An Thanh Commune, Ben Luc District, Long An Province. This marks the 8th EkoCenter operated by the company and its partners, contributing to positive changes in communities across Vietnam.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by leaders from various provincial departments, including the Long An Economic Zone Authority, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, Department of Natural Resources and Environment, and other local authorities.
As part of the inauguration event, Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam collaborated with the An Thanh Commune People’s Committee and VECA to organize meaningful activities to raise environmental awareness. These included workshops on waste sorting and a program for exchanging post-consuming beverage cans and bottles for Coca-Cola products, aiming to promote circular economy practices and environmental protection. On this occasion, the company also donated 100 Tet gift packages to disadvantaged families and awarded 20 scholarships to local students.
Ms. Milly Cheng, CEO of Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam, stated: “For over a decade, the EkoCenter initiative has been a cornerstone of our efforts to bring positive change to the communities we call home. The launch of the Long An EkoCenter, providing free access to clean drinking water and fostering climate resilience solutions in Long An and the Mekong Delta, underscores our commitment to long-term sustainable investments. This is a tangible step toward realizing Swire Coca-Cola’s sustainability ‘Our Choice, Our Future’ strategy”.
With the official inauguration of the Long An EkoCenter and its effective contributions to community and social support initiatives in recent times, Coca-Cola Vietnam was honored to receive a Certificate of Merit from the People’s Committee of Long An Province. This recognition highlights the company’s achievements in funding social initiatives in Ben Luc District, Long An Province, in 2024.
EkoCenter was introduced by Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam in 2015 as a triangle partnership model between businesses, local governments, and NGOs. The initiative aims to empower communities and promote sustainable economic development.
The new EkoCenter in Long An can provide up to 6,000 liters of clean drinking water daily. It also serves as a hub where the company and its partners can support the community, especially in addressing climate change challenges in the Mekong Delta region.
Through its network of EkoCenters across Vietnam, Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam has been providing essential infrastructure and services to underserved populations. Initiatives include STEAM education programs for disadvantaged children, support for informal waste collectors to foster a circular economy, and training in e-commerce skills for artisans in traditional crafts.
Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam has been operating in Vietnam for 31 years, demonstrating its long-term commitment through significant investments. These include a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in An Thanh Commune, Ben Luc District, Long An, spanning 19 hectares and representing a total investment of $136 million, slated for official operation in 2025.
Supporting communities and driving sustainable development remain top priorities for Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam wherever it operates. In Long An, the company has partnered with local authorities on impactful community initiatives such as “Celebrate Tet with Coca-Cola,” “Zero-VND Markets”, and providing free drinking water to areas affected by saline intrusion.
Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam also leads efforts to combat climate change, with a goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Its manufacturing facilities in Vietnam, including the upcoming Long An plant, actively adopt environmentally friendly solutions and increase the use of renewable energy in production.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Huynh Phu Cuong, Chairman of the An Thanh Commune People’s Committee, expressed his appreciation: “The EkoCenter is a meaningful initiative that enhances the quality of life for local residents. We highly value Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam’s efforts and long-term commitment through practical initiatives like providing clean water, raising environmental awareness, promoting the local economy, and mitigating climate change impacts. On behalf of the local government, I extend my gratitude to Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam for its unwavering support to An Thanh Commune and Long An Province in community and socio-economic development. We hope this strong foundation of collaboration will enable the company to further expand meaningful initiatives, bringing lasting and sustainable value to the community.”
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About Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam Ltd. (Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam)
Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam operates plants in Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Hanoi, creating approximately 4,000 direct jobs and indirectly generating employment six to eight times that amount through its supply chain activities. Aiming to be a comprehensive, consumer-focused beverage company, Coca-Cola continuously enhances and offers a variety of high-quality beverages, including low-sugar and sugar-free product lines, while diversifying designs and increasing business coverage across Vietnam. Coca-Cola’s brands in Vietnam include Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Light, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Sprite, Fanta, Nutriboost, Minute Maid Splash, Minute Maid Teppy, Schweppes, Dasani, and Aquarius, as well as Fuzetea+ bottled tea, Georgia canned coffee, Monster, and Thumps Up Charged energy drink.
Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam is a member of the Swire Coca-Cola Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Swire Pacific Limited, since the completion of the merger in January 2023.
About the EkoCenter initiative
EkoCenter is an initiative launched by Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam in 2015, based on a triangle collaboration model involving businesses, local governments, and non-governmental organizations. This model aims to empower communities and foster sustainable economic activities.
As of now, the project operates 8 centers across Vietnam, managed by Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam and its partners. These centers have driven positive changes in local communities and implemented initiatives tailored to the specific needs of each region. Key examples include:
- Hanoi EkoCenter – Empowering Women in the Digital Age: Established in 2016, the Hanoi EkoCenter has been a vital resource for women in the community. It has provided opportunities for economic empowerment through innovative programs, such as kiosk-based sales models at the center, vocational training, economic skill enhancement classes, and e-commerce training for women.
- Da Nang EkoCenter – Enhancing Welfare for Informal Waste Collectors: Since early 2024, the Da Nang EkoCenter has collaborated with the Waste Collector Network (a community supported by the ReForm Plastic social enterprise) to introduce initiatives aimed at improving the lives of informal waste collectors in Da Nang, aiming to raise awareness of the critical role these individuals play in society.
- Ho Chi Minh City EkoCenter – Open up Learning for Disadvantaged Children: Beginning in the summer of 2024, Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam, in partnership with the People’s Committee of Linh Trung Ward in Thu Duc City and the Green Connect social enterprise, launched the STEAM Summer Experience Program 2024. This free program for disadvantaged students offers a supportive environment for learning and skill development in science, technology, mathematics, programming, engineering, and arts.
- Long An EkoCenter – Contributing to Climate Change Adaptation Locally and Regionally: As the newest center, established in January 2025, the Long An EkoCenter has the capacity to provide up to 6,000 liters of clean drinking water daily. It also serves as a hub for Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam and its partners to support community resilience, particularly in addressing climate change challenges in Long An and the broader Mekong Delta region.
Through these centers, Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam continues to deliver essential infrastructure and services, aligned with local needs, while advancing sustainability and community support initiatives nationwide.
Source: Coca-Cola Vietnam