AsemconnectVietnam - Military-run businesses are increasing their involvement in production and service sectors and expanding into flagship sectors to fulfil their national defence missions and contribute to national economic development. Performing their two tasks of national defence and economic development at the same time is not at all simple. These businesses must be led by dynamic, creative, entrepreneurial and politically conscious people.

Since 2009, impacted from global and regional economy crisis, shipbuilders have been caught in difficulties. To survive and develop in this context, businesses must be flexible with any new development. While upholding solidarity tradition, self-reliance, initiative, creativity and entrepreneurship, the management board of Hong Ha Shipbuilding applied groundbreaking development strategies with the aim of building military ships with high technological content and high economic value before making ships for other economic sectors in the country and for export. This marked a turning point of Hong Ha Shipyard.

Unlike other shipyards that usually strive to build super-size ships, Hong Ha has chosen a different path. The shipbuilder applies modern sciences and techniques to make modern multipurpose ships like warships, special ships, rescue ships, oil tankers and patrol ships for the Coast Guard. With this approach, the company's products are trusted and appreciated by the Ministry of National Defence and its partners. Particular products include TT200 and TT400 ships for marine police, high-speed patrol boats, landing crafts and military ferries, and especially the modern-class TT4000TP warship, which makes Hong Ha brand name and proves the correct direction of the company. Powered by excellent creativity, with preliminary designs purchased from Russia and Ukraine, Hong Ha collaborates with Defence Ministry designers to complete technological designs to create superior products with a huge amount of money saved.

Hong Ha always strivé to get good business results. In 2010, the company signed a contract to build asphalt tankers of 3,100 DWT for Petrolimex. This sophisticated specialised ship, used with state-of-the-art technology, is the first 3,100-DWT tanker to be built in Vietnam, placed under the supervision of DNV registry agency of Norway. To date, the second tanker of this kind has been completed, commissioned and transferred to the customer. Petrolimex has spoken highly of the building progress and product quality. To expand its global presence, in 2004, Hong Ha surveyed the European market and signed cooperation agreements with Dutch strategic partners and some other European customers to export ships. The company is one of the first military-run units to export products and set up business ties with international maritime companies. The company has built six multipurpose freighters of 2,600 DWT and two container carriers of 3,500 DWT for Dutch customers since 2006. All products meet strict Europe quality standards, thanks to the professional supervision of BV registration and inspection agency of France.

To achieve such admirable business results, Hong Ha always tries its best to maintain production and ensure stable, sustainable and efficient growth. In particular, annual production targets always exceed its annual plans. Thanks to constant revenue and profit growth, the average monthly income for workers is over VND8 million.

With its remarkable achievements in recent years, Hong Ha Shipbuilding Company has been granted many honours and awards:

- The President of Vietnam bestows the First-grade Labour Order in 2005, Third-grade Labour Order in 2006, Third-grade Victory Order in 2005, Third-grade National Defence Order in 2010, Second-grade Independence Order in 2010, and First-grade Victory Order in 2012.

- The Prime Minister presents the Emulation Flag in 2009.

- Ministry of National Defence presents the Certificate of Merits in 2007, Emulation Flag in 2008, Totally Strong Unit Flag in 10 straight years (from 1999 to 2008), and the Leading Unit Flag in five years from 2005 to 2010"

- The Ministry of Science and Technology awards the ISO Gold Cup.

- The Vietnam Business Association awards the two Golden Globe Awards.

- General Department of Defence Industry presents Emulation Flags and Certificates of Merits for outstanding achievements and performances of the company.