The Khanh Hoa Mineral Water Joint Stock Company (Vikoda) recently held a grand ceremony to celebrate its 35th anniversary (January 19, 1990 – January 19, 2025). This milestone is not only a significant moment in the company’s history but also an opportunity to reflect on its remarkable journey as Vietnam’s leading natural alkaline mineral water brand.
On this special occasion, we had the privilege of speaking with Ms. Nguyễn Thị Nga, General Director of Khanh Hoa Mineral Water Joint Stock Company, who shared her heartfelt reflections on Vikoda’s 35-year journey. With unwavering dedication to preserving its pure essence, the company has harnessed the 100% natural alkaline mineral source, solidifying Vikoda’s strong position in the market.
Vikoda has proudly marked 35 years of remarkable growth. Could you share some of the company’s key achievements over the years, as well as its plans for the Year of the Snake 2025?
Throughout its 35-year journey, Vikoda has achieved numerous significant milestones, solidifying its reputation as a leading natural alkaline mineral water brand in Vietnam.
Product Achievements:
Vikoda has been honored with prestigious and highly regarded awards over the years, including:
- Vietnam High-Quality Goods Certification for 18 consecutive years since 1997, as voted by consumers (Vietnam High-Quality Goods Business Association – Department of Industry and Trade).
- Three-time winner of the Vietnam Quality Award, granted by the Ministry of Science and Technology.
- Gold Medal for Vietnam High-Quality Goods, meeting industry standards set by the Ministry of Industry.
- Vietnam Gold Star Award, presented by the Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs Association.
- Gold Cup for Safe and Healthy Brand and Green Brand Gold Cup, awarded by Vietnam Brand Magazine.
- Recognized among Vietnam’s Top 100 Leading Brands.
Market Expansion:
Vikoda has built a nationwide distribution network across all 63 provinces and cities, spanning various channels, including:
- General Trade (GT), Modern Trade (MT), Key Accounts (KA), and E-commerce (Ecom).
- Over 100 luxury resorts.
- Presence in 173+ supermarket chains.
- Available at 3,600+ convenience stores and major e-commerce platforms.
- International expansion: In 2024, Vikoda successfully entered the Chinese market, laying the foundation for its globalization strategy.
Portrait of Ms. Nguyễn Thị Nga – General Director of Khanh Hoa Mineral Water Joint Stock Company
Production Achievements:
Vikoda has invested heavily in modern technology and equipment, operating six advanced production lines from Germany, Italy, and Taiwan, with a capacity of 400 cubic meters per day and night. The company’s production facilities have obtained key certifications in food safety and quality management, ensuring compliance with international standards, including:
- ISO 9001:2015 – Quality Management System Certification.
- HACCP – Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points Certification.
- FDA – Certification for product distribution and circulation in the United States.
- HALAL – Certification for Halal food standards, allowing access to Muslim markets.
People and Heritage:
Vikoda takes pride in its multi-generational workforce, with three generations of employees dedicated to the company’s operations. Additionally, the company has long-standing distributor partnerships spanning two generations, demonstrating strong, lasting relationships built over decades.
For 35 years, Vikoda has upheld and nurtured these valuable traditions and principles, ensuring they continue to thrive and evolve in the years to come.
To achieve success over 35 years of establishment and growth, the contributions of employees from the pioneering generation to the successors and young talents have been indispensable. Do you have any words of appreciation and gratitude for the generations at Vikoda?
I am truly grateful to the generations before us who laid the strong foundation for Vikoda’s growth. I deeply cherish the images of our early days—when our pioneers tirelessly searched for and explored the purest water sources, carrying heavy water cans for research and evaluation. I remember the first bottles of Vikoda water, crafted manually with great care, and the teams of passionate salespeople, pedaling their bicycles and riding motorbikes under the scorching sun, selling each bottle with unwavering smiles.
The success of an organization is built brick by brick, with the contributions of every single individual. I deeply appreciate and honor the spirit of hard work, perseverance, and the values that have been preserved, nurtured, and passed down through generations, enabling Vikoda to thrive.
To the next generations, I encourage you to stand united, stay determined, and keep the flame of passion alive. Let us protect these cherished values, create new breakthroughs, conquer new heights, and turn our aspirations for global success into reality.
Vikoda recently held a grand 35th-anniversary celebration at its headquarters, leaving a strong impression on partners, customers, the public, and the media. Could you share some of the most memorable moments from the event and its significance in Vikoda’s next phase of development?
The 35th anniversary marks a significant milestone for Vikoda, and the event was a testament to the company’s brand philosophy: “Gem in the Rock.” The spirit of the celebration reaffirmed this philosophy—Vikoda’s achievements are not coincidental but rather the result of relentless polishing, continuous learning, and unwavering innovation. Like the flow of water that never hesitates in the face of challenges, like the bubbles of natural gas rising powerfully toward the sun, Vikoda has persevered through every obstacle to achieve greatness.
The ceremony was honored by the presence of esteemed leaders from Khánh Hòa province’s departments and agencies, executives from F.I.T Group, valued customers, and strategic partners. Together, they pressed the symbolic launch button, marking the beginning of a new journey, a new era—one of transformation and expansive growth.
With the spirit of “Gem in the Rock,” Vikoda is committed to stepping into this new era with unity, determination, and the highest resolve to achieve its ambitious goal: 1,000 billion VND in revenue by 2027.
Beautiful Moments from Vikoda’s 35th Anniversary Celebration
In your opinion, what will be the key to Vikoda’s success in 2025 and beyond?
The price of success is daily effort. At Vikoda, corporate culture is always valued and placed at the forefront—it is the soul of the company. A strong corporate culture ensures consistency and alignment from mindset to action, from leadership to employees. At Vikoda, we adopt the OGSM working model, guided by FIT’s strategic direction, as the foundation for setting objectives, executing strategies, and ensuring implementation from planning to reality. With OGSM as our work culture, Vikoda is confident in achieving success in 2025 and in the years to come.
What is something entirely new at Vikoda that has never been done before but will be implemented in 2025?
Creativity is what sets us apart and allows us to create new value. It enables us to find more effective ways of working, solve problems innovatively, and develop breakthrough ideas. At Vikoda, we continuously set ambitious goals, and 2025 will mark the arrival of new milestones, new achievements, and a brand-new image for the company. Some of the key objectives include showcasing our products on national television, achieving ISO 14:001 and 22:000 certifications for our factory, and expanding our market presence to another country beyond China. Stay tuned for the exciting and highly ambitious breakthroughs Vikoda will bring in 2025!
What is your vision for Vikoda in 40, 45, 50 years, or even beyond?
ikoda’s brand direction and values are clearly defined, built with a sustainable vision. We define our brand as a “label” that people cherish. A beloved brand is one that has earned trust, loyalty, and a strong emotional connection with its customers. The values that Vikoda upholds are based on five core levels: Value for the user; Happiness value for those around the user; Compliance with legal and cultural standards; Value for the country; Value for the community
With a commitment to sustainable development, Vikoda is destined to become a historic brand—not just for 50 years but potentially for centuries or even millennia. With the philosophy of Ngọc Trong Đá (“Jade Within the Stone”), our brand’s essence and mission will continue to grow and shine throughout time.
Vikoda Natural Alkaline Mineral Water 500ml – A product of Khanh Hoa Mineral Water JSC
Finally, do you have a message or inspirational words for all FIT Group and Vikoda employees as we step into a new and brilliant year?
“From rugged stone, jade emerges refined,
Through storms and fire, resilience shines.
Time may pass, yet our spirit stays strong,
Forever bright through trials prolonged.”
I wish for all of us to always keep the fire of passion and enthusiasm burning in our hearts. Passion fuels our determination, pushes us past difficulties, and helps us persist in achieving our goals. When we work with passion, we enjoy the journey and produce the best results.
Let’s continue writing Vikoda’s success story together, turning dreams into reality. Believe in yourself and in the vision we are pursuing—success will come to those who never stop striving!
