Under the theme "Forging Legacy: Honoring excellence, inspiring the future", APEA 2026 emphasized the role of enterprises in building long-term value and shaping development directions. This theme focused on organizations capable of maintaining stable growth, adapting to changes, and developing based on clear governance foundations.

The 'corporate excellence award' is a major APEA category, honoring enterprises with outstanding business results, effective management, innovation, and sustainable development, while creating positive community value.

The judging panel recognized Long Chau for its efforts in system development, technology innovation, enhancing management capabilities, human resource development, and implementing community-focused activities.

Hoang Cao Chung, human resources director of FPT Retail, representing Long Chau, received the "corporate excellence award" at the APEA 2026 ceremony. Photo: Hoang Khanh

With nearly 3,000 pharmacies and over 240 vaccination centers across 34 provinces and cities, supported by a team of more than 22,000 medical professionals, Long Chau currently serves over 36 million loyal customers, equivalent to more than one-third of Vietnam's population. The system continuously expands through a selective approach, focusing on operational standardization, strengthening professional capabilities, and improving service experience to meet the increasingly diverse healthcare needs of the public. Through its widespread network of touchpoints, the enterprise gradually increases access to healthcare services by being "close to the people", fulfilling its role in accompanying individuals on their proactive health journey.

Long Chau currently serves over 36 million customers, equivalent to more than one-third of Vietnam's population. Photo: Ngo Loc

To optimize operations and enhance customer experience, the enterprise actively applies artificial intelligence (AI) and big data to various operations, including: supply chain management, inventory optimization, demand analysis, and the development of digital healthcare solutions. The combination of technology, data, and professional expertise helps millions of the system's customers access healthcare services more conveniently at each stage of their healthcare journey.

Long Chau continuously expands strategic collaborations with regulatory bodies, medical units, leading hospitals, research institutes, and technology partners, promoting the application of technology in the medical field. For example, the enterprise participates in implementing digital healthcare utilities within the "Digital Citizen Station" – a model coordinated by the Police Department for Administrative Management of Social Order (C06), Ho Chi Minh City Police, and other units, aiming to connect digital utilities to serve daily life. Recently, the Ministry of Public Security recognized the "Digital Citizen Station" as a ministerial-level administrative reform initiative.

Long Chau is currently the only medical unit selected by the Police Department for Administrative Management of Social Order (C06), Ho Chi Minh City Police, to operate digital healthcare utilities at the Digital Citizen Station. Photo: Ngo Loc

Alongside developing technology platforms, Long Chau maintains collaborations with hospitals, professional organizations, research institutes, and leading domestic and international pharmaceutical companies. These partnerships aim to update medical knowledge, standardize professional procedures, and implement healthcare programs tailored to the practical needs of the community. These strategic relationships contribute to strengthening professional capabilities and improving service quality across the entire system.

The unit implements many activities aimed at improving community health. A notable initiative is "Long Chau shares - Health Journey for a Healthy Vietnam", which includes thousands of free health check-up programs, supporting people nationwide. Entering 2026, the program continues to expand with activities to raise awareness about stroke prevention and non-communicable diseases. Additionally, Long Chau provides medicine and medical supplies to areas affected by natural disasters, difficult regions, and remote areas.

Most recently, on 13/10, the system and the Vietnam Young Physicians Association signed a strategic cooperation agreement with 16 multinational pharmaceutical companies to launch the long-term community healthcare program "doctors right here, peace of mind from here". This initiative aims to bring medical expertise closer to the community, allowing people to easily consult doctors and receive healthcare advice directly at pharmacies, thereby creating a continuous healthcare journey. This step is how the enterprise joins hands to realize the Politburo's Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, which promotes science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, towards developing more convenient healthcare solutions and enhancing access to quality medical services for the public.

Long Chau collaborates with the Vietnam Young Physicians Association to implement "doctors right here, peace of mind from here", helping people easily receive healthcare from doctors directly at the pharmacy system. Photo: Ngo Loc

Hoang Cao Chung, human resources director of FPT Retail and Long Chau representative, stated: "We are acutely aware of the need to continuously enhance our expertise, apply technology, and develop modern, safe, and transparent healthcare solutions to become a reliable health pillar for the people, contributing to a healthy Vietnam." The 'corporate excellence award' serves as a driving force for Long Chau to remain steadfast in its mission "for a healthy Vietnam", continuously innovating and serving the community.

In addition to being honored for two consecutive years in the 'corporate excellence award' category at APEA, Long Chau has also made its mark at numerous domestic and regional awards. The system won the prestigious 'community health initiative of the year' award at the Healthcare Asia Pharma Awards (HAPA) 2026; achieved a 'double win' at the Better Choice Awards 2026 with the 'most trusted Vietnamese brand' and 'solution to elevate community healthcare' awards; and became the only pharmaceutical and medical retail enterprise to be listed in the 'top 50 leading ESG enterprises 2026' by Forbes Vietnam.

Hoang Anh