Ha Long Canned Food Joint Stock Corporation (1957-2024): A 67-Year Journey Preserving the Essence of Traditional Vietnamese Flavors – Among Vietnam’s Top 100 Long-Standing Businesses Still in Operation for Over 50 Years in 2024 (Part 22)
Article by author My Hang of WowTimes, published on the website of the Vietnam Records Association – Vietnam Records Organization (VietKings)
(WOWTIMES – VIETKINGS) Ha Long Canned Food Joint Stock Corporation (Halong Canfoco) was established in 1957, marking a groundbreaking beginning for the canned food manufacturing industry in Vietnam. Today, Halong Canfoco has grown into one of the prominent and well-established names in this sector, making significant contributions to the development of Vietnam’s food industry.
FORMATION AND DEVELOPMENT
Ha Long Canned Food Joint Stock Corporation (Halong Canfoco), originally known as Ha Long Canned Fish Factory, was established in 1957 in Hai Phong with assistance from the former Soviet Union. As one of the earliest enterprises of its kind, the Company can be considered a pioneer in Vietnam’s food processing industry. Notably, in its very first year of operation, Ha Long Canned Fish Factory had the honor of welcoming President Ho Chi Minh during his visit to the fishing port.
Photo: A delegation of experts from the former Soviet Union visiting the factory
In June 1977, Ha Long Canned Fish Factory was officially renamed Hai Phong Seafood Processing Factory. This marked an important turning point in the establishment and development of Ha Long Seafood Corporation, a key enterprise in Hai Phong’s seafood processing industry. Twelve years later, the enterprise reverted to the name Ha Long Canned Fish Factory, with a production strategy focused primarily on canned products.
On August 24, 1994, the factory separated from Ha Long Canned Fish Enterprise and became an independent business entity with full legal status. In 1995, the Ministry of Fisheries issued a decision to rename Ha Long Canned Fish Factory as Ha Long Canned Food Company.
In March 1996, the Company became part of the Vietnam National Seaproducts Corporation (Seaprodex). In the same year, it underwent equitization and was renamed Ha Long Canned Food Joint Stock Corporation. It was among the early companies listed on Vietnam’s stock market, trading under the ticker CAN. In 1998, the Prime Minister issued a decision to convert Ha Long Canned Food Company into Ha Long Canned Food Joint Stock Corporation.
On the morning of January 24, 2010, at Tho Quang Seafood Industrial and Service Park, Ha Long Canned Food Joint Stock Corporation (Halong Canfoco) held the groundbreaking ceremony for the Da Nang Canned Food Factory. With a Phase 1 construction area of 10,300 square meters, an annual capacity of 15 million cans, and a total investment of VND 33 billion, the factory initially focused on supplying canned seafood products to the Central Vietnam market.
In 2020, Halong Canfoco launched its Hai Phong Lamp Post Pâté, which quickly gained popularity and became one of the Company’s most prominent products, widely embraced by consumers. By 2024, nearly 100,000 cans of Lamp Post Pâté had been sold on Shopee.
On the morning of May 19, 2022, representatives of Ha Long Canned Food Joint Stock Corporation met with provincial leaders to propose an investment project specializing in lotus-based products at Truong Xuan Industrial Cluster (Truong Xuan Commune, Thap Muoi District). According to the Company’s proposal, the project would occupy more than 6,000 square meters, with a designed processing capacity of 30 tons of raw lotus seeds (shelled lotus seeds) per month, equivalent to approximately 100 tons of lotus seed pods per month. The Company’s main products would include lotus seeds in syrup, dried lotus seeds, lotus stems, lotus tea, and more.
Today, Ha Long Canfoco faces competition from a growing number of pâté brands. To adapt to increasingly diverse customer needs, the Company has expanded beyond pâté, introducing a wide range of other high-quality products that are gaining broader acceptance across the market. Its competitive strength comes from maintaining quality at every stage, from imported raw materials and European-standard packaging technology to rigorous quality control processes and final packaging for consumers. In particular, e-commerce platforms have increasingly become one of the key sales channels for Halong Canfoco products in recent years.
The Company continues to launch new products to meet consumers’ increasingly diverse and growing needs.
Ha Long’s canned food products are available on major e-commerce platforms, including Shopee, Tiki, and Lazada,…
From August 21 to 23, 2024, Ha Long Canned Food Joint Stock Corporation (Halong Canfoco) participated in the 25th Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition (VIETFISH 2024). The event provided an excellent opportunity for the Company to reach a wider consumer audience, showcase its seafood-based processed products, and strengthen relationships with industry partners.
The Company currently employs nearly 1,000 people, operates 8 processing factories, and has 4 sales branches nationwide. Its distribution network spans a wide range of channels, from exclusive outlets and retail stores to budget-friendly supermarkets and major modern supermarket chains. Ha Long’s products have also been exported to markets across nearly every continent, including the European Union, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS
Through continuous efforts, Halong Canfoco has achieved significant milestones and received numerous prestigious awards in the seafood processing industry. These achievements not only affirm the quality of its products but also reflect the Company’s commitment to sustainable development and customer satisfaction.
– The Company was honored to be included in the Top 10 Trusted Brands – Quality Products – Trusted Services ranking.
– Ha Long Canned Food Joint Stock Corporation (Halong Canfoco) has received the High-Quality Vietnamese Goods (HVNCLC) title for 28 consecutive years (1996-2024), based on consumer votes.
– In 2022 and 2023, Ha Long Canned Food Joint Stock Corporation was proud to receive both the Top 500 Fastest-Growing Enterprises in Vietnam and the Top 500 Largest Enterprises in Vietnam awards.
– In 2023, the Company received the Vietnam Reputable Brand 2023 certification.
– In 2024, Ha Long Canned Food Joint Stock Corporation was honored with the international certification “Top 50 Strong Brands in ASEAN 2024.”
Ha Long Canned Food Joint Stock Corporation has also received numerous domestic and international food safety certifications, including the Food Safety Management System Certification, Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Certification, Orthodox Union (OU) Certification, HACCP Certification, and FSSC 22000 Version 6 Food Safety System Certification for food manufacturing.
Throughout its 67-year journey, Halong Canfoco has remained closely connected to Vietnam’s development, contributing to an improved quality of life through nutritious food products of consistently high quality. The Company has always remained committed to preserving and promoting the distinctive identity and rich heritage of Vietnamese cuisine, establishing itself as a trusted and beloved brand among consumers.
