Vietnam Brewery Gets 200 Staff Running for Growth Culture

When managing director Andrew Khan laced up his running shoes alongside 200 colleagues at the VnExpress Marathon in Hue, he wasn't just checking a corporate box. He was living proof that the best companies grow when leaders run beside their teams, not ahead of them.

For the fifth straight year, Carlsberg Vietnam sponsored the marathon in Hue, the historic city that's been home to their iconic Huda beer brand for over 35 years. But this year, the company sent its entire leadership team to the starting line, running shoulder to shoulder with employees across multiple race distances.

The message was simple but powerful: sustainable success comes from strong people, not just strong strategies. From senior executives to cross-functional teams, titles disappeared on the racecourse as one united team emerged.

The marathon drew more than 8,000 runners through Hue's ancient streets and heritage landmarks. For Carlsberg Vietnam's nearly 200 participants, every mile reflected what the company calls its "Growth Culture," where employee well-being fuels business performance rather than competing with it.

"Growth is never created by strategy alone," Khan explained. "It happens when people trust each other, challenge each other, and move forward together."

The approach appears to be working. Carlsberg Vietnam has earned recognition as one of Asia's Best Companies to Work For by HR Asia for three consecutive years, alongside the "Work the Nordic Way: Best Place to Work" award at the 2025 Nordic Business Awards.

The Ripple Effect

The company's commitment extends far beyond one annual race. Carlsberg Vietnam has embedded wellness into daily operations through nationwide fitness initiatives, team sports programs, and an internal wellness platform called Carlsberg Well-being.

For Hue specifically, the partnership carries deeper meaning. The city hosts Carlsberg's Phu Bai Brewery and serves as the birthplace of Huda, creating a 35-year relationship built on community investment and local pride.

At the finish line, runners celebrated with cold Huda Ice Twist beers, a tradition that's become more than refreshment. For three decades, Huda has represented the warmth and togetherness of central Vietnam, turning a simple post-race drink into a symbol of belonging.

The marathon sponsorship contributes to Hue's cultural vitality and tourism while reinforcing the values Huda has represented for generations. It's corporate citizenship that feels genuine because it is: you can't fake running 26 miles with your team.

As 200 employees crossed the finish line together, they proved that investing in people creates the foundation for everything else. When leaders show up, lace up, and run alongside their teams, culture stops being something you talk about and becomes something you live.