For half a century, stationery items, such as pens, pencils, ink, notebooks, carbon paper, school bags and briefcases with the brand name of Hong Ha have become familiar to many generations of Vietnamese students and civil servants. Their names are closely connected with the famous place-names of the country, such as Cuu Long, Hanoi, Truong Son and Thang Long.
Fifty two years ago, on October 1, 1959, at number 25 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Hanoi, where a French car repair shop had been, Hong Ha Stationery Factory, the first factory of its kind in Vietnam was officially established.
For over 50 years, together with the development of the country, Hong Ha Stationery Factory (now Hong Ha Stationery Company) has served many generations of Vietnamese consumers. Its products not only dominate the domestic market but also have been exported to the US market.
For over 50 years, together with the development of the country, Hong Ha Stationery Factory (now Hong Ha Stationery Company) has served many generations of Vietnamese consumers. Its products not only dominate the domestic market but also have been exported to the US market.
 Stationary items made by the Hong Ha Company have been familiar to Vietnamese consumers for a long time. Photo: An Thanh Dat   Pens and ink of the Hong Ha Company are much sought after by customers. Photo: An Thanh Dat  Introducing high-grade “Delux” pens to a customer. Photo: An Thanh Dat  Many schools use uniforms bearing the Hong Ha trade name. Photo: File  An automatic notebook-binding system of Hong Ha Company. Photo: An Thanh Dat  Checking the quality of pupils’ boards before sending them out of the factory. Photo: An Thanh Dat  A machine for making the caps of ball-point pens. Photo: An Thanh Dat  Checking the quality of notebooks. Photo: An Thanh Dat |
In a fiercely competitive market, especially since Vietnam joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2007, the company has implemented a good development strategy. It has focused on increasing the quality of human resources, upgrading the production technology, raising the quality of products, diversifying the products and expanding its distribution network. It has coordinated with Vietnam Post to distribute products nationwide through a system of nearly 8,000 post offices in the country.
By doing so, Hong Ha Stationery Company has continually achieved success with many awards and prizes, such as being among the top 100 popular products selected by consumers, top 100 strong brand names in the Vietnamese market, being a part of a group of companies earning 100 billion VND/year, winning the title “Vietnamese High Quality Product” selected by consumers and the “Vietnam Golden Star” award. Since 2002, notebook paper of the company has been among the top 5 products of the Vietnamese paper industry. The company’s products have also been granted the ISO 9001:2000 certificate by QMS Corporation and the First-Class Labour Order by the Vietnamese State. In 2010, the company reached a turnover of 342 billion VND. It is striving to reach a turnover of 375 billion VND in 2011 despite the difficult economic situation.
With the motto “Development and Non-stop Development”, the company has worked out a vision to 2015 with the target of becoming a multi-sector corporation which will give top priority to stationery production and trading. To meet development requirements in this new period, the company has started the construction of a commercial and product display center at No. 25 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Hoan Kiem District in Hanoi. The centre will have 13 floors and two basements with grade-A offices. In addition, the company will build a second building with 23 floors and 2 basements on Lo Duc Street in Hanoi. It is expected that these two projects will help the company strengthen its position in the domestic market and be able to expand abroad.
With modern production technology, good materials and a contingent of professional designers, Hong Ha Stationery Company produces high quality products which are diverse, attractive and have reasonable prices. Its products also meet environmental protection standards and are safe for the users’ health.
Apart from hundreds of traditional products which have forged a niche in the domestic market, such as pens, paper, notebooks, books, learning aids, publications, school uniforms, desks, chairs, bookcases, writing boards, paper-clips, bags, school bags and backpacks, every year the company presents many new products to meet consumers’ tastes and needs. Recently, it has introduced high-grade pens, named Delus for entrepreneurs. This is a type of high-quality pen for domestic demands but also for export.
Talking about the development strategy of the company, General Director Bui Ky Phat said: “Improving product quality is the main goal of Hong Ha Stationery Company. The company must produce products that benefit the consumers’ health. The stricter the markets and consumers are the more innovative and creative the company must be”.
Hong Ha Stationery Company is not only known as a leading brand name in the field of stationery manufacturing and trading but also as a very active business in educational and humane social activities. It has sponsored the Birla Children’s Village in Hanoi and provided funds for students in poor areas and the areas affected by natural disasters. These help build up a famous brand name that has been associated with Vietnam for the past half century
Story: Bich Van - Photos: An Thanh Dat - File
