In 2003, during his first business trip to Jakarta (Indonesia), Mr. Le Mai Huu Lam — CEO of Cat Van Loi — was casually asked by a local colleague: "Is Vietnam still at war with the US?"
That moment left a lasting impression, making the young entrepreneur wonder: When will Vietnam's image in the eyes of international friends no longer be associated with war, but defined by high-quality products, major projects, and real values created by Vietnamese people?
More than twenty years later, in the heart of Jakarta, a local courier pointed to a Green SM electric taxi charging at a station, giving a thumbs-up with a bright smile: "Green SM No. 1! Vietnam OK!" That simple gesture signaled a remarkable transformation for Vietnamese brands on the global stage.
This inspiring journey motivated CEO Le Mai Huu Lam to submit Cat Van Loi’s story to the "My Beloved Brand 2026" contest, organized by Tuoi Tre Newspaper.
The Long Journey of Vietnam's Supporting Industry
Belonging to the 7X generation of entrepreneurs who grew up during the hardships of the post-war era, resilience and an unyielding spirit became second nature. President Ho Chi Minh’s teaching on "Independence - Freedom - Happiness", viewed through the lens of an engineer, became a core philosophy: Self-reliance in enterprise development, autonomy in industrial manufacturing, and strength to build a resilient economy.
Over two decades ago, Vietnam’s industrial MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) sector was practically a blank slate. While major construction sites were springing up across the country, most MEP materials had to be imported from Thailand, China, Japan, and beyond.
Facing this challenge, Cat Van Loi chose the harder path: Building a genuine supporting manufacturing industry rather than acting as a commercial trading firm.
- Learning from International Standards: Learning directly from leading experts and manufacturers in Japan, South Korea, Germany, and the US, while adopting modern management mindsets and the Monozukuri manufacturing philosophy.
- In-Depth Investment: Reinvesting resources into modern factories, advanced machinery, technology, and workforce development.
- Conquering Strict Global Standards: Achieving rigorous international certifications, including UL (USA), ensuring product quality stands equal to global brands.
Today, Cat Van Loi's MEP materials are present in landmark projects across Vietnam, steadily replacing imported alternatives on home turf.
"Made by Vietnam" – Expanding to the Global Stage
Driven by the "Go Global" ambition, Cat Van Loi continues to reach beyond domestic borders:
- 2020: Cat Van Loi products were officially exported to Japan for Toshiba Corporation.
- Partnering with Global Corporations: Meeting the strict technical standards of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, powering energy plants in multiple countries, and supplying materials for the Metro Manila Subway project (Philippines).
"Made by Vietnam - That is My Beloved Brand"
"Back then, people asked me: 'Is Vietnam still at war?' Today, I want to answer them through products carrying the stamp 'Made by Vietnam'."
— Mr. Le Mai Huu Lam - CEO of Cat Van Loi Industrial Electrical Equipment Manufacturing JSC
For Cat Van Loi, "My Beloved Brand" is more than just a name on product packaging — it represents immense pride in seeing Vietnam’s footprint in industrial products built with intellect, craftsmanship, and perseverance. This journey, from post-war resilience to manufacturing leadership and global integration, continues to unfold.
We warmly invite our valued Clients, Partners, and all Cat Van Loi team members to read, share, and vote for Cat Van Loi’s contest entry in the "My Beloved Brand 2026" competition on Tuoi Tre Newspaper!
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