The award was co-organized by the Steering Committee on Energy Efficiency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), the Vietnam Energy Conservation and Energy Efficiency Association (VECEA), and the German Corporation for International Cooperation GIZ.

The online launch of the contest was attended by representatives from the MoIT, VECEA, GIZ, as well as representatives of some enterprises and press agencies.

Speaking at the ceremony, Trinh Quoc Vu, deputy director of the Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Development Department under the MoIT, said: "The award honors enterprises in industrial production and outstanding construction projects in the implementation of energy efficiency solutions. It also recognizes the leading firms in manufacturing and trading energy-saving products with higher efficiency".

"These firms are supporting the market transition in which products with low energy efficiency will be removed."

Nguyen Dinh Hiep, secretary general cum vice chairman of VECEA, revealed contest judges are experts from research institutes, colleges, associations in related fields with accumulated years of experience in energy efficiency.

The time for submission endures from Aug. 25 to Oct. 31. After that, a technical council will conduct appraisal and selection of works, products and enterprises that meet the award criteria.

More information about the Award can be found at the website https://tietkiemnangluong.com.vn/ or at Viet Nam Energy Efficiency Community http://veecom.vn/.

In mitigate Covid impacts, organizers will receive both hard and soft copy submissions. The final results are scheduled to be publicized and awarded in November 2021.

Enterprises that meet the requirements will be granted merit certificates and trophies by the MoIT."TOP RUNNER 2021" winners will receive a certification label issued by the MoIT with a special QR code for market circulation. Consumers can find information about the product's energy consumption from their smartphones at https://tietkiemnangluong.com.vn/top-runner.

In recent years, the Federal Republic of Germany via GIZ supported the Government of Vietnam in promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency. GIZ has realized many supporting activities for Vietnam to improve energy efficiency in the industry sector, thereby bringing in economic, environmental and social benefits for the country.

Also speaking at the launching ceremony, Markus Bissel, head of Energy Efficiency Component of 4E Project implemented by GIZ, said: "GIZ will continue to stay in tight cooperation with the MoIT and VECEA to hold the Energy Efficiency Award 2021 to find the most outstanding enterprises and individuals in the industry sector. Especially, the Award 2021 for industry has for the first time added the category to honor the best male and female energy managers, male and female technicians in the field of energy efficiency. The award is expected to contribute to raising awareness on energy efficiency at both institutional and individual levels, as well as promoting gender equality in the field."

The energy efficiency award in industry was held in 2017 for the first time with over 350 measures for energy saving and effective resources management with eco-friendly models.

The industry sector presently occupies over 47 percent of the total national energy consumption. Recent surveys showed Vietnam's energy saving potential in the industry sector is expected at around 20-30 percent while energy waste remains at a high level among construction projects in Vietnam. The Ministry of Construction estimated energy saving would be at 30-35 percent with an annual increase of floor area put into use at over 40 percent.

Besides, statistics by the MoIT expressed thanks to the enforcement of compulsory energy labeling program on July 1, 2013 more than 90 percent of home appliances have been labeled. The program has helped abandon the use of incandescent bulbs, improve energy efficiency of 6 types of energy-consuming product (transformers, air-conditioners, electric cookers, electric fans, tube fluorescent lamps, compact fluorescent lamps - CFL).