PETROLIMEX CONNECT 2026: Leading Change – Creating New Value

Mr. Pham Van Thanh – Chairman of the Board of Directors of Petrolimex – delivers remarks at the 2026 Petrolimex Leadership and Management Networking and Capacity-Building Conference.

Embracing Innovation While the Group Still Has Strength, Resources and Choices

The 2026 Petrolimex Leadership and Management Networking and Capacity-Building Conference (PETROLIMEX CONNECT 2026) took place on October 9, 2026, in Hanoi, with the participation of leaders of Vietnam National Petroleum Group (Petrolimex), executives of member companies, and management personnel across the Group. The program focused on three major themes: leadership and strategy execution; customers and markets; and data, artificial intelligence, and organizational capabilities.

In his keynote address, Mr. Pham Van Thanh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Petrolimex, emphasized that the Group was facing rapid changes in technology, the energy transition, customer behavior, and business models. The competitive advantages built over more than 70 years provided an important foundation but could not automatically guarantee future competitiveness.

Mr. Pham Van Thanh noted that, with the long-term vision of transforming Petrolimex into a modern and efficient energy and services enterprise, placing customers at the center, gradually expanding growth opportunities, and strengthening competitiveness, the Group needed to proactively embrace innovation while it still had a strong market position, sufficient resources, and the freedom to choose its direction. At the same time, it must continue fulfilling its responsibilities in ensuring energy security, system safety, and market stability.

“We will not wait until difficulties arise before making changes,” affirmed the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Petrolimex.

Linking Strategic Initiatives with Execution Discipline

A highlight of the conference was the panel discussion entitled “Leading Change – Creating New Value,” featuring Mr. Pham Van Thanh, Chairman of the Board of Directors; Mr. Tran Tuan Linh, Member of the Board of Directors of the Group; Mr. Le Thanh Hai, a consulting expert; and Mr. Vo Van Tan, Chairman of Petrolimex Saigon.

The discussion brought together four perspectives: Group-level strategic direction, strategy execution, consulting experience, and market realities.

During the discussion, Chairman Pham Van Thanh further emphasized a consistent requirement for the entire organization: broad strategic directions must be translated into specific tasks, clearly assigned responsibilities, and measurable results. In a multi-layered organization comprising numerous units, a major concern is that the same strategic direction may be interpreted and implemented differently across the system. Delays at even a few points in the process can affect overall progress. Therefore, the spirit of “Accompanying – Synergizing – Paving the Way” must be reflected in close coordination, the willingness to make decisions and take responsibility, and a proactive approach to removing bottlenecks.

From the strategy execution perspective, Mr. Tran Tuan Linh shared the PLX Horizon 2030 strategic direction, built around three pillars: “Do Better – Do More – Transform.” The priority is not to launch as many initiatives as possible, but to select the right priorities, clearly define responsibilities, and measure results. Successful implementation of Petrolimex’s strategic initiatives requires strong commitment from the leadership team, sustained efforts, and, above all, execution discipline throughout the organization.

This message underscores the need to move strategy beyond the written plan and embed execution discipline at both Group and member-company levels. Each unit must proactively translate common strategic directions into concrete plans and measurable outcomes. Meanwhile, the Group will continue refining its mechanisms, delegation of authority, data systems, and coordination methods to enable new approaches to be implemented effectively in practice.

Mr. Tran Tuan Linh – Member of the Board of Directors of Petrolimex – shares his views during the panel discussion.

Getting Closer to Customers and Taking a More Proactive Approach to Creating New Value

One of the key topics discussed was the shift from relying on existing advantages to proactively understanding and serving customers. “In the past, customers came to Petrolimex because they needed our products. In the future, we must ensure that customers choose Petrolimex because we understand and serve them better,” emphasized Chairman Pham Van Thanh.

He called on the entire organization to put itself in the customer’s position when making every decision, from service quality and procedures to products, store organization, and the development of new services. This is not merely a matter of service attitude; it represents a fundamental shift in business thinking across the Group.

Building on this direction, Mr. Tran Tuan Linh noted that Petrolimex’s extensive network could only deliver its full potential if the Group gained a deeper understanding of the needs of customers who use its network every day. He stressed that “Having customers does not necessarily mean understanding customers.” Following the introduction of its new brand identity, Petrolimex must continue translating change into tangible customer experiences, improving service quality at its stations, and linking customer service performance to management accountability.

In the coming period, Petrolimex will accelerate programs to improve and enhance service quality across its network of fuel stations, aiming to deliver increasingly convenient, professional, and consistent customer experiences. Higher service standards will be supported by clear benchmarks, performance measurement, and management accountability, ensuring that changes at points of sale are not only visible in appearance but also clearly reflected in the quality of service customers receive.

From a consulting perspective, Mr. Le Thanh Hai focused on the need to innovate leadership and management approaches amid three simultaneous transformations: digital transformation, green transformation, and transformation in culture, organization, and people. According to him, transformation creates value only when organizations move from managing activities to managing results, select the right challenges to address, and measure their impact on productivity, costs, customers, and business performance.

Mr. Vo Van Tan – Chairman of Petrolimex Saigon – shares practical market insights.

From the operational perspective, Mr. Vo Van Tan, Chairman of Petrolimex Saigon, shared specific observations on the Ho Chi Minh City market, where customers increasingly demand greater speed, convenience, transparency, and service quality. He noted that future fuel stations should not be viewed as a uniform business model. Instead, they should be developed to meet the needs of individual locations and may incorporate suitable services such as electric vehicle charging, convenience services, vehicle care, and solutions for corporate customers.

PETROLIMEX CONNECT 2026 can be regarded as a success in clarifying the direction of change and establishing a unified strategic vision across the Group under the theme “Leading Change – Creating New Value.” According to Petrolimex’s leadership, meaningful transformation does not necessarily begin with major initiatives; rather, it starts with concrete changes in how people think, work, serve customers, and deliver results.

“Stronger in core capabilities, closer to customers, and more proactive in creating new value for the future” – this is how Petrolimex is gradually transforming itself and renewing its approach to business.