The Subsidy Period (1976-1986)
In 1976, upon its establishment, the Vietnam Dairy Company (Vinamilk) was named the Southern Milk and Coffee Company, operating under the Southern Food Industry General Department, following the government's nationalisation of three dairy factories: the Thong Nhat Dairy Factory (formerly Foremost Dairies Vietnam S.A.R.L., in operation since 1965), the Truong Tho Dairy Factory (formerly Cosuvina, established by Overseas Chinese entrepreneurs in 1972[6], and the Dielac Powdered Milk Factory (an unfinished construction project belonging to Nestlé). In 1982, the Southern Milk and Coffee Company was transferred to the Ministry of Food Industry and renamed the Milk - Coffee - Confectionery Union Enterprise I. At this time, the enterprise had two additional member factories:
- Lubico Confectionery Factory
- Bich Chi Nutritional Powder Factory (Dong Thap Province)
The Renovation Period (1986-2003)
In March 1992, the Milk - Coffee - Confectionery Union Enterprise I was officially renamed Vietnam Dairy Company (Vinamilk), operating under the Ministry of Light Industry, specialising in the production and processing of milk and dairy products.
In 1994, Vinamilk constructed an additional dairy factory in Hanoi to develop the northern market, bringing the total number of member factories to four. The construction was part of the company's strategy to expand operations and meet the growing demand of the northern market.
In 1996, Vinamilk entered into a joint venture with Quy Nhon Frozen Products Joint Stock Company to establish the Binh Dinh Dairy Joint Venture Enterprise, enabling the company to successfully penetrate the Central Vietnamese market.
In 2000, the Can Tho Dairy Factory was constructed at the Tra Noc Industrial Zone, Can Tho, with the aim of better serving consumers in the Mekong Delta. During the same period, the company also established a Logistics and Warehousing Enterprise located at 32 Dang Van Bi Street, Ho Chi Minh City.
In May 2001, the company inaugurated its dairy factory in Can Tho.
Period of equitization (2003 - Present)
In 2003, the company was converted into Vietnam Dairy Products Joint Stock Company (November). Its stock ticker on the securities exchange is VNM. Also in 2003, the company inaugurated dairy factories in Binh Dinh and Ho Chi Minh City.
In 2004, Vinamilk acquired Saigon Dairy Joint Stock Company and increased its charter capital to VND 1,590 billion.
In 2005, Vinamilk acquired the remaining shares from its joint venture partner in the Binh Dinh Dairy Joint Venture Company (subsequently renamed the Binh Dinh Dairy Factory) and inaugurated the Nghe An Dairy Factory on 30 June 2005, located at the Cua Lo Industrial Zone, Nghe An Province. During the same period, Vinamilk and VPBank (then known as Vietnam Private Commercial Joint Stock Bank) became co-sponsors of the startup gameshow Khởi Nghiệp on VTV3.
In 2006, Vinamilk was listed on the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange on 19 January 2006, at which time the State Capital Investment Corporation (SCIC) held a 50.01% stake in the company's charter capital. During the same period, Vinamilk sponsored the gameshow Tam Sao That Ban.
On 20 August 2006, Vinamilk updated its corporate logo.
In 2007, Vinamilk acquired a controlling 55% stake in Lam Son Dairy Company in September 2007, headquartered at the Le Mon Industrial Zone, Thanh Hoa Province. Vinamilk also adopted the new corporate slogan "A Beautiful Life" (Cuộc sống tươi đẹp).
From the 2008 season through to the end of the 2013 season, Vinamilk sponsored the children's singing programme Đồ Rê Mí.
In 2009, the company expanded its distribution network to 135,000 agents, operated 9 factories, and developed dairy farms in Nghe An
