Q: How much does it cost to be ranked in the VNR500 list?

A: It cost NOTHING when enterprises are ranked in the VNR500 list.

Q: How do enterprises register to participate in VNR500 ratings?

A: The Organizing Board independently conducts the collection of data, researches, and rankings. Enterprises do not need to register or send any application to participate in the program. The Organizing Board will publicize the rankings on mass media, at the same time sending reports to enterprises.

Q: How do you certify enterprises ranked in the VNR500 list?

A: The Organizing Board grants the VNR500 certificate to enterprise members of the VNR500 Club.

Q: Who research and publish the VNR500 list?

A: Vietnamnet online Newspaper, Vietnam Report Joint Stock Company (Vietnam Report), and the Hanoi-Boston analysts jointly research and publish the VNR500 list of enterprises, under the advice of Professor John Quelch, Associate Dean of Harvard Business School.

Q: How do you rank enterprises in the VNR500 list?

A: After studying the databases and the asynchronism in accounting mechanisms, we come to the conclusion that the simple and effective model of Fortune 500 by revenue is suitable with the reality in Vietnam. Therefore, the VNR500 rankings are based on enterprises’ revenue for December 31 of the year before (e.g. the 2009 list is based on data for December 31 2007). However, VNR500 enterprises are also ranked according to other independent criteria, such as profit, total asset, number of employees…, which are further evidence of enterprises’ strength in each aspect.

Q: How is the principle of science secured?

A: The ranking process is conducted under the advice of Professor John Quelch; and is implemented by Vietnam Report’s specialists who are qualified and experienced in doing researches.

The VNR500’s methodology is based on the model of Fortune 500 and criteria are publicized. Data used is based on research databases of Vietnam Report and those of administration authorities nationwide.

Q: Our company (ranked in the VNR500 list) has received a requirement from the Organizing Board to confirm data. How is our information we provide used?

A: The ranking activity of VNR500 is conducted independently based on the general databases of Vietnam Report of 10,000 largest enterprises in Vietnam including their operating and financial figures. To ensure accuracy and objectivity, information provided by enterprises is used to verify data the last time before the Organizing Board publish the rankings on mass media.

Q: Is VNR500 published every year?

A: That is true. Since 2007, the VNR500 list has been published annually in November. However, the promotion for the VNR500 brand name and VNR500 enterprises are conducted through the year, not only in the time of publishing the rankings.

Q: Why do you publish 2 ranking lists?

A: Besides the rankings of 500 largest enterprises in Vietnam regardless of ownerships, we believe that building a list of 500 largest private enterprises in Vietnam is necessary and useful. It not only is a basis to make comparisons with the list of 500 largest enterprises in general, but also helps to honor great achievements and potential for development of private sector.

Q: Why is Hoa Phat Group Joint Stock Company ranked only the 134^th in TOP VNR500 (overall ranking) and the 18^th in TOP VNR500 (private enterprises ranking)? Have you just only ranked based on company’s revenue from steel business, not on the total revenue of the whole group?

A: In fact, the 134^th overall ranking and 18^th private enterprises ranking is based on the total revenue of the mother company- Hoa Phat Group Joint Stock Company, tax code 0900189284. The result have not evaluated accurately the operating scale of the whole group, because the data of whole group is not updated in consolidated financial statement.

We hope that in future enterprise will cooperate with us by sending the consolidated financial statement of the whole Hoa Phat Group.

Q: In the year 2008, Hoa Sen Group Joint Stock Company started to apply new accounting year (start on October 1 and end on September 30), so the revenue in the Financial Statement in 2008 is for 9 months only (from Jan 1 2008 to Sep 30 2008). Have you updated our consolidated data for 12 months in 2008 when ranking us?

A: Data used to rank Hoa Sen Group Joint Stock Company in the VNR500 2009 list is the data quoted in the company’s Financial Statement 2008. With that data, the company ranked 252 (for general ranking) and 55 (for private enterprises ranking). This position does not reflect the right strength of Hoa Sen Group because data was not updated for 12 months of the year.

Q: What benefits do enterprises have when being listed in the VNR500?

A: Being in the VNR500 list, enterprises confirm their positions in the national economy.

• The VNR500 list is published widely throughout the year on VietnamNet’s communication channels (e-newspaper, printed newspaper, TV online among others).
• The brand names of enterprises and information about them are broadcast on the website www.vnr500.com.vn, the annual publication of TOP 500 Vietnamese Largest Enterprises Profile (including Books, CD, and related support documents) and the VNR500 Center of database and business research.

Q: What benefits do enterprises have when participating in the VNR500 Club?

A: VNR500 Club members receive VIP Card to enjoy preferences and participate in activities as follows:

1. Receiving certificate certified the rank in the VNR500 list; using legally the Logo “VNR500- Top 500 Company” approved by the Intellectual Property Department according to the Application for Approval number 4-2007-23073 on March 11 2008; exploiting symbols, certificates for introducing and promoting enterprises’ brand names.

2. Having right to participate in regular activities:

Being invited to the VNR500 Awards Ceremony honoring typical brands, giving emblems and VNR500 certificates

Enjoying regular courses, seminars, and discussions on practical subjects for enterprises chaired by domestic and international experts, scholars, and guests from research institutions and universities.

Being invited to participate without charge in online seminars, discussions presented by professors from Harvard University or Harvard-alumni CEOs.

Having right to participate in other activities and social missions, such as charity, sports, entertainment, exhibitions… jointly organized by the Organizing Board and partners.

3. Benefits in communicating and advertising.

Having banner / logo hanged for advertisements on specialized website for large enterprises of www.vnr500.com.vn and the VNR500 Forum site of VietnamNet Newspaper.

Being posted enterprise’s introduction, updated records, news, business opportunities … and to have 01 article published to introduce the business in the special events on the specialized website.

Being presented the “Vietnam Top 500 Company Profiles” Publication along with the CD published annually by Vietnam Report jointly with its media partners.

Being invited to attend interviews and seminars jointly organized by the Vietnam Report and partners.

Being promoted to the community of 80,000 alumni from Harvard Business School, who are currently executive leaders of enterprises, banks, investment funds worldwide.

Enjoying other advertising benefits provided by Vietnam Report and its media partners during the program.

4. Benefits of business support.

Being invited to participate in the VNR500 Forum for large enterprises in Vietnam organized by Vietnam Report and its media partners; this is an interactive communication channel, the voice of the VNR500 community, where businesses exchange information, promote cooperation and investment and business opportunities.

Being granted an access account to search business information and seek for customers from the Center for Research and VNR500 Information and Data of Vietnam Report at www.vnr500.com.vn

Receiving regular reports, industry reports and online updates from the organizers and Vietnam Report.

Q: How do enterprises register to become member of the VNR500 Club?

A: Only enterprises listed in the VNR500 have right to join voluntarily and equally in VNR500. Enterprises have to comply with Club’s rules such as paying membership fee, coordinating in promotion activities, and providing information to the Organizing Board.

Become member of the VNR500 Club to enjoy benefits of promoting your Enterprise’ brand name!

Contact detail:

VNR500 CLUB ORGANIZER OFFICE:

VIETNAM REPORT JOINT STOCK COMPANY

Suite 2508, Thanh Cong Tower, No. 57 Lang Ha, Ba Dinh, Ha Noi

Tel: 04.3516 0138; Fax: 04.3514 0805

Email: [email protected] Website: www.vnr500.com.vn