Saigon Beer-Alcohol-Beverage Corporation (SABECO) has unveiled a cutting-edge beer research and development facility, marking a significant milestone in the company’s quest to advance brewing technology and create innovative, high-quality products. The new center, located at the historic Nguyen Chi Thanh Brewery in Ho Chi Minh City—the birthplace of Bia Saigon since 1875—aims to enhance SABECO’s brewing capabilities and foster creativity among its technical team.
The facility, described by Lam Du An, SABECO’s deputy general director in charge of technology and production, as a decade-long dream, is designed to address the limitations of large-scale brewing. “We couldn’t test beer on a large scale, as one tank produces 40,000 barrels. This is why we’ve long envisioned a small-capacity research center capable of producing moderate batches,” An explained.
Built as an automated miniature brewing factory, the center will serve as a testing ground for new beer formulas and brewing processes. Once perfected, these innovations can be scaled and applied across SABECO’s 26 production plants nationwide. The company’s technical staff and brewers, who have long aspired to improve Vietnamese brewing practices, now have the resources to experiment and innovate at the highest level.
The facility comes in response to changing consumer tastes and rising demand for more diverse, high-quality beverages. An highlighted the importance of this development: “We realized we needed a system capable of in-depth technology innovation—researching new materials, processes, and formulas that cater to Vietnamese tastes while keeping pace with global trends.”
To ensure the success of this ambitious project, SABECO has invested in professional development for its staff. Technical team members participated in advanced brewmaster training courses in Germany, gaining valuable insights from international experts. The company also collaborated with local and global partners over a nine-month period to design and install a production line using the latest brewing technology.
As consumer expectations evolve, with increasing demand for health-conscious, sustainable, and functional products, the beverage industry faces heightened competition. SABECO’s new research facility is positioned to streamline product development, enabling faster innovation cycles while ensuring high-quality, market-ready beers. “The dynamics of the food and beverage sector have become more complex,” An noted. “This facility helps us adapt and stay ahead of consumer trends.”
The research center also plays a critical role in nurturing the next generation of brewing experts. According to An, the center will provide invaluable hands-on experience to newly graduated engineers, helping them gain the confidence and practical skills needed to thrive in the brewing industry.
In line with SABECO’s commitment to quality and efficiency, the facility utilizes automation throughout the brewing process—from raw material input to final product. This minimizes human error and enhances consistency. “Our goal is to create beer of the highest quality, using the best technology, processes, and raw materials,” said An. “We want to position Vietnamese beer as equal to renowned beer-producing nations like Germany, Belgium, and the Czech Republic.”
SABECO’s general director, Lester Tan, emphasized the center’s potential to drive the company’s sustainable growth through technology and innovation. “This facility is a testament to our commitment to continuous improvement. By managing resources effectively and fostering skilled human talent, we aim to develop high-quality products that meet evolving market demands.”
As the oldest beer producer in Vietnam with nearly 150 years of history, SABECO remains a leader in the Vietnamese beer market, with a distribution network of over 200,000 sales points nationwide. The new research facility is set to be a turning point for the company, refining its product offerings and enhancing its ability to meet consumer preferences both domestically and internationally.
Key Highlights:
Location: Nguyen Chi Thanh Brewery, Ho Chi Minh City
Focus: Innovation in brewing technology, product testing, and recipe development
Investment: Collaboration with domestic and international partners, advanced training for brewers
Automation: End-to-end automation from raw material input to finished product to minimize errors and ensure quality
Training: The center also serves as a training ground for new engineers and brewers
With this new facility, SABECO is positioning itself for future growth in both the local and global markets, as it seeks to expand its product offerings and elevate the Vietnamese brewing industry to international standards.
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