Since 2001, with support from the Ministry of Culture and Information (now the Ministry of Information and Telecommunications), the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Trade (now the Ministry of Industry and Trade), the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations, the General Department of Taxation, the State Bank of Vietnam and the Vietnam Economic Association, the Golden Dragon Awards have become a prestigious prize held in high regard by FIEs in Vietnam and State management offices. 
In particular, the Golden Dragon Awards also have the support of former Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan, who is the Honorary Chairman.  
The Golden Dragon Awards 2009 Presentation Ceremony is to be held at the Hanoi Opera House in mid-January, 2010.  
I. Candidates: 
- All foreign invested enterprises are eligible to be candidates in the Awards, with no financial contribution required. Registration forms and associated documents are available in Vietnam Economic Times' publications and can also be downloaded from the website of the Awards at www.gda.com.vn. Enterprises can also register online.  
Deadline:   Sept 30, 2009 
II. Structure and selection criteria: 
Four types of awards will be granted to enterprises, under the following criteria: 
1. Enterprises with sound operations and making significant contributions to Vietnam's economy: 
- Enterprises with high growth rates. 
- Enterprises with large investment capital and making substantial contributions to the State budget. 
- Enterprises creating jobs and providing welfare policies that care for the material and spiritual welfare of their employees. 
2. Quality products and services loved by consumers: 
- High quality services at reasonable prices. 
- Attractive design, packaging and appearance of products. 
- Prestigious trademarks in domestic and international markets. 
3. Good business style: 
- Convenient product distribution channels or service organisation. 
- Exhaustive and trustworthy before and after sales services. 
- Participation in social and charitable activities. 
4. Most outstanding enterprise in each category: 
- Based on titles, awards and certificates received by enterprises during 2009, both domestically and internationally, with reference made to their record in previous years. 
- Based on the records of enterprises in terms of the economy and society, acknowledged by the State or international organisations. 
- Enterprises with successful business start-ups. 
III. Selection process: 
1. Views of consumers through voting forms sent to Vietnam Economic Times between August 2009 and close of business December 2009. (Valid voting forms are those taken from Vietnam Economic Times' publications. Readers fill in the voting forms and send them to Vietnam Economic Times or vote online on the website www.gda.com.vn.) 
2. The Departments of Planning and Investment in all provinces nationwide nominate FIEs working well in their region. 
3. Consideration by the Editorial Board of Vietnam Economic Times through surveys of enterprises and in consultation with State management offices and related organisations, from October to the end of November 2009. 
4. Consideration of the financial situation of nominating enterprises, through credit rating indices provided by the Credit Information Centre under the State Bank of Vietnam. 
5. Consideration by the Examination Board, made up of representatives from ministries, departments and industries, which appraises and selects enterprises to receive a Golden Dragon Award 2009.  
IV. Benefits to enterprises winning a Golden Dragon Award: 
- A cup and certificate. 
- Promotion of trademark for 12 months in Vietnam Economic Times's publications during 2010. 
- Publicity in "Thoi bao Kinh te Vietnam" (Vietnam Economic Times daily, in Vietnamese), Vietnam Economic Times (monthly, in English), "Tu van tieu va dung" (Consumption Consultation, in Vietnamese), the Vneconomy online newspaper and the website of the Golden Dragon Awards (www.gda.com.vn) 
- Media exposure, such as television, articles in Vietnam Economic Times' publications, and banners hanging along streets. 
- A discount of up to 20 per cent on advertising costs when directly placing advertisements in Vietnam Economic Times during 2010. 
- Membership of the Golden Dragon Club.  
With the aim at attracting the general public and newspapers to join in identifying and voting for excellent enterprises, the Organising Board would like to introduce a literary contest called "People who have helped the economy overcome crisis". Outstanding entries will be printed in Vietnam Economic Times' publications in Vietnamese and English and presented a prize when the Golden Dragon Awards are held in early 2010.  
The Organising Board invites FIEs to participate in the Awards and for readers of Vietnam Economic Times publications to vote and/or enter the literary contest.