Celebrating 30 Years of Decathlon in Vietnam: Inspiring a Nation of Sports Enthusiasts

From First Steps to a Sustainable Journey

In 1995, Decathlon took its inaugural steps in Vietnam with just two pioneering collaborators. Over three decades, the company has grown and thrived. Today, Decathlon Vietnam boasts a workforce of over 500 official employees across two main offices and nine stores in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, alongside a network of production partners spanning the entire country.

More than just a retail and production management company, Decathlon has become a source of sports inspiration for millions of Vietnamese. With its brand positioning, “Sports for All,” the company constantly innovates to offer high-quality products at reasonable prices, thereby encouraging active lifestyles and healthy communities.

One of Decathlon Vietnam’s most notable achievements is its transformative evolution in production. Driven by a network of over 100 partners and more than 100,000 workers in the nationwide supply chain, Vietnam has emerged as Decathlon’s second-largest production hub globally.

Through automation, digitization, and an unwavering commitment to quality, the company is shaping the future of sports merchandise. From casual sportswear to specialized high-performance equipment, each product is designed with a clear purpose, embracing sustainability and creating positive impacts on people and the planet.

In just five years, Decathlon Vietnam has made significant strides in its sustainable development journey, notably reducing CO₂ emissions and coal usage in production processes while transitioning to renewable energy sources for its operations.

A Sporting Shopping Experience – Fresh, Intimate, and Inspiring

In parallel with its production prowess, Decathlon’s retail journey in Vietnam is also soaring. Alongside an expanding e-commerce platform and a local logistics center, the company continuously enhances the shopping experience, offering modern, intimate, and inspiring spaces for customers at their stores.

Beyond mere expansion, Decathlon is reshaping the sports shopping experience, providing modern, intimate, and inspiring spaces. Each area in the stores is designed not just for shopping but also for customers to experience and connect with the spirit of sports, from on-site product trials to interactive community activities.

People-Centric, Culture-Driven

Throughout its journey, Decathlon has always placed people at the heart of its operations and as the foundation for long-lasting success. The company is particularly focused on fostering a work environment that nurtures teamwork and a culture of sports that constantly strives forward. Additionally, Decathlon aims to empower and support its employees in skill development, professional growth, and career advancement opportunities.

Thanks to its relentless efforts in cultivating a strong corporate culture, Decathlon Vietnam has achieved impressive results in the “Employee Engagement Survey,” ranking among the top in the group’s global rankings. Furthermore, the company has consecutively been recognized by Anphabe as one of the “Best Companies to Work for in Vietnam” in 2023–2024, testifying to its engaging, happy, and passionate work environment.

In tandem, social responsibility initiatives are an integral part of Decathlon’s ethos. Through the Decathlon Foundation, the company has undertaken numerous community support projects, including two flagship projects: Deca-Safe, which teaches swimming and drowning prevention skills to orphans in Ho Chi Minh City, and Foundation Day, which connects underprivileged children and provides them with opportunities to play and engage in sports.

30 Years – A Milestone, Many Proud Moments

The 30th-anniversary celebration gathered over 450 guests, including employees from across the nation. The event not only reflected on the company’s development journey but also affirmed its determination for the future.

Mr. Benoit Fournier, Chairman of the Board of Members, and Mr. David Moynihan, Director of Decathlon Vietnam, remarked at the event: “For many years, Decathlon has remained steadfast in its purpose: ‘Bring Sport to Many, and Make Sport Accessible to the Many.’ Our primary focus is on delivering the best experience for our customers, from product satisfaction to service quality.”

“We are moving towards a future of innovative and personalized products. We believe Vietnam is not just a production hub but also a place where we can design and develop products, thereby bringing new value to our users, such as rapid delivery within a few hours at our stores or tailoring products to meet local demands and specificities.”

“This is our commitment for the future.”

Thirty years is a memorable milestone, but for Decathlon, it is just the beginning of a new journey—a journey that shapes the future of sports in Vietnam. With its mission, “Amazing Sport, Passion to Share,” Decathlon will continue to accompany the community, create sustainable value, and spread the passion for sports to all generations of Vietnamese.