The stepped-up investment, to be commenced from 2013, will ramp up to the total investment of $500 million that Coca-Cola and its bottling partners have committed to Vietnam until 2015.

“Vietnam is an important growth market in the Asia Pacific region as we work to achieve our 2020 Vision goal of doubling system revenues this decade,” said Muhtar Kent, chairman and CEO, The Coca-Cola Company, during a visit to Hanoi.

Through completed investments during the last three years, The Coca-Cola Vietnam system has increased local manufacturing and distribution capacity with new filling lines and the installation of new cold-drink coolers with local customers, helping local businesses boost beverage sales.

The company’s most popular beverages in Vietnam include sparkling brands Coca-Cola, Coke Light, Fanta and Sprite, and still brands Minute Maid Teppy, Minute Maid Nutriboost, Samurai, Real Leaf and Dasani.

Coca-Cola is one of the most well-known international brands in Vietnam. The Coca-Cola system in Vietnam employs approximately 2,000 people, of which 99 per cent are local hires, at its three plants in Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and Hanoi.