VING Takes the Asian Stage! Winning APEA 2025 and Proving How Far a “Thai Sandal Brand” Can Go

The moment the host at the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards (APEA) 2025 announced “VING Thailand” as the winner in the Fast Enterprise category, the hall erupted in applause—not just to celebrate, but to acknowledge that a Thai sandal brand had now created a new phenomenon in the Asian retail landscape.

From a humble beginning—when a runner suffering from foot pain grabbed a random pair of flip-flops just to finish his route—who would have imagined that, only a few years later, that same idea would evolve into an international award-winning Recovery Footwear innovation standing alongside major regional corporations?

Today, we dive into the story behind this success—one built not on luck, but on innovation + deep human understanding, and why VING is the Thai brand everyone is watching in 2025.

What Is APEA 2025? A Prize That Isn’t Handed Out Easily

For those outside the business world, APEA may sound unfamiliar. How big of a deal is it?

The Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards (APEA) is one of the most influential and credible business awards in the region, organized by Enterprise Asia, a leading NGO.

To win, a brand must pass extremely tough evaluations across four pillars:

1. Innovation – products must offer real solutions and genuine breakthroughs
2. Business Growth – results must be measurable and proven
3. Governance – operations must be transparent and ethical
4. Sustainability – the brand must care about society and the environment

VING receiving the Fast Enterprise award is proof that the brand is not a temporary trend, but a real force the market now demands.

Decoding the Success: Why APEA Judges Chose VING

As someone who has followed VING from its first model, I can confidently say:
VING doesn’t make sandals to sell—they make them to solve pain points.
This aligns perfectly with modern global trends.

1. From “Pain” to “Product” — A Sandal Born From Injury

VING’s origin story is nothing short of legendary.

Founder Wey transformed marathon-induced foot pain into a research question:

“Why can’t sandals be used for running? And why can’t they help with foot recovery?”

This Human-Centric Design mindset means every VING pair isn’t just beautiful on the outside but functional to its core—light, supportive, and truly pain-relieving.
This is exactly what APEA judges look for.

2. Foam Innovations the World Should Remember

If Nike has Air, and Adidas has Boost…
VING has VEPro and VEVALITE+.

These are the “secret weapons” that separate VING from typical market sandals:

- VEPro: energetic foam with high rebound (Energy Return), turning impact into propulsion — perfect for long standing and running

- VEVALITE+: ultra-soft recovery foam that absorbs shock like natural fat pads — ideal for plantar fasciitis sufferers

This is why VING sandals feel less like fashion items and more like medical-grade recovery tools disguised as sandals.

3. Creating a New Category: “Mass Recovery Footwear.”

Before VING, Recovery Sandals were products for elite athletes or the wealthy.

VING broke that barrier.

They delivered affordable, stylish, everyday-friendly recovery sandals that nurses, teachers, vendors, and office workers could enjoy.

APEA judges loved this accessibility—because VING is improving the daily quality of life for millions of Thais.

Spotlight on the Game-Changers: The Models That Carried VING to Victory

If you’ve never tried VING, here’s the Hall of Fame:

VING NIRUN – The Impossible Sandal

A sandal with a Carbon Plate? Yes. You read that correctly. NIRUN shattered boundaries with carbon propulsion technology—something so innovative that international media couldn’t help but be shocked and amazed.

VING VIX – The People’s Champion

One of the top contributors to VING’s Fast Enterprise success. VIX is the perfect balance of softness + durability. Nurses across Thailand wear them for 10-hour shifts without pain. No wonder it became a nationwide bestseller.

VING VARI – The Mobile Plantar Fasciitis Doctor

Designed for people with foot-health issues, VARI features precise arch support, weight distribution, and heel-pain relief—making it the go-to pair for anyone struggling with plantar fasciitis.

Why You Should Be Proud and Why You Should Try VING

Supporting VING isn’t just about supporting a Thai brand. It’s about rewarding your feet.

If this brand is good enough to win an Asia-level award… it’s certainly good enough to take care of you.

Whether you’re a marathon runner, a mom cooking for hours, or an office worker with back pain—VING has a solution made for you.