APAC Effie Awards 2026 Announces Finalists, Vietnam Earns 3 Finalist Entries Across 2 Campaigns

On 17 June 2026, the APAC Effie Awards announced 121 finalist entries following two rounds of judging by more than 200 advertising and marketing professionals from across the Asia-Pacific region. The finalists come from 13 markets and will compete for the top honours, with winners set to be announced on 25 September in Singapore.

This year's finalists span 44 categories, including new additions such as International Marketing and Brand Integration & Entertainment Partnerships. These categories reflect the growing connection between marketing, entertainment, culture, and cross-border growth.

India leads this year's finalists with 26 entries, followed by Singapore with 22 and Australia with 18.

At the agency level, Leo is the leading agency network, while Leo Mumbai has the highest number of finalist entries among agency offices. On the brand side, McDonald's leads with nine finalist entries.

Vietnam is represented by two campaigns, earning a total of three finalist entries.

The first is “Beer up, Phone down” by Heineken Vietnam, created by Leo Vietnam and lePub Milan. The campaign was shortlisted in the Beverages Alcohol and Seasonal Marketing categories.

The campaign addressed a common issue in modern social gatherings: people spending more time on their phones than interacting with each other. Through social media activities, music events, and in-store activations, Heineken encouraged consumers to put down their phones and enjoy real-life connections during festive occasions and the Lunar New Year season.

The second finalist is “GrabCyclo-Relaunch a 90-year-old transport” by Grab Vietnam in the New Product or Service – Introduction category.

“GrabCyclo-Relaunch a 90-year-old transport” by Grab Vietnam.

Launched in Hue, the initiative brought traditional cyclo services onto a digital platform, allowing tourists to book rides through the Grab app with transparent pricing. The project also helped cyclo drivers improve their digital skills while preserving an important part of the city's cultural identity.

Although Vietnam is not among the markets with the largest number of finalist entries, the recognition highlights the ability of local brands and agencies to compete on a regional stage.

Commenting on this year's finalists, Danielle Jin, Awards Chairperson of APAC Effie Awards 2026, said: “These 121 finalists have proven that they belong amongst the best in Asia Pacific. Our judges were looking at cases that push the bounds of effectiveness, creativity, strategy, and importantly generate remarkable results. The competition has always been keen, and this year is no exception.”

The winners will be announced at the APAC Effie Awards Gala on 25 September.

The full list of finalists is here. More information and the latest competition updates can be found on the official APAC Effie Awards website.