DR. NGUYEN THI PHUONG THAO AWARDED THE TITLE OF LABOR HERO

On December 27, at the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, PhD, was officially conferred the prestigious title of Labor Hero in the Renewal Era, in recognition of her exceptional contributions to Vietnam’s socio-economic development.

On December 27, Dr. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao Awarded the Title of Labor Hero.
 

1. A Lasting Imprint Across Key Economic Sectors

The conferment of the Labor Hero title upon Dr. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao honors a new generation of Vietnamese entrepreneurs, those who embody global integration, technological thinking, a spirit of service, and an aspiration to elevate Vietnam’s position in the era of national advancement.

Over more than three decades of dedication and leadership, Dr. Thao has left a profound mark across strategic pillars of the economy, including aviation, finance and banking, investment, and technology.

In every sector she leads, she has pursued a consistent philosophy: **innovation to unlock resources, technology to lead future trends, and growth aligned with national interests, cultural values, and human development**.

Her initiatives have delivered new value to millions of customers, generated efficient and sustainable growth for investors, created hundreds of thousands of jobs, and stimulated economic momentum wherever her enterprises operate. Beyond business, her community activities have had a far-reaching positive impact, inspiring millions, especially young people, women, children, and vulnerable communities.

In aviation, she is the founder and leader of Vietnam’s first private airline, pioneering the socialization of air transport services and accelerating deep international integration. Her airline has enabled millions of Vietnamese to fly for the first time, transported hundreds of millions of passengers, and served as a vital bridge for trade, tourism, investment, and cultural exchange between Vietnam and the world.

The image of aircraft bearing Vietnam’s red and yellow colors soaring across continents has become a vivid symbol of a dynamic, confident Vietnam: an attractive destination for investment and global engagement.

Her imprint extends beyond growth figures to her ability to solve some of the most complex infrastructure challenges through technology-driven thinking: from optimizing airport operations and implementing comprehensive digital transformation in aviation, to pioneering biometric boarding procedures, deploying technology-based testing during the COVID-19 pandemic, and contributing to the rapid technological rescue of Vietnam’s stock exchange system at critical moments.

2. Forged Through Difficult and Challenging Times

The Labor Hero title was forged through periods of significant hardship and challenge

At a time when Vietnam’s stock market faced the risk of paralysis due to severe system congestion, Dr. Thao proactively proposed solutions and worked alongside technology experts to deliver a rapid fix. This enabled the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange to operate continuously and stably, safeguarding the confidence of millions of investors and protecting the development of the national capital market.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, technology platforms supporting testing management and disease control were deployed swiftly and effectively, clearly demonstrating a commitment to technology for the community.

On the international stage, 2025 marked a series of strategic global milestones for Dr. Thao. Major cooperation agreements and large-scale commercial contracts with leading global corporations not only generated growth momentum, but also contributed to trade balance, strengthened international partnerships, attracted foreign investment, and reaffirmed the financial strength and governance capabilities of Vietnamese enterprises.

The successful overseas operations of Vietnamese airlines have opened a new chapter in the aspiration to “export Vietnamese models,” enabling domestic enterprises to participate more deeply in global value chains.

3. Steadfast in a Human-Centered Mission

Alongside her business achievements, Dr. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao has remained steadfast in pursuing a human-centered mission.

From social welfare programs supporting women, children, and vulnerable groups, to education initiatives and international scholarships, she has consistently upheld the belief that growth is only truly sustainable when it is anchored in human development.

She has repeatedly emphasized the vital role of women, whom she refers to as “silent female warriors”, in building a prosperous, inclusive economy.

Speaking after the award ceremony, Dr. Thao reflected on the profound meaning of patriotic emulation, quoting President Ho Chi Minh:

“The patriotic emulation movement has propelled our country forward by unprecedented leaps in history, transforming the nation, society, and people. That spirit has guided me throughout my journey of building enterprises.”

Under her leadership, Party organizations within her enterprises have been built on strong foundations, creating favorable conditions for launching and sustaining patriotic emulation movements aligned with directives from higher-level Party committees. Employees have demonstrated enduring dedication over decades, with Party organizations comprising hundreds of members, and Youth Union and Trade Union organizations engaging tens of thousands nationwide.

Across her enterprises, patriotic emulation movements have been implemented extensively, continuously innovating in content and form, closely aligned with real-world practice, and integrated with the campaign “Studying and Following Ho Chi Minh’s Ideology, Ethics, and Style.” These efforts have energized employees across provinces and cities, driving performance and ensuring the fulfillment of assigned missions and objectives.

Sharing her emotions at the ceremony, Dr. Thao stated: “At this moment, the past and the present join hands and step into the future together… All are connected by a shared source: the will and belief in a prosperous Vietnam reaching out to the world.”

Source: tuoitre.vn