THE STORY OF BUSINESSWOMAN NGUYEN THI PHUONG THAO: A JOURNEY OF CREATING VIETNAMESE VALUES ON THE GLOBAL STAGE

(Chinhphu.vn) – The life journey of Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao stands as a vivid testament to the aspiration to “serve the Nation with intellect, responsibility, and compassion,” while inspiring generations of young entrepreneurs in building a prosperous and happy Vietnam.

Through collaborations with UNESCO, Ms. Thao has advanced numerous meaningful initiatives in education, cultural preservation, sustainable development, and women’s empowerment.

On the occasion of Vietnamese Entrepreneurs’ Day (October 13), the story of Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao – Vietnam and Southeast Asia’s first female billionaire – highlights the spirit of Vietnamese people who dare to dream, dare to act, and dare to take responsibility in pursuit of great aspirations.

Her journey embodies the ideal of “serving the Nation with intellect, responsibility, and compassion,” and continues to inspire the entrepreneurial generation striving for a prosperous and sustainable Vietnam.

A Journey of Aspiration and Conviction

Born in Hanoi, Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao demonstrated early independence and remarkable determination. As a university student, she boldly ventured into commerce and achieved success – at a time when the term “Vietnamese entrepreneur” was still a rarity.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao at the Boeing 737-8 aircraft handover ceremony in Seattle, USA (September 2025), marking 30 years of normalized Vietnam–U.S. diplomatic relations.

From a young age, she chose to “do what is meaningful” rather than “what is easy,” and has steadfastly upheld that philosophy throughout more than three decades of corporate leadership.

In 2011, when Vietjet Air officially took flight, Ms. Thao accomplished what no one had before – bringing Vietnam into the select group of nations with a globally operating private airline.

“Entrepreneurs do more than create wealth. Their responsibility is to generate value for people, for society, and for future generations.”
— Dr. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, Chairwoman of Vietjet Air

She not only transformed Vietnam’s aviation landscape but also opened the skies to millions of people, turning the dream of “everyone can fly” into reality.

Today, Vietjet stands among the most dynamic airlines in the Asia–Pacific region, connecting over 100 international destinations and symbolizing the confidence and capability of the Vietnamese people to reach the world.

Wisdom and Integrity – The Foundation of Leadership

With compassion and dedication, the female billionaire has helped turn countless dreams into reality.

What makes Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao truly remarkable is not only her business success, but also her exceptional leadership marked by integrity and humanity.

For her, a business is not merely a place to create economic value but a community that nurtures people. The “5T Culture” – Tử tế (Kindness), Tận tâm (Dedication), Tin cậy (Trust), Tiên phong (Pioneering Spirit), and Trung thành (Loyalty) – has become the soul of her tens of thousands of employees, spreading a culture of positivity, creativity, and responsibility throughout the entire ecosystem.

Under her leadership, employees are inspired to live, work, and contribute with the spirit of “for the community – for the future of the nation.”

Ms. Thao once shared: “I do not measure success by wealth, but by the values I can leave behind for the next generations.”

A Vision for Sustainability – A Mission for the Nation

Beyond aviation, Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao has also made her mark in finance, energy, technology, and infrastructure development.

Sovico Group, under her leadership, participates in numerous projects of national importance and international partnerships with organizations such as Airbus, Boeing, and UNESCO, among others.

Each project reflects a vision of sustainable growth and global integration – harmonizing Vietnamese entrepreneurial intellect with international standards, balancing economic benefits with social responsibility.

“I do not measure success by wealth, but by the values I can leave behind for the next generations.”
— Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao

Throughout more than thirty years in business, Ms. Thao has embodied the image of the Vietnamese entrepreneur – steadfast, compassionate, and future-oriented.

Her success is not merely reflected in financial achievements but in the enduring values she has built: faith, aspiration, and service.
These values continue to inspire Vietnamese entrepreneurs, contributing to the collective vision of a strong, prosperous, and humane Vietnam.

Source: baochinhphu.vn