THE YEAR 2025 OF BILLIONAIRE NGUYEN THI PHUONG THAO

1. GLOBAL INTEGRATION AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR - FCHOICE 2025

Beyond landmark deals worth tens of billions of USD in the United States and Europe, 2025 marked a deeper, more strategic journey for billionaire Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao - one that positions Vietnamese enterprises firmly within the global flow of economics, finance, and knowledge, while simultaneously returning sustainable humanistic values to the community.

FCHOICE 2025 honored her as “Global Integration Ambassador of the Year”, recognizing her role as a visionary business leader and strategic “bridge-builder” connecting Vietnam to global value chains through modern thinking, strong leadership, and a deep sense of social responsibility.

FCHOICE 2025 honored her as “Global Integration Ambassador of the Year”, recognizing her role as a visionary business leader and strategic “bridge-builder” connecting Vietnam to global value chains through modern thinking, strong leadership, and a deep sense of social responsibility

2. REACHING FOR THE SKY - WITHOUT LOSING TOUCH WITH THE COMMUNITY

The year 2025 witnessed a series of large-scale diplomatic and economic activities led by Vietjet and the financial institutions under Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao’s stewardship.

Strategic agreements with leading global aviation and industrial corporations not only strengthened Vietnam–U.S. bilateral trade, but also created hundreds of thousands of jobs and delivered tangible benefits to both economies.

In December 2025 alone, Vietjet took delivery of 22 new aircraft: a record achievement amid global aviation supply chain disruptions.

Fleet expansion was not merely about scale, but about realizing a long-term vision: positioning Vietnam as a regional connectivity hub, with flight networks extending deep into India, Northeast Asia, and Central Asia—an open-growth model offering affordable access for the wider public.

3. FROM A HUMAN-CENTERED BANKING PHILOSOPHY TO THE REVIVAL OF VIKKI BANK

Alongside the skies, Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao places strong emphasis on what she calls the “social ground”, where human values are transformed into concrete actions.

In 2025, while HDBank recorded record-breaking profits, she chose to focus even more strongly on ESG principles and a philosophy of “human-centered banking”:

“Leadership is not only about scale, but about being chosen for integrity and human values.”

This philosophy was vividly demonstrated through a special mission: the acquisition and restructuring of DongA Bank.

Within just one month, the bank was successfully transformed into Vikki Bank – a new-generation digital bank:

• Uninterrupted transactions
• Full protection of depositors’ rights
• Nearly 4,000 employees retained, with improved income
• After nine months, Vikki Bank returned to profitability, reaching millions of digital users

This transformation stands as a textbook example of people-centered financial reform.

4. SOWING THE SEEDS OF KNOWLEDGE - INVESTING IN HUMANITY’S FUTURE

A powerful testament to her long-term commitment is the journey of planting seeds of knowledge in partnership with Oxford University and UNESCO.

In October 2025, within the historic campus of the University of Oxford, and in the presence of General Secretary To Lam, Dr. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao awarded GBP 13.7 million to the Oxford Pioneer Scholarship Scheme.

She shared:

“Knowledge is the seed of peace and prosperity. I hope these scholarships will empower young Vietnamese to confidently step onto the global stage, carrying knowledge and compassion to serve their homeland and the wider community.”

More than a financial contribution, the Oxford partnership positions Vietnam as an equal partner in global knowledge creation, alongside long-established academic and financial institutions of the West.

This initiative also forms a critical link in a broader chain of education and cultural programs she pursues with UNESCO, aimed at equal access to knowledge, particularly for women and girls in developing countries.

5. WOMEN DO NOT ONLY KEEP THE FLAME - THEY CREATE THE LIGHT

Amid frequent international engagements, the image of Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao in traditional Vietnamese áo dài at the Vesak 2025 celebrations reflects a consistent philosophy:

Integration does not mean assimilation.

At women-focused forums, she consistently emphasizes: 

“Women do not only keep the flame - they create the light.

They do not only care - they build and shape the future.”

She refers to resilient women as “silent warriors”, and persistently advances initiatives including:

• Microfinance programs for disadvantaged women
• Digital skills training for women and girls in remote areas
• Education and technology programs in cooperation with UNESCO and the Vietnam Women’s Union

Because, in her view, investing in women is investing in a sustainable future for society.

6. A YEAR OF SCALE, INFLUENCE, AND HUMANITY

In 2025, the net worth of billionaire Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao continued to rise alongside stock valuations.

Yet what resonates more profoundly is her growing influence, public trust, and the evolving global image of Vietnamese entrepreneurs.

From aviation routes connecting continents, to milestones in global financial markets, to scholarships, human-centered banking, and programs supporting women and children - she is helping to shape a new generation of Vietnamese business leaders: globally integrated, courageous, and deeply responsible for the shared future.

“Wealth allows us to realize noble dreams and help more people.”

By 2025, these words are no longer just a philosophy, they have become a living, unfolding journey.

Source: cafef.vn