Top 10 Vietnamese Businesswomen Recognized by Forbes

Ms. Lê Thị Lệ Hằng is the CEO of SSIAM, one of the largest domestic asset management firms in Vietnam. As of March 2022, SSIAM's total assets exceeded 500 million USD. Under her leadership, SSIAM has led numerous investments into top private companies and offers a range of financial products, including open-end mutual funds, ETFs, and member funds. Currently, SSIAM is the leading domestic fund management company in Vietnam with seven types of financial products. In 2021, the SSIAM VNFinLead ETF, managed by SSIAM, saw a 61.3% asset growth, ranking third in the market, while the SSIAM VNX50 grew by 48.5%, surpassing the 35% increase in the VN-Index.

Before joining SSI, Ms. Hằng worked at W.P. Stewart, a New York-based asset management firm. At SSI, she held positions as Director of the Analysis and Investment Advisory Division and Director of the Institutional Client Development Division. Ms. Hằng holds a degree in Economics from the National Economics University and an MBA in Finance and a Bachelor's in Accounting from American University (USA).

On March 18, 2020, the SSIAM VNFINLEAD ETF officially listed on the HOSE. Initially priced at 10,000 VND per share, market fluctuations reduced its value to just over 8,300 VND on the first day of listing. Despite the market downturn, SSIAM made an impressive recovery, launching the SSIAM VN30 ETF and two new private equity (PE) funds. By the end of the year, SSIAM's total assets under management (AUM) grew by 45%, and Ms. Lệ Hằng was named CEO of the Year in Vietnam's asset management industry by Asia Asset Management. Additionally, the SSIAM VNFIN LEAD fund was awarded Fund Launch of the Year.

Ms. Nguyễn Thị Bích Vân is the first Vietnamese woman to hold the position of Chairwoman at Unilever Vietnam. With years of leadership, she has successfully elevated the company to become a market leader in the consumer goods industry in Vietnam. Born in 1972, Ms. Vân has over 25 years of experience at Unilever Vietnam. As Chairwoman, she has guided the company in enhancing its sustainable development strategies. Her ambition is to position Unilever Vietnam as a role model for implementing successful sustainable business practices within the broader Vietnamese business community.

Since 2018, Ms. Vân has led Unilever Vietnam's digital transformation, which proved highly effective in 2021 during Vietnam’s severe fourth wave of COVID-19. This transformation ensured an uninterrupted supply chain, with goods continuing to flow to customers. Internally, the company maintained strong connections, allowing employees to make data-driven decisions while remaining empowered. The digital shift has established a solid foundation for Unilever Vietnam’s long-term growth, attracting the younger generation to the company.

Reflecting on her journey at Unilever Vietnam, Ms. Vân shares, “I have been part of the leadership team since 2006. It's not just me, but all 1,500 employees at Unilever Vietnam who work to the best of our abilities with passion. I, too, strive to excel in my role and constantly improve by acquiring the necessary leadership skills and knowledge to be ready for new challenges.”

In March 2020, FPT appointed Chu Thị Thanh Hà as the Chairwoman of FPT Software, a key division of FPT responsible for expanding its global market presence. She succeeded Hoàng Nam Tiến as part of the company’s leadership rotation strategy. With over 21,000 employees, the company now operates in several international markets.

Ms. Hà joined FPT in 1995 as an assistant to CEO Trương Gia Bình. Over her 27 years at the company, she has held numerous positions, becoming one of the few female leaders at the top of the organization. She played a pivotal role in the telecom division (which later became FPT Telecom) and contributed significantly to its success, earning a Prime Minister’s commendation for her contributions to Vietnam’s Internet development in 2012.

In recent years, FPT Software has continued to achieve significant success, contributing greatly to the company’s overall growth. In 2021, the group’s revenue reached 35,657 billion VND, with a pre-tax profit of 6,335 billion VND. The international market contributed 14,541 billion VND in revenue and 2,423 billion VND in profit, a 21.2% and 23% increase compared to 2020, respectively. FPT’s report highlighted growth in every market where FPT Software operates, with a particularly impressive 52% revenue increase in the U.S. market, reaching 4,369 billion VND.

Trần Thị Thanh Định graduated with a bachelor's and master's degree in Telecommunications from France and participated in several exchange programs in the United States and Canada. She started her career as a software engineer in leading telecom and tech companies like Orange, Gemalto, and Amadeus before returning to Vietnam in 2007. She held various roles at Alcatel-Lucent, including overseeing technical operations, managing projects, and leading the nationwide Warranty and Technical Support department, as well as sales management.

In 2015, Ms. Định joined Erion, where she took charge of the company’s largest customer projects and contributed to key business opportunities both domestically and internationally. In 2016, she was appointed Vice President of Erion Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos.

Erion was one of the first foreign telecom companies to establish operations in Vietnam back in 1993. As a leading provider of mobile broadband network technology, Erion has supplied 2G, 3G, and 4G network infrastructure and services to telecom operators in Vietnam. The company is collaborating with Viettel, VNPT, and MobiFone to test 5G networks.

Phạm Thị Thu Diệp took on the role of CEO and Director of the Technology Division at IBM Vietnam in January 2021, becoming the first female leader for IBM after 25 years of its operations in Vietnam. She is responsible for driving the company's growth, enhancing its presence, and strengthening its partnerships with clients and stakeholders in the field of hybrid cloud and digital transformation based on cognitive software platforms.

With over 23 years of experience in Vietnam's IT sector, Ms. Thu Diệp began her career at the global professional services company TRG International. She later held various management roles at Exact, a provider of ERP services and cloud software.

She joined IBM in 2011 and held multiple leadership positions in the areas of services and hybrid cloud software. Before being appointed CEO of IBM Vietnam, she was the country director for the cloud computing and cognitive software division. Under her leadership, the business unit achieved outstanding results, earning the Best Performing Country in IBM ASEAN award in 2019.

Nguyễn Đức Thạch Diễm started her career at Sacombank in 2002, working in various positions in accounting, credit, customer service, corporate clients, internal auditing, and debt recovery. With over 11 years of experience in management and operations in branch offices, she eventually became the highest executive in the bank.

In mid-2017, she was appointed CEO of Sacombank, playing a crucial role in restructuring and tackling bad debts, helping the bank navigate through difficulties caused by changes in shareholder structure and leadership fluctuations. Over her more than five years at the helm, Ms. Diễm contributed to resolving nearly 97 trillion VND of bad debts, which equaled 30% of the bank’s total assets, recovering about 72 trillion VND of bad debts and non-performing assets, and steering the bank back to a growth trajectory.

As CEO of Sacombank for more than five years, Nguyễn Đức Thạch Diễm has earned a reputation as a strong and decisive leader. She has become a role model and a powerful source of inspiration for the entire staff. After completing over half of the approved restructuring plan, Sacombank is now ahead of schedule, achieving impressive results.

With over 12 years of experience at Microsoft Vietnam, Phan Tú Quyên has held several key leadership roles, including director of small and medium business, director of partnerships, and director of large enterprises. She currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer and a member of the leadership team at Microsoft Vietnam.

Under her leadership, Microsoft Vietnam has achieved several milestones, including the Vietnam Digital Transformation Award 2021 and the Best Company to Work for in Asia Award in 2021. Most recently, the company opened a new hybrid office in Hanoi, one of the smartest Microsoft offices globally.

In her role, Ms. Quyên plays a pivotal role in executing Microsoft's development strategies in Vietnam, driving initiatives to ensure the sustainable success of customers while inspiring and empowering them to explore new opportunities in digital transformation. As a member of the leadership team, she also champions the culture of Diversity & Inclusion, promoting programs that create a positive impact on the community.

Nguyễn Minh Nguyệt is responsible for leading a key business sector at Nestlé Vietnam, helping to expand the market for the Swiss multinational food and beverage company, which has been operating for over 150 years. With her petite frame, soft voice, and radiant smile, Ms. Nguyệt makes a memorable impression and wins people over from the first encounter.

She became the first Vietnamese woman to head a business sector and one of the few Vietnamese women to serve on the board of Nestlé Vietnam. Currently, she is the director of Milo and dairy products, which are major product lines for Nestlé Vietnam. She initially joined Nestlé Vietnam as a senior brand manager for the milk products for children over one year old from 2006 to 2008, before taking a break due to family reasons. She returned to Nestlé in early 2012 and has been with the company ever since.

Ms. Nguyệt's impact was immediately felt when she took charge of the Maggi and Milo product lines. From 2012 to 2015, as marketing manager, she led the Milo brand to a 20% annual growth rate, making it the fastest-growing nutrition brand for the company during this period, significantly contributing to both the dairy sector and Nestlé Vietnam. Nestlé Milo became the top-selling product in both global sales and market share for the corporation. In the following five years, from 2016 onwards, in her role as director of the food business sector, she continued to drive consistent growth in the Maggi brand's sales.

At the end of 2021, Vingroup appointed Lê Thị Thu Thủy as the Global CEO of VinFast, tasked with overseeing the operations of VinFast and leading the charge to establish this Vietnamese brand as a global leader in smart electric vehicles. Ms. Thủy directly manages VinFast’s business in its current markets, including Vietnam, the United States, Canada, France, Germany, and the Netherlands, while also taking charge of researching and expanding into potential new markets.

Born in Bình Định, Ms. Thủy holds a degree in Economics from Foreign Trade University and an MBA from the International University of Japan. She joined Vingroup in 2008 as the CFO and has held various key roles within the company before being appointed as the Global CEO of VinFast. Prior to joining Vingroup, she was Vice President at Lehman Brothers, overseeing markets in Japan, Thailand, and Singapore.

With years of experience in various leadership roles across industries including technology, finance, and international relations, Ms. Thủy is expected to be a driving force in elevating VinFast to a global brand. Under her leadership, the smart electric vehicles of VinFast are poised to gain recognition and acceptance from international customers.

In January 2019, Nguyễn Thị Ngọc Bích was appointed as the Director of Customer Service for the Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore regions at A.P Moller – Maersk, based in Singapore. Currently, A.P Moller – Maersk is one of the largest shipping companies in the world, handling approximately 675 billion dollars of cargo annually. Almost two years later, Maersk rebranded the Damco and Safmarine labels, merging two customer service divisions: land services and customs operations. Ms. Bích took on the role of Director of Customer Experience, overseeing a team of 350 employees.

Prior to this, between 2016 and 2018, Ms. Bích served as the Commercial and Marketing Director for Southeast Asia, driving a 31% growth in volume and an 18% increase in revenue for the region. In 2013, at the age of 34, after 11 years working across various roles at Maersk Vietnam, Ms. Bích was appointed as the CEO of Maersk Vietnam, making her the first female Vietnamese CEO in the company. Under her leadership, Maersk Vietnam launched a direct cargo route from Vũng Tàu to the West Coast of the United States.

Ms. Bích practices a leadership style that empowers and activates the potential of her subordinates by setting a clear vision, strategic goals, and providing the necessary resources and skills to help employees create actionable plans. She believes that everyone has unique strengths and capabilities to make a distinct impact. A leader provides opportunities for individuals to realize their potential and achieve remarkable success.