Top 14 Most Successful Entrepreneurs in Vietnam

1. Pham Nhat Vuong

Founder and chairman of the giant conglomerate Vingroup, Pham Nhat Vuong is Vietnam's first and richest billionaire. Forbes has named Vuong the first billionaire in Vietnam with a net worth of 1.5 billion USD. His current net worth, according to Forbes, is a whopping 4.2 billion USD. This year, Vingroup plans to sell phones in Europe and cars in the US. It can be said that Pham Nhat Vuong has taken Vietnam across five continents, creating great pride for the entire Vietnamese people.

He is one of the entrepreneurs always mentioned by the media at home and abroad for his every move. Clearly, Pham Nhat Vuong is one of the most successful entrepreneurs in Vietnam at the moment. In 2020, Pham Nhat Vuong led Vingroup step by step out of the traditional retail sector. He advocates investing in high-tech agriculture, high-tech industry, and luxury tourism. Promising to gradually improve the lives of the Vietnamese people and the image of Vietnam in the international market. Vinfast electric motorcycles, Vinfast cars, and Vinfast phones have a strong foothold in the domestic market and are highly praised by the international tech community. This is one of the most profound proofs of what Pham Nhat Vuong and Vingroup are achieving.

2. Dang Le Nguyen Vu

Over 20 years of development, facing numerous challenges in retail, tourism, and real estate, but with unwavering belief and strong determination, Mr. Dang Le Nguyen Vu always aspires to globalize Trung Nguyen, contributing to the national strategy for a prosperous Vietnam and a future where Vietnam can advance further. Recently, he has garnered public attention with the cancellation of legal representation rights at Trung Nguyen coffee, replaced by Ms. Le Hoang Diep Thao - his wife as the legal representative. This event raises doubts about the future development path of this world-renowned brand. However, his dedication to the profession over the years is a commendable and effortful journey.

After the historic divorce that made headlines in the national media, Mr. Dang Le Nguyen Vu reclaimed the management rights of the company and gradually brought Trung Nguyen back to its position as the king of Vietnamese coffee. Nowadays, after many ups and downs, Trung Nguyen is not only a company selling packaged coffee but has established an ecosystem with many cafes in prime locations across the country. It can be said that Mr. Dang Le Nguyen Vu is one of the entrepreneurs with a unique mindset, respected by the younger generation among Vietnamese business leaders today.

Đoàn Nguyên Đức or commonly known as 'Bau Duc' - a name familiar to millions of Vietnamese people. Born in 1962, he quickly gained fame through his business with the Hoang Anh Gia Lai company. He is a successful entrepreneur voted by the Wall Street Journal as one of the thirty most powerful businessmen in Southeast Asia, and the first person to own a private jet in the region. Despite being a billionaire, every day, Mr. Bau Duc wears ordinary clothes and works wholeheartedly with the workers. He is known to be sociable and friendly with workers and farmers alike.

And for him, 'the largest university is the school of life,' where Mr. Doan Nguyen Duc experiences, stumbles, and tastes the flavors of success and failure. The business world is a battlefield, so there is no place that forges experience more than the school of life. Although in recent years, he and the Hoang Anh Gia Lai company have struggled with huge debts. However, at the beginning of 2020, Mr. Doan Nguyen Duc unexpectedly announced to the media positive information from the chain of agricultural investment sectors as well as the ambition to become a major agricultural product exporter in the region. Currently, while other companies are entering a period of recession and facing severe impacts due to Covid-19, Mr. Doan Nguyen Duc and the Hoang Anh Gia Lai company are maintaining stable pre-tax profits. Thus, it can be seen that Mr. Doan Nguyen Duc's vision was correct in transforming the company's investment structure deeply into agriculture.

Mrs. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, born in 1970, is currently the CEO of Vietjet Air. Despite her young age, she has achieved success in her career, owning a massive amount of wealth that many dream of. Not only that, but she is also one of the 10 most successful female entrepreneurs recognized by Forbes Vietnam. In 2020, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao was featured among the 100 personalities changing the Asian economy.

This petite businesswoman consistently appears in nominations for business and development in the region as voted by major global publications. She has become a role model for young people. To date, Vietjet has captured over 40% of the domestic market share, continuously experiencing rapid profit growth. Many who have encountered her say that Mrs. Thao is not the type of straightforward businesswoman but rather resembles a 'female warrior' with a more proactive spirit. Employees recount that the CEO's office is lit until 2-3 am, even on holidays, which is a normal occurrence. Those who have interacted with Mrs. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao all have a special impression of this woman.

Mrs. Mai Kieu Lien, born in 1953 in Paris (France), graduated as a technology engineer specializing in milk processing in Russia in 1976. With a desire to create something for the future generation of Vietnam, she started researching the market and realized that milk is a good source of nutrition for the development of children. Since then, she has dedicated herself to turning Vinamilk from nothing into one of the most successful companies in Vietnam today.

The strong position of Vinamilk today has a significant contribution from Mrs. Mai Kieu Lien. She has made timely decisions such as early investment in raw material areas, restructuring the company, and setting a goal to make Vinamilk one of the top 50 largest milk production companies in the world with a revenue of $3 billion in the next 5 years. Forbes also evaluates that Mrs. Lien has built Vinamilk not only as a reputable brand in Vietnam but also one that is respected and highly regarded throughout Asia and the world. In an interview with the BBC, she expressed the ambition for Vinamilk to become a multinational corporation with large farms to self-sufficiently produce domestic raw materials, reducing reliance on imported foreign materials. In 2020, Vinamilk issued bonus shares up to 20%. It can be said that Vinamilk is a leading giant in milk, not only in Vietnam but also in Asia.

Mr. Tran Trong Kien, Chairman and CEO of Thien Minh Group, is the tycoon who spent 45 billion VND to bring seaplanes to Vietnam for investment in the relatively new seaplane tourism service. According to the information released by Thien Minh, Chairman and CEO of the company, Tran Trong Kien, is still quite young (born in 1973), with a medical degree (Hanoi Medical University), a bachelor's degree in English (Hanoi University of Foreign Studies), and a master's degree in Business Administration and Finance (University of Hawaii, USA).

Thien Minh Group, under the leadership of Mr. Tran Trong Kien, has been honored in the list of the 20 fastest-growing companies in East Asia, according to the World Economic Forum (WEF). The International Finance Corporation (IFC) (a member of the World Bank) has also decided to invest in Thien Minh Group with an investment capital of 14 million USD to help Thien Minh continue to implement development strategies for tourism products and expand the hotel chain nationwide. In 2020, he outstandingly ranked in the top 10 richest entrepreneurs in Vietnam as voted by Forbes.

Reviving the Trang Tien Commercial Center (Trang Tien Plaza), turning it into the most prestigious luxury shopping destination in Vietnam amidst the economic crisis in 2020 is considered a daring decision by Johnathan Hạnh Nguyễn. However, the Chairman of the Board and CEO of the Pacific Union Corporation (Imex Pan Pacific – IPP) – known as the king of Vietnamese luxury brands, shares: “I'm not showing off, being reckless, or thoughtless to invest 400 billion VND in renovation, inviting international investors to contribute 3,000 billion VND to Trang Tien Plaza. He has stated that it is not simply a shopping center but also the aspiration of a lifetime for someone who comes from afar. This statement of his proves his deep love for the country. Particularly, among the 112 super-luxury stalls at Trang Tien Plaza, Mr. Johnathan Hạnh Nguyễn owns 20.

Rumored to possess assets worth hundreds of millions, even billions of dollars, with images of super-luxurious villas in Vietnam, but IPP Chairman - Johnathan Hạnh Nguyễn has never disclosed his fortune. Official statistics on Johnathan Hạnh Nguyễn's assets have also never appeared. However, in the Vietnamese business community, he is a prominent figure both in terms of wealth and the scale of his business. In 2020, he was one of the pioneers with significant investments in industrial zones, export-processing zones, and notably, the reactivation of the large Van Phong seaport, promoting the domestic export industry. This is the largest national comprehensive seaport and international transshipment center in Vietnam.

In March 2019, Nguyen Dang Quang entered Forbes' list of USD billionaires with 1.3 billion USD, ranking 1717th. According to Forbes, Nguyen Dang Quang (1963) used to do consumer goods business in Eastern Europe before returning to Vietnam to establish Masan Group and later invest in Techcombank.

According to statistics, Nguyen Dang Quang currently holds only 15 shares of MSN of Masan Group. However, Nguyen Dang Quang indirectly holds about 252 million MSN shares (through Masan JSC and Hoa Huong Duong JSC), equivalent to nearly 22% of Masan's shares, valued at about 22.6 trillion VND according to Masan's market capitalization. Previously, Nguyen Dang Quang had been recognized by Bloomberg as one of the two new USD billionaires in Southeast Asia with assets of about 1.2 billion USD.

The shining new name among successful Vietnamese entrepreneurs is Ho Hung Anh. He currently holds the position of Chairman of Techcombank. According to Forbes Vietnam, he is one of the two new names to join the billionaire club in 2019, with an estimated wealth of 1.7 billion USD. He holds the 1,349th position globally.

Born in 1970 in Hanoi, Ho Hung Anh graduated in electronic engineering from Kiev Polytechnic Institute (Ukraine). During his time in Eastern Europe, he became acquainted with Nguyen Dang Quang. The relationship between the two billionaires is described by Forbes as 'two intimate business partners' with 'interwoven relationships.' Ho Hung Anh, along with Nguyen Dang Quang, participated in managing Masan Rus Trading in Russia, the precursor to the Masan consumer goods group. Transforming Techcombank from a newly established bank, Ho Hung Anh and his team made Techcombank one of the leading capitalized banks in Vietnam in 2020.

Nguyen Hoa Binh, a trailblazing entrepreneur in the technology sector in Vietnam, is the founder and chairman of NextTech Group. In the third season (2019) of Shark Tank Vietnam, he participated as an investor, earning the nickname Shark Binh and becoming famous for various interesting aliases such as the 'soulmate' shark, the 'eastern wind,' 'eccentric,' and 'clingy' Binh. His entrepreneurial journey began in 2001 when he founded his own company, PeaceSoft, with an initial capital of only 2 million VND. Initially, PeaceSoft was the first internet technology startup in Vietnam, primarily focused on software outsourcing for businesses. However, after a few years of operation, he decided to shift to a new service model, e-commerce, and built Chodientu.vn.

With support from Ebay Vietnam, Chodientu.vn was considered a pioneering e-commerce project in Vietnam, bringing many conveniences to consumers in online shopping. However, as the e-commerce market in Vietnam developed, major competitors like Lazada and Shopee joined, and strategic partner eBay decided to leave Vietnam. This placed Shark Binh's company in facing numerous challenges, threatening the career he had built for over 10 years. Despite setbacks, Binh demonstrated innovation and creativity in developing NextTech, turning the spiritual child from a startup into an ecosystem with nearly 20 operational electronic services and expanding to 8 other markets in Southeast Asia over the past 20 years. He is known not only as a successful entrepreneur but also as an influential investor in the startup and technology community in Vietnam.

Mr. Tran Ba Duong is the founder and also the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Truong Hai Auto Corporation (Thaco). In addition, he is also known as the CEO of Dai Quang Minh Real Estate Investment Company. Mr. Tran Ba Duong is recognized by Forbes to own assets worth $1.76 billion. According to Forbes, Thaco has become the largest automobile company in Vietnam with a market share of 32%. Currently, Mr. Tran Ba Duong owns $1.7 billion and ranks 1,349th in the world.

According to Forbes, Tran Ba Duong started working for a car repair factory in the 80s and managed the work in his own way. He founded Truong Hai in 1997. Initially, the company only sold cars, and later assembled for some brands such as Kia, Mazda, and Peugeot. He has made Thaco strong since its inception until now.

Tran Dinh Long is one of the renowned and successful entrepreneurs in Vietnam, known for his billionaire status and significant role in the steel industry. Born in 1961 in Hanoi, he has built an impressive career from humble beginnings to becoming the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hoa Phat Group (HPG), one of the leading conglomerates in Vietnam with a primary focus on steel production. Tran Dinh Long is not only recognized for his crucial position in the steel industry but also for his acumen in identifying business opportunities. He started with trading used goods imported from Russia, but his sharpness and determination led him to the furniture industry and later steel production.

With vision and innovative strategy, he and his team transformed the company from importing steel from Taiwan to investing in steel production in Vietnam. This marked a significant development for Hoa Phat, making them one of the top steel companies not only in Vietnam but also in the region. The success of Tran Dinh Long stems not only from business intelligence but also from perseverance, diligent work ethic, and setting high goals. Through challenges, he has built a conglomerate with a long-term vision and significant influence on Vietnam's industry and economy.

Pham Thanh Hung, also known as 'Shark Hung,' is a renowned entrepreneur in Vietnam. Born in 1972 in Hanoi, he has over 20 years of experience in management and business. Shark Hung holds a Master's degree in Business Administration and has held various senior management positions in both domestic and international companies. Currently, he is the chairman of the real estate company Century CENINVEST and the vice chairman of the board of directors of CENGROUP. Additionally, he serves as the Deputy Head of the Faculty of Management at the School of Business, National University of Hanoi.

Shark Hung gained recognition through the 'Shark Tank' program in Vietnam, where he inspires and encourages entrepreneurship. With profound knowledge in areas such as real estate, information technology, science, and engineering, he is a leading investor in Vietnam. Beyond success in the business field, Shark Hung is known for his stories and relationship advice on social media. He is intelligent, logically sharp, and has a witty, humorous speaking style that captivates a large fan base.

Nguyen Duc Tai is a Vietnamese entrepreneur with a brilliant success story in business and management. With a solid educational background, he graduated from the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City with a major in Finance - Accounting before pursuing a Master's in Business Administration at CFVG Vietnam-France Management Academy, where he gained in-depth knowledge and management skills. His career began as a Branch Director at Phuong Huy The Ky 21 Company in 2001, then moved on to the position of Head of Strategic Development at S-Fone in 2003. In March 2004, Nguyen Duc Tai, along with a group of 4 friends, founded Mobile World Investment Corporation, where he played a crucial role as Director of Business and Marketing.

With talent and strategic vision, he became the Chairman of the Board and CEO of Mobile World Investment Corporation from 2007. Under his leadership, Mobile World achieved remarkable breakthroughs, with incredible revenue and profit. By 2018, the company reached revenue of VND 86.516 trillion and after-tax profit of VND 2.880 trillion, affirming its position in the mobile phone business market. However, in March 2019, Mr. Tai decided to step down from the leadership position at Mobile World Investment Corporation, handing over to his successor. Currently, Nguyen Duc Tai still holds the position of Chairman of the Board of Directors of the company, possibly playing a crucial advisory role in the management system and development strategy of the company.