Overseas Vietnamese entrepreneurs share a common bond with homeland

By dedicating their prestige, experience and connections to supporting their homeland, overseas Vietnamese entrepreneurs bring tangible value: a recommendation opens up opportunities for cooperation, experience helps domestic businesses avoid losses and a project creates more jobs for young people. The achievements accumulated abroad thus become a resource contributing to the development of their home country.

Paving the way for Vietnamese talent

In the technology sector, Dr. Nguyen Huu Le, a Vietnamese living in Australia, is a notable example. Originally from Phu My, Binh Dinh, he went to study at the University of Adelaide in 1967 and later gained many years of experience in the international telecommunications industry. Returning with faith in Vietnamese intelligence, he contributed to bringing software outsourcing contracts to domestic engineers, developing TMA Solutions and promoting the construction of the TMA Innovation Park in Quy Nhon. This dedication has created opportunities for young people to research, master technology, and demonstrate their capabilities right in their homeland.

In the United States, Dr. Tran Viet Hung, founder of the Silicon Valley technology company Got It, is dedicated to providing educational opportunities for Vietnamese children.

He is the founder of STEAM for Vietnam, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing internationally-quality STEAM education to Vietnamese children completely free of charge, regardless of their economic circumstances or place of residence. Drawing on his experience as a technology professional, he hopes that next generations will have access to knowledge and nurture their creativity from an early age, so that every child who develops a love of learning today can create something new in the future.

Connecting partners and creating more opportunities

In France, Nguyen Hai Nam, who has more than 30 years of experience in banking, has devoted considerable effort to founding the Association of Vietnamese Entrepreneurs in France (ABVietFrance). Before the association was established, he spent several months reaching out to and exchanging ideas with around 400 Vietnamese and French people to find like-minded people. By bringing together the expertise, experience and networks of its members, the association helps connect businesses in both countries, providing business ideas with the information, partners and opportunities to become a reality.

In South Korea, Dr. Tran Hai Linh, Chairman of the Vietnam-Korea Business and Investment Association (VKBIA), and his colleagues connect Korean businesses with local authorities in Vietnam. With their understanding of both markets, they help the two sides find common ground, identify suitable cooperation opportunities and gradually turn local potential into concrete projects.

Investing in the younger generation

For Vietnamese-Canadian businessman Nguyen Hoai Bac, his connection to his homeland is reflected in more than 25 years of direct investment in Vietnam. One of his notable contributions is the Vietnam–Canada Vocational Training School, built in Hai Duong in 2009 with investment from Dai Son Joint Stock Company, where he serves as Chairman of the Board. The school was established with the hope of helping young people gain solid vocational skills, find jobs and build their own lives.

Faced with difficulties, he and his colleagues adjusted the operating model, maintaining part of the vocational school while converting another part of the facility into Tri Duc Inter-level School to meet local educational needs. Based on his investment experience, he also contributed many suggestions to remove procedural obstacles and build a transparent and stable business environment so that overseas Vietnamese could easily contribute to their homeland.

Building a career, engaging with the community

In the Czech Republic, Mr. Hoang Dinh Thang's journey has involved both business and community activities. As President of the Union of Vietnamese Associations in Europe, he and other organizations promote solidarity and connect overseas Vietnamese with their homeland. His proposals for facilitating investment and attracting intellectuals and entrepreneurs demonstrate a desire for the community to make long-term contributions.

In Udon Thani, Thailand, businessman Ho Van Lam inherited his family's grilled spring roll business, developing the VT Namnueng brand to bring Vietnamese flavors to the local people. The shopping center he built both promotes Vietnamese goods and serves as a familiar meeting place for the Vietnamese community. As the Chairman of the Association of Vietnamese People in Thailand, he contributes to uniting the community, promoting the teaching and learning of the Vietnamese language, and preserving national identity. From his hometown cuisine to community activities, he has turned his business success into a resource for preserving his roots and fostering friendship between Vietnam and Thailand.

A stable, united, and reputable community in the host country provides a foundation for individual development. Successful entrepreneurs support those who follow, sharing experiences and working together to maintain a positive image of Vietnamese people. Success takes on added meaning when it creates opportunities for future generations.

In Hungary, Dr. Phan Bich Thien, owner of the Fried Castle Hotel, has made a significant mark in business and dedicated much of her efforts to the community. As the President of the Vietnamese Women's Association in Hungary and the President of the Vietnamese Women's Forum in Europe, she contributes to connecting Vietnamese women abroad, expanding opportunities for learning and sharing experiences, and showcasing the image of confident and dynamic Vietnamese women to international friends. In 2024, she was the only foreign woman featured in a book about 21 women who have made exceptional contributions to Hungary, recognizing her role in connecting and promoting Vietnamese culture. Her achievements go beyond her own career, adding to the pride and respect enjoyed by the Vietnamese community in her host country.

In Japan, Professor Tran Dang Xuan of Hiroshima University, President of the Vietnam-Japan Experts Association, has devoted much effort to connecting universities, research institutes, and businesses in both countries, promoting technology transfer and human resource training for Vietnam. He directly mentors Vietnamese students and researchers, sharing his experience in securing scholarships and building academic paths. These contributions both create more opportunities for young people and enrich the knowledge base serving their homeland.

In Japan, many young Vietnamese people are starting small businesses. Despite challenges with capital, customers, and markets, they focus on conducting business seriously, adhering to the law, maintaining integrity, and contributing to building a positive image of Vietnamese people. They help their compatriots, create jobs, promote Vietnamese products, and seek opportunities for cooperation with their homeland. These contributions, though modest, are still valuable, as they demonstrate a sense of responsibility to their country while striving to build a career abroad.

It's impossible to list all their names, but through each project, each collaboration and each opportunity given to the younger generation, they contribute to the country's development and the people's better lives.

Some have returned, others remain far from their homeland, but love for their country is evident in practical actions: creating jobs, supporting the younger generation, and bringing Vietnamese products to the global market. Success, therefore, takes on a deeper meaning when each person's achievements are a way of showing gratitude to their country.