At the event, Labor Hero, Dr. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao - Chairwoman of Sovico, Chairwoman of Vietjet, Strategic Investor of HDBank - was honored as a Typical Vietnamese Female Intellectual in the period 2011-2026, recognizing outstanding contributions to economic development, innovation and international integration of Vietnam in more than three decades of labor and dedication.
Pioneering female intellectuals connect knowledge with development
Born into an intellectual family, Dr. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao always pursues the aspiration to serve society through education, science, technology and sustainable development. With a solid academic foundation in the fields of banking, finance, economy, automation and innovative thinking, she became the first self-made female billionaire of Vietnam and Southeast Asia, making her mark in the fields of aviation, finance - banking and investment.
In December 2025, she was awarded the title of Labor Hero by the Party and the State.
Prior to that, she was awarded the Legion of Honor of the French Republic along with many international recognitions such as Forbes' Top 100 Most Powerful Women in the World, Bloomberg's Top 50 Global Outstanding Leaders, ASEAN Outstanding Businesswoman and many other prestigious awards.
Not only a businesswoman, she is also a companion to human development, education, gender equality and cultural preservation programs through cooperation with the United Nations, UNESCO, the Oxford University Scholarship Fund and many domestic and international organizations.
Creating new values for the country and community
Throughout her career journey, Dr. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao has been steadfast in the philosophy: innovation to liberate resources, technology to lead the future and growth must be linked to national, cultural and human interests.
In the aviation sector, she is the founder and leader of Vietnam's first private airline, contributing to promoting the socialization of the aviation industry and expanding Vietnam's connection with the world. To date, Vietjet has served more than 300 million passengers, becoming a bridge for trade, investment, tourism and culture between Vietnam and many countries.
Many of her initiatives have had a positive impact on the economy and society, from solutions to improve aviation capacity, develop regional aviation financial centers, to proposals to remove difficulties for the capital market and support the community during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Besides business activities, she also dedicates her heart to the development of sports and Vietnamese knowledge through the HDBank International Chess Tournament and many activities accompanying national sports, contributing to bringing Vietnam's image to the world.
The title of Typical Vietnamese Female Intellectual in the period 2011-2026 is not only a recognition of the contributions of Dr. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, but also depicts the image of a modern female intellectual - a harmonious combination of knowledge, bravery, compassion and aspiration to serve. Her journey continues to inspire generations of Vietnamese women on the path of learning, innovation and dedication to the sustainable development of the country.
