Chairman of Hong Co Group Nguyen Dinh Thang: Success depends on a soldier's bravery, will, ability and dedication
Nguyen Dinh Thang, Chairman of Hong Co Group, is a pioneering businessman with a broad strategic vision in technology. From its early days, he has led Hong Co Company to continuously develop and become a trusted partner of major global technology corporations, providing cutting-edge technology system solutions while investing in mastering core technologies.
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| Mr. Nguyen Dinh Thang spoke at the Digital Technology Conference. |
With the aspiration to elevate Vietnamese businesses to the international stage, he not only contributes to the development of the domestic IT industry but also serves as an inspiration for the younger generation of creative entrepreneurs, promoting digital transformation, green transformation, sustainable development, and global integration.
The journey from "Ma River" to the big sea
Nguyen Dinh Thang - a typical businessman with a journey of overcoming difficulties and steadfastness in creating a career from scratch, is always a shining example for the young generation.
Born in Vinh Loc, Thanh Hoa, on the Ma River, he carried a deep revolutionary tradition from his family. Mr. Nguyen Dan Que, his grandfather, was a famous patriot during the anti-French period, and his family members were all attached to the revolutionary cause. That's why, from a young age, Mr. Thang carried the "gene" of studiousness, patriotism, resilient will and the spirit to rise in all difficult circumstances.
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| Mr. Nguyen Dinh Thang - Honorary Chairman of Vietnam NFT Alliance at the Launching Ceremony of NFT Alliance. |
His childhood coincided with the harsh years of escalating warfare in the North due to the fierce bombings by the U.S. Empire. He witnessed the hardships, losses, and tremendous sacrifices of the Vietnamese people during the anti-US war. These painful yet heroic and humane memories became a powerful source to motivate him to assert capabilities and contribute to the nation.
With excellent academic achievements, at 17, he was admitted to the Department of Mathematics and Economics of the University of Economics and Planning (now National Economics University). After five years of complex study, he graduated with honours in information processing using electronic computers. He was retained at the school as a lecturer when he was less than 23 years old.
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| Mr. Nguyen Dinh Thang received the Honorary Doctor of Science and Technology title from the Open International University - Online Canada. |
When war broke out again fiercely on the Northern border and the Khmer Rouge across the Southwestern border, he and several young university lecturers and thousands of new graduates joined the army to protect the nation. His years in the military helped him practice team spirit, bravery and resilience - essential factors for his future career.
In 1983, completing his military duties at the end of the border wars, he worked at the Program Department of IBM Computer Company (now Vietnam Computer Company 2 in Ho Chi Minh City). At that time, IBM was the only computer company in Vietnam under the State Science and Technology Committee. The initial working days posed the first significant challenge as he encountered modern computer systems and programming languages. Driven by his determination to master the technology, he studied diligently in the library and experimented with programming, and within just a few months, he was promoted to Deputy Manager and, later, Head of the Programming Department at IBM in 1984. He was also one of the earliest people to access personal computers and was the first to teach DOS 1.0 and dBase II in Ho Chi Minh City.
With the desire to master his work, in 1993, with an initial capital of only 1,000 USD, Mr. Thang resigned from Vietnam Computer Company II and established Hong Co Trading Company Limited (now Hong Co Technology Company). For him, it was a new challenge, having to face many difficulties, but with his soldier's bravery, knowledge of technology, and experience in management and operations, he and his colleagues constantly strived to overcome the challenges to develop Hong Co into a leading brand in information technology in Vietnam. Hong Co has become Hong Co Group, with five companies operating in information technology. His creative entrepreneurial spirit and determination have helped him overcome all challenges to success and contribute to developing the country's information technology industry over the past 40 years. His career has been associated with the Hong Co brand for more than 30 years; Therefore, his friends often call him by the familiar name "Thang-Hong Co".
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| Mr. Nguyen Dinh Thang on People's Television. |
Mr. Thang shared: "While starting a business and developing a business, building the Hong Co brand, I also encountered many difficulties and obstacles, but that was also the motivation for me to find solutions and strive to achieve success" and "I am passionate about new technology and like to experience my abilities in many fields".
That's right, in addition to founding Hong Co company, he also participated in founding and serving as Chairman/Vice Chairman/Member of the Board of Directors of 15 businesses in the fields of Information technology, investment, banking and finance, education and training, real estate, research and production of circuit boards, Make in Vietnam computers... Among them, businessman Nguyen Dinh Thang has held significant leadership positions such as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Lien Viet Post Commercial Joint Stock Bank (LienVietPostBank), Chairman of the Council of Vinh Industrial University (IUV), Chairman of the Board of Directors of Viet Nhat Telecommunications Technology Company (VNCTC), Chairman of Dan Software Company Wind; Vice President of Xelex Technology Group….
Mr. Thang not only directs business development strategies but also directly designs technology products and directs the construction of technology applications in the banking and finance sector. During his time as Vice Chairman and then Chairman of LienVietPostBank, he was considered the "father" of Vi Viet application - Vietnam's first financial technology product to receive the prestigious APICTA AWARDS 2017 award, considered Asia's "OSCAR" Technology Award.
Desire to contribute
Businessman Nguyen Dinh Thang symbolizes the will to strive and contribute. In addition to leading businesses, he has actively participated in professional social organizations and held important positions such as Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Information Technology Association, Vice Chairman/Founding Council Member of the Association of Vietnam Software and IT Services Association (VINASA), Vice Chairman of Vietnam Digital Communications Association (VDCA); Member of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Private Enterprise Association, Chairman of the Vietnam Financial Technology Club (Vina Fintech)...
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| Businessman Nguyen Dinh Thang at the book launching ceremony "AI in the era of global enlightenment". |
He participated in many seminars and forums on Information technology and related fields organized by State management agencies, central and local ministries and branches, and associations as an organizer and speaker; attended many seminars on Technology and Finance organized by international organizations in Vietnam and worldwide.
He was a judge for the Sao Khue Award (awarded to honour typical Vietnamese enterprises and technology applications) organized by the Vietnam Software and IT Services Association and directed by the Ministry of Information and Communications for 21 years. Many years as a judge for Vietnam awards: Vietnamese Intelligence, Smart City...; For three consecutive years (2021, 2022, 2023): he is Head of the Final Jury of the Student Innovative Startup Award (SV-Starup) organized by the Ministry of Education and Training and Head of the Final Jury of the Award. Techfest Vietnam award in the field of Fintech organized by the Ministry of Science and Technology...
He has many articles and interviews in the media (newspapers, television) about the application of information technology and digital transformation in many fields. In February 2022, he released the Vietnamese-English bilingual book "AI in the Age of Global Enlightenment" about core values and main content. The book has been commented on by the World AIWS Organization and the Boston - USA Global Forum: "The book AI in the Age of Global Enlightenment will actively contribute to the work of reshaping the World, creating an Age of Global Enlightenment – the goal of the United Nations Centenary Initiative (UN100)".
With a sense of responsibility and dedication, he has made positive contributions to the development of Vietnam's information technology in particular and to the development of Vietnam's Economy, Culture and Society in general. He has been awarded many certificates of Merit and titles by State Management Agencies and Associations.
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| Mr. Nguyen Dinh Thang - Chairman of Thanh Hoa Businessmen Club in Ho Chi Minh City (HTBC) and HTBC member Businessmen (2018). |
The person who inspires creative startups
Businessman Nguyen Dinh Thang shared: "Young people have many advantages in learning and developing themselves. You have vast knowledge available from various sources in the digital space. Furthermore, the era of AI, Blockchain, and other new technology applications will change all areas of life, creating many opportunities to develop new solutions, applications, and products that serve the happiness of people and society with increasingly higher quality. There are many opportunities, but the challenges are also significant. To start a successful creative business, you must first have the desire and will to rise. Second, we need to learn new technological knowledge in the world. Third, continually cultivate the human mind to be a person who knows how to love, share, and practice the qualities to become a good leader. Fourth, always think creatively and creatively in connection with practice, seize opportunities to start a creative business and finally, be determined and persistent in striving to achieve success".
The information technology industry considers businessman Nguyen Dinh Thang to be one of the leading experts on digital transformation and green transformation in Vietnam. He dedicates himself to inspiring, advising, and supporting young creative startups.
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