The journey of “growing into” leadership is not just the story of a technology company founder, but also offers a thoughtful perspective on how to nurture passion, shape a leadership mindset, and build lasting value over time.

Every decision calls for intention, and every step forward comes with a growing sense of responsibility — not only to oneself but to the entire team. It is a journey that starts with carving out a path when none exists, and continues with the ability to inspire others to join in pursuing an unfinished dream. Each stage requires both vision and enduring inner strength.

This week’s guest on Vietnam Innovators (English) is Mr. Le Hong Minh, Chairman & Founder, VNG Group. Under his leadership, VNG has grown from an online gaming publisher into Vietnam’s leading technology group, with a comprehensive digital ecosystem serving tens of millions of users. VNG has also been at the forefront of major technology waves — from PC and Mobile to Artificial Intelligence (AI). With strategic thinking and an unwavering drive for innovation, Mr. Le Hong Minh is recognized as one of the most influential figures in shaping Vietnam’s Internet landscape over nearly two decades.

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Vietnam is emerging as one of the fastest-growing pharmaceutical markets in Southeast Asia. Rising healthcare demands, coupled with ongoing policy reforms, are creating exciting new opportunities. However, these developments also present significant challenges that businesses in the industry must navigate. So, what does it take to unlock the full potential of this dynamic and fast-evolving market?

Our guest on this week’s English edition of Vietnam Innovators is Ms. Katharina Geppert, Managing Director, MSD Vietnam, who has spent over four years living and working in Vietnam. Drawing from her leadership experience across multiple major markets, Ms. Geppert offers valuable insights into MSD’s growth strategies, emerging trends in the pharmaceutical industry, and the collaborative opportunities between businesses and policymakers to build a more sustainable healthcare ecosystem for Vietnam.

Thank you MSD Vietnam for accompanying Vietnam Innovators. MSD, known as Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA in the United States and Canada, is one of the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical companies in the world. With more than 130 years of experience, MSD is at the forefront of research, delivering innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in both people and animals. The company fosters a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information, please visit www.msd.com and http://www.msd-vietnam.com; and connect with the MSD team on Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube...

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Listen to this episode on ⁠YouTube⁠

And explore many amazing articles about the pioneers at: ⁠⁠https://vietcetera.com/vn/bo-suu-tap/vietnam-innovator⁠

Feel free to leave any questions or invitations for business cooperation at ⁠hello@⁠⁠vni-digest.com

Binh Duong New City is one of the most well-planned urban areas in Vietnam and is gradually becoming a model for sustainable, integrated, and modern urban development thinking. But what truly sets this project apart from the many new urban areas across the country? In this episode of the podcast, we’ll explore the key to the success behind Binh Duong New City's urban development model.

Our guest is Mr. Oh Dongkun – CEO of Becamex Tokyu Vietnam. Having lived and worked in Vietnam for 14 years, Mr. Oh is currently leading urban development projects in Binh Duong City. With cross-border management experience and a perspective shaped by both Japanese and Vietnamese cultures, he is not only a representative of long-term collaboration but also a witness to the region’s strategic transformations.

From the context of Tokyu choosing Vietnam as an investment destination to the urban development philosophy adapted to the local environment, Mr. Oh shares deep insights into Vietnam’s evolution, the Vietnamese people's capacity for cross-cultural cooperation, and why Binh Duong New City is not just a project—but a livable ecosystem worth learning from.

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As Vietnam accelerates its efforts to reform the business environment and improve the legal framework for the private sector, many enterprises still face an invisible barrier: an overly cautious mindset, driven by fear of making mistakes. This hesitation not only slows down decision-making but also hinders business expansion and innovation.

In Episode 55 of the Vietnam Innovators (English edition) podcast, we welcome Mrs. Bình Lê Vandekerckove – Founder, CEO, and Head of Advisory at ASART Deal Advisory. With over 16 years of experience, she has advised more than 250 Vietnamese and international companies across 120+ projects from 15 countries, with a total transaction value exceeding USD 4.5 billion. Her deep expertise spans M&A, fundraising, valuation, corporate strategy, and government relations.

Through Mrs. Bình Lê Vandekerckove’s sharp and practical lens, this episode explores not only the evolving legal landscape and the implications of Resolution 68, but also the importance of trust, openness, and strategic thinking in doing business. A must-listen for anyone seeking a more confident and sustainable path to entrepreneurship or business growth in Vietnam.

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And explore many amazing articles about the pioneers at: https://vietcetera.com/vn/bo-suu-tap/vietnam-innovator

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To bring Vietnamese games to the global stage, studios need more than just creativity. It requires a combination of relentless experimentation, the ability to leverage technologies such as artificial intelligence, and a willingness to learn from the successes of global hits. By deeply understanding their players, embracing change, and continuously improving their products, Vietnamese game developers can gradually push the boundaries of what’s possible.

In Episode 54 of the Vietnam Innovators podcast (English edition), this global journey of Vietnamese games continues through the insights of Anel Ceman, Former VP of Monetization at Tripledot Studios. A leading expert in mobile game monetization, Anel has held key leadership roles at renowned studios such as Outfit7, Wildlife, and Tripledot. He is widely recognized for his ability to merge strategic thinking with operational excellence in the global mobile gaming industry.

Drawing from his solid background in both hands-on operations and high-level strategy, Anel shares sharp perspectives on how to build competitive, scalable, and sustainable games for international markets.

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This week on the English edition of Vietnam Innovators, we're honored to welcome Chandu Rajapreyar — our very first guest from Sri Lanka, currently serving as the Group Executive Creative Director at Hakuhodo. With over 25 years of experience in the advertising industry, Chandu stands out for his strategic thinking, exceptional creativity, and deep market insight.

He has earned numerous prestigious awards including Cannes Lions, D&AD, Clio, The One Show, and Effie, and has been recognized at Smarties Global, MMA Regional, and MMA Vietnam. In 2023, Campaign Brief ranked him among the top 10 most creative individuals in Vietnam.

Over the past decade, Chandu has played a key role in helping agencies across Southeast and South Asia earn the title of "Agency of the Year." Notably, he helped elevate MullenLowe Sri Lanka to 9th in Asia and 36th globally on the Effie Index. Beyond advertising, he is also a co-founder of several tech startups, including SD TECH, which provides AI and blockchain solutions in markets such as the U.S., India, and Singapore.

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And explore many amazing articles about the pioneers at: https://vietcetera.com/vn/bo-suu-tap/vietnam-innovator

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As AI rapidly transforms industries across the board, game advertising — with its unique blend of creativity, large-scale data, and constantly shifting user behavior — is also evolving. Yet despite its potential, AI remains underutilized in this space. Why hasn’t this intersection of technology and marketing been fully explored? Could it be the overlooked goldmine of the digital age?

In this week’s episode 52 of the Vietnam Innovators (English) podcast, let's sit down with Robert Huynh, Co-Founder and CEO of Reforged Labs — a startup backed by Y Combinator. Robert previously held key roles at X (Google’s Moonshot Factory) and Microsoft, where he spent nearly a decade developing advanced AI technologies for autonomous vehicles, cybersecurity, and next-generation wearables. After leaving Harvard Business School to launch his own venture, he’s now pioneering the world’s first AI-driven platform for ad performance analysis.

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Bruno Jaspaert is the Belgian CEO of DEEP C Industrial Zones, one of Vietnam’s largest industrial zone developers with a 3,400-hectare land portfolio across Haiphong and Quang Ninh. With over 25 years of international experience spanning Asia and Europe, Bruno has held senior roles in sales, production, innovation, project and strategy management across sectors including chemicals, logistics, steel, and oil & gas.

In addition to his role at DEEP C, he currently serves as a Non-Executive Director at Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) in the UAE and is the Chairman of EuroCham Vietnam. A multilingual leader and committed team builder, Bruno is driven by people, innovation, and delivering positive impact. He holds two master’s degrees—in International Relations and in Commercial Engineering.

Bruno is a strong advocate for sustainable growth and ESG reporting as a tool to align stakeholders and prove that economic development and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.

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YouTube is gradually evolving into a promising commerce platform, as consumer behavior becomes increasingly intertwined with content creation. From entertainment to product reviews, from views to purchase decisions, digital media is showing clear potential to drive real commercial outcomes. With the launch of YouTube Shopping, both content creators and brands now have a new opportunity to reach consumers in a more direct, intuitive, and effective way.

In this episode, we speak with Gabby Roxas, Country Marketing Manager at Google Vietnam. With extensive experience at global companies such as Johnson & Johnson, Mead Johnson Nutrition, and Coca-Cola, Gabby currently leads Google Vietnam’s marketing strategies across both B2B and B2C segments. He also oversees campaigns for Google’s key products including YouTube, Android, Search, Chrome, Maps, and the Play Store.

Through practical insights and up-to-date market data, this podcast reveals why YouTube is becoming more than just an entertainment or advertising platform. It is playing an increasingly important role in the modern consumer journey. Whether you’re a creator, advertiser, or simply interested in emerging consumer trends, this episode is not to be missed.

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Cảm ơn Google Việt Nam đã đồng hành cùng Vietnam Innovators. Thông qua việc có mặt tại Việt Nam, Google mong muốn mang đến những phân tích chuyên sâu về toàn cảnh bức tranh kỹ thuật số của Việt Nam—bao gồm ứng dụng, trò chơi và thương mại điện tử, đồng thời giới thiệu cách các doanh nghiệp có thể đạt được tăng trưởng bền vững thông qua các giải pháp công nghệ và quảng cáo tiên tiến của Google.

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Meta’s advanced AI technologies are not only enhancing user experiences across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, but also unlocking new opportunities for businesses and content creators. From strategic planning support to boosting creativity and engagement, Meta AI is becoming an indispensable part of various industries—delivering practical value across many aspects of life.

In Episode 49 of the Vietnam Innovators podcast (English edition) this week, we sit down with Revie Sylviana, Director of Global Partnerships, SEA & Emerging Markets at Meta. She currently leads a dynamic team across countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam—driving the growth and adoption of Meta’s products among creators, public figures, athletes, and media professionals.

With over 20 years of experience in telecommunications, technology, and social media, Revie has played a key role in shaping effective content and partnership strategies. Her insights promise valuable lessons and compelling perspectives on the future of technology and creativity.

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Thank you Meta for accompanying Vietnam Innovators. Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology.

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In episode 48 of the Vietnam Innovators podcast, we sit down with Dave Tong, Co-Founder & Chief Product Technology Officer of Employment Hero – a global leader in HR management solutions.

In conversation with host Hảo Trần, Dave shares his career journey, from his early days at InterSystems to co-founding Employment Hero with Ben Thompson in 2014, with the goal of revolutionizing recruitment and HR management processes for businesses.

Employment Hero is a comprehensive HR management platform that helps businesses simplify recruitment, performance management, payroll, and benefits, all integrated into one system. Aiming to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in improving operational efficiency, Employment Hero leverages advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and automation, to optimize HR processes and enable data-driven decision-making.

The platform currently serves over 300,000 businesses and more than 2 million users globally, with a strong presence in many countries, including Vietnam.

Listen to this episode on Youtube

And explore many amazing articles about the pioneers at: https://vietcetera.com/vn/bo-suu-tap/vietnam-innovator

Feel free to leave any questions or invitations for business cooperation at hello@vni-digest.com