VietNamNet Bridge – Doan Nguyen Duc, who has been put by the prestigious Wall Street Journal (WSJ) into the list of the region’s most influential executives and officials, said that he always works hard, but this is not for money. He works hard just because of the passion.

Mr Doan Nguyen Duc (left) and Lao Deputy Prime Minister
Doan Nguyen Duc, Chair of Hoang Anh Gia Lai Group, the first Vietnamese executive who has been recognized by WSJ as one of the most 29 influential businessmen in South East Asia, gave an interview to Tien phong.

You have been recognized as one of the most influential businessmen in South East Asia. How do you receive the news?

When I just got out from the helicopter, I was informed the news. I have never met WSJ’s officials and I do not know how they do in selecting the most influential businessmen. However, I know that WSJ is a prestigious publication, so the fact that my name appears in their list proves to be a good piece of news.

You are the first Vietnamese businessman recognized as influential executive. Is this a surprise to you?

The news came so suddenly, but it is not a surprise at all, because reaching out to the world is a part of Hoang Anh Gia Lai’s group. My principle is “talk less, do more”. When you go to school, if you can move up to the next grade, this means you study well. As for businessmen, profit is the ruler for your success.

It is now the difficult period for many businesses. Meanwhile, Hoang Anh Gia Lai still can stand firmly. Could you please tell us how has been Hoang Anh Gia Lai struggling in the “storm”?

It is true that the real estate market has been in distress, but this has never influenced Hoang Anh Gia Lai. In doing business, you need to have huge capital. Meanwhile, we do not lack capital. If we need more capital, we are prestigious enough to seek capital on the international market.

In the past, our biggest profits came from the real estate investments. However, we have changed our strategy. Real estate now just accounts for 25 percent of the group’s business activities. As capital shortage is not our problem, our real estate products still can stand firmly and remain competitive in prices.

We are going on four feet, and if the “real estate foot” weakens, we still can stay firmly on the three other feet – hydropower, mining and rubber.

Several years ago, when talking with you, I found out that you were very enthusiastic with football. It seems that you are now more interested in rubber?

Hoang Anh Gia Lai possesses more than 100,000 hectares of land where rubber plants can be grown in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. By 2014, I will have 50,000 hectares of rubber ready for harvesting with the estimated profit of 450 million dollars per annum.

My love of football is still burning. I will never give up football, because I can become the person as you see me today thanks to football. Just 10 years ago, foreign newspapers posted a big question: Who is Duc and who is Hoang Anh Gia Lai? Why do they dare to buy Kiatisak?

At that time, we were unknown to them. But they now know who we are.

You must be very busy. How can you arrange your schedule?

The working time accounts for the biggest proportion in my time fund. I can work at anytime, and anywhere, on the way to the airport, on aircraft, during meals and when I sleep.

I take some flights on the same day and I am present in 2-3 countries within the day. Sometimes, I gather 3-4 important meetings on the same day, where I released strategic decisions. However, I never feel tired, both physically and spiritually.

You seem to be a money lover?

I work hard, but not for money. I do not lack money. The money I have is enough to be spent for three generations. I work hard just to satisfy my passion. You know, some people have the passion for these things, and others have passion for other things. And I have passion for work.

According to the HCM City Stock Exchange, by September 15, 2011, the total assets of Hoang Anh Gia Lai had reached 23,108 billion dong, including many real estate, hydropower, rubber and mining projects which are developed in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Singapore and Myanmar.

Doan Nguyen Duc’s assets account for nearly 50 percent of the total assets of the group, estimated at 10 trillion dong. Duc owns a Beechcraft King Air 350 worth 8 million dollars.








Source: Tien phong