Le Nguyen Thien Huong

Huong said she was moved when hearing the recognition. “This will help spread the #SaveSonDoong message to more people. It is a nice surprise that an environment campaign like #SaveSonDoong could be recognized by a prestigious journal like Forbes”. 

She said the title "30 Under 30" honors individuals, but #SaveSonDoong is implemented by a team of seven key members and the entire community.

Besides a full-time job at Fulbright University, you spend most of your time and endlessly endeavor on the environmental campaign of which you are a co-founder. What do bring you to the work?

When I was a primary school student, I liked reading ‘The Nobita’s Underground World’ in the Doraemon series. When I was a secondary school student, I read ‘Journey to the Center of the Earth’. As a high school student, I was the Vietnamese representative attending the WWF-funded training course on wildlife in South Africa and I had opportunities to go to the forests. 

After the trip, I realized that I belong to desolate areas. So, soon after hearing about the discovery of Son Doong, I began saving money and preparing my physical health before the trekking tour to Son Doong.

Do your colleagues call you ‘cavegirl’?

I really like the nickname. I love working here (FUV) because my efforts with #SaveSonDoong can be recognized and supported.

Actually, since the day I started #SaveSonDoong, nothing has been more important to me than Son Doong. If I die, people will forget who I am. But Son Doong must be there. #SaveSonDoong is the mission of my life.

I have heard that you have a ‘mini cave’ at your corner in the office. Could you please tell about it?

I want to be undisturbed in mind. My office is crowded. So I decided to ‘build’ a mini cave under my desk where I can stay to concentrate on my work. My colleagues respect my private place.

You were a mathematics teacher, graphic designer, piano teacher. And now you work for FUV, run #SaveSonDoong and can cook very well. Which job do you love the most?

Actually I concentrate on my two main jobs at FUV and  #SaveSonDoong. In the past, I taught English under an education program for deaf people called Hear.Us.Now where I am now an advisor. The jobs have close relations. Environmental protection means ‘growing trees’, while education means ‘growing people’.

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