VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnam’s telecommunications industry in 2014 saw significant changes, with the most important being the change of senior leaders of Vietnam Post and Telecommunications Group (VNPT), Viettel, MobiFone and VinaPhone.

On December 16, the Ministry of Information and Communications appointed Mr. Tran Manh Hung, General Director of VNPT, as VNPT Chair to replace Mr. Pham Long Tran, who will retire in March 2015.

From now until March, Tran will continue to perform management operations, administration and international cooperation of VNPT and gradually hand over part of the duties to Hung.

Hung is considered an important character in the restructuring of VNPT. He was appointed General Director of VNPT in August 2013, after assuming many positions in the Group.

With this change in personnel, it can be said that Hung was selected to steer VNPT with the heavy task ahead of accelerating the restructuring of VNPT in 2015 and to catch up with rival Viettel in the near future.

In March 2014, Viettel also conducted the transfer of power, when Mr. Nguyen Manh Hung accepted the position of General Director, replacing Mr. Hoang Anh Xuan. At the same time, Mr. Duong Van Tinh, Deputy General Director of Viettel, retired.

After receiving the new position, Hung issued many important decisions, including the change of many directors and division heads.

Hung made a remarkable speech at Viettel’s 25th anniversary: "Normally, when people are successful, they will think of maintaining success, but Viettel does not think so. Only those who dare to throw away success, will be able to succeed further. That’s the way Viettel will follow."

One of the objectives set by Hung is turning Viettel into a global corporation. In all foreign markets of Viettel, it is one of the three largest companies in the markets.

Viettel also aims to invest in 25 countries to create a foreign market with a population of 600 to 800 million in 2020 and will be among the top 10 largest telecommunications businesses in the world.

The latest personnel changes

On December 16, Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Bac Son presented the decision appointing Mr. Mai Van Binh, 60, as Chairman and Mr. Le Nam Tra as the General Director of MobiFone.

Tra is identified as the important figure in MobiFone equitization process. He is a member of the Steering Committee on MobiFone Equitization, which was established in October 2014, led by Minister Nguyen Bac Son.

In July, Mr. Cao Duy Hai, MobiFone deputy director, was appointed as VinaPhone deputy director, replacing Mr. Lam Hoang Vinh who retired.

Hai holds the position at a time when VinaPhone will focus on business services of VNPT, after the Group concludes restructuring.

VNPT is proposing to establish VNPT - VinaPhone Corporation to conduct the business and services of VNPT, not manage telecom networks.

After MobiFone separated from VNPT, VinaPhone was identified as the main unit, the new "golden cow" of this group.

The senior leadership changes at VNPT, Viettel, MobiFone and VinaPhone occurred while these firms were in the process of drastic restructuring and equitization as directed by the Government. They have to increase revenue and profit as the telecom market has nearly reached the saturation point.

Ly Thong