Vietnam’s banking sector currently has two chairmen and three CEOs born in the Year of the Snake. Among them, three individuals are turning 60 this year, and three are alumni of Hanoi University of Science and Technology.

People born in the Year of the Snake include those born in 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, and so on. Among the country’s top banking executives, two are chairmen of the board, and three are bank CEOs.

Three of them were born in 1965, the year of the Wood Snake, and are turning 60 this year. They include Trinh Van Tuan, Chairman of the Board at OCB; Le Quoc Long, CEO of SeABank; and Han Ngoc Vu, CEO of VIB.

The remaining two are Do Minh Phu, Chairman of TPBank, born in 1953 (Water Snake) and now 72 years old, and Nguyen Hoang Linh, CEO of MSB, born in 1977 (Fire Snake) and now 48 years old.

Do Minh Phu – Chairman of TPBank

do minh phu anh tpb 107016 copy.jpg
Do Minh Phu. Photo: TPBank

Born on September 11, 1953, in Hanoi, Do Minh Phu graduated with a degree in radio engineering from Hanoi University of Science and Technology.

Since 2013, he has served as Chairman of TPBank. He is also known as the founder of Doji Gold & Gems Group, where he currently holds the position of Chairman of the Founding Council.

TPBank was established in 2008. In 2012, Doji Group officially took part in restructuring the struggling bank. Due to his successful efforts in reviving TPBank, Phu was awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Prime Minister in 2013 for his outstanding contributions to the restructuring of credit institutions under the 2011-2015 financial sector reform program.

Before leading TPBank, Phu served as Chairman and CEO of Doji from 2007 to 2018. However, under the 2017 Credit Institutions Law, individuals are no longer allowed to simultaneously hold leadership positions in both banks and non-financial enterprises. Consequently, Doji reassigned him the title of Chairman of the Founding Council.

Although Phu does not directly own shares in TPBank, his two children collectively hold approximately VND 1 trillion worth of the bank’s shares. Additionally, his younger brother, businessman Do Anh Tu, and other related parties also own several trillion VND in TPBank shares.

Trinh Van Tuan – Chairman of OCB

Trịnh Văn Tuấn   Ảnh OCB.jpg
Trinh Van Tuan. Photo: OCB

Trinh Van Tuan was born in 1965 in Ninh Binh and graduated as an engineer from Hanoi University of Science and Technology. He is a veteran in the banking sector.

He officially joined Orient Commercial Bank (OCB) in 2010 and played a pivotal role in its transformation. Under his leadership, the bank underwent a major overhaul and recorded impressive growth.

Between 2015 and 2020, OCB's profits skyrocketed from VND 267 billion to nearly VND 4.5 trillion, while its bad debt ratio dropped to just 1.42%. With an average profit growth rate of 74% per year, OCB ranked first in the banking sector in terms of profitability growth and entered the top 10 most profitable banks in Vietnam.

Tuan has served as Chairman of OCB since May 2012, following a year as Vice Chairman and CEO of the bank.

Before joining OCB, he held positions such as Chairman of Vietnam International Securities (VIS) from 2006 to 2010 and Chairman of Vietnam International Bank (VIB) from 2003 to 2008. He was also a founding member and Chairman of VIB from 1996 to 2010.

Tuan previously lived in Poland, where he became a successful entrepreneur, dealing in textiles and clothing imported from Vietnam, Thailand, and China.

As per OCB’s shareholder records, 20 shareholders collectively hold 81% of the bank’s charter capital. Tuan himself owns 4.43%, while his wife, Cao Thi Que Van, holds 3.213%. Their daughters, Trinh Mai Linh and Trinh Mai Van, own 4.271% and 3.746%, respectively. The family’s total stake in OCB is valued at over VND 4 trillion.

Han Ngoc Vu – CEO of VIB

Hàn Ngọc Vũ   Ảnh VIB.jpg
Han Ngoc Vu. Photo: VIB

Han Ngoc Vu, born on May 19, 1965, in Hanoi, joined VIB as CEO in late 2006 and held the position until 2008.

He was then elected Chairman of the Board from 2008 to 2013. Afterward, in 2013, he was reappointed as CEO and has continued in the role ever since.

Before his tenure at VIB, Vu held various senior positions, including Head of Corporate Banking and Hanoi Branch Director at Citigroup Vietnam, National Sales Director and Ho Chi Minh City Branch Director at Credit Lyonnais Vietnam, and Hanoi Branch Director at Calyon Bank.

Under Vu’s leadership, VIB has made significant strides, positioning itself among the top banks in Vietnam in terms of retail banking and profitability. The bank also holds a leading market share in several key business segments.

Vu personally owns over 5.4 million VIB shares, representing 0.183% of the bank’s charter capital, valued at over VND 100 billion.

Additionally, he is a major shareholder in several companies, including ATV Vietnam Investment and Business Development Consulting Co., Vietnam Silicon Valley Accelerator, Delivery Technology Pte Ltd. (Singapore), VSV Venture Capital Fund I, and VSV Accelerator IV.

Le Quoc Long – CEO of SeABank

quyen tgd seabank ong le quoc long 107298 copy.jpg
Le Quoc Long. Photo: SeABank

Born in 1965, Le Quoc Long holds a degree in finance and accounting from Hanoi University of Finance and Accounting, as well as a law degree from Hanoi Law University. He has over 30 years of experience in Vietnam’s banking and finance sector.

He joined SeABank in 2005 as Deputy CEO in charge of credit and risk management. Over the years, he has held multiple key management positions in areas such as payments and regional operations.

With more than 30 years of banking experience, including 18 years as Deputy CEO, Long has played a crucial role in SeABank’s growth.

He was appointed Acting CEO on August 1, 2023, before officially assuming the CEO position on November 24, 2023.

Nguyen Hoang Linh – CEO of MSB

nguyen hoang linh msb 107441 copy.jpg
Nguyen Hoang Linh. Photo: MSB

Born in 1977, Nguyen Hoang Linh graduated from Hanoi University of Science and Technology.

He joined MSB in 1998 and has held multiple leadership roles, including Ho Chi Minh City Branch Director, Deputy CEO cum CEO of Corporate Banking, Deputy CEO cum Head of Strategy, and Deputy CEO cum CEO of Retail Banking.

In March 2020, he was appointed CEO of MSB. Since September 2020, he has also served as a member of the bank’s Board of Directors.

Linh has also held various executive positions at other financial institutions, including CEO of PVcomBank, Acting CEO of Viet A Bank, and CEO of Western Bank.

Tuan Nguyen