Born and raised near West Lake during a challenging era in Vietnam's history, Phan Bich Thien developed a deep determination to rise through knowledge and education.

Her childhood was steeped in the early morning mists, the chimes of Tran Quoc Pagoda, and the fragrant scent of blooming lotus each summer, nurturing in her a lasting love for beauty and Vietnamese culture.

As one of the outstanding young Vietnamese of her time, she was selected to study in the Soviet Union, where she completed her PhD in economics in 1997.

A twist of fate then led her to Hungary, the homeland of her classmate and future husband.

Throughout nearly four decades living abroad, Phan Bich Thien has carried with her a burning desire to contribute and a deep belief that knowledge is not only for personal advancement, but a bridge that connects communities and spreads positive values.

This belief has driven her to continuously create cultural spaces and meaningful, lasting initiatives.

"I’ve always believed that no matter where we are, we remain children of the S-shaped country. It is our duty to ensure that Vietnam not only lives in our hearts but is also vividly present in the lives of international friends," she shared.

What sets Dr. Phan Bich Thien apart is her pioneering spirit.

Many of her ideas, when first proposed, were met with skepticism or deemed too ambitious or difficult. But she remained resolute: “If it benefits the community and Vietnam, no matter how challenging, I will do it.”

Hungary’s Successful Women magazine praised her as someone who always prioritizes the collective good over personal gain, noting that her contributions have brought Hungarians closer to understanding Vietnam.

With her strength and credibility, Dr. Phan Bich Thien has become a prominent figure within the Vietnamese community in Hungary.

She has been elected to the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front for multiple consecutive terms and serves as Chairwoman of the Vietnamese Women’s Association in Hungary, where she initiated numerous activities to unite Vietnamese women.

She is also the President of the Vietnamese Women’s Forum in Europe, which gathers representatives from 18 countries to build a supportive, collaborative network for Vietnamese women across the continent.

In 2005, together with her husband Thuróczy László, she purchased and restored the historic Fried Castle Hotel, a century-old architectural landmark in Hungary.

From a ruin, she transformed it into a luxury eco-resort, frequently named among Hungary’s most beautiful and beloved hotels.

Beyond business, she cleverly incorporated elements of Vietnamese culture into every aspect of the hotel-from the décor and furnishings to cultural showcases.

As a result, Fried Castle is more than a place of relaxation; it’s a cultural crossroads where East meets West, offering European guests a deeper understanding of Vietnam.

A particularly notable initiative was her proposal to erect a Vietnam-Hungary Friendship Monument featuring a bronze drum statue in the city of Paks.

Launched in collaboration with Hungarian authorities in 2010, the project exemplifies her dedication to cultural promotion and strengthening bilateral relations.

Another symbol of her legacy is Dai Bi Pagoda, a Vietnamese Buddhist temple built atop a hill with traditional architectural features overlooking a river and nestled against a mountain.

It serves not only as a spiritual center for the Vietnamese community but also as a venue introducing national heritage to international friends.

One of Dr. Phan Bich Thien’s most groundbreaking initiatives is the founding of the Vietnamese Women’s Forum in Europe-the first continent-wide women’s organization among the diaspora.

The forum brings together hundreds of Vietnamese women from across Europe to share stories of integration, entrepreneurship, cultural preservation, and youth education.

Together, they work to elevate the role of women and the Vietnamese community in their host societies and beyond.

A landmark event of the Forum was held at the Hungarian National Assembly, marking the first time a Vietnamese diaspora forum was hosted in the highest legislative institution of a European country.

“I was overwhelmed with emotion and national pride when I saw the Vietnamese flag and traditional ao dai fluttering in the dignified space of Hungary’s National Assembly,” said Dr. Phan Bich Thien.

Her efforts have earned widespread recognition.

In 2023, Successful Women magazine named her among Hungary’s 50 most distinguished women of the year. She was also honored with the honorary title from the city of Simontornya, home to the Fried Castle Resort.

She is the only foreign woman featured in the book 21st Century – The Mission of 21 Women, celebrating 21 inspirational Hungarian women.

For many years, Vietnamese and international media have hailed Dr. Phan Bich Thien as a cultural ambassador and unifier of the Vietnamese community in Europe.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, she steered the Fried Castle resort through adversity while preserving jobs for dozens of workers-a story highlighted in Hungarian press as a testament to the resilience and intelligence of Vietnamese women.

To her, the community is a large home built by many small bricks from each individual.

She has spearheaded numerous initiatives to strengthen and raise the community’s profile in their host societies, with a particular focus on women and younger generations.

At her suggestion, the annual Mid-Autumn Festival for Vietnamese children in Hungary is now organized by the Women’s Association.

Her empathy and desire to honor Vietnamese women abroad also inspired the first international writing contest about overseas Vietnamese women, which she actively helped organize.

She believes that cultural soft power only truly resonates when it touches the human heart.

The painting competition “Vietnam today through the eyes of children” is a vivid example of that belief.

Organized by the Vietnamese Women’s Association in Hungary, it attracted entries from students in over 50 schools across Hungary, as well as from Austria, Denmark, and Sweden.

“When I saw Hungarian, Austrian, and Swedish children painting images of ao dai, lotus flowers, pho, and Ha Long Bay, I knew Vietnam had found its way into their hearts in the most natural way,” said Dr. Phan Bich Thien, who also chaired the competition.

The contest received the Innovation Award at the 10th National Awards for External Information.

She also proposed organizing the National Great Solidarity Day for Vietnamese communities abroad.

Beyond community work, as President of the Hungary - Vietnam Friendship Fund, Dr. Phan Bich Thien has launched many humanitarian campaigns for her homeland.

These include donations for flood victims, support for the poor, building kitchens for mountainous schoolchildren, Covid-19 relief efforts, and sponsorships for underprivileged children.

Her family currently sponsors six orphans in Vietnam.

Looking back on her nearly 40-year journey, Dr. Phan Bich Thien is not only an accomplished intellectual and entrepreneur.

She is a cultural bridge between Vietnam and Europe, a community torchbearer, and an inspirational role model for younger generations in service, perseverance, and cultural identity.

She reflects, “Preserving cultural identity is preserving our roots so we can grow and integrate with confidence. If we lose our roots, we lose the strength to stand tall anywhere.”

Beyond all the honors and international recognition, her greatest success may be awakening national pride in overseas Vietnamese-so that wherever they are, they proudly say: “I am Vietnamese.”

Thai An