In the business world, especially during times of rapid technological change, there is a remarkable woman who has become a source of inspiration and motivation for all members of Hanoi Telecom – Madam Trinh Minh Chau.
“Madam Chau” is a name that was coined 24 years ago when she worked at the joint venture company Sumi Hanel. Later, during her tenure as the first female CEO of Hanel Company, the name became a well-known and highly respected identity, appreciated by multiple generations of employees within Hanel, a state-owned enterprise known for being a leading high-tech electronics manufacturer in Hanoi. Madam Chau is considered the first female general in the business world in Hanoi and Vietnam, successfully taking Vietnamese branded products with high intellectual content to the international market, receiving positive evaluations from partners and customers. As one of the founding shareholders, Madam made a tremendous contribution to laying a solid foundation for Hanoi Telecom, setting the stage for Hanoi Telecom as the first joint-stock enterprise to collaborate with Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-Shing to establish HT Mobile, now known as Vietnamobile – the first and only foreign-invested mobile network operator as of this moment.
With the remarkable successes achieved, Madam Chau is not just a talented leader but also a symbol of a shining example, showcasing boundless passion, unwavering dedication, and perseverance beyond imagination.
Vision and Leadership
Over the past 22 years, Madam Chau, alongside the leadership team of Hanoi Telecom, has guided the company’s transformation from a small-scale joint-stock enterprise with a modest initial charter capital of 8 billion VND. Today, Hanoi Telecom has made significant strides, evolving into a diversified technology conglomerate with a charter capital of 1.6 trillion VND and consisting of nine subsidiary units spanning across 63 provinces and cities. Employing over 3,000 staff, Hanoi Telecom not only provides fundamental telecommunications services but also plays a pivotal role in shaping and advancing the development of Industry 4.0.
Patience and Dedication
Despite facing numerous challenges in the course of building her career, Madam Chau never entertained the idea of giving up, even as a fleeting thought. It seems that challenges only made her stronger, fueling her with fresh and innovative ideas. “Just keep moving forward with enthusiasm and determination; you will reach your destination” is what we have learned from Madam.
The Vietnamobile project is a prime example of attracting foreign investment in the telecommunications industry. Over the past 14 years, it has attracted nearly 2 billion USD in foreign investment. The HTC International Telecommunications project, with more than 13,000 km of fiber optic cables, consisting of 03 North-South backbone routes and the first data center (Eco DC) meeting Uptime Tier 3 standards for both design and construction in Vietnam, is another testament to the resilience of the telecommunications industry. The growth of its subsidiary units, expanding globally with the establishment of VNCS Global in collaboration with Japan’s largest cybersecurity conglomerate, Terilogy, is the clearest evidence of Madam’s determination to overcome challenges and achieve success.
Contributions to Society
In contrast to her fiery nature in business, Madam Chau is a person who quietly engages in charitable activities. She believes in “Helping others from the heart.” It is this heart and vision that has earned her the respect and admiration of her employees, colleagues, and partners. During the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021, when the company faced significant difficulties in sustaining its business operations, Madam Chau was steadfast in her decision not to reduce salaries and even offered additional support to employees in affected areas, providing financial assistance to families affected by illness. Her regular charitable activities, from building pagodas, schools, and medical stations for disadvantaged children in remote areas, are carried out annually through the Green Sail Fund.
Madam Trinh Minh Chau is not only a talented leader but also an embodiment of determination, perseverance, and compassion. She is the pride of many generations of Hanoi Telecom employees, serving as an inspiration for us to learn, work, create, and contribute every day.
Hanoi, on the last day of autumn in the Year of the Tiger.
