"I've been broke, I've failed. But every time I fell, I got back up – because if I don't strive for myself, no one else will do it for me." This statement, along with numerous other candid and profound insights from Billionaire Johnathan Hanh Nguyen, Chairman of the Imex Pan Pacific Group (IPPG), during a dialogue with students at the VNU University of Economics and Business (UEB), on the morning of May 7th, deeply resonated with, stimulated the thinking of, and ignited the entrepreneurial spirit within each young individual. Beyond inspiring them with his journey of overcoming adversity, he also imparted invaluable practical lessons and a profound humanitarian gift – instilling confidence in UEB students to confidently shape their futures.

An event beyond a simple exchange – A meeting of two generations, one shared aspiration

The "Meeting with Billionaire Johnathan Hanh Nguyen" event, organized by UEB, marks a prominent milestone in the university's mission to disseminate knowledge, ignite entrepreneurial aspirations, and foster a global integration mindset among UEB's younger generation. This was not merely an exchange between students and a successful entrepreneur but a symbolic encounter between two Vietnamese generations – one that has already reached out to the world, and another preparing to embark on its journey of future creation.

Attending the event from the Imex Pan Pacific Group (IPPG) were Billionaire Johnathan Hanh Nguyen, Chairman of the Group, Ms. Le Hong Thuy Tien, CEO of IPPG, and representatives from the Group's leadership. Representing UEB were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Truc Le, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the University Council; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Trung Thanh, Rector; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Anh Thu, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Khac Lich, and Dr. Pham Minh Tuan, Vice Rectors, along with faculty representatives from various departments/institutes and over 600 students from UEB.

In his opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Trung Thanh, Rector of UEB, shared: "Mr. Johnathan Hanh Nguyen's presence at UEB is not just a symbolic meeting between two generations but also a precious opportunity for our students to listen, ask questions, and 'touch' upon real business experiences from someone who has ventured into the global arena, worked with major corporations, and maintained Vietnamese identity on the international stage."

An entrepreneurial journey from Zero – Lessons in resilience and Vietnamese spirit

Commencing his sharing, Billionaire Johnathan Hanh Nguyen recounted his personal story, beginning with his application for a financial inspector position at Boeing Subcontractors. At that time, he was only 35-36 years old, holding solely a bachelor's degree from Seattle University (US), while hundreds of other candidates were 50-60 years old with extensive qualifications and experience. During his application, the recruiter reviewed his resume and asked: "Do you think our system has anything that needs to be improved?" With his acute financial acumen, he pinpointed a loophole in their tax reporting system, profoundly impressing the Board of Directors and securing his immediate employment. He shared this anecdote because he believes, "Don't think that the economics and finance sector is dull. This industry has countless transformations, but remember that to engage in economics, you must understand finance; these two must go hand in hand. Because when you do economics, you must know how to read financial reports and identify vulnerabilities, the loopholes."

Following personal anecdotes, the billionaire offered relatable advice: "This is no longer the era of 'bookworms'; no one forbids you from going for coffee or having fun, but you must utilize your four years of university, spending at least 80% of your time in classrooms to absorb knowledge from your lecturers. What a lecturer says once may not sink in, twice it will begin to, and three times it will be etched in your mind forever. Students need to acquire knowledge, embrace innovative and creative thinking, not follow the learning methods of 40-50 years ago, where one only studied from books and answered what the teacher asked to pass. It's clear that the Vietnamese mind is second to none; it's just that you haven't utilized it yet. But before you utilize it, you must learn."

Billionaire Johnathan Hanh Nguyen ignited the students of UEB, stating, "I've failed, I've had nothing in my hands. But every time I fell, I got back up because I believe: If I don't strive for myself, no one else will do it for me." He did not dwell on success but emphasized perseverance and an unyielding spirit.

One particular confession left the entire auditorium silent for a few seconds: "I returned to Vietnam not because I needed the market, but because I felt a responsibility. What I can bring back to the country, to the younger generation – that is more important than how much money I earn."

Concluding his sharing, he advised students, "No matter how successful and established you become in society later on, the most important thing is always to comply with state processes and regulations to 'eat well and sleep soundly.' This is a principle we have steadfastly adhered to for the past 40 years since returning to the country. Any intention or action, you need to consider carefully, ensuring both personal and family benefits, while strictly adhering to the law."

Following the profound sharing, the auditorium became more vibrant than ever during the Q&A session with Billionaire Johnathan Hanh Nguyen. UEB students posed many practical questions, such as: "Have you ever been rejected?", "How do I start a business without capital?", or "How can I avoid being left behind in the AI era?" With his extensive experience, Mr. Hanh Nguyen provided practical, highly applicable answers that strongly inspired the students. When asked about the role of AI in business, Johnathan Hanh Nguyen frankly stated: "AI is not a distant future – it is a reality happening now. And if you are not faster than AI, AI will replace you."

Ms. Le Hong Thuy Tien, CEO of Imex Pan Pacific Group (IPPG), and Mr. Hanh Nguyen's spouse, followed with a strategic insight: universities need to review their training programs, guiding students to pursue fields where AI cannot yet replace humans. 

Through these authentic stories, he not only inspired but also emphasized the message: "Economics is not dry. Economics is the ability to identify loopholes, financial mastery, and the art of analysis to create value."

A gift of 1 billion VND – More than financial value, it's trust and social responsibility

The climax of the program occurred when Mr. Johnathan Hanh Nguyen donated 1 billion VND to support disadvantaged UEB students who consistently strive for excellence. This act not only expressed his affection but also demonstrated a profound life philosophy: success goes hand in hand with service. 

Beyond this, he committed to long-term cooperation with the university, opening doors for internships and employment at his leading conglomerate – a "golden ticket" for diligent students with the will to rise and a thirst for knowledge. This opportunity is not just a stepping stone for their careers but also a journey of growth in a practical, dynamic, and globally integrated business environment.

The program concluded with a touching moment as Billionaire Johnathan Hanh Nguyen emotionally turned through the pages of a souvenir book gifted by UEB students, which brought the entire auditorium to a hush. He remarked that no gift had ever left him "standing still for so long." Those simple, sincere words forged a deep emotional connection between the pioneering generation of entrepreneurs and today's young intellectual generation.

Souvenir book, fresh flowers, and a moment of stillness

At the end of the program, student Phan Duc Thao Nguyen, representing UEB students, presented a bouquet of fresh flowers and a souvenir book containing hundreds of heartfelt messages. As he turned each emotionally handwritten page, the seasoned businessman of the market stood still – unable to hide his emotion. Through every line, every word, he felt the warmth, sincerity, and admiration conveyed by the students, drawing him closer to them and creating a strong emotional bond. This gift was not just a memento but also a tremendous source of spiritual encouragement, deeply touching his heart. Expressing her sentiments, Thao Nguyen conveyed her sincere gratitude to him for sharing such a meaningful story. Thao Nguyen emphasized that listening to those valuable experiences was a great honor for UEB students. Simultaneously, Thao Nguyen expressed her profound hope that UEB students in particular, and young people in general, would learn and absorb his resilient spirit, thereby using it as motivation to overcome life's challenges

UEB – A launchpad for great dreams

With a determination to become a leading innovative university, the University of Economics and Business, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, consistently creates academic and inspiring platforms grounded in practical relevance. The meeting with Billionaire Johnathan Hanh Nguyen, Chairman of the Imex Pan Pacific Group (IPPG), and Ms. Le Hong Thuy Tien, CEO of IPPG, was not merely an exchange event – it was a historical milestone, igniting within each UEB student a powerful aspiration: Dare to dream, dare to think, dare to act – and always strive for the nation.