Pham Thi Minh Huong, member of the Standing Committee of the General Association of Vietnamese People in Laos, Vice President of the Association of Vietnamese Businesspeople Abroad (BAOOV), and Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Gold Phuc Company (Laos), is a woman who lives by such ideals. She has chosen a path of always moving toward the sun-gathering warmth and quietly returning it to life through practical and deeply humane actions.

Advancing sustainable tourism development in ASEAN

On January 30, within the framework of the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2026 in Cebu, Philippines, the ASEAN Tourism Awards Ceremony 2026 was held with the participation of tourism ministers from all ten ASEAN member states, along with representatives of the international business community and media. Among leading brands in the region, Gold Phuc Resort, under the leadership of Pham Thi Minh Huong, made a remarkable mark by being honored with the ASEAN Green Hotel Standard Award.

Ms. Suansavanh Viyaketh, Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and Ms. Pham Thi Minh Huong at the ASEAN Tourism Awards Ceremony 2026 in the Philippines.

This award is not merely a recognition of high-quality hospitality services; it is a rigorous benchmark established by ASEAN member states to honor hotels and resorts that strictly comply with environmental protection criteria, efficient resource utilization, emissions reduction, and the promotion of sustainable tourism development. To attain this prestigious distinction, Gold Phuc Resort demonstrated its effective integration of business operations with environmental stewardship and the preservation of local cultural values.

The investment and development of a green resort in Laos - a country renowned for its pristine natural beauty - reflect Ms. Huong’s strategic vision. Her goal extends beyond building a luxury resort; she seeks to create an ecosystem in which humanity and nature coexist harmoniously. Under her leadership, Gold Phuc Resort has become a model for professional and sustainable tourism services, placing quality, efficiency, and visitor experience at the center.

The resort’s recognition within ASEAN’s green standards system not only affirms the credibility and excellence of a Vietnamese enterprise operating abroad but also highlights the increasingly prominent role of overseas Vietnamese entrepreneurs in promoting sustainable development models and contributing to economic and tourism cooperation across the region.

Bridging economic diplomacy and aspiring toward a strong and prosperous Vietnam

Beyond her business achievements, in her capacity as Vice President of BAOOV, Pham Thi Minh Huong has consistently embraced the role of a “connector,” quietly mobilizing international resources to contribute to her homeland while supporting domestic enterprises in expanding partnerships and reaching global markets. For her, economic diplomacy is not merely about trade promotion but about building sustainable value for national strength and autonomy, contributing to Vietnam’s aspiration for prosperity and resilience.

A notable activity in early 2026 was her direct facilitation of a visit and working session on January 26 between senior representatives of major Chinese corporations, SUMEC-ITC and CNOOD ASIA LIMITED, and the Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Post-Harvest Technology. This strategic initiative aimed to explore cooperation opportunities and ensure a stable supply of high-quality fertilizer inputs, addressing critical cost challenges in Vietnam’s agricultural sector.

Leaders of the Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Post-Harvest Technology, Ms. Pham Thi Minh Huong, and Chinese partners at the working session on January 26, 2026.

During the meeting, she emphasized: “The ultimate objective is not merely trade, but the joint development of a sustainable ecosystem that enhances the competitiveness of Vietnamese farmers and enterprises.” She firmly believes that with access to advanced technology and high-quality international inputs, Vietnamese agricultural products can secure a strong and enduring position in global markets. This aspiration stems not only from the strategic mindset of an entrepreneur but also from the heart of a community advocate deeply concerned with the prosperity of her homeland.

Promoting humanitarian values through community engagement

For Ms. Huong, social responsibility has always accompanied her business endeavors, serving as both a guiding principle and a source of inner fulfillment amid the challenges of entrepreneurship. Temporarily setting aside her business commitments in Laos, she undertook a meaningful journey back to Vietnam, traveling to the mountainous province of Dien Bien, where many communities continue to face hardship and educational facilities remain severely under-resourced.

On February 3 and 4, 2026, with the coordination of the Dien Bien Provincial Youth Union and Tien Phong Newspaper, she carried out a significant charitable mission. Motivated by compassion and a sense of responsibility, she sought to build bridges of solidarity and deliver warmth and encouragement to disadvantaged communities. She donated VND 100 million to the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Dien Bien to support underprivileged households and contributed a total of VND 183.6 million to fund the construction of a school kitchen and provide Lunar New Year gifts for students at Hin Phon satellite school, Na Tong No. 1 Semi-Boarding Primary School in Nua Ngam commune.

Ms. Pham Thi Minh Huong presents funding support for the construction of a school kitchen and distributes Lunar New Year gifts at Hin Phon satellite school, Nua Ngam commune, Dien Bien province.

At Hin Phon, a school facing the “three-no” conditions-no road access, no national electricity grid, and no mobile signal-she shared emotionally: “These gifts may be modest, but they carry profound affection and hope. I hope the children will study diligently and grow to contribute to the development of their homeland.” She expressed confidence that with the continued support of the Party, the State, and society, teachers and students there would overcome geographical and climatic challenges to pursue their educational aspirations.

Her contributions exemplify Vietnam’s cherished tradition of solidarity and mutual support, ensuring that the spirit of compassion and national unity continues to flourish, leaving no one behind.

Renewed momentum from confidence in the nation’s new era

A particularly profound honor for Pham Thi Minh Huong was her participation in meetings with Party General Secretary To Lam and the high-level Vietnamese delegation during their engagements with embassy staff and overseas Vietnamese communities in Laos (February 5, 2026) and Cambodia (February 6, 2026).

A particularly profound honor for Pham Thi Minh Huong was her participation in meetings with Party General Secretary To Lam and the high-level Vietnamese delegation during their engagements with embassy staff and overseas Vietnamese communities in Laos (February 5, 2026) and Cambodia (February 6, 2026). These meetings took place during the General Secretary’s state visits to the two neighboring countries, following the successful 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

Party General Secretary To Lam and the high-level Vietnamese delegation meet with embassy staff and members of the Vietnamese community in Cambodia on February 6, 2025.

Listening directly to the Party General Secretary’s strategic vision and heartfelt messages brought immense pride and inspiration to Ms. Huong and the overseas Vietnamese business community. The visits reaffirmed the Party and State’s consistent commitment to overseas Vietnamese as an integral part of the nation, a vital resource contributing to Vietnam’s new era of national advancement.

Inspired by the strategic orientations of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the renewed spirit generated by these engagements, Ms. Huong expressed her unwavering confidence in the Party’s leadership and Vietnam’s development trajectory. She regards this as a powerful impetus for Vietnamese entrepreneurs, both at home and abroad, to enhance their sense of responsibility and contribute meaningfully to national development.

Her efforts from promoting green tourism and facilitating economic partnerships to advancing humanitarian initiatives reflect the mindset, confidence, and aspirations of Vietnamese entrepreneurs in a new era. Her approach is steady yet profound: grounded in sincerity, guided by tangible effectiveness, and oriented toward shared values.

These contributions not only generate practical benefits across multiple sectors but also help project the image of Vietnamese entrepreneurs in the era of global integration intelligent, resilient, responsible, and deeply committed to humanitarian values. For Ms. Huong, steadfastly pursuing sustainable values is also a way to affirm her identity, responsibility, and enduring connection to her homeland, wherever she may be.