Johnathan Hanh Nguyen "King of luxury goods" and the marks that changed the face of Vietnam

Johnathan Hanh Nguyen is a highly influential figure in the service - trade - infrastructure sector in Vietnam, with a journey from independent youth abroad to the role of pioneer in bringing many international models into the domestic market.

Origin — Journey from Nha Trang to Abroad

Johnathan Hanh Nguyen was born on May 27, 1951 in Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa — a land of sunny and windy sea, where he grew up with a desire to reach far. At the age of 23, in the context of the country's many difficulties, he decided to leave his homeland, settle in the Philippines, and then continue to study abroad in the US and improve himself.

Studying and working abroad was a big challenge: he had to save money and do many jobs to pay for his tuition and living expenses. A small motorbike he bought after graduating was a testament to his "self-reliance" days - no support, no sponsorship, just determination and perseverance. It was that period of life that shaped his mettle, his ability to be self-sufficient and his desire to bring good things back to his homeland.

Early Days in Aviation — Taking the plunge and keeping the faith

After graduating, Johnathan worked at an affiliate of an international airline. Around 1980, he joined Philippine Airlines — where he learned in-depth about airport management, operations, and aviation services.

It was from this position that he began to nurture the idea of bringing international connections to Vietnam. In the context of the country gradually opening up, he was an active campaigner to open an official flight route between Vietnam and the Philippines — a project he pursued with great determination and expectations.

Repatriation — Establishment of IPP and First Steps

1985 marked a new chapter in his life: he returned to Vietnam and founded Imex Pan Pacific Group (IPP). This was the time when he was no longer a person far from home with only a degree and a dream — but a person eager to participate in rebuilding his motherland.

One of his first projects in his hometown was the construction of a 14-storey, 3-star hotel in Nha Trang — a project that helped change the face of the coastal city, while also opening up job opportunities and tourism services for many locals. It was a clear demonstration of his determination to bring an “international vision” to Vietnam.

At the same time, he constantly surveys and seeks opportunities to develop many other activities - to unlock the potential for the domestic market and for Vietnamese people in accessing global standards.

Expanding influence — Airport infrastructure, commerce, services & enhancing experiences

During the 1990s and 2000s, under his leadership, IPP expanded widely. He and his partners carried out many large projects, the most prominent of which was the construction of the International Passenger Terminal at Cam Ranh International Airport. Determined to complete the project within 18 months, it went into operation on June 30, 2018, creating a major turning point for the airport infrastructure in the Central region — and at the same time bringing a new breeze to tourism and trade in the region.

Not only stopping at infrastructure, he also expanded into the field of trade and services: cooperating with international units to bring into Vietnam a chain of duty-free stores, souvenir shops, fast food and airport services. Thanks to that, many international brands were able to approach Vietnamese consumers for the first time, opening up opportunities for choice and access to international standards.

In particular, under his guidance, IPP has become a developer of high-end shopping malls and shopping centers: typical projects such as the Trang Tien Plaza project or the iconic shopping mall located in an old hotel in Ho Chi Minh City – Rex Arcade. These places are not simply shopping places – but spaces with a modern feel, a cultural exchange between Vietnam and the world.

In addition, he also brought to Vietnam familiar global fast food brands such as Burger King, Popeyes Chicken, Dunkin' Donuts or Domino's Pizza - creating more youthful culinary culture options for young people and tourists.

In 2018, he expanded into the entertainment and technology fields: cooperating with a Korean corporation to search for and develop young talents according to the "international star" model, and opening the first Apple store - service center in Vietnam, named eDiGi.

These projects not only bring socio-economic benefits but also help improve consumer experience and services, contributing to promoting international integration and modernizing Vietnam's urban lifestyle.

Family and extended relationships

Johnathan Hanh Nguyen is not just a builder of a large "empire" — he is also the custodian and nurturer of a multi-generational family, with many wide connections in the domestic and international community.

His first wife was a cousin of a famous Philippine politician—a connection that had diplomatic and social implications. The couple had six children—three boys and three girls. The eldest son, Henry Nguyen (born 1981), and two other children in the family grew up in a global environment, holding their own roles. The second son, Louis Nguyen (born 1983), married a famous actress, further expanding the family's network in the domestic art world.

Later, he married actress Le Hong Thuy Tien - who was once famous on the screen, after retiring from showbiz, took on a leadership position at IPP. The couple had two children: daughter Jacqueline Nguyen (1996) and son William Hieu Nguyen (1998), continuing the new generation.

A story that attracted public attention: in 2020, when his daughter contracted Covid-19, Johnathan Hanh Nguyen chartered a private plane to bring her from the UK to Vietnam — an action that sparked widespread debate about the role of a father, privacy, and responsibility to the community.

Heritage & Vision — More than a Life of "Struggling"

More than four decades since returning, Johnathan Hanh Nguyen has transformed from an overseas Vietnamese who started his own business in a foreign land to someone who chose to take root in his homeland to sow the seeds of development. He not only built buildings, shopping malls, and airports — but also sowed the desire to bring Vietnam to the world, while opening opportunities for Vietnamese people to access international standards.

For him, every project — whether infrastructure, services, shopping or entertainment — carries with it a responsibility: creating jobs, changing the face of the city, developing a modern consumer culture, and contributing to the integration process. The family, with many young faces, continues to be an indispensable part — both traditional and modern; both rooted and reaching out to the world.

Johnathan Hanh Nguyen's story is not just a story of a successful person — but a journey of aspiration, effort, and belief that: even starting from small steps, with a strong will, the path back can lead to great values — for the individual, for the family, for an entire country.

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