The Pen is Mightier: Unveiling the Zodiac Signs of Vietnam’s Top CEOs. A closer look at the zodiac signs of CEOs leading some of Vietnam’s largest empires reveals an intriguing pattern. With a focus on the Vietnamese lunar calendar and its zodiac animals, we find that CEOs born in the Year of the Horse, Tiger, Rat, and Dog are the most prevalent. Meanwhile, the CEOs of THACO and Traphaco, both born in the Year of the Wooden Snake (Ất Tỵ), navigate through their ‘age’ year.

The data statistics on the ages of CEOs of enterprises in the Top 500 largest enterprises in Vietnam (VNR500) ranking by Vietnam Report show that the number of CEOs born in the years of the horse, tiger, rat, and dog zodiacs make up the largest proportion, at 15.6%, 15.3%, 14.8%, and 14.5% respectively.

Looking at the five elements and twelve animals in the Vietnamese zodiac, the number of CEOs born in the year of Nhâm Tý (1972) is the highest, accounting for 5.8%. This is followed by those born in the years of Giáp Dần (1974), Bính Thìn (1976), and Đinh Tỵ (1977), each group making up 5.3%.

It can be seen that many large enterprise CEOs in the VNR500 ranking this year belong to the 7X generation. This generation benefited from an open learning environment, as the country enjoyed peace and started to learn more from Western countries. In the era of renewal, they had access to modern information technology and favorable conditions due to international trade policies. At the same time, they also have an advantage in terms of business and management experience compared to the younger generation.

According to Vietnam Report’s data, CEOs under the age of 40 in Vietnam account for approximately 10.8%, significantly lower than the proportion of CEOs aged 41 to 50 (41.1%) and those over 51 years old (48.1%). However, this percentage has increased compared to previous years.

In reality, ages 45 and above are often considered the prime age for successful Vietnamese entrepreneurs, as they have accumulated sufficient knowledge, courage, leadership experience, and business connections.

Meanwhile, the increase in the number of CEOs under 40 indicates that enterprises are undergoing a transition and embracing younger, more creative leaders who can quickly adapt to the modern business environment. This reflects the trend towards leadership diversification and rejuvenation in Vietnam’s business community.

Out of the total of 12.9% of entrepreneurs born in the year of the snake in the VNR500 ranking this year, 2.3% were born in the year of Ất Tỵ.

Some notable VNR500 enterprise leaders born in 1965 include: CEO Han Ngoc Vu (Vietnam International Commercial Joint Stock Bank), CEO Le Quoc Long (South East Asia Commercial Joint Stock Bank), CEO Pham Van Tai (Truong Hai Auto Corporation), CEO Tran Tuc Ma (Traphaco Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company), CEO Pham Thi Thanh Huong (Binh Dinh Pharmaceutical – Medical Equipment Joint Stock Company), and CEO Pham Thi Xuan Huong (OPC Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company)…