The Man Behind Hanoi’s Oldest ‘Golden Empire’ Trains Employees the ‘Old-Fashioned Way’ and His Stance on Why ‘Intelligent Men Don’t Marry Successful Women’

Instilling a Unique Corporate Culture: Embodying Authenticity, Purity, and Morality

The Bảo Tín Minh Châu gold brand has become a familiar name to many, but few know that Mr. Vũ Minh Châu, the founder and operator of the brand for nearly 30 years, is also renowned for his unique business philosophy. To him, gold is not the most valuable asset; instead, he believes that health and corporate culture are the true treasures worth cherishing.

At Bảo Tín Minh Châu, all employees are expected to adhere to strict rules regarding their appearance and attire. The company’s employees, both male and female, are expected to present themselves as teachers, with natural black hair, free from dyes, unusual hairstyles, or tattoos. The dress code promotes modesty and professionalism, ensuring a cohesive and respectable image.

The Managing Director personally selects fabrics and designs elegant and sophisticated uniforms for his staff, ensuring a polished appearance while they work in the stores. He is also dedicated to sourcing clean, herbal foods, creating delicious, nutritious, and safe meals, as well as beverages and traditional medicines to promote the health and well-being of his staff and their families.

One unique aspect of the company is the collective lunch activity with the Managing Director. Each day, about eight employees from different departments are invited to have lunch with Mr. Vũ Minh Châu in his office. This tradition not only fosters camaraderie but also provides the Managing Director with an opportunity to understand the thoughts and aspirations of his staff.

When asked about these unique cultural aspects, Mr. Vũ Minh Châu shared that Bảo Tín Minh Châu aims to create a work environment that celebrates traditional values and cultural identity. He emphasized that each member of the company should embody natural beauty, reliability, and good health, radiating beauty from within.

Venturing into Pharmaceuticals: Emphasizing Honesty and Integrity in Both Gold and Medicine

Over the years, alongside the gold and silver business, the Managing Director of Bảo Tín Minh Châu has expanded his focus to include the research and development of herbal beverages and nutritional supplements. His goal is not just to take care of his family and friends but also to promote the health and well-being of his staff and their loved ones.

When asked about the reason for this diversification, Mr. Vũ Minh Châu explained that, in reality, the two fields are closely linked. Both the gold industry and pharmaceutical production require honesty and integrity, values that the company prioritizes when it comes to its employees.

He shared, “In the current era, people face numerous deadly diseases. Toxic and chemically contaminated food is prevalent, and many individuals neglect their health in their pursuit of wealth. Out of concern for the health of my family and employees, I decided to invest in clean food. When my staff is healthy, they can work with peace of mind and dedication, which contributes to the sustainable development of the enterprise.”

To date, he has introduced nearly a hundred types of clean foods and herbal products for his staff, including fish sauce, meat, seafood, rice, peanut oil, garlic oil, nutritional cakes, dried fruits, and various other nutritious products. Additionally, he established Bảo Sinh Pharmaceutical Company, specializing in researching and preparing precious medicines to enhance health and support the treatment of specific ailments. Currently, the company has developed dozens of health-enhancing products, and all employees with health issues are provided with free medication.

During his charitable activities, Mr. Vũ Minh Châu often combines the donation of medicine and nutritional products to improve the health of the community. He continuously seeks out clean ingredients to benefit his staff, believing that each region has its unique delicacies and precious remedies. “I want to be the bridge that brings these wonderful products to everyone,” he shared.

However, due to the stringent requirements for ingredient selection, most of the company’s pharmaceuticals and clean foods are currently only sufficient for internal use and are not yet available for widespread market release, despite having obtained commercialization licenses.

Concern for the Next Generation: “It’s a Sin to be Wealthy and Not Share”

Currently, at Bảo Tín Minh Châu, both the gold business and Bảo Sinh Pharmaceuticals are gradually being handed over to the next generation by Managing Director Vũ Minh Châu. However, what saddens him is the lack of successors in many traditional industries, while young people are enthusiastically embarking on new ventures.

Mr. Vũ Minh Châu emphasized, “Before starting a business, we must think about succession. For traditional industries, it is essential to focus on passing on the baton. If young people are not interested in continuing the trades of their forefathers and are only keen on starting new ventures with fresh ideas, the risk of failure is exceedingly high. They have to start from scratch, neglecting the accumulated wisdom and expertise of previous generations.”

Regarding the legacy of Bảo Tín Minh Châu, he constantly reminds the successors and all staff members to uphold integrity and trustworthiness. He firmly believes that “it’s a sin to be wealthy and not share.” Instead of prioritizing profits, he focuses on creating value for life, especially when it comes to health. He shared, “Stay healthy to make the gold shine brighter,” thereby enhancing the quality of gold, jewelry, and services offered by the company.

Unconventional Views on Women: “Even a Swan Can Become a Fighting Cock in the Business World”

Mr. Vũ Minh Châu, the Managing Director of Bảo Tín Minh Châu, holds rather unconventional views on women. While he cherishes and respects them, he also expresses his thoughts candidly in his treatise: “Being caring and gentle are the most valuable virtues of a wife. Beautiful women are often less caring, and intelligent women are often less gentle.” He also emphasizes that “even a swan can become a fighting cock in the business world.”

He frankly stated, “I believe women should not strive for success but rather embody gentleness and subtlety. As a successful man, I know that an intelligent man would never choose a successful woman as his wife.”

Not advocating for women’s participation in the business world, he shared, “After a while in business, their feminine qualities tend to disappear.” To him, an ideal woman should possess qualities such as natural beauty, purity, morality, gentleness, femininity, and intelligence. Regarding dress style, he emphasized, “If you embrace Western culture, do so fully, but if you choose to embrace Asian culture, then do so wholeheartedly.”

Commenting on the Managing Director of Bảo Tín Minh Châu, many share the view that Mr. Vũ Minh Châu is one of the most unique entrepreneurs in the North. Despite being surrounded by gold and silver, he constantly reflects on culture and cherishes the simple things in life. He appreciates the sophistication and perfection of the West while steadfastly upholding the motto of protecting the soul and spirit of Vietnam.