How Billionaire Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao’s Education System is Quietly Rising to Prominence

Few know that before becoming Vietnam’s first female billionaire in business, Dr. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao defended her Ph.D. thesis in Economic Cybernetics in Russia at a young age. She once shared that her childhood dream was to become a teacher.

On November 20th, the narrative around private investment in education gained momentum. In the landscape of educational socialization, while Vingroup and FPT have clearly established their positions, Sovico Group, led by Dr. Thao, has chosen a path of “quiet yet profound impact.”

Victoria School: Pioneering the “Happy School” Model Aligned with UNESCO Standards

A standout in recent investments is the rapid expansion of the Victoria School system. Instead of focusing on superficial investments, Victoria School targets a niche yet highly promising market: the “Happy School” model.

It is the first school system in Vietnam to become a strategic partner of UNESCO in implementing this project. Rather than competing for grades, Victoria School prioritizes the well-being index and real-life experiences of students.

With 17 campuses (including kindergartens and integrated primary and secondary schools) equipped with “Green School” and “Smart School” facilities in key areas like South Saigon, Victoria School addresses a critical need of the urban middle class: seeking an internationally accredited environment (integrated with the Cambridge program) while preserving Vietnamese identity and psychological balance for children.

Hoa Binh & Pacific Universities: M&A Strategy and the “Three-Pillar Advantage”

At the university level, instead of building from scratch, Sovico executes strategic M&A (mergers and acquisitions) to shorten market entry time, followed by robust restructuring.

Hoa Binh University (Hanoi): Joined the Sovico ecosystem in 2015. The university has been redefined as a multi-disciplinary applied university, focusing on practical fields such as Economics, Technology, and Industrial Fine Arts.

Pacific University (Nha Trang): Acquired by Sovico in 2023. Leveraging Nha Trang’s local advantages and strategic partnerships with Vietjet, the university is positioned as a key training center for aviation, tourism, and semiconductor industries in the South Central region.

The most significant differentiator of these two institutions is the “three-pillar advantage”: University – Students – Enterprises. Students not only learn theory but also benefit from internship and employment opportunities directly from Sovico’s network (HDBank, Vietjet, Phu Long). This “training on demand” strategy effectively addresses the critical issue of graduate employment—the most important KPI in higher education today.

From Oxford to the Global Vision of a Female Doctor

Sovico’s educational vision extends beyond Vietnam’s borders through high-level international collaborations.

Last October, the University of Oxford announced the Pioneer Scholarship Program with an initial total value of £17.83 million, of which £13.7 million was contributed by Dr. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao.

This is more than just a sponsorship. A Vietnamese entrepreneur partnering with Linacre Institute (Oxford) reflects the ambition to connect Vietnamese intellect with world-class scientific standards.

The fund will prioritize opportunities for outstanding postgraduate students, particularly from Vietnam, fostering a future elite workforce for the nation.