My father founded Tien Nong in 1995, starting with a small enterprise. We discussed naming it, and he wanted to combine our names, Phong Cong, as the brand for fertilizer production. However, I insisted on Tien Nong, symbolizing the integration of progress into agriculture.
Mr. Nguyen Hong Phong, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Science and Technology Enterprises, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs Association (6th and 7th terms), and CEO of Tien Nong Agro-Industry JSC, is first and foremost a scientist.
Emphasizing science and technology as a driver of new prosperity for businesses and Vietnamese farmers, Mr. Phong shared insights on its vital role in business development and the ambition to “help farmers become wealthy” through technological advancements.
Reflecting on Vietnam’s journey, what is the most significant achievement in agriculture? How has the role of science and technology enterprises evolved in agricultural development?
Our greatest pride is feeding over 100 million people.
From 1945 to the present, agriculture and fertilizer industries transformed Vietnam from a famine-stricken nation to a key player in the global food market. Since 1986, the focus has been on “intensive yield” to eradicate hunger.
Today, while the concept has evolved, we proudly export agricultural products globally. I am confident Vietnam will soon achieve its $100 billion agricultural export goal.
Over 80 years, Vietnam’s transformation from famine to prosperity highlights the contributions of ministries, sectors, and enterprises. Science and technology enterprises now play a strategic role, driving knowledge-based agricultural economics and bridging lab research with farmland.
For Vietnamese agriculture to thrive, we must adopt science-based crop nutrition. The success of science and technology enterprises reflects the quality of national innovation institutions.
You mentioned Tien Nong doesn’t wait for policies but proactively innovates. Can you elaborate?
This is the philosophy of all ambitious enterprises. To grow and influence the market, investment in research is essential. Relying solely on policies slows progress.
Government support includes critical evaluation of ideas for societal impact. Enterprises must create practical solutions, prompting policy improvements.
Proactive enterprises, like Tien Nong, drive market standards. Resolution 57 emphasizes science and technology as pillars of Vietnam’s prosperity, placing enterprises at the center of innovation ecosystems.
We must research for present and future needs. Proactivity ensures enterprise survival and growth. Many businesses fail due to lack of innovation.
Tien Nong sets higher standards, compelling the market to follow.
As Thanh Hoa’s first science and technology enterprise, how did Tien Nong begin?
Founded in 1995 as a small enterprise, my father wanted to name it Phong Cong. I chose Tien Nong to signify progress in agriculture, reflecting our vision to lead through science and technology from the start.
We grew steadily, focusing on annual progress. Our breakthrough was specialized crop nutrition technology, optimizing soil, season, and growth stages, shifting from selling fertilizer to providing scientific solutions for higher yields and lower costs.
Over 30 years, we mastered NPK fertilizer production, developed region-specific nutrition solutions, and established early research labs, becoming a leading science and technology enterprise rooted in farmers’ needs.
Can you share more about Tien Nong’s research labs and their focus?
Vietnamese agriculture faces soil health challenges due to decades of intensive farming. Our labs focus on soil health for sustainable agriculture, ensuring long-term productivity.
Tien Nong has two certified labs—one for inorganic and one for biological research—staffed by bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD researchers. They study soil issues and develop solutions, working with farmers to implement them.
We focus on indigenous microbial technology, exploring forests for beneficial microorganisms. These are cultivated in labs and applied to local soils, ensuring compatibility with Vietnamese agriculture.
Your goal is to help 1 million farmers achieve wealth. Has this vision evolved?
My dream is for 1 million farmers to each earn $1 billion annually in agricultural products, profiting $500 million. Tien Nong’s $1 billion annual revenue generates $10–20 billion in agricultural value, proving this model’s feasibility.
We aim to enrich farmers through science and technology, enhancing knowledge, status, and sustainability. We collaborate with farmer associations and cooperatives to spread our solutions, though this is a long-term effort.
Future agriculture will rely on transparent, technology-driven value chains. Consumers will understand a product’s journey, from soil to table, promoting healthier eating and reducing reliance on medicine.
Ultimately, we aim to nurture innovation, uphold technological ethics, and build Vietnam’s future through Vietnamese knowledge and values. Science and technology enterprises are key to national prosperity.
Thank you for sharing your insights!
Design: Hai An
The “Serving the Country” content series celebrates inspiring stories of dedication and contributions to Vietnam’s socio-economic development, supported by Tan Hiep Phat Group.
As a leading Vietnamese beverage company, Tan Hiep Phat has long envisioned not only business success but also industry growth, consumer value, and societal contributions. Over three decades, it has invested in four state-of-the-art factory complexes in Ninh Binh, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Can Tho, creating thousands of jobs and contributing significantly to the national budget.
Beyond business, Tan Hiep Phat prioritizes social responsibility, supporting initiatives like “Bền đam mê,” “Nối trọn yêu thương,” and educational scholarships. These efforts aim to improve lives and foster community positivity.
For Tan Hiep Phat, social responsibility is a core value and a long-term commitment to a prosperous and humane Vietnam.
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