Crafting Beauty, Building Wealth: Labor Hero Nguyễn Việt Cường’s 40-Year Legacy in the Land of Nine Dragons

The prestigious title of Labor Hero, bestowed by the Party and State, is a testament to Mr. Nguyễn Việt Cường’s unwavering dedication to enhancing and enriching the Mekong Delta region.

40 Years of “Building from the Heart”

Phú Cường Corporation stands as a leading enterprise in the Mekong Delta, its growth deeply intertwined with the entrepreneurial journey of its founder, Mr. Nguyễn Việt Cường.

Starting in the seafood procurement, processing, and export sector in Cà Mau, Phú Cường Corporation steadily overcame the myriad challenges of the post-Renovation era. Through relentless expansion, it has evolved into a diversified conglomerate with a strong foothold in Vietnam’s economy.

President Lương Cường awards the Labor Hero title to Mr. Nguyễn Việt Cường, Chairman of Phú Cường Corporation

Today, Phú Cường Corporation encompasses an ecosystem of over 28 member companies, operating in four key sectors: seafood processing and export, real estate, services – tourism – hospitality, and renewable energy. This ecosystem has significantly contributed to employment generation for tens of thousands of workers, fostering economic restructuring in the Mekong Delta.

The success of Phú Cường Corporation is not solely measured by revenue or asset size but is defined by its core philosophy: “Building from the Heart.” Over four decades, the corporation has prioritized community welfare and sustainable development, striving to beautify and enrich the Western region. This foundation has enabled Phú Cường Corporation to weather all market storms, establishing its reputation and national brand status.

Labor Hero of the Renovation Era

Few know the challenging journey Mr. Nguyễn Việt Cường endured to achieve this solid position. Born in Vĩnh Thuận, Kiên Giang (now An Giang) – a land rich in revolutionary tradition – he grew up amidst rivers, fields, and the heartfelt spirit of the Southern people. His youth, spent serving the revolution, forged in him a steely resolve, high discipline, and sharp practical thinking.

After leaving the military, he chose Cà Mau as his starting point, working as a laborer in seafood procurement yards. From 1986, he became a pioneer in organizing seafood procurement systems for state-owned factories, directly linking farmers with processing enterprises.

A major turning point came in 1995 when he took over the nearly bankrupt Tân Phú Seafood Enterprise, the precursor to Phú Cường Corporation. This bold decision marked a new era of large-scale seafood processing in the Mekong Delta.

The period from 1995 to 2005 saw Phú Cường’s rapid growth in the seafood sector. Factories in Cà Mau, Kiên Giang, Bạc Liêu, and Vĩnh Long were continuously invested in, upgraded, and expanded. Phú Cường emerged as a leading private enterprise in direct international seafood exports, consistently topping the nation in offshore seafood exports and significantly contributing to national export revenue.

Building on this success, Mr. Nguyễn Việt Cường expanded into long-term strategic sectors for the region. Notably, the pioneering 350-hectare land reclamation urban project in Rạch Giá, launched in 2009, created new development space for coastal cities, transforming the local landscape and improving residents’ quality of life.

Additionally, he focused on social housing projects, viewing them as a corporate social responsibility and a practical alignment with the Party and State’s development goals. These projects, implemented across the Mekong Delta and Ho Chi Minh City, have addressed housing needs for low-income earners, military personnel, and civil servants, enabling stable living and contributing to societal productivity.

For his tireless contributions, Mr. Nguyễn Việt Cường has twice been awarded the First-Class Labor Order by the President, along with numerous other honors. The recent Labor Hero title is the highest recognition of his lifelong dedication to the Mekong Delta’s development.

This prestigious title not only honors an outstanding individual but also acknowledges a spirit of enduring service, with the prosperity of the Mekong Delta post-Renovation as the guiding principle in corporate development. Mr. Nguyễn Việt Cường’s achievements – from job creation and production capacity enhancement to urban development and social welfare – have laid a robust foundation for the region’s sustainable growth.

In this new era, he continues to lead the corporation in close partnership with local communities, steadfast in his mission to beautify and enrich the West, driving the Mekong Delta toward stronger and more sustainable development.