On September 5, Le Duc Thanh, the owner of the well-known Southern Vietnamese passenger transport company, Thanh Buoi, passed away due to illness. According to VTC News, his wife, Nguyen Thi Buoi (born in 1963), has been the legal representative of Thanh Buoi Company since the end of August 2024. It appears that the family and the company anticipated Mr. Thanh’s health situation and prepared for this eventuality.
Ms. Buoi is also the legal representative of two other companies, Thanh Buoi Duc Trong and Le Duong Limited Company, both of which were directed by Mr. Thanh. With her background as a bus conductor and Mr. Thanh’s experience as a bus driver, the couple built a successful transport business.
Mr. Le Duc Thanh, founder of Thanh Buoi passenger transport company. (Photo: Thanh Buoi)
Thanh Buoi is a renowned passenger transport company in Southern Vietnam. However, being a family-run business, information about the company is scarce. The success of Thanh Buoi can be attributed to the couple’s deep understanding of the passenger transport industry.
Despite Mr. Thanh’s lack of formal business education, he decided to establish Thanh Buoi Company in March 2000. The company name is a combination of the couple’s names, symbolizing their unity and commitment to facing the challenges of the competitive transport industry.
Thanh Buoi specializes in fixed-route passenger transport, chartered transport, tourist transport, and cargo transport using cars and containers. The company has completed tens of thousands of trips in the Southern and Central Highlands regions.
Mr. Thanh once admitted that he didn’t possess sophisticated business knowledge, but his business philosophy centered on respecting passengers, employees, and drivers. According to a former Thanh Buoi driver, Mr. Thanh always prioritized the well-being of his drivers, even during peak travel seasons, ensuring they got adequate rest.
Mr. Thanh always prioritized the well-being of his employees and passengers. (Photo: Thanh Buoi)
By 2016, Thanh Buoi Company owned over 200 vehicles, and in 2017, they increased their charter capital from 33 billion VND to 80 billion VND. Mr. Thanh held 68 billion VND, or 84.7% of the capital, while his son, Le Duong, held the remaining 15.3% as the company’s vice director.
The Thanh Buoi ecosystem also includes other companies such as Thanh Buoi Da Lat, Le Duong Limited Company, Thanh Le Tourism and Environment Company, and more. However, recently, there have been changes in the leadership of these companies, with Le Khanh, Mr. Thanh’s eldest son, stepping down from his position.
A significant turning point for Thanh Buoi was a tragic road accident in September 2023 on National Highway 20 in Dinh Quan District, Dong Nai Province. The incident, caused by a Thanh Buoi driver who had his license revoked, resulted in five deaths and four injuries. As a consequence, Le Duong, Mr. Thanh’s son, was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison, and the company had to compensate the victims’ families with over 2.7 billion VND.
Following this incident, Ms. Buoi seemed to find solace in religion, and the family business faced leadership changes. Now, with the passing of Mr. Thanh, the founder, there is uncertainty about the future of the over 20-year-old company.
In the past year, public opinion has expressed sadness for the decline of such a prominent passenger transport company. Many hope that Mr. Thanh and Ms. Buoi’s children will continue their parents’ legacy and bring a positive outcome to this unfortunate series of events.
The funeral of Mr. Le Duc Thanh, Director of Thanh Buoi Company, was held at 266 – 268 Le Hong Phong, Ward 4, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City. The burial took place on September 8 at Hoa Vien Binh An Cemetery in Dong Nai Province.
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