The CEO of a leading Vietnamese budget carrier has presented not only gifts but also a song on a recent charity trip to the northern frontier province of Hoa Binh, surprising and touching everyone at the ceremony.
In a rare public appearance, Vietjet CEO Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao attended the present giving ceremony in Ky Son District on January 29, where she handed over blankets and warm clothes to local ethnic minority people.
The event took place only a fortnight away from the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, or Tet, falling on February 8.
Thao, who also rarely speaks to the media, then sang a song with the theme of Vietnam’s northern frontier area, leaving a great impression on both local officials and the gift recipients.
After the music performance, Thao continued giving lucky money envelopes to the needy elders, wishing them a new year of luck. She also shook hands with them, encouraging them to stay optimistic despite their hard life.
The female executive then left for Phuc Tien Primary School, where she talked with students, gifting them teddy bears and singing along with them.
Thao, who is also vice president of HDBank, is one of a few women who are CEOs of an airline and a bank at the same time.
Even though she is considered a ‘powerful rose,’ Thao has a sweet, simple and elegant manner.
As she led employees of both Vietjet and HDBank to the charity trip, the CEO did not bother to visit families in the most distant areas in Ky Son District.
“From the bottom of our heart, we wanted to give a helping hand to ethnic people in Ky Son to have a Tet full of warmth and love,” she said.
“Employees of Vietjet and HDBank are committed to continuing charitable and environmental protection activities, as well as programs to support ethnic people to overcome hardship.”
Vietjet, HDBank and the Vietnam Volunteer Information Resource Center, under the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, has also given away 1,000 gifts, including blankets, warm clothes, sugar, and cooking oil, to needy ethnic people in Ky Son.
“We appreciate such meaningful presents as they give warmth and love to people to celebrate Tet during this freezing winter,” said Dinh Van Hung, deputy secretary of the standing committee of Ky Son District.
“We are very happy to hear Ms. Phuong Thao commit to continuing to help Ky Son residents to escape poverty.”