This is part of the celebrations of the Internet Day 2017, November 22, which marks 20 years of the internet in Vietnam.
The selection is based on their contributions in creating favourable policies for the development of the internet in Vietnam, expanding subscribers, creating apps, or developing internet businesses.
Truong Gia Binh, Chairman of FPT Group
Truong Gia Binh and 12 other scientists established the Food Processing Technology Company which is the original name of FPT Group in 1988. Under his lead, the company has become one of the largest information technology service company in Vietnam with its core business focusing on the provision of IT-related services.
Nguyen Trung Chinh, Chairman of CMC Corporation
Chinh is one of two founders who developed the 20-staff information company in 1993 into Vietnam's leading technology company with nearly 2,300 staff and revenue of USD 163 million in 2016. Between 1995 - 2011, Chinh and his partners established many important subsidiaries of CMC including CMC SI Hanoi, CMC Software, CMC P&T, CMC, CMC Ciber, CMC Infosec, CMC Telecom, and CMC SI Sai Gon. In 2016, he was appointed chairman of CMC Telecom which is the first private internet telecommunications in Vietnam. After setting up a joint venture with Malaysia's Time dotCome Group, CMC Telecom has supplied telecommunications services including the internet to 21 countries.
Nguyen Manh Hung, CEO of the Vietnam Military Telecommunications Group (Viettel)
Nguyen Manh Hung is known for his expanding 3G service to almost all areas in Vietnam. With this investment, Viettel has always had the biggest number of 3G subscribers which make up half of the country's total number. The group has now continued to lead in the 4G coverage area and the number of subscribers.
Tran Manh Hung, Chairman of Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT)
VNPT is the largest provider of fixed broadband services in Vietnam. Under the leadership of Tran Manh Hung, the group has also seen a boom in cable internet subscribers which makes the group top provider in Vietnam. Besides, Hung has also helped make Vinaphone's the lead in 3G service coverage area in Vietnam since 2016.
Vu Hoang Lien, Chairman of Vietnam Internet Association
Vu Hoang Lien had a long time leading the Vietnam Data-Communications Company – a VNPT's subsidiary which is the biggest internet service provider in Vietnam. Since taking the post as chairman of Vietnam Internet Association, Lien has continued to help develop internet penetration in Vietnam as a policy consultant. In 2007, Lien was also named one of three most influential people in Vietnam internet development in 10 years.
Le Hong Minh, Chairman of VNG Corporation
Le Hong Minh is founder, chairman and CEO of VNG Corporation- a leading IT and Internet company in Vietnam which was established in 2004. VNG's well-known achievements of VNG include Zalo mobile messenger, Zing- a popular digital media destination in Vietnam, excellent game development and professional publishing business. Minh is a leading thinker and speaker on technology trends, start-ups and entrepreneurs in Vietnam, along with being a regular speaker in global stages such as World Economic Forums, Forbes Annual Conferences and the Economist Conferences.
Minh is also chairman of the Vietnam Internet Fund which aims at developing internet to change the lives of people. The fund has supported bringing Internet-integrated computers and computer software and programmes to local people working in various fields in difficult regions throughout the country.
Nguyen Tu Quang, Chairman and CEO of Bkav Technology Group
Nguyen Tu Quang was first known for his Bkav anti-virus software launched in 1995. Bkav is now expanded to Internet security products, SmartHome, and Bphone smartphone.
Nguyen Tu Quang was named in top 10 outstanding Vietnamese young people in 1998. He was also one among top 10 outstanding Information and Communications Technology figures for the 2000 - 2010 period voted by Vietnamese IT Journalist Club.
Le Nam Thang, former deputy minister of Information and Communications
Le Nam Thang who has directly managed the telecommunications and internet sector in Vietnam for many years has contributed a lot to the robust development of the internet in the country thanks to his supporting open policies and creating fair and competitive environment in the telecommunications market.
Thang Duc Thang, Editor-in-chief of VnExpress Online Newspaper
Thang Duc Thang joined with FPT to launch the VnExpress Online Newspaper in 2001 with the expectation that people nationwide will read online newspapers one day. Thang has developed VnExpress into the top online newspaper in Vietnam with 46 million regular users according to Google Analytics.
Mai Liem Truc, former deputy minister of Posts and Telecommunications
In 2007, Mai Liem Truc was named the most influential person in the development of the internet in the country in a decade (1997-2007). He is considered the pioneer for the Internet boom in Vietnam by persuading the government to bring internet into the country in 1997 while being head of the Posts Department (Former of Ministry of Post and Telecommunications).
Since 2007, Truc has actively worked as an expert and consultant to local IT and internet firms.
