Since the VEF (Vietnam Education Foundation) fund has not been realized, using its money to build Fulbright University is impossible.
At the same time, we should also understand more about the nature of the conflict at that time, Bob Kerrey’s background, and his work related to Vietnam over the past 25 years. I helped him campaign for the U.S. presidential election in 1992, so I know quite a lot about him.
A few days after the Bob Kerrey story broke, I talked to him and advised him to continue serving as the chairman of Fulbright University. I don’t know if my advice had much impact, but he decided not to resign.
Bob Kerrey has been an advocate for establishing diplomatic relations with Vietnam from an early stage and has helped connect educational programs with Vietnam for 25 years, including Fulbright University and the Vietnam Education Foundation (VEF). He has tried to heal the wounds of war and his own. I think the Vietnamese people are beginning to understand him. His actions and conduct are very humane, but I believe that the Vietnamese people are no less humane… Perhaps the Vietnamese people have helped him to lift the “shadow of war” that has been on his mind for the past 47 years.
As someone who has contributed a lot to higher education over the years, why have you dedicated all your efforts to education reform?
My main job is to build policies and manage state training and human resource development programs. As a long-time member of the Northeastern University Council of Massachusetts, I had the opportunity to work with presidents and participate in the activities of 12 universities. I understand very deeply the organizational models and operations of each school, the development models of higher education, and the operations of each specific type of school… From there, I built the linkage and development cooperation program for the entire region. This model is sorely lacking in Vietnam’s higher education today.
In Vietnam, not to mention quality, the number of college-level training and above is still insufficient. Currently, the proportion of people aged 25 and over with a college degree or higher is only about 10% of the total population. Meanwhile, in Korea and the U.S., this figure is over 40%, so how can we effectively implement the plan for industrialization and modernization of the country?
Although education and training in the IT era are different, we need to reach a certain level to be able to access scientific, technical, information, and management conditions. My involvement in higher education in the country is not because I want to, but because I need to.
Developing tourism: Don’t be as spiky as… a jackfruit!
What made a seasoned politician like you return to Vietnam to start a business as an entrepreneur?
My first return to Vietnam was in 1999 with a delegation from a U.S. government financial organization. At that time, I thought that with my work experience and existing knowledge, if I returned to Vietnam, I could contribute more. Additionally, I was also tired of government management work in the U.S. at that time.
In 2000, I accepted a position as Business Director for a U.S. multinational company specializing in solar energy, and later also served as the General Director of the Vietnam branch, providing solar products for projects and households in remote areas of Vietnam.
From managing a department of several hundred state officials, I transitioned to managing a private company of about 60 employees in Vietnam. Since I come from a rural background, this work was incredibly interesting, traveling to remote areas, places without electricity like Côn Đảo, Đất Mũi, or Ban Mê Thuột… working with government authorities, organizations, and meeting people from all over the country. Although this work was small, it was very interesting.
Selco-VN was one of only two American companies in the world awarded the U.S. State Department’s Excellence in American Business Award in 2002, for its achievements and positive contributions to society. However, as the solar energy market in Vietnam was very limited, the parent company shifted most of its investment to the Indian market and other countries. After that, I left the company and started working as a consultant for the World Bank on renewable energy.
And then you started your second venture with the Inter-Continental Nha Trang Hotel?
I took on the role of Chief Consultant, researching and assessing the environment, economy, and development potential of renewable energy on the islands in Nha Trang Bay. This might have been one of the most interesting jobs of my career. In the morning, I took a boat to the islands to survey, research, and meet with the locals. In the afternoon, I would hang a hammock under the coconut trees for a rest, then continue working… Working with the islanders in Nha Trang Bay was very enjoyable; they were very honest and hospitable.
From that experience, I thought about doing something for my homeland in Nha Trang. Fortunately, I partnered with an investment group for the Inter-Continental Hotel in Nha Trang. Although the hotel’s investment and construction process took many years, the project was ultimately successful.
Were you too risky in starting the construction of a large-scale resort hotel in Bình Định, inviting hotel management companies like Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, but after 8 years of implementation, it still hasn’t fully taken shape?
From 2009-2011, the U.S. economy was in a bleak situation, partly because American partners no longer contributed capital, and partly because of lengthy land clearance procedures. In 2012, the resettlement area for the people was completed, ready to hand over the cleared land to the investors. This was the first time I was involved in such a costly and time-consuming project. Despite the challenges, we remained persistent in investing, building, and creating a quality resort area as planned. I believe in the results and the positive outcomes ahead. Anywhere, with determination and perseverance, the path will open up for us.
What is your assessment of Vietnam’s potential, and Bình Định specifically, in tourism development?
In 2015, nearly 29 million international tourists visited Thailand, while Vietnam attracted only about 8 million, and the quality of tourists may not even be comparable. Vietnam’s tourism potential is not inferior to Thailand, but our approach to the market, management, tourism products, and connection with localities still have many issues. To elevate Vietnam’s tourism to a new level, we need to address the macro-level strategy first.
There are many different types and points of tourism, such as exploration, sightseeing, and resort tourism. For the resort segment, we should focus on development in the central region, particularly from Huế to Nha Trang, where the conditions are most suitable compared to the rest of the country. The remaining important part is the connection, investment in hard and soft infrastructure, and image promotion, brand building…
It seems that Vietnam’s tourism development strategy has long been like “sharing equally among localities,” but in a spiky way, like a jackfruit, it ends up not knowing where its competitive advantage and standout points lie.
Vietnam needs international tourists, but not at any cost. We must be more proactive in marketing, promoting, and attracting international tourists from various markets. I think we are currently very passive in this and allow one or two international markets to have too much influence, distorting the image, culture, and tourism environment in many localities, if not the entire country. This is very harmful and needs to be corrected soon.
Bình Định is suitable for large-scale resort tourism projects, with appropriate locations, connected to the environment and local culture, and long-term transportation connections will be more convenient. Bình Định’s competitive advantage and value in tourism lie in its pristine environment, quiet space, and unique culture. If Quy Nhơn/Bình Định’s tourism is the same as Nha Trang or Đà Nẵng, that advantage will be lost. Exploiting the uniqueness, conditions, natural landscape, and distinctiveness of each locality is essential for tourism development.
These are the reasons why I chose to invest in Bình Định, and world-renowned hotel management groups like Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, and Hyatt joined me, soon turning the resort tourism model in Bình Định into reality. Using major global brands to attract international tourists to Vietnam ensures a stable and long-term flow of tourists. Otherwise, it would be very risky for investment.
According to the overall plan, Bình Định currently does not have a trend of fragmenting projects like Cam Ranh or Đà Nẵng, which I consider to be very right. However, it requires large-scale investors to be able to implement this model.
After studying many models around the world, for sustainable and stable development, we need to build various tourism models such as culture, exploration, cuisine, golf, beach… but high-end resort tourism brings the most revenue and stable development, with tourists returning multiple times and staying longer.
Thailand has succeeded with this model, but they also had to go through phases similar to what Vietnam is experiencing now. We need to transition quickly. There are lessons from Thai tourism that should be absolutely avoided, such as sex tourism.
Wealth is the value of life
As a manager, policymaker, entrepreneur, and educator, which “role” do you find the most challenging?
I try to learn and deeply understand the field I am involved in, but I don’t necessarily stick to any job for too long, as it can easily become boring. Higher education, tourism-hotel management, renewable energy, or campaigning for the U.S. side… I enjoy and can handle anything. The key is to find interest, creativity, and novelty every day, and to contribute in a way that brings effectiveness and value to society.
However, being an entrepreneur in Vietnam is the most challenging for me, as there are things I am not used to and find difficult to compromise with, partly due to my personality and partly due to my former “public servant” mindset. If I have to ask someone for something, I feel very reluctant.
After working for 16 years in the state government, I always enjoyed taking on new tasks or projects. The joy was in accomplishing many things, despite the difficulties, and solving many problems. Another stroke of luck was being able to do what I liked, with autonomy and flexibility. I have never feared being without work, so I always focus on whatever I do.
What is your concept of wealth?
In English, I prefer the term “Wealth” rather than just riches, as it encompasses the value of life, from material wealth to knowledge and the soul… I see those who embody wealth, like Bill Gates, Warren Buffett… Recently, a new wealthy class has emerged in Vietnam, partly due to seizing the opportunities of socio-economic changes. However, in the long run, the concept of “Wealth” will help society remain stable and sustainable.
Recently, I’ve noticed that the domestic press seems to be promoting material wealth too much, especially among the youth. Being wealthy is good, but it also needs to be balanced with other values for both personal life and society to be harmonious. Material wealth without contributing to society or the living environment around you cannot be considered as true wealth?
How do you manage to maintain a gentle smile even during the toughest times?
Optimism seems to be innate in me. In the U.S., I also have many friends like that, some of whom, after losing an election painfully, would call me the next morning for breakfast with a cheerful face. I have realized that people can only be optimistic when they take things lightly after they have done their best in something, even if it did not succeed. Every battle must be fought to the end, and if we lose, we must accept it as reality, either stop trying or start over with a fresh mindset.
What is your view on the lifestyle and business practices of Vietnamese entrepreneurs?
I think domestic businesses do not lack vision, but in an environment and business conditions that are still very risky, uncertain, and lacking stability, some businesses tend to narrow their vision and avoid long-term planning. In such an economic and social system, the majority of entrepreneurs suffer, and society suffers as well.
To grow big, one must build a brand, and currently, only a few Vietnamese brands are recognized in the international market… The story of integration is still long and full of hardships, but I still believe in the determination and capability of the entrepreneurial force in the future.
What is your biggest wish?
To complete my resort project within the next 5 years. Personally, I still want to contribute to building a proper university, including many programs and research centers in science, society, and humanities… and there are many other ways to contribute when the conditions are right.
My philosophy is that each of us has only one life to live, to work, to contribute, and to share… so we must live life to the fullest. If I were to be reborn, I would still want to be human rather than a “pine tree standing tall, singing in the wind,” it would be too sad.
Thank you!
Source: https://bizlive.vn/cau-chuyen-kinh-doanh/bizstory-nha-dau-tu-tran-duc-canh-giau-sang-moi-la-gia-tri-cua-doi-song-1803633.html