Founder’s Message

“When I first arrived in Hanoi in April 1994 as Citibank’s country head, there were no stoplights, no stock market, and very little English spoken in boardrooms. But what Vietnam lacked in infrastructure, it more than made up for in resilience, ambition, and potential. I believed then—as I still do today—that Vietnam could become one of Asia’s most remarkable success stories.

Three decades later, that vision is coming true. Vietnam is now a manufacturing powerhouse, a technology hub, and a rising player in the global economy. But to sustain this momentum, Vietnam must do more than grow—it must lead. It must cultivate a generation of entrepreneurs and executives who can build globally competitive, sustainable, and resilient enterprises.

That’s why I founded the VP Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (VPCEI). This is more than just a training center—it is a strategic platform to empower Vietnam’s private sector, in full alignment with Resolution No. 68/NQ-CP, which affirms the private economy as the nation’s growth engine.

Our mission is ambitious: by 2030, we aim to develop 10,000 business leaders and back 100 sustainable startups through advanced Mini-MBA programs, venture support, and access to global mentors and investors. In partnership with the University of Michigan and the Columbia University, we bring world-class content into a uniquely Vietnamese context—bridging policy, capital, and talent.

The future of Vietnam doesn’t lie in natural resources or foreign capital—it lies in its people. The founder who dares to solve a hard problem. The executive who rethinks what leadership means in a green economy. The investor who backs the right company at the right time.

At VPCEI, we’re here to equip them all—with knowledge, with networks, and with purpose. Let’s build Vietnam’s next chapter—together!” — Bradley C. Lalonde.