As usual, in March each year, Forbes Vietnam honors the pioneering women in various fields covering politics, business, science, education, social activities, and arts.

Although in recent years Vietnam saw much progress in terms of gender equality, still many social prejudices and shortcomings are preventing women from reaching their full potentials and having freedom of choice in their pursuit of happiness and success in life. However, a handful of outstanding women have marked their successes in their fields, generating huge and positive influences on every aspects of life.

Vinh Hoan’s Chairwoman – Truong Thi Le Khanh – is one such woman. Under her leadership, Vinh Hoan has overcome the hardships of Vietnam pangasius industry to sustain growth for the last 20 years, and has been the market leader since 2010 with 2016’s market share reported at 15%. 2016 was considered a difficult year for pangasius when it had to face many unfavorable problems, either objective one as the erratic weather condition in Mekong River Delta or subjective one as the Catfish Inspection Program of the US – the largest importer of Vietnam pangasius.  However, Vinh Hoan had made good use of its raw materials self-supply ability as well as large processing capacity to record a year of success in 2016 with consolidated revenue and net profit after tax of VND 7,370billion (USD 320 million) and VND 555 billion (USD 24 million) respectively, up 12% and 72% year-on-year.  Such flourishing results could not be achieved without the strategic vision and leadership of Mdm. Khanh.

In early February 2017, she was also honored to receive the Labor Medal 2nd class conferred by Vietnam government for her devotion to the national economy’s development.