The talented “captain” who guided VFC through challenges and out to the open sea

Gần 40 năm chèo lái VFC vượt qua những trận sóng lớn để đến bến bờ thành công, bà Nguyễn Bạch Tuyết - Chủ tịch HĐQT Công ty Cổ phần Khử trùng Việt Nam (VFC) - luôn tận tâm với công việc và quý trọng con người, coi đây là cốt lõi của sự phát triển và đặt trọn niềm tin vào thế hệ kế nhiệm.

For nearly 40 years, guiding VFC through heavy storms toward safe and successful harbours, Ms. Nguyễn Bạch Tuyết – Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Vietnam Fumigation Joint Stock Company (VFC) – has devoted herself wholeheartedly to her work and to people. She considers people the core of development and places complete trust in the next generation of leaders.

On an afternoon at the end of 2024, in her office at the VFC Building (29 Tôn Đức Thắng, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City), we had a warm conversation with the “captain” who has tirelessly steered VFC through decades of challenges, building a big family of more than 1,500 members.

Moments When VFC Weathered the “Storms”

Although she is nearly 80, the Chairwoman of VFC looks younger than her age – petite, quick, and modest. Born in 1942 in Quảng Ngãi, she is an agricultural engineer and has served as Chairwoman of VFC since 2001, while also holding the position of General Director from 2001 to 2009.

She shared:  “Over half a century, VFC has gone through many hardships, but we have always focused on product quality – taking quality as our honour and as the foundation of our brand in serving farmers in the best possible way.”

As she recalled the early days at VFC, the “captain” became quiet for a moment:  “Once, 11 VFC staff went to Bà Rịa – Vũng Tàu to carry out fumigation and unfortunately had a serious accident, with many people badly injured. At that moment, I was almost numb; I did not know whether I could overcome such a shock…”

With determination and sharp decision-making, she helped VFC move through that crisis. Yet another major challenge soon followed, this time on the business front, forcing her to take the bold step of travelling to Iraq – then a war zone – to prevent the company from losing everything.

She recalled:  “In 1998, during the transition from plant quarantine to fumigation, a rice vessel was shipped to Iraq and the weevils were found alive. If the insects were not dead, we would be held responsible. I no longer remember the exact compensation amount – only that it was enormous. If we had had to pay, we would have been ruined; everything we had built up over the years would have gone down the drain.

At the time, I was already over 60, but I decided to travel with a technical officer to Iraq to find out the truth. It was a truly arduous journey, combining flights and long overland travel across the desert for thousands of kilometres to reach the port.

When we arrived, we saw torn rice sacks thrown around in disorder and even incidents of rice being stolen… We documented everything, took photos, and reported to the relevant organisations. Based on the evidence collected, they concluded that the insects on the ship were not due to fumigation failure, and we did not have to pay compensation. Looking back, I still feel that trip was incredibly fortunate – I had passed through the ‘gate of death’ and made it home.”

People as the Core Value of VFC’s Development

Despite many ups and downs, Ms. Nguyễn Bạch Tuyết – VFC’s “captain” – has continued to steer the company on its journey to the open seas. She affirmed:

“VFC’s tradition is to value people and place people at the core – respecting staff, partners, and customers. We are always ready to take a step back so that partners and customers can feel satisfied and grow.”

She believes that VFC’s strength does not come from drawing up sophisticated strategies on paper, but from consistently doing every job as well as possible. VFC employees are united like a family, sharing joy, hardship, and challenges together.

“Many people say I am talented, but in reality I just live and truly feel what is happening around me. In difficult conditions, anything we can do that benefits others is precious. At VFC, people live with one another with deep affection and loyalty. For me, it often feels as if I were a mother caring for her children…”

For VFC, she has always respected farmers and the environment. She believes the company must create conditions for employees to enjoy a stable income and to have housing and proper means of transport.

Regarding the future, she stated:  “At my age, I no longer chase titles or positions, but advising and guiding staff is a source of joy for me.” She will continue to work for as long as she is able, serving as a spiritual anchor for her teams.

Recognised Contributions

 For her significant contributions to the country’s overall development, she has been awarded the Third-Class Labour Order in 1996, the Second-Class Labour Order in 2000, a 45-year Party Membership Badge, and many other prestigious commendations.