Profiles of Success: Vietnamese Women in the Construction Industry

Her career spans over four decades, during which she has held various positions, including Deputy Director General of the International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Construction and Vice-President and External Relations Manager of the Vietnam Association for Building Materials. Phuong's work has focused on initiatives that promote environmental protection and sustainable development. She has been involved in numerous projects, including the development of a database of construction materials for green and energy-efficient buildings. This database aims to raise awareness among building professionals about existing green materials in Vietnam, with the goal of increasing their use and promoting resource-efficient buildings. Phuong's contributions to the Vietnam Clean Energy Program, a USAID initiative, have been instrumental in promoting energy efficiency in Vietnam's building sector. She has also played a key role in the development of a Green Growth Action Plan for the construction sector, a task she is enthusiastic about. Phuong's passion for her work and her commitment to making Vietnam a better place are evident in her dedication to her job. Phuong's personal story is a testament to her perseverance and determination. After studying for bachelor's and master's degrees in silicate chemistry at the Russian Federation of the former Soviet Union, she returned to Vietnam in 1975 and began working as a researcher at the Ministry of Construction's Building Materials Institute. Despite the challenges she faced, including working in a furnace with temperatures over 1,000 degrees Celsius, Phuong succeeded in producing glass insulation, which has been commonly used in Vietnam. Phuong's adaptability and willingness to learn have been essential to her success. She began studying English in 1990, which enabled her to move to the Ministry's International Cooperation Department and coordinate donor-funded projects in construction and the environment. Her hard work paid off when she was promoted to Deputy Director General of the department in 2001, a position she held until her retirement. Today, Phuong continues to contribute to the development of sustainable buildings in Vietnam. Her work serves as a model for others, demonstrating the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and a commitment to making a positive impact on the environment.