Women Champions - Story #1 (Do Tu Lan)

Born in Hanoi, Lan demonstrated an early interest in architecture, particularly international building structures, through photographs her father brought home from his work in the construction sector. Her passion for architecture and desire to rebuild her country after the war led her to pursue a career in the field. Lan's academic background includes a degree in architecture from Hanoi University of Architecture. She immediately joined the Ministry of Construction after graduating, working at the Vietnam Institute of Urban and Rural Planning. Despite facing challenges in a male-dominated environment, Lan persevered and eventually rose through the ranks. She was promoted to Vice Director of the Vietnam Institute for Urban and Rural Planning at the age of 41 and later appointed Technical Assistant to the Minister of Construction in 2013. Throughout her career, Lan has emphasized the importance of several competencies for success, including a passion for continuous learning, a good work ethic, respect for colleagues, diplomacy, and a healthy balance between career and family. Her own life reflects these values, as she educates her son and husband about energy and cost savings in their home. Lan's advice to young women interested in construction and architecture is to not limit themselves or be afraid to try different things. She believes women are naturally gifted with economic, thorough, careful, and detail-oriented thinking, which can make a significant difference in construction design and architecture. Lan's own career serves as a testament to the potential for women to excel in this field, and her experiences offer valuable insights for those seeking to follow in her footsteps. Lan's professional achievements have been recognized through various awards and appointments. She has served as a panelist at the Information and Communications Technology Summit 2012 and has been featured in the Vietnam Clean Energy Program's series on 'women champions' in the Vietnamese construction sector. Her dedication to her work and her passion for promoting women's participation in the construction industry have made her a respected figure in her field.