TEDxFPTUniversityHCMC

Speakers

Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.

• Augustine Khoa Nguyen

  Augustine Khoa Nguyen is a seasoned strategic leader with over 17 years of experience in real estate development, corporate strategy, innovation, and academic research. He has worked in Vietnam and Finland, and collaborated with major partners from Japan and around the world. Augustine’s career is marked by his leadership of multi-billion-dollar urban development projects in Vietnam. He has also led cross-functional teams across investment, R&D, design, business, and marketing. Dr. Khoa earned a Doctor of Science degree in Strategy and Entrepreneurship from the University of Jyväskylä, Finland. He conducted in-depth research in strategic management, competitive dynamics, and managerial cognition, while also teaching and serving as an academic ambassador at international forums. He is also known as a pioneer of creative marketing campaigns, most notably the first holographic pyramid campaign in Vietnam, which was recognized by the Guinness World Records in 2015.

• Bach Vu

  Bach Vu (Mark Vu) is a prominent figure in the new generation of Vietnamese artists, known for his unique visual language. After more than 10 years of establishing his career in finance in the UK, Bach Vu decided to return to Vietnam to pursue his passion for painting from 2021 to the present. In his artistic journey, Bach Vu won an award at the 7th Young Fine Arts Festival and had his work shortlisted for the UOB Painting of the Year Vietnam 2024. In addition to creating art, he also participates in art editing, demonstrating his thinking and ability to arrange professional display spaces. He sees painting as a way to "reach out and touch his soul," a choice that brings true happiness rather than just material success. His works are imbued with his own personality, reflecting the identity of a Vietnamese artist who is confidently living and working in a globalized and 'flat' environment, while also reflecting the process of searching for the artistic voice of a young intellectual.

• Chi Xe

  Chi Xê is widely recognized for her vibrant energy, creativity, and bold personality. She first captured public attention through a series of uniquely styled cover videos on TikTok, with her breakout clip “Watermelon Sugar” gaining over 10 million views. Not content with just being a TikTok sensation, Chi Xê boldly stepped into the world of professional music. In 2024, she released her debut single “Seenderella”. Riding the wave of success, Chi Xê made a memorable appearance at the 2025 music program “Em xinh ‘say hi’”, where she performed “Hề” alongside top Vietnamese artists such as Phương Mỹ Chi, Phương Ly, and Pháo. With her modern style, electrifying stage presence, and fearless spirit, she left a lasting impression on the audience.

• Hans Nguyen

  Mr. Hans Nguyen has 20 years of experience working in many international financial investment corporations, including 8 years as an Investment Manager at Zurich Insurance Group in Zurich (Switzerland) with total assets under management of over CHF 5 billion. He has 10 years of experience managing investment portfolios and providing financial advice in Private Banking & Wealth Management at UBS AG in Zurich, New York, and Luxembourg. He has 15 years of experience working in Vietnam, managing stock and real estate investment funds, and managing asset portfolios for wealthy families. In addition, he also participates in teaching Executive MBA Program courses in the field of Banking and Finance.

• Hoang Thuy

  Stepping out as the winner of Vietnam’s Next Top Model 2011, Hoàng Thùy is not only a professional model but also a symbol of breakthrough and transformation in Vietnam's fashion industry. With her professional demeanor and distinctive personality, she has graced the runways of Fashion Weeks in London, New York, Shanghai, and made striking appearances on the covers of prestigious magazines such as ELLE and Harper’s Bazaar. In 2015, Hoàng Thùy was honored by Forbes Vietnam in the Top 30 Under 30, recognizing her outstanding contributions to the fields of creativity and culture. Beyond fashion, she ventured into the beauty pageant arena as Vietnam’s representative at Miss Universe 2019, where she made it to the Top 20, showcasing the image of confident and resilient Vietnamese women to the international community.

• Ngoc Thanh Tam

  Ngọc Thanh Tâm is a talented actress and a prominent producer in Vietnam, known for her impressive performances in films such as "Tâm Sắc Tấm", "Thạch Sanh Lý Thanh", and especially her leading role in "Đảo của dân ngụ cư" - a film that represented Vietnam at various international film festivals. Breaking beyond the boundaries of acting, Ngọc Thanh Tâm continues to challenge herself in multiple roles - from a content creator with nearly 700,000 YouTube subscribers to a standout performer on the reality show "Chị Đẹp Đạp Gió Rẽ Sóng 2024", where she demonstrated her courage and breakthrough spirit to reach the finals. Beyond the stage, she has also won over television audiences through the show "Gia Đình Haha", alongside Jun Phạm, Rhymastic, Bùi Công Nam anh Duy Khánh, spreading positivity with the song "Những ngày trời bao la". Her down-to-earth, hardworking image has helped break the stereotype of the “heiress,” revealing a more relatable, genuine, and energetic side of herself.

• Steven Stumph

  Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Steven Stumph is a former collegiate athlete at the University of Southern California. Steven has a passion for traveling, taking him to all 50 U.S. states and over 126 countries. His time as an admission counselor and recruitment manager at USC has taken him to over 20 countries to speak and learn from people of varying backgrounds. Over the past three years, Steven has worked on his Doctorate of Education in Organizational Change and Leadership at the University of Southern California. With over a decade of experience in academic innovation, DEI, and gerontology, Steven uses storytelling, scholarship, and grand narratives to challenge how we define professionalism, identity, and belonging. As a queer higher ed leader and advocate for older adults, especially in the LGBTQ+ community, he amplifies the narratives of professionals navigating visibility, and those that must conceal their authentic identities.

• Tran Thi Thuy An (Mer)

  Mer is a young Vietnamese artist whose songwriting is gentle and deeply contemplative. Her music doesn’t seek to be loud or dramatic; instead, it quietly finds its way into listeners’ hearts through rustic melodies, profound depth, and lyrics rich in philosophical reflection. Mer’s music is like a delicate mist drifting through the rush of life - free-spirited, sincere, and deeply contemplative. Without noise or flamboyance, each note feels like a whisper from the soul, naturally seeping into the listener’s spirit. In the song “Tâm”, Mer subtly weaves in Buddhist imagery-symbols of stillness and clarity amidst chaos. Songs like “Tình Thật Tình Mơ,” “Giấc Mơ Rất Thơ,” and “Du Ca Khúc” carry her signature poetic touch, offering a tranquil space where each lyric falls like a leaf - delicate, yet powerful enough to move a wavering soul.