According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the public consultation is based on a submission from the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee to the Prime Minister on December 3. The submission recommends that the President consider granting the Labor Hero title to Nguyen Hanh (Johnathan Hanh Nguyen), a Vietnamese-American citizen. Feedback is requested to be sent to the Central Emulation and Commendation Board.

The Labor Hero title is a State honorary award bestowed upon individuals and collectives who have made exceptionally outstanding contributions in labor and creativity, thereby contributing to national construction and defense.

Mr. Johnathan Hanh Nguyen, March 2025. Photo: Thanh Nguyen

Under the 2022 Law on Emulation and Commendation, individuals considered for this title must meet several stringent criteria. These include: absolute loyalty to the nation, a strong political stance, good ethical qualities, and a healthy lifestyle. They must also demonstrate a creative work ethic, achieving high productivity, quality, and efficiency, and have made exceptionally outstanding achievements that significantly contribute to the development of their unit, locality, sector, or the nation for over 10 years.

Nominees are also required to have notable achievements in research and development, scientific and technological applications, innovations, or projects that yield high nationwide effectiveness.

Following the public consultation process, the Central Emulation and Commendation Board will compile the dossier. This will then be reported to the Central Emulation and Commendation Council for review and submission to competent authorities for a final decision.

Johnathan Hanh Nguyen, 74 years old, is an alumnus of Da Lat University, later earning a Master of Business Administration from Seattle University in the US. In 1985, while working for Boeing, he returned to Vietnam. He was tasked by Prime Minister Pham Van Dong to help establish Vietnam's first international flight route to the Philippines.

In 1986, he founded the enterprise that would become the Imex Pan Pacific Group. Currently, IPPG operates in duty-free retail, luxury goods, shopping centers, and hotels, comprising 17 member companies and 18 joint ventures or associated companies.

Vu Tuan