Brian Jeffrey
Nguyen Anh Son’s Journey to an MBA
After realizing the importance of enhancing his management abilities, Son enrolled in the MBA program at Tsinghua University, one of China’s top institutions, after four years of work experience.
Born in 1998, Nguyen Anh Son was initially focused on studying engineering during his high school years at Nguyen Hue High School for the Gifted in Hanoi, where he majored in Russian. However, he gradually recognized his stronger inclination towards business, prompting a shift to pursue his studies in the United States instead.
This decision was partly influenced by his family’s legacy, as both his parents are graduates of Hanoi University of Science and Technology and run a successful private construction business. Their achievements inspired Son to carve his own path in the business world.
He enrolled in Business Administration at the College of Charleston in the U.S., where he built a robust foundation in business management over three years.
After completing his degree, Son returned to Vietnam, motivated by the growing opportunities in the local market compared to the U.S. He founded a company focused on manufacturing and installing aluminum profiles and roller doors. Although the competitive landscape was intimidating, his parents’ guidance helped him navigate challenges, despite some initial missteps.
“About 20-30 percent of my first clients were referred by my parents. Starting small in such a tough market can be daunting,” he reflected.
Throughout his four-year tenure as CEO, Son explored new strategies and enlarged his customer base. Acknowledging his lack of management expertise, he opted to enroll in an MBA to bridge those gaps.
Targeting Tsinghua University, Son saw it as the ideal next step in his academic journey.
To apply, he needed a minimum of three years of professional experience, alongside unique traits and goal alignment with the program. He dedicated six months to preparing his application, which included the GMAT, essays, and references.
In his personal essay, Son shared insights from his entrepreneurial journey, the growing trade relations between Vietnam and China, as well as the U.S., noting potential developments in imports, exports, and investment in Vietnam.
Son’s confidence surged during the interview, which, despite being only ten minutes long, involved a barrage of questions. He shared, “The rapid-fire questioning was designed to test my business understanding and ability to remain composed under pressure, covering topics from revenue to management strategies.”
Utilizing his business experiences, he approached the interview transparently, discussing his temporary role as an advisor while appointing a trusted manager to lead during his MBA studies, as well as acknowledging his parents’ early support.
This honest method led to his acceptance into the MBA program, accompanied by a 50 percent scholarship, marking him as the first Vietnamese student to join Tsinghua’s global MBA initiative.
Now four months into his studies, Son describes his experience as both invaluable and challenging. “My peers all have vast experiences in business or manage major companies globally,” he remarked. “Tsinghua has allowed me to connect with investors and leading CEOs across Asia and beyond.”
Aside from his original company, Son has launched another venture focused on import-export consulting for Vietnamese and Chinese businesses, aiming to optimize supply chain solutions and facilitate easier access to global markets for Vietnamese companies.
