Cao Thi Ngoc Dung

In 2023, the JWA Awards in Hong Kong recognised Ngoc Dung as the first Vietnamese woman to be named among the 40 most outstanding figures in the global jewellery industry. Previously, she received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from JWA for her contributions to Asia’s jewellery sector, while PNJ was honoured as the region’s Best Jewellery Manufacturer and Craftsman.

With nearly four decades dedicated to the industry, Ngoc Dung has been instrumental in elevating Vietnam’s jewellery sector to international standards. She founded PNJ in 1988 with just 20 employees; today, it is the country’s leading jewellery retail brand, generating annual revenues in the tens of trillions of VND and operating a nationwide network of over 400 stores.

Beyond business, she is regarded as a trailblazer among Vietnam’s first generation of female entrepreneurs, championing social initiatives focused on education, human development, environmental sustainability, and fostering collaboration between organisations and businesses. Her philosophy: “Aligning customer and societal interests with business success”.