Cover After eight years at the helm of Sacombank as General Director, Ms Nguyen Duc Thach Diem concluded her remarkable leadership journey with a heartfelt and inspiring farewell letter (photo: Sacombank)
After eight years at the helm of Sacombank as General Director, Ms Nguyen Duc Thach Diem concluded her remarkable leadership journey with a heartfelt and inspiring farewell letter (photo: Sacombank)
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After eight years at the helm of Sacombank as General Director, Ms Nguyen Duc Thach Diem concluded her remarkable leadership journey with a heartfelt and inspiring farewell letter.
Having joined Sacombank in 2002, Ms Thach Diem has devoted more than two decades to the bank, taking on key roles across credit, customer service, internal control and audit, debt settlement and regional management. In July 2017, she was officially appointed General Director, becoming the figurehead during a lengthy and complex restructuring phase. This was a period marked by formidable challenges, as Sacombank grappled with a substantial volume of non-performing assets and the urgent need to maintain systemic stability following its merger with Southern Bank. Through her measured, strategic leadership, the bank gradually found its footing again, restored operations, and posted a series of encouraging results, signalling a pivotal moment in its ongoing transformation. As one of the few long-serving female executives in Vietnam’s banking landscape, Ms Thach Diem not only left a lasting impression on Sacombank’s evolution but also emerged as a powerful symbol of inspiration for future leaders.
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The spirit of not being afraid to face challenges
Above Ms Thach Diem has demonstrated her leadership ability and pioneering spirit, unafraid to take bold steps, laying the groundwork for a stronger and more resilient Sacombank (photo: Facebook/Vietnam Banking Association)
Ms Thach Diem has demonstrated her leadership ability and pioneering spirit, unafraid to take bold steps, laying the groundwork for a stronger and more resilient Sacombank (photo: Facebook/Vietnam Banking Association)
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Since 2017, Ms Nguyen Duc Thach Diem has led Sacombank through a tumultuous period, overseeing its post-merger restructuring with Southern Bank. At a time when the bank was burdened by unprofitable assets and under pressure to uphold systemic stability, she did not opt for a cautious path. Instead, she took ownership, guiding the bank directly through turbulent waters. Under her direction, Sacombank gradually regained its footing. In the first quarter of 2025, it reported a pre-tax profit of VND3,674 billion, up 38.4 per cent year-on-year. Operating income rose by 13.4 per cent to nearly VND7,800 billion, buoyed by solid gains in both net interest and non-interest income. Alongside these financial milestones, the bank pressed on with resolving legacy assets, enhancing operational efficiency, and reinforcing risk controls. Steering such a revival demands more than vision; it calls for decisiveness, courage and a willingness to break with convention.
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In the face of adversity, Ms Thach Diem displayed a rare tenacity—a refusal to shy away from risk—and laid the foundations for Sacombank’s next chapter. The journey ahead holds promise, built on the momentum of a leader whose resolve continues to shape the bank’s future.
I have lived fully, dared greatly, and dedicated myself wholeheartedly to that journey.
The art of building a cohesive and sustainable team
In guiding the organisation through a demanding period of restructuring, Ms Thach Diem has always regarded solidarity, a strong sense of responsibility, and seamless collaboration as fundamental to helping the bank regain stability and pursue a path of sustainable development. These values are not only central to her leadership approach, but also the cornerstone she has consistently nurtured throughout her tenure.
With a long-term vision and unwavering commitment, she invested considerable effort in cultivating a team marked by expertise, accountability and loyalty. Every decision, every move made by the bank carries the imprint of a leader who placed her faith in people. Though she no longer serves in an executive role, her connection to Sacombank endures. In her parting letter, the former CEO shared: “Every meeting has a parting. Over the past time, the Board of Directors has trusted, appointed and empowered me to create a strong, cohesive team.” A simple statement, yet one that speaks volumes of her emotional intelligence and deep sense of leadership responsibility.
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Her message to her colleagues was more than a farewell. It was an earnest call to continue nurturing the team spirit and sustaining the positive culture already in place. A truly exceptional leader not only manages operations with precision, but also has the ability to stir inner motivation, evoke inspiration and create emotional connection among individuals. Ms Thach Diem exemplifies a leadership ethos rooted in human values, a fundamental principle for any business striving toward lasting success.
“Halo” is created from the courage and aspiration of each individual
In her farewell letter, Ms Nguyen Duc Thach Diem left a brief but powerful note: “Know how to put pressure on yourself to rise up and shine. Because no one else can do it for you.” More than encouragement for those taking the reins, it serves as a wider call for self-determination, a timely reminder for anyone navigating the demanding world of banking.
From her distinguished leadership at Sacombank, marked by a series of defining milestones, Ms Thach Diem highlights the irreplaceable role of self-drive, a mindset of resilience, and personal responsibility in shaping a meaningful legacy. As the financial sector grows ever more complex, with increasing demands for autonomy and adaptability, courage has become the bedrock quality for young professionals to step beyond familiar limits, challenge expectations, and chase bold ambitions. Her message also offers a practical framework: instilling personal discipline, setting defined goals, and keeping ambition alive. These are the tenets of a new leadership generation that understands when to apply pressure, break boundaries and shine, not by comparison, but through authentic talent and inner strength.
