Mr Vinh started his career in coffee and commodities trading in 2002. What has continually inspired him to work in this industry is the ability to create a positive impact and ‘do well while doing good’.
“In the early 2000s, the coffee world was experiencing extremely low prices due to a surplus of supply over demand. The ‘coffee crisis’, as it was known, hit my home province of Daklak particularly hard. Many farmers I knew had to cut back on daily necessities, and some even withdrew their children from school,” Mr Vinh recalled.
The vivid image of impoverished conditions of farmers in his hometown stayed with Mr Vinh, shaping his perception of the coffee industry. His trip to Sub-Saharan Africa two years later strengthened his belief that a sustainable global trade system is essential for addressing this ongoing crisis.
“Working for multinational coffee companies allowed me to travel to producing countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and developing Asia, where I witnessed firsthand that the crisis had not truly ended. While Brazil and Vietnam, the two most efficient producers, have improved economically, farmers in other producing countries continue to struggle,” Mr Vinh said.
“This experience ignited a determination in me to contribute to making the coffee industry more fair, equitable, and economically viable for farmers worldwide.
“I believe a more sustainable global trade system — one driven and measured not just by monetary means but also by sustainability goals such as poverty reduction, preservation of natural resources, and low greenhouse gas emissions — is the key to resolving this ongoing crisis.”
In 2021, Mr Vinh left a high-paying executive job at a leading global agribusiness to head up the international commodities trading division at Tuan Loc Group. Today, he serves as both chairperson of the board and CEO of Tuan Loc Commodities.
“At Tuan Loc Commodities, my ambition is ignited by a vision of sustainability and excellence,” he said.
“Our mission is to craft value propositions that benefit our suppliers and customers while driving economic growth for our shareholders.
“We envision a ‘living landscape’ where thriving communities and healthy ecosystems coexist harmoniously, reflecting our commitment to responsible business practices.”
In December 2023, only three years after its establishment, Tuan Loc Commodities won the SME100 Fast-Moving Companies Award from the prestigious SME Asia Magazine. This award recognises and celebrates the significant growth and reliability of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Asia.
