Tại sao xe điện là cơ hội vàng cho ngành sản xuất Việt Nam? | Võ Quang Huệ | EP 101

Key Concepts

• Made in Vietnam from Zero: Building a company and product from scratch in Vietnam without existing infrastructure.
• Vietnamese DNA/Qualities: Resilience, adaptability, strong desire for national development, love for homeland, overcoming hardship, prioritizing children's education, endurance, flexibility, and quick adaptability.
• Global Players: Vietnamese individuals capable of working and contributing anywhere in the world.
• Teamwork/Collective Spirit: The importance of collaboration and unity for organizational and national development.
• Discipline and Compliance: Adherence to laws, regulations, and processes as a foundation for industrial and societal advancement.
• Self-Discipline: Personal commitment to training and self-improvement.
• Industrialization and Manufacturing: The critical role of production in economic strength, contrasting with a focus on real estate and services.
• Research and Development (R&D): The necessity of innovation and technological advancement for national competitiveness.
• Automotive Industry Transition: The shift from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs) and hydrogen vehicles as a unique opportunity for Vietnam.
• VinFast: A Vietnamese automotive company aiming to establish a strong national brand and compete globally.
• AI and Future Technologies: The growing importance of artificial intelligence and the need for individuals to adapt and acquire relevant skills.

Summary

This transcript features a discussion about Vietnam's development, the qualities of the Vietnamese people, and the nation's future prospects, particularly in the context of industrialization and technological advancement. The speaker, who has extensive experience working for global automotive giants like BMW and Bosch, shares insights from his career and observations on Vietnam's progress.

The Opportunity for Vietnam and the Vietnamese Spirit

The speaker emphasizes that Vietnam has an unprecedented opportunity to build a strong economy and establish "Made in Vietnam" products from the ground up, even without existing factories or advanced technology. He highlights the inherent strengths of the Vietnamese people: their flexibility, adaptability, and a deep-seated desire for national development and a better life for their citizens. This "Vietnamese DNA" is characterized by resilience in the face of hardship, a strong emphasis on education for the next generation, and remarkable endurance.

Early Experiences in the Automotive Industry

The speaker recounts his early career at BMW in Germany, where he was involved in a project to assemble BMW cars in Hanoi in 1994. He describes Hanoi at that time as a developing city with unlit streets and a nascent economy, questioning the viability of selling luxury BMWs. Despite these challenges, the experience of assembling and driving the first locally assembled BMW was a memorable and fulfilling one. He notes that many Vietnamese students in Germany excelled in technical fields like mathematics and physics, leading to employment in research centers of major companies like BMW.

Key Vietnamese Qualities for Future Success

The speaker identifies three core qualities of the Vietnamese people:

1. Desire for National Development: A deep-seated wish for the country to prosper and for its people to have a better life, coupled with a strong sense of patriotism.
2. Overcoming Hardship: A spirit of resilience and determination to rise above challenging circumstances, often driven by the desire to provide a better future for their children, leading to significant investment in education.
3. Endurance and Perseverance: The ability to withstand difficult situations and persist through challenges.

He also points out the need for Vietnamese people to expand their adaptability and embrace a more collaborative spirit to foster greater integration and development.

Vietnam's Current Economic Landscape and Future Potential

The speaker expresses optimism about Vietnam's current trajectory, noting that the country has never had a greater opportunity for growth. He attributes this to recent political shifts, a focus on private enterprise as a key driver, and the recognition of technology as a crucial engine for development. While acknowledging significant progress over the past 30 years, he believes Vietnam has not yet fully leveraged its potential. He advocates for greater involvement of overseas Vietnamese in contributing to the nation's development.

Essential Skills and Mindsets for the Future

For the younger generation, the speaker stresses the importance of developing:

• Responsibility: A high level of commitment to their work.
• Discipline: A strong adherence to rules and processes.
• Teamwork: The ability to collaborate effectively within teams and organizations.
• Global Player Mentality: The capacity to work and contribute anywhere in the world, while retaining a connection to Vietnam.

He criticizes the notion that Vietnamese people are inherently poor at teamwork, urging them to overcome envy and foster a spirit of unity and mutual support. He emphasizes that in fields like science and technology, collaboration is essential for innovation and significant breakthroughs.

The Importance of Discipline and Compliance

While acknowledging the Vietnamese people's flexibility and adaptability, the speaker highlights a deficiency in discipline and adherence to processes. He uses the example of traffic congestion and drivers jumping onto sidewalks as an illustration of this lack of discipline. He stresses that compliance with laws, regulations, and procedures is fundamental for industrial and societal progress. He also advocates for self-discipline as a crucial personal trait for continuous improvement and achieving goals.

The Evolution of Vietnam's Automotive Industry

The speaker contrasts the early days of assembling BMWs in Vietnam with the current advanced manufacturing capabilities of companies like VinFast. He describes the initial BMW assembly as largely manual, with over 90% of tasks done by hand. In contrast, VinFast's facilities are described as state-of-the-art, utilizing thousands of robots and advanced automation for high-volume production. This evolution necessitates a higher level of technical expertise from engineers and workers. The influx of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has played a significant role in technology transfer, but the speaker emphasizes the need for more Vietnamese companies to participate in global supply chains.

The "Pencil Story" and Vietnam's Role

In response to a hypothetical scenario about how different nations would approach a pencil, the speaker suggests that Vietnamese people might focus on creative applications or adding extra functionalities to the pencil, rather than fundamentally innovating its production or mass manufacturing. He laments that Vietnam has historically not prioritized manufacturing, which he sees as a cornerstone of economic strength, citing China's success as an example. He dreams of a future where Vietnam has a stronger manufacturing sector, producing competitive products for both domestic and international markets.

Challenges and Opportunities in Global Supply Chains

The speaker identifies several key challenges for Vietnam to fully integrate into global supply chains:

• Lack of Domestic Suppliers: Vietnamese companies have not yet become significant suppliers to major foreign investors like Samsung.
• Need for Technological Capability: To compete globally, Vietnam needs the technological and production capacity to produce high-quality products at competitive prices.
• Focus on R&D: The establishment of VinFast has created an opportunity for Vietnam to conduct R&D for its own car models, a crucial step towards technological independence.
• Developing Core Technologies: Mastering core technologies in areas like batteries, engines, and autonomous driving is essential for the automotive industry.

He believes that companies like VinFast, by developing their own products and technologies, can create opportunities for domestic suppliers and eventually partner with other global automotive giants. He stresses that this is not just a corporate challenge but a national policy imperative.

The VinFast Endeavor and the Future of Vietnamese Automotive

The speaker views VinFast's ambitious undertaking as a unique opportunity, particularly given the global transition to electric vehicles. He acknowledges the immense challenges and the high probability of failure but emphasizes the importance of such bold efforts for national development. He highlights the need for a strong R&D center and the mastery of core technologies to achieve long-term success. He also points to the potential for companies like FPT to contribute in areas like software and smart vehicle solutions.

Preparing for the AI Era

Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, the speaker advises young Vietnamese to:

• Develop Specialized Skills: Continuously enhance their professional expertise.
• Improve Problem-Solving Abilities: Cultivate effective methods for analyzing and resolving issues.
• Embrace Adaptability: Be prepared for rapid changes in the job market driven by AI and technological advancements.
• Master Foreign Languages: Recognize English and other languages as essential tools for learning and global engagement.
• Leverage Knowledge Resources: Utilize online platforms and digital resources for continuous learning and skill development.
• Prioritize Self-Improvement: Dedicate time to personal development and skill enhancement over excessive entertainment.

He concludes by reiterating that while AI is transforming industries, the human element – skilled, adaptable, and continuously learning individuals – remains the ultimate key to success.