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Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Ha: “You can never achieve a great victory if it is a victory won alone.”
Petite and humble – that is the first impression of Ms. Nguyễn Thị Thu Hà, CEO of Division N – Handbag Chain, who has been at the helm of a workforce of more than 10,000 employees and a trusted partner of eight world-renowned fashion brands.
With over 15 years of dedication and contribution, Ms. Hà continues to nurture her passion, enthusiasm, and sincerity for her profession and for TBS Group. These qualities are clearly reflected in her leadership style – gentle yet remarkably resilient and decisive.
1. When did you first start working at TBS Group? Could you share more about your journey of becoming part of TBS?
I started working at TBS Group in 2008.
I consider myself very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work in many different roles and departments at TBS Group. I began as a Costing Staff, under my first manager, Ms. Lan Thanh. Later, I moved to the Sourcing Department led by Mr. Đoài, where I worked with the Skechers team and Mr. Tùng Phạm. I also spent some time in the Finance Department with Ms. Lan, and collaborated with Ms. Kiều at the Hiệp Bình Packaging Factory.
In 2011, when TBS Group began its partnership with Coach, I was entrusted with a role in Business & Product Development under the guidance of Mr. Diep Thanh Kiet and Mr. Tuấn. This was truly a “turning point” that enabled me to grow further and remain committed to TBS Group until today.
Each position and department gave me invaluable knowledge and experience to truly understand both the business process and product creation. I am deeply grateful to my mentors, managers, and colleagues who have guided and supported me along the way with valuable lessons, helping me improve myself every single day.
2. Since you started working at TBS Group, what has been the most memorable story or experience for you?
My most memorable experience was in 2012, when I had the opportunity to attend a training session at Coach’s headquarters. During the program, a staff member from another factory asked me whether TBS Group was a Vietnamese company. When I replied that it was, he was visibly surprised and said: “How can a Vietnamese company produce for Coach?”*. I was just as surprised as he was, but at the same time, a strong sense of national pride rose within me. That moment has stayed with me ever since, reminding me of one important question: “Why shouldn’t Vietnam be able to achieve such things?”
3. At this moment, what word would you use to describe your work?
Great responsibility. I believe that in any position or role, responsibility is always essential. However, this was the very first word that came to my mind when I read the question.
4. Could you share more about your personal experience in your current role? What lessons and knowledge have you found to be the most valuable?
I believe that anyone who has taken on different roles and levels within a company will naturally encounter many valuable lessons. Some lessons are big, some are small. Some are learned quickly, while others take time to truly sink in. Some come free, and some are costly. Yet, every single lesson is necessary and important for one’s growth—not only in a career but also in personal development up to this very moment.
If I had to name the lessons that I find most valuable at this point in time, there would be three major ones:
5. Over the past 15 years, what has made you love and stay committed to your work and to TBS Group?
I believe there are two things I love the most, which have kept me committed to TBS Group and helped me overcome challenges at work. They are:
6. What has been the most challenging aspect of your work, and how have you managed to overcome it?
Any job or position comes with its own challenges. From the perspective of a manager, I believe the most difficult part is figuring out how to build and connect a team that can work effectively, keep up with the company’s growth pace, and meet customer demands in a timely manner. This becomes even more challenging for a company with such a large workforce like TBS Group, with 40,000 employees, including more than 10,000 people in the Bags Division alone. That is by no means a small organization.
But to be honest, I am not sure whether this should be considered a difficulty or rather a challenge that any manager must face and overcome. Challenges will always be there, and they will keep changing, because both the company and our customers constantly demand growth and timely adaptation.
As for how to overcome this challenge (though I cannot say I have fully mastered it yet), I believe the most important thing is to help the team clearly understand where the organization is heading, what path we are taking, what we truly value, and who they are – what they do and what they gain – in the bigger picture. When the team understands this, they will join forces and move forward with me, and only then can the organization go far.
TBS Group is one of the very few Vietnamese enterprises deeply involved in the global value chain, particularly in the footwear and handbag industry.
7. As the leader guiding the next generation of TBS Group, how do you inspire and motivate your employees?
Referring to myself as the “front-runner” feels a bit too big, and I don’t think I am quite at that level yet.
From my perspective, everyone in the company has their own role and value, in line with the “One table” philosophy. We work together, grow together, and learn from one another. One thing I believe I have been doing fairly well in inspiring and motivating my colleagues is continuous learning. Learning is not confined to classrooms but can come from many places and from many people.
8. Could you share one thing you feel most proud of during your time at TBS Group?
There are so many things to be proud of when working at TBS Group.
One of them, in my view, is our strong sense of community and national identity. Nowadays, whenever I work with international partners or visit other factories, there is always a certain level of respect given to TBS Group and our people. This is because very few Vietnamese companies have the capability and competitiveness to affirm their position in the global fashion manufacturing industry.
I also remember my business trips to provinces in the Mekong Delta, such as Trà Vinh and Thoại Sơn, where TBS Group has factories. I witnessed how local life has gradually changed, becoming more developed and vibrant. In those moments, I felt deeply proud that we at TBS Group have in some way contributed to transforming these regions, helping people live more prosperous lives right in their own hometowns.
In addition, I am very passionate about a project called “Sunflower,” which focuses on training young talents to become the next generation of managers at TBS. I initiated this project because of the challenges I have faced and will continue to face in building strong teams. I often think back to myself 15 years ago, just starting out at TBS, learning the trade and developing my potential. That is why I want to give today’s young people the same opportunities and experiences I once had, but in a more professional and structured way.
The growth of TBS Group has made significant contributions to the development of the local communities where the group operates.
9. Thank you very much for your heartfelt and genuine sharing. On the occasion of Vietnamese Women’s Day, October 20, please share a few words with the women of TBS!
Wishing all our women to stay RADIANT – YOUTHFUL – HEALTHY – and TRULY HAPPY!
Thank you, Ms. Hà! Thank you for your dedication and contributions to the growth of TBS Group as a whole, and to our people and the Bag Division in particular. We hope you will continue to be a strong source of inspiration and motivation for the next generation – the young talents who will make our nation proud!
