Customers are not only within the realm of professional relationships but also consistently stand as revered mentors for FSOFTers. At present, FSOFT stand as a comprehensive digital transformation service provider, catering to over 700 customers worldwide, including 91 Forbes 500 companies. The profound and diverse knowledge garnered from global customers has allowed FSOFTers to acquire expertise ranging from technology to industry-specific insights, enhancing their communication skills and fostering cultural integration across nations. 

In these close-knit relationships, many customers have been enamored by the genuine, dedicated, and ambitious character of FSOFTers. With a willingness to relinquish coveted positions elsewhere, they have chosen to join FSOFT, aligning with the company’s vision to “make a difference“. 

From CEO of Hitachi Solutions, Mr. Ogawa Takeo, affectionately known as “Uncle Ô“, transitioned to become an advisor for FPT in 2008. In 2009, at the age of 70, having achieved success in various aspects of life, Uncle Ô took on the role of CEO at FJP, immersing himself in a challenging and risky environment.

Explaining for this decision, Uncle Ô simply stated: “It is the connection with FPT, with Mr. Binh, Ms. Lien, and other youngsters. For me, FPT embodies the aspiring spirit of Vietnam reaching out to the world, much like my youthful energy”. 

According to Uncle Ô, one of the two significant reasons for Hitachi Soft (a company with 5,000 employees when Uncle Ô worked there in 2003) choosing to collaborate with the relatively FPT, whose only 100 employees, was his impression and trust in Vietnamese people’s positivity. “Vietnamese engineers are not only excellent and diligent but also find their happiness in innovation. That is the spirit of Vietnam within them, sharing many similarities with the Samurai spirit of Japan“, noted Uncle Ô. 

The double disasters in March 2011 in Japan left an indelible mark on Uncle Ô during his tenure with FJP. The 9.0-richter earthquake and a subsequent 15-metre-high tsunami claimed over 19,000 lives, marking the beginning of a dual catastrophe with a major nuclear accident at the Fukushima I nuclear power plant. 

During this crisis, while all foreigners, including foreign embassies, evacuated Tokyo, Truong Gia Binh, Chairman of FPT, adamantly flew to Japan immediately to uplift spirits, express solidarity with the customers, and bring essential supplies to them. Mr. Binh had a talk the entire FJP staff and told them: “I have a request for you, and I am willing to respond to any of your requests until the end of my life. The request is: No FPT member will leave Japan at this time”. Staying in Japan was a daring and risky decision, but without hesitation, all FSOFTers agreed. FJP’s efforts during that period helped the company maintain contracts and foster a strong bond with Japanese customers. 

Along with driving FJP’s growth, Uncle Ô has taken upon himself a special mission – to foster and spread the spirit of FPT to the younger generation. FSOFT have a working culture that emphasizes employee’s happiness. Regardless of how challenging or demanding the circumstances may be, there must be happiness when being at work. That is the reason why, at the age of over 80, Uncle Ô has been an integral part of every employee engagement event at FJP.  

Joining Happy Run in Japan, Uncle Ô expressed his delight in witnessing numerous young FPT members gathering to participate in a group running event in Yokohama. Even in his 80s, he actively participated, sharing that this embodies the “FPT spirit.” 

Since stepping down from the CEO position at FPT Japan in 2012, Uncle Ô had chosen to advise another Japanese company for about 3 years. However, his love for FJP, its work environment, and culture, once again captivated him, bring him back to continue advising FJP until now. 

A prominent figure in the Japanese IT industry with over 40 years of experience, Toru Tanihara’s name is closely associated with the reputation of SCSK and Sumitomo – one of the 4 major Zaibatsu conglomerates that dominated Japan’s economy before World War II. Being “hunted” by numerous leading global corporations, what led Mr. Tanihara to join FSOFT – a company that was once a partner of SCSK and Sumitomo? 

Mr. Tanihara shares, “I once received an offer to join the Global Board of FPT from Chairman Truong Gia Binh when I was still the President of SCSK. However, at that time, I declined that offer, realizing my own shortcomings and lack of confidence to take on the role proposed by Chairman Truong Gia Binh. Despite this, we maintained contact and continued exchanging ideas about our work. Through Chairman Truong Gia Binh’s heartfelt sharing, I recognized many strategic similarities between him and Mr. Okawa Isao (founder of SCSK). Additionally, collaborating with FSOFT helped me understand the vision, professionalism, talented workforce, and capabilities of FSOFT. Right after the meeting, I agreed to Chairman Truong Gia Binh’s proposal to bring a ‘fresh breeze’ to the Japanese market”.  

After appointing as the Chairman of FJP in April 2023, Mr. Tanihara paid a visit to Vietnam in his new position and had opportunity to delve into the processes and activities of FPT/FSOFT in departments that, as a customer before, he had not been familiar with. He appreciates FSOFT’s diversity, stating, “FSOFTers have diverse personalities, and everyone can be themselves. What makes FSOFT today is the ability of the organization to harmonize many personalities and collaborate to overcome numerous challenging moments”. Mr. Tanihara asserts that FSOFT attracts outstanding talents because FSOFTers are working together as an excellent team. 

Having lived and worked in the U.S for a long time, travelling worldwide for decades, Dominic Tran is almost entirely an American, except his Vietnamese blood. Before joining FPT America, he held a high-level management position in the Technology sector at Halliburton – the world’s second-largest oilfield services company with hundreds of subsidiaries in 70 countries. 

Dominic Tran recalls a memorable business trip to Singapore during Tet (Lunar New Year) in 2012. At the New Year celebration at the Vietnamese Embassy, instead of solely emphasizing strengths, FSOFT proactively shared aspects that were still a work in progress. “FSOFT are different from all other providers I have encountered before. Most companies always confidently assure me that they can do anything I want. So, FSOFT’s straightforwardness and transparency left a strong impression on me right then”, he said. 

According to the former Halliburton manager, opportunities in the technology industry are vast, but leading a team of young, dynamic, and enthusiastic engineers, contributing to the development of a company in the homeland, is truly special. “Honestly, FSOFT is a significant part of my life. I am immensely grateful because FSOFT have given me the opportunity to make positive and meaningful changes for the country with my own hands and mind”, Dominic expressed. 

“Working for a Vietnamese company like FSOFT for the first time, I did not feel awkward; on the contrary, I quickly assimilated. It felt like returning to visit my ‘home’”, he added.