Nguyen Thien Thanh Thao

Thao specializes in advocacy and government affairs. She conducts in-depth policy analysis and research, collaborates with key stakeholders and plays a pivotal role in advocating for contributions to regulatory documents and high-level conferences. 

Prior to joining BGA, Thao worked for the Banking Working Group at the Vietnam Business Forum. In this role, she supported foreign banks in Vietnam and significantly increased the group’s membership. Earlier, Thao was a research assistant in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Multilateral Economic Cooperation Department, where she focused on multilateral economic cooperation, trade disputes and the digital economy. 

Thao has authored several publications on green finance and sustainable development in Vietnam. She has demonstrated leadership as the president of the Vietnamese Student Association at the University of St Andrews and is an honorary life member of the Students’ Association in the United Kingdom. She has leveraged her expertise to develop strategic plans and robust communication channels for diversity, equality and inclusion initiatives at the University of St Andrews. 

Thao holds a master’s degree in management from the University of St Andrews, United Kingdom, and graduated as salutatorian with a master’s degree in international economics from the Foreign Trade University, Vietnam. She earned a bachelor’s degree in international relations from the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam.