Asia Commercial Bank chairman’s letter bids farewell to deceased father

"I was lucky enough to be your son," the 46-year-old wrote on his Facebook page. "You were a great icon, a hero, and a lifelong teacher of mine," the letter continued.

Hung, a co-founder of ACB and one of the bank’s most influential leaders, died April 25 at 72. His eldest son Huy said his father was a hardworking person who always put his family first.

Hung was strict and loving at the same time, and urged Huy to pursue his own path. He taught Huy how to do business and how to live with integrity. "But perhaps the simplest thing was that you were my father. I will continue on the path that you led me to."

At the age of 24, Huy graduated from a university in the U.S. He returned to Vietnam and applied for a job at ACB without telling his parents.

He spent three years working at the bank before going to the U.S. once more to pursue a doctorate degree in economics.

He then came back to Vietnam and was appointed deputy CEO of ACB. In 2012 he was promoted to chairman at the age of 34, making him the youngest chairman in Vietnamese banking history.

Hung was chairman of the bank from 1994 to 2008, and a director from 2012 to 2018. He then withdrew from his director’s post to serve as deputy chairman of the bank’s risk management department until 2023.

In his 30-year career at the bank, he became known as a visionary leader with respect for the law and an efficient management style.

With a "people first" philosophy, Hung focused on training the next generation of leaders. He formed high-quality, and loyal, teams. These traits still remain what make up the bank’s most competitive characteristics.