Cao Thị Ngọc Dung

Cao Thị Ngọc Dung is considered a “female general” in the Vietnamese jewelry industry. Under her stewardship, Phu Nhuan Jewelry Joint Stock Company (PNJ) has grown to become the leading retail jewelry brand in Vietnam, with over 7,000 employees and a network of more than 400 stores nationwide.  

After graduating from Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics in 1982 with a bachelor's degree in Commercial Economics, Ms. Dung joined Phu Nhuan General Trading Company. By 1984, she was promoted to Deputy Head of the Planning Department. In 1985, she moved to the Phu Nhuan District Agricultural Products and Food Company, becoming Head of the Planning Department before being appointed Director of Phu Nhuan Jewelry Company in 1988. 

By integrating goals in social security, human development, living environment improvement, and building up a sustainable development community, Ms. Dung has led PNJ to become one of the most pioneering sustainable development enterprises in Asia. 

In her roles as Vice-Chairperson of the Vietnam Association of Women Entrepreneurs (VAWE) and Chairperson of the Ho Chi Minh Association for Women Executives and Entrepreneurs (HAWEE), Ms. Dung has worked to promote the achievements and success of Vietnamese women in business.  

In recognition of her professional and community service dedication, she has received a number of national awards and honours. Ms. Dung was awarded the First Class Labour Medal for her contributions to the jewelry industry in 2010 and 2024. In 2016, Forbes Asia Magazine named her one of the top 40 most influential women in Asia. In 2023, she was the only Vietnamese person and one of only four women honoured as one of the “Extraordinary 40” of the world jewelry industry.