The rumble of a motorbike engine in his ears, the wind on his face, and the open road stretching out ahead of him – this is Minh Nguyen Phuoc’s happy place. A motorbike enthusiast, Minh has travelled all over Vietnam on two wheels, from the misty mountains in the north to the sun-drenched beaches of the south.

This passion for exploration is deeply intertwined with his work as plant engineering manager at Ford's Hai Duong plant. Minh oversees a wide range of responsibilities, from the operations and maintenance of the plant's infrastructure to the implementation of Ford’s production system and lean manufacturing activities. He's also a champion for environmental sustainability, leading initiatives to achieve 100% environmental compliance at the plant as part of Ford’s Road to Better sustainability commitment.

But it's not just about machines and processes for Minh. He's passionate about giving back to the community and leads an annual charity program that supports underprivileged children in the mountainous regions of northwest Vietnam.

"Together with Ford Philanthropy, we supplied essential equipment, including school supplies, toys, clean water and sanitation to support the construction of new classrooms, hygiene toilets, playgrounds and learning activities for children at their schools,” Minh says. “It’s a 12-hour journey from the factory to the high mountains, but seeing how these things can make a difference in the lives of the local children and their families makes the trip worthwhile.”  

Minh’s dedication to making a difference, both within Ford and in the wider community, is a testament to the values instilled in him from a young age.

"The way my parents raised me has shaped my personality," Minh says. “They taught me to be independent, empowered me to make my own decisions and always reminded me to care for others. Leadership isn’t about title or authority. It’s about taking a stand for those you lead and serve.”

Joining Ford in 2006 through the Ford Campus Graduate (FCG) Program, Minh has embraced the company's culture of continuous learning and development – a value that proved especially crucial in the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi in September. The most powerful storm to hit Vietnam in 30 years, Typhoon Yagi, caused significant damage to Ford’s Hai Duong plant and impacted operations. Undeterred by this challenge, Minh led his team in a remarkable feat of resilience, restoring essential infrastructure to the plant within 24 hours.

"We worked tirelessly to help restart production activities two days after the typhoon,” he says. “It was no easy feat but together we can do what none of us could do alone.”

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