VIETNAM. “Today, we – SASCO – are ready for the bright future of Vietnam’s aviation service industry. Together, we will continue working on this important foundation to contribute to the strength and prosperity of Vietnam.”
With those words, Southern Airports Services Joint Stock Company (SASCO) Chairman Johnathan Hanh Nguyen – who is also Founder & Chairman of Imex Pan Pacific (IPP) Group – closed a heartfelt speech celebrating SASCO’s 30th anniversary while signalling his deep optimism for the country’s all-important aviation, travel and tourism sectors.
As reported, Nguyen was speaking to a packed audience in Ho Chi Minh City on 14 July, as SASCO brought together government officials, other VIPs and sector stakeholders to celebrate 30 years of business.
SASCO provides a wide array of consumer services at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, including duty free and specialist retail, business lounges, food & beverage, travel and transporation services, advertising service, sleep services and spas.
Publicly listed SASCO is majority owned by Airports Corporation of Vietnam and companies related to SASCO Chairman Johnathan Hanh Nguyen, Founder & Chairman of Imex Pan Pacific (IPP) Group, Vietnam’s leading travel retail player (among its extensive other interests).
Here is an edited version of Nguyen’s speech.
“First of all, on behalf of SASCO, I would like to extend to all of you my respectful greetings and most sincere thanks for your presence today, sharing the joy with SASCO to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the company establishment – a wonderful journey,” Nguyen began.
He then took the audience back to 1993 when Vietnam’s civil aviation industry reached a critical milestone by taking the first independent steps in business.
“The country carried out renovation and restructuring of the industry, oriented to a market economy, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam and independent economic units were established, respectively. SASCO was established based on the activities of non-aviation services at that time,” Nguyen recalled.
“Having been involved in Vietnam’s aviation since 1985, especially with SASCO, I have had the opportunity to cooperate from the very first day of its establishment and stand together with the company’s movements and strategic decisions in each stage of development during the difficult years of the aviation industry.
“Despite the lack of infrastructure, capital and experience, SASCO has made breakthroughs in the field of airport services in Vietnam. I really appreciate the former generation of leaders and the early SASCO staff for their dedication and the way they quickly caught up with the country’s growth in the innovation journey.
“They also helped in building a market economy, bringing the development orientation of non-aviation services in line with the international standards at Tan Son Nhat Airport, opening the magic door for SASCO’s unique service ecosystem.”
In 2015, marking an important milestone, SASCO equitised and quickly adapted to a new corporate governance model, Nguyen said.
“As a strategic shareholder of SASCO, as a member of the Board of Directors and then as Chairman of the Board of Directors, I and the Board of Directors have focused on SASCO’s potential, and its plans and strategies to promote the business, improve its modernity, and to be professional, flexible, dynamic and always ready for further steps in the international market.
“With strong pioneering steps in terms of sustainable development, SASCO continuously ranks as one of the country’s leading units in terms of productivity, quality and business efficiency, actively contributing to the development of Airports Corporation of Vietnam and Vietnam’s wider aviation industry,” he commented.
Nguyen then detailed SASCO’s rise as a financially robust force. From a state-owned enterprise with total initial capital of just VND9.3 billion (US$395,000) – mainly old assets, dating back to pre-1975, SASCO’s charter capital reached nearly VND1,335 billion after 30 years, while equity stood at VND1,525 billion, contributed thousands of billion Vietnam Dong to the state budget.
“SASCO always puts the word integrity and the word vision as development orientations, defining customer experience as a measure of service quality and value, creating a solid foundation in business,” Nguyen continued.
During its three-decade journey, SASCO has been honoured to be awarded the Third, Second, and First Class Labor Medals; Third-class Independence Medal and many other important accolades from government, state, ministries, departments and the city, he noted.
“The SASCO brand affirms its position by always being in the top ranking of sustainable development enterprises over many consecutive years and is honored to be recognised as a National Brand by the Government. SASCO is honoured to be the 25th organisation in the world and the first enterprise in Vietnam to achieve the EDGE-MOVE (Global Certification for Gender Equality) recognition.
“On its miraculous journey, SASCO inspires and join hands with the business community for the goal of achieving sustainable development for Vietnam.
“Having these achievements today, we are truly grateful for the attention, trust and support of the leaders of the Party, State, Government, Central Government Ministries and Provinces. Thank you for the cooperation and accompanying of the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), the press and media agencies, shareholders, partners and customers during the past 30 years.
“We truly appreciate the efforts, dedication and commitment of generations of leaders and employees of SASCO. There would be no 30 years of confidence, strength, pride and success of SASCO without you all.”
Nguyen closed on a personal note, saying, “SASCO is always on my mind. I am always enthusiastic and want to contribute to the development of Vietnam’s aviation industry.
“Turning to a new page, our goal is not only to take the lead in developing airport services in Vietnam, but also to bring SASCO’s services closer to international leading standards, to compete equally, and to contribute to build Vietnam’s aviation service centres on par with those of the whole region and the world.
“Once again, I would like to say thank you and extend my sincere appreciation for your support and contribution over the past 30 years.”
On a memorable night for SASCO and its Chairman, Nguyen closed by expressing the organisation’s readiness for a successful future, one that would contribute significantly to Vietnam’s strength and prosperity. ✈
Footnote: Vietnam’s fast-growing and dynamic airport food & beverage market will form a key focus at the forthcoming Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) + Hospitality Conference & Awards in Bangkok, Thailand on 12-13 September.
Phillip Nguyen, Chief Executive Officer of IPP Travel Retail, Vietnam’s leading airport retail and F&B player, will deliver a presentation on the sector’s rich potential and forthcoming opportunities.
He will also be taking the opportunity to meet existing and prospective partners and suppliers in what promises to be a highlight of the two-day event. Nguyen will be accompanied by leading Vietnamese airport executives keen to discover more about the world of airport food & beverage.
Click here for our world-exclusive interview with Johnathan Hanh Nguyen, the great pioneer of Vietnam’s travel retail sector, in 2022.
