The Nguyen Xuan family, known for their extensive business ventures and deep involvement in Vietnamese football, has become a household name in both fields. Among the seven siblings, three stand out for their influence in sports and business: Nguyen Van Thien, Nguyen Duc Thuy, and Nguyen Xuan Thuy.

Nguyen Van Thien: A powerhouse in business and football

Nguyen Van Thien, born in 1970, is the chairman of Xuan Thien Group, a conglomerate with multi-billion-dollar investments across energy, construction materials, high-tech agriculture, logistics, real estate, and hospitality.

Thien has also made waves in Vietnamese football. As the main sponsor of Nam Dinh Green Steel Football Club, his group committed 200 billion VND (around $8.4 million) from 2022 to 2025, enabling the team to sign high-caliber players like Van Toan, Hong Duy, and Nguyen Xuan Son.

The latter, originally named Rafaelson, is a Brazilian-born player who gained Vietnamese citizenship in September 2024. Rebranded as Nguyen Xuan Son, he became the star of the 2024 ASEAN Cup, helping Vietnam claim the championship title and earning accolades as both the tournament’s best player and top scorer with seven goals in four matches.

Recently, Thien gained further recognition for personally overseeing the treatment of Xuan Son’s severe injury sustained in the ASEAN Cup final against Thailand. His commitment ensured the player received the best care available.

Nguyen Duc Thuy: A legacy of bold moves

Nguyen Duc Thuy, also known as “Bau Thuy,” was born in 1976 and first rose to prominence as the chairman of Xuan Thanh Group.

His foray into football began with his purchase of Hoa Phat V&V’s First Division spot, transforming it into Saigon Xuan Thanh Football Club. The team quickly climbed to the V-League before he handed control to his younger brother, Nguyen Xuan Thuy.

Though the club disbanded in 2013, Thuy remained a prominent figure in business. As the founder of Thaiholdings and former chairman of ThaiGroup, he played a pivotal role in major projects, including the acquisition of Hanoi’s iconic Kim Lien Hotel.

Currently, Thuy is the chairman of LPBank (formerly LienVietPostBank). By mid-2024, he held over 70.7 million shares of LPBank, valued at more than 2.1 trillion VND (approximately $88 million). Known for his opulent lifestyle, Thuy owns a collection of luxury vehicles, including multiple Rolls-Royces and a Maybach 62S.

Thuy also drew attention for his ambitious plans to launch Vietnam’s first spaceflight program through ThaiSpace, a project aiming to make Phu Quoc a gateway to the stars.

Nguyen Xuan Thuy: The youngest trailblazer

Nguyen Xuan Thuy, born in 1988, managed the now-defunct Saigon Xuan Thanh Football Club during its heyday. Although the team was dissolved in 2013, his involvement remains a significant chapter in Vietnamese football history.

Thuy now serves as the CEO of Xuan Thanh Cement, one of the family’s key businesses, showcasing the family’s entrepreneurial reach across multiple sectors.

The Nguyen Xuan brothers are not the only accomplished members of their family. Nguyen Van Thuy (born in 1981), another sibling, is the vice chairman of LPBank and has nearly two decades of experience in finance and insurance. Meanwhile, Nguyen Van Thuyet (born in 1986) previously held leadership roles in Thaiholdings, and the youngest sibling, Nguyen Duc Hanh (born in 1992), remains relatively private.

Beyond their achievements in sports and business, the Nguyen Xuan family embodies a blend of ambition and innovation, cementing their status as one of Vietnam’s most influential dynasties.

Manh Ha