# Nguyễn Xuân Phúc

> former President of Vietnam

**Wikidata**: [Q10800073](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q10800073)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nguyễn_Xuân_Phúc)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/nguyen-xuan-phuc

## Summary

Nguyễn Xuân Phúc is a Vietnamese politician and economist who served as the President of Vietnam from 2016 to 2021. Born on July 20, 1954, he is the first Vietnamese head of state to hold a doctorate in economics and has been recognized internationally with awards including the Order of José Martí. His career spans multiple leadership positions within the Vietnamese government, and he is known for his roles in economic policy and international diplomacy.

## Biography

- **Born:** July 20, 1954
- **Nationality:** Vietnam
- **Education:** Doctorate in Economics; attended National Economics University (founded 1956, Hanoi, Vietnam) and National University of Singapore (founded 1905, Singapore)
- **Known for:** Serving as President of Vietnam; economic policy leadership; diplomatic engagement
- **Employer(s):** Government of Vietnam; Office of the Government of Vietnam
- **Field(s):** Politics; Economics

## Contributions

Nguyễn Xuân Phúc's career encompasses significant contributions to Vietnam's political and economic landscape. As President of Vietnam (2016-2021), he represented Vietnam internationally and played a key role in diplomatic relations. His educational background in economics from both Vietnam's National Economics University and Singapore's National University of Singapore shaped his approach to governance and policy-making. He received the Order of José Martí, Cuba's highest honor, recognizing his contributions to bilateral relations between Vietnam and Cuba.

## FAQs

**What positions has Nguyễn Xuân Phúc held in the Vietnamese government?**

Nguyễn Xuân Phúc served as President of Vietnam from 2016 to 2021, representing the country internationally and serving as head of state. Prior to this position, he held various senior government roles within the Vietnamese government structure.

**Where was Nguyễn Xuân Phúc educated?**

He received his education at two prominent institutions: National Economics University in Hanoi, Vietnam (founded 1956), which specializes in economics and related disciplines, and the National University of Singapore, an autonomous research university established in 1905.

**What international recognition has Nguyễn Xuân Phúc received?**

He was awarded the Order of José Martí, Cuba's highest decoration, which was established on December 2, 1972. This award recognizes his contributions to strengthening relations between Vietnam and Cuba.

**What is Nguyễn Xuân Phúc's professional background?**

He is recognized as both a politician and an economist, holding a doctorate in economics. His expertise in economics has influenced his approach to governance and policy development during his tenure in government positions.

## Why They Matter

Nguyễn Xuân Phúc matters as a transformative figure in Vietnamese leadership, being the first president with a doctorate in economics to lead the country. His tenure as President coincided with significant economic growth and international integration for Vietnam, including the country's active participation in global organizations such as the World Trade Organization (since 2007), ASEAN (since 1995), and APEC (since 1998). His educational background from both domestic and international institutions positioned him uniquely to bridge Vietnam's socialist-oriented market economy with global economic systems. The Order of José Martí award reflects his role in maintaining and strengthening Vietnam's diplomatic ties, particularly with Cuba and other socialist allies. His leadership contributed to Vietnam's positioning as a critical geopolitical bridge in Southeast Asia, balancing historical relationships with regional neighbors while expanding global economic integration.

## Notable For

- First President of Vietnam to hold a doctorate in economics
- Served as President of Vietnam from 2016 to 2021
- Recipient of the Order of José Martí from Cuba
- Educational background spanning National Economics University (Vietnam) and National University of Singapore
- Represented Vietnam in numerous international diplomatic settings
- Sitelink count of 55 across Wikimedia projects

## Body

### Early Life and Education

Nguyễn Xuân Phúc was born on July 20, 1954. His educational journey took him through Vietnam's National Economics University, founded in 1956 in Hanoi, which is a key academic institution specializing in economics and related fields. He furthered his studies at the National University of Singapore, an autonomous research university established in 1905, one of Asia's leading institutions. This dual educational background in economics provided him with the foundation for his subsequent political career and policy work.

### Political Career

As President of Vietnam from 2016 to 2021, Nguyễn Xuân Phúc served as the head of state of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The Vietnamese political system operates as a unitary one-party republic, with the President representing the state internationally while the Prime Minister heads the government. During his presidency, Vietnam continued its trajectory of economic growth, maintaining its position as one of Southeast Asia's fastest-growing economies with a nominal GDP exceeding $408 billion USD in 2022.

### International Recognition and Awards

Nguyễn Xuân Phúc received the Order of José Martí, Cuba's highest national award, recognizing his contributions to bilateral relations between Vietnam and Cuba. This award, established on December 2, 1972, reflects the longstanding friendship between the two socialist nations. The relationship between Vietnam and Cuba represents one of the most enduring diplomatic partnerships in modern history, dating back to the early years of both nations' revolutionary governments.

### Professional Identity and Background

His professional identity encompasses both politician and economist, reflecting his academic training and career trajectory. He is associated with the Office of the Government of Vietnam, the central executive body that implements state functions and administration. His expertise in economics positioned him to navigate Vietnam's unique economic model—a "socialist-oriented market economy" that has achieved remarkable growth since the Đổi Mới reforms of the 1980s.

### Legacy and Influence

Nguyễn Xuân Phúc's presidency contributed to Vietnam's continued integration into the global economy. Under his leadership, Vietnam maintained its membership in critical international organizations including the United Nations (since 1977), ASEAN (since 1995), and the WTO (since 2007). His background in economics from both Vietnamese and Singaporean institutions exemplified the country's approach to blending domestic development strategies with international best practices. His tenure coincided with Vietnam achieving significant economic milestones, including sustained GDP growth and increased foreign direct investment, solidifying the country's role as a key economic player in Southeast Asia.

## References

1. Munzinger Personen
2. Davos 2017 Participant List
3. Davos 2019 Participant List
4. BBC Things