Vietnam’s CEOs and Their Paychecks: Kinh Bac City CEO Tops the List as Highest-Paid Executive

In 2023, the CEOs of Vietnam’s publicly listed companies earned an average of $100,700, with top executives in real estate and financial services sectors leading the pack. Nguyen Thi Thu Huong, CEO of Kinh Bac City, stood out as the highest-paid executive, pocketing a remarkable $690,000.

A recent study by FiinGroup and FiinRatings revealed that the 15 top-earning CEOs in Vietnam took home between $220,000 and $690,000 annually. Executives in the real estate sector earned the highest average annual income of $200,000, followed closely by leaders in financial services, particularly those in stock brokerages. Other industries with high CEO pay included insurance, healthcare, and consumer goods.

The study also highlighted a significant income disparity based on company size and ownership structure. CEOs of companies with a market capitalization of $1 million or more earned an average of 52% higher than the overall average. Additionally, executives of privately-owned firms made twice as much as their counterparts in state-owned enterprises.

The analysis covered 200 publicly listed companies, representing nearly 86% of Vietnam’s total market capitalization across the country’s three stock exchanges by the end of 2023. It considered various income forms such as salaries, bonuses, and allowances, but did not include stock options or other perks.

Nguyen Thi Thu Huong’s leadership in Kinh Bac City, an industrial property development firm, reflects the growing influence of the real estate sector in Vietnam’s economy, which continues to attract significant investment. Her impressive earnings not only underscore the financial success of Kinh Bac City but also signal the evolving corporate landscape in Vietnam, where high-performing executives are being increasingly rewarded for their leadership and vision.