Famous People from Vietnam

Vietnamese military leader and emperor who led the Tay Son rebellion against the Nguyen lords and ruled as Emperor Quang Trung from 1788 until his death in 1792.

Vietnamese emperor who unified the country under the Nguyen dynasty in 1802 and established Hue as the imperial capital, ruling until his death in 1820.

Vietnamese communist politician who served as General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam from 1991 to 1997, leading the country during a period of significant economic liberalization. He oversaw the implementation of doi moi reforms that transformed Vietnam's economy.

Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk and peace activist who popularized mindfulness meditation in the West and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by Martin Luther King Jr.

Vietnamese military commander who led the Viet Minh victory over French forces at Dien Bien Phu in 1954 and later served as North Vietnam's defense minister during the Vietnam War.

Vietnamese emperor (1791–1841)

South Vietnamese general who served briefly as Prime Minister and head of state in 1964 after participating in the coup against Duong Van Minh. He was later overthrown in another military coup and spent his final years in exile in the United States.

Vietnamese-American photojournalist who won the Pulitzer Prize for his iconic 1972 photograph of a napalm attack during the Vietnam War. He worked for the Associated Press for over three decades, covering major conflicts and events across Southeast Asia.

Emperor of Vietnam from 1847 to 1883 who ruled during the French colonial conquest of Vietnam. His reign was marked by resistance to French expansion, but he ultimately lost control of most Vietnamese territory to colonial forces.

Hong Kong film director and producer who revolutionized action cinema with groundbreaking wire work and special effects in films like 'A Better Tomorrow' and 'Once Upon a Time in China.' He is credited with launching the careers of John Woo and other major Hong Kong filmmakers.

Vietnamese politician who served as General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam from 2011 to 2024, making him the country's most powerful leader for over a decade.

Vietnamese communist politician who served as General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam from 1960 to 1986, leading North Vietnam through reunification and early post-war reconstruction.

South Vietnamese general who served as the last president of South Vietnam for three days in April 1975 before surrendering to North Vietnamese forces. He led the coup that overthrew Ngo Dinh Diem in 1963 and later became head of state during the final collapse of South Vietnam.

Vietnamese striker who became the country's all-time leading goalscorer with 51 goals in 83 international appearances and won multiple V.League titles.

Vietnamese forward who became the national team's captain and leading scorer, known for his pace and finishing ability in both domestic and international competitions.

Vietnamese-Canadian peace activist who, as a child, was photographed running naked after a napalm attack during the Vietnam War in the Pulitzer Prize-winning image known as 'Napalm Girl.'

Vietnamese communist politician who served as General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam from 1941 to 1956 and briefly as President in the 1980s.

Vietnamese politician and former Minister of Public Security who became General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam in August 2024.

Vietnamese politician who served as President of Vietnam from March 2023 to March 2024, resigning amid anti-corruption investigations.

Vietnamese revolutionary and diplomat who co-won the 1973 Nobel Peace Prize for negotiating the Paris Peace Accords to end the Vietnam War, though he declined to accept it.

Vietnamese professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder and is considered one of Southeast Asia's most talented players. He has been a key player for the Vietnam national team and won the AFC U-23 Championship Golden Ball award in 2018.

Vietnamese Buddhist monk who burned himself to death in Saigon on June 11, 1963, in protest against the South Vietnamese government's oppression of Buddhists.

Vietnamese economist and politician who served as Prime Minister from 2016 to 2021 and briefly as President in 2021-2022.

Third emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty who ruled Vietnam from 1841 to 1847, implementing isolationist policies and persecuting Catholic missionaries. He strengthened central authority but his anti-foreign stance contributed to later French colonial intervention.

Vietnamese politician who served as Prime Minister from 1991 to 1997, playing a crucial role in implementing the doi moi economic reforms that liberalized Vietnam's economy. He oversaw the transition from a centrally planned to a market-oriented economy.

Vietnamese politician who served as the 8th President of Vietnam from 2016 until his death in 2018. He previously held senior positions in the Ministry of Public Security before entering politics.

Vietnamese poet and mandarin best known for writing 'The Tale of Kieu,' considered the national epic of Vietnam and a masterpiece of Vietnamese literature.

Vietnamese politician and former police officer who has served as Prime Minister of Vietnam since April 2021.

Vietnamese-American astronomer who co-discovered the first Kuiper Belt object beyond Pluto and Neptune in 1992, fundamentally changing our understanding of the solar system. Her discovery of 15760 Albion opened up the field of trans-Neptunian object research.

Vietnamese-American mathematician who won the Fields Medal in 2010 for his proof of the fundamental lemma in the Langlands correspondence, one of mathematics' most important unsolved problems.

Emperor of Vietnam who reigned for only three months in 1883 during the French colonial period before being deposed. He was placed on the throne by French authorities but was removed when he proved insufficiently compliant with colonial demands.

Vietnamese general and politician who has served as President of Vietnam since October 2024. He previously held senior positions in the Ministry of Public Security and the Communist Party's Central Committee.

Vietnamese midfielder who plays for the national team and has competed in multiple AFF Championships and Asian Cup tournaments.

Vietnamese mathematician turned politician who served as the 6th President of Vietnam from 2006 to 2011. He holds a doctorate in mathematics and worked as a university lecturer before entering politics.

Vietnamese singer and actress (born 2000)

Vietnamese politician who served as Prime Minister of Vietnam from 1997 to 2006, overseeing significant economic growth and international integration. He was instrumental in Vietnam's accession to the World Trade Organization and strengthening ties with ASEAN.

Vietnamese fighter pilot and cosmonaut who became the first Vietnamese and first Asian person to travel to space in 1980 aboard Soyuz 37. He spent eight days aboard the Soviet Salyut 6 space station conducting scientific experiments.

3rd-century Vietnamese warrior

Vietnamese general and politician who served as the 4th President of Vietnam from 1992 to 1997. He was a military commander during the Vietnam War and later played a key role in Vietnam's economic reforms and normalization of relations with the United States.

Vietnamese politician who served as Prime Minister of Vietnam from 2006 to 2016, overseeing a period of significant economic growth and modernization.

Vietnamese revolutionary and politician who served as President of North Vietnam from 1969 to 1976 and then as President of unified Vietnam until his death in 1980. He was a founding member of the Vietnamese Communist Party and close associate of Ho Chi Minh.

Vietnamese communist revolutionary who served as Prime Minister of North Vietnam from 1955 to 1976 and then as Prime Minister of unified Vietnam until 1987. He was one of the founding members of the Indochinese Communist Party and a key architect of Vietnamese independence.

Vietnamese politician (1910-1996)

Vietnamese geologist and politician who served as the 5th President of Vietnam from 1997 to 2006. He trained as a cartographer and worked in geological surveying before entering politics.

Vietnamese politician who served as the 7th President of Vietnam from 2011 to 2016, having previously been Secretary of Ho Chi Minh City's Communist Party Committee.

Vietnamese politician who served as Chairwoman of the National Assembly of Vietnam from 2016 to 2021, becoming the first woman to hold this position. She was a key figure in Vietnam's legislative branch and represented the country in international parliamentary forums.

Vietnamese politician who has served as Vice President of Vietnam since 2021, becoming the first woman to hold this position. She previously served as Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee and held various provincial leadership roles.

Vietnamese Catholic cardinal who has served as Archbishop of Ho Chi Minh City since 2014 and was elevated to cardinal in 2015. He is the highest-ranking Catholic official in Vietnam and has worked to improve church-state relations.

Vietnamese sport shooter who won the country's first-ever Olympic gold medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics, taking gold in both the 10m air pistol and 50m pistol events. His victories marked a historic breakthrough for Vietnamese Olympic sport.

Vietnamese politician and revolutionary who served as President of Vietnam from 1987 to 1992. He was a founding member of the Vietnamese Communist Party and played important roles in the independence struggle and early years of socialist Vietnam.

Vietnamese politician who served as Acting President of Vietnam from September 2018 to April 2021, becoming the first woman to hold the presidency. She previously served as Vice President and held various positions in the National Assembly.