Meet Thuy Tran – The Humble Leader Behind Vivu Journeys Vietnam

From humble beginnings to leading teams across Vietnam, Thuy Tran’s journey is a testament to resilience, passion, and community-driven tourism. Discover how this inspiring leader has shaped the future of Vivu Journeys with her commitment to sustainable travel and emotional intelligence in leadership. 

STARTING POINT: A HUMBLE BEGINNING (FEBRUARY 2008)   

In February 2008, Ms. Thuy started in sales at Buffalo Tours’ without formal sales or product experience. As a newcomer in the industry, she faced numerous challenges and had to learn on the job quickly. She vividly recalls receiving one particularly negative feedback early on that caused her to question herself. Yet, with unwavering support from the senior managers, she persevered. 

A NEW CHAPTER: EMBRACING COMMUNITY-BASED TOURISM (2010)

The year 2010 was a significant turning point in Ms. Thuy’s career. Her passion for community-based work, especially from her university days in the remote villages, of Ta Van and Ta Phin in Sapa, led her to a leadership role in a Volunteering project. This opportunity did not just allow her to apply her hands-on experience but marked a turning point in her career. During this time, she met a mentor, Mr. Harper, who profoundly influenced her mindset and approach, steering her away from short-term volunteer tourism to a more sustainable and long-term vision for her community. 

With this learning, the project evolved to become Volunteer & Educational Tourism, the team started collaborating with more international nursing schools in Southeast Asia to offer free medical clinics and housing to local communities. The initiative centred on service learning, building essential community facilities, and empowering local populations. By 2012, the project’s success surpassed $1 million under her leadership. This growth, along with a commitment from the CEO, transformed the project into a dedicated department, allowing her to further develop partnerships with local authorities.

LEADERSHIP EVOLUTION: FROM VIETNAM RESERVATION MANAGER TO REGIONAL RESERVATION MANAGER  

Ms. Thuy’s development continued as she was offered the role of Reservation Manager, leading several teams across Vietnam. This position required her to adapt to new management and leadership skills. Leading more senior colleagues was no easy task, but her hardworking nature, proactive attitude, and observant learning allowed her to excel. She was known for picking up innovative ideas from the smallest details, whether an email from the CEO or a client’s newsletter. 

As Buffalo Tours expanded from five to eleven countries under Flight Centre’s request, Ms Thuy had just two weeks to train a new, young team. The team she nurtured evolved into a highly skilled group capable of training others, which led to her own promotion as Regional Reservation Manager. Thuy emerged as a dynamic leader, effectively managing a diverse team of different ages and cultural backgrounds. Her humility, combined with a willingness to learn from others, allowed her to grow into more prominent leadership roles, fostering an environment of collaboration and personal development. 

A DIFFICULT DECISION: NAVIGATING CHANGE IN 2018 

In 2018, Ms. Thuy faced one of her most challenging decisions when the CEO sold Buffalo Tours to Flight Center, a global group with a vastly different culture. Despite her deep social connection with Buffalo Tours’s People, she chose to follow Kien’s hands-on leadership style, as he empowered his team with strong ownership and autonomy, aligning with her values.  

Then in 2019, Thuy joined Vivu Journeys, a newly founded company in Portugal, facing immense challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these obstacles, she successfully recruited and built a new team, training them from the ground up, as Vivu Journeys operated like a startup. She is immensely proud of the strong operations team she cultivated, including young talents like Hoa, who was a young potential stepping into a bigger role as the Operation Manager for North Vietnam, along with two operational excellences as Phuong in Central and Hung in the South. Their dedication and growth have made her confident in the quality of the services. 

Ms Thuy and her Vivu Journeys team in Vietnam

LEADERSHIP PHILOSOPHY: GROWING WITH PURPOSE AND EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE 

Ms. Thuy encourages transparency in team communications daily and values authenticity in the workplace. She believes that by being true to themselves, leaders can create a cohesive and motivated team, driving success in even the most challenging circumstances.  

She is deeply committed to understanding each team member and leading with emotional intelligence and human-centric management. She believes in TMG’s tagline, “Inspiring People,” and strives to inspire others while fostering an environment where every team member can show their true colours and be themselves at work. This approach has created a strong bond within the rapidly growing team. 

MESSAGE TO FUTURE LEADERS  

Reflecting on her journey, she shares one of her favourite metaphors: “It takes years for a bamboo shoot to grow its first node, but once it does, it develops rapidly.” This represents her belief in nurturing young talents and helping them reach their full potential. Her greatest motivation comes from seeing the growth of those she mentors and leads. 

ABOUT HUMANS OF VIVU JOURNEYS  

The “Humans of Vivu Journeys“ series is about celebrating the humble and dedicated people who bring our company to life. More than a glimpse into the travel industry, through their stories of passion, adventure, and dedication, we hope to show you the heart and soul behind the journeys we create for our beloved customers.