As a partner with foreign investors (Tiberon) in a joint-venture company before, to get the investment certificate, Mr. Thang has lobbied the appropriate authorities and people since 1996 to put the first explorative auger in the resource-rich land of Dai Tu district. He has had a strong attachment to the project for the past 20 years and witnessed its ups and downs by the time. He recalled: "The investors of Nui Phao have been changed as many times as I concerned how to find the financial capable partners who can develop the project, exploit the full potential of Nui Phao mine, bringing benefits for the society and community. The fate with Nui Phao Mining brought me to Masan Group and we became the indispensable partners of each other. (Masan Group is one of the biggest Groups in the private economic sector of Vietnam with many business activities such as consuming goods, beverages, animal feed, Techcombank and Vietnam's natural resources)”. Hence, he has been known and recognized as a person playing a connection role in Nui Phao Mining project right from the beginning. With his effort in the merger and acquisition businesses (M&A), Masan Group has proactively sought the financial resources as well as the support of the Government, ministries, departments, Thai Nguyen province and won the ownership of 100% of overseas capital to retain the valuable resource for the country, contribute to the socio-economic development of the locality, also affirm the spirit of national pride, the belief of Vietnamese enterprises and entrepreneurs in the renovation period. In the recent years, Entrepreneur Nguyen Van Thang has always concerned about finding the most efficient new way in An Khanh Group’s production and business. He has turned those concerns into specific actions and been considered as a person who always apply the enterprise development encouraging mechanisms and policies of the Party and State in his production and business.

In the 1990s of the previous century, after entrepreneur, veteran Nguyen Van Thang had left the army, he founded Thai Nguyen Import-Export and Investment Joint Stock Company. By the wisdom, bravery and faith, Mr. Thang and his staffs, workers led the company to overcome many difficulties, challenges, creating a solid foundation for An Khanh Group as present.

Sharing with us, Mr. Thang said: "I had been continuing to devote my heart and force in contributing to the fatherland, the socio-economic development of the locality as well as the country instead of the gratitude."

For a list of outstanding achievements in production and business, the enthusiastic participation in charity works, the contribution to social security, in 2012, Mr. Nguyen Van Thang was recognized as an "Emulative Soldier" in Thai Nguyen province. In 2013, he was awarded the Certificate of Merit by the Prime Minister, be voted and awarded "Typical Vietnamese Entrepreneur 2010¬2013” by National Entrepreneur Council. Especially, in 2015, he had an honor to receive the Third Class Labor Medal by the President.