Science
Philanthropist
NGUYEN TƯONG BACH
HUMANITY
Nguyễn Phương Lam is the embodiment of Western individualism, taken to its absolute extremes of finance, success, and freedom. And yet, he is also the living antithesis to the question, "What is the point of so much money?"
Having traversed peaks and valleys, from abundance to lack, his life resembles a "pilgrimage to a high hill"—and the pilgrim walks on.
Our dialogue, therefore, is like that of two companions on a spiritual path: when weary, we pause and tell stories. About what has passed and what is to come. About the ego being confronted and gradually extinguished, the shadows, and the private ruminations... all to touch upon his—and humanity's—most searing, persistent question: What is the meaning of life?
In him, Humanity is the journey through material affluence, only to return to true wealth for the service of humankind.
Nguyen Phuong Lam (born 1953) is a Vietnamese-born entrepreneur, investor, and influential leader in the global banking and finance sectors. Today, he is recognized as a prominent philanthropist whose high-impact initiatives center on Inner Transformation for Systems Change.
Education & Background:
- Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Stanford Graduate School of Business (USA), becoming the first Vietnamese student ever admitted to this prestigious institution.
Career & Contributions:
- JP Morgan & Co. (1987): Served as Co-Head of European Equities in London.
- Ermgassen & Co. Ltd. (1988): Co-founded the UK-based M&A advisory firm; led a historic M&A transaction in London.
- Capital Group (1992–2018):
- Co-founder and Co-Head of Global Private Equity.
- Played a key role in establishing Capital Group as the world’s largest Private Equity platform in emerging markets.
- Capital International (2002–2018): Served as CEO of the Singapore office.
- Founded the Nguyen Phuong Family Foundation, focusing on Inner Transformation for Outer Change, with a strong emphasis on Vietnam and Southeast Asia.
- Actively contributes to leading international non-profit organizations such as Acumen, Ashoka, Endeavor, SEE Learning, Teach For All, as well as numerous non-profit organizations in Vietnam.
If one had to choose what makes the name Nguyễn Tường Bách most memorable, it would not be what he wrote, but how he lived: an unhurried adventure through life, free of judgment and dogma. And he leaves us with an invitation to experience it for ourselves: "The Mind (Tâm) of a human is miraculous. Begin to understand the Mind."
There are many things one could call the “essence” of life: thought, art, science, philosophy, faith, love, material pleasure, family happiness. But to me, nothing is more precious in a human life than the “Knowing” of oneself — the knowing that comes from looking inward, from turning perception back upon itself; not looking outward, but directly into one’s own Tâm (Heart–Mind).
Human beings tend to look outward, taking the reactions of the external world as the measure of themselves. When something aligns with us, we feel joy; when it differs from us, we feel suffering. This is the source of both happiness and sorrow — though sorrow, for most people, is the greater part.
To look inward is the very heart of Zen Buddhism. In the West, too, they clearly understand that knowing one’s own Mind is the key that unlocks all wisdom. They say: “Know Yourself.”