Founder of Thien Long Ballpoint Pen: From the eldest child in a family of 10 siblings, starting a business at 17 with an old bicycle to a company valued at over 4 trillion VND

Mr. Co Gia Tho, Chairman of Thien Long Group, shared his challenging entrepreneurial journey starting at the age of 17, needing to support a large family. He began his career selling pens from an old bike, recognizing a substantial demand for writing instruments in Ho Chi Minh City. After accumulating enough funds, he shifted to manufacturing pens in 1981. The initial production phase was tough, requiring him to sell on credit with limited finances. A significant turning point came with Ho Chi Minh City’s support policies for businesses, enabling him to secure loans, expand operations, and professionalize production. From a small facility, Thien Long has grown into a major corporation with multiple brands and an extensive distribution system. Now valued at over 4.2 trillion VND, Thien Long confidently aims to be in the top 5 writing instrument companies in Southeast Asia while boosting exports.