A vision to elevate education
Following early success in the fashion accessories trade on Yahoo! 360, Nguyen Bao co-founded a chain of men’s fashion stores.
Though initially profitable, the business faltered due to a lack of a long-term growth strategy.
After the venture collapsed, he pivoted - equipped with a Bachelor of Commerce from RMIT University - and explored a range of roles, including positions at Standard Chartered Bank and the Park Hyatt Saigon Hotel.
I want Vietnamese students to have genuine access to quality international education that aligns with our culture and is financially attainable.
SNE founder Lam Nguyen Bao
Yet, just as his career seemed poised for stability, Bao made a defining decision: to forgo the corporate ladder and invest wholly in his educational start-up, Song Nguyen Education (SNE).
SNE is designed to offer more than just overseas study support. It helps young Vietnamese develop critical skills, sharpen their thinking, and prepare to make informed, values-based choices about their education and careers.
“I want Vietnamese students to have genuine access to quality international education that aligns with our culture and is financially attainable,” the 37-year-old founder said.
By Gen Z, for Gen Z
In addition to its full-time language centre, SNE runs seasonal offerings such as summer camps, study tours and short-term skill-building programmes in public speaking, teamwork and critical thinking.
Despite its wide reach, the organisation operates with a compact, multi-talented core team of fewer than 10 staff. The team functions remotely, rotating responsibilities across projects while maintaining efficiency and minimising overhead costs.
This agile model helped the business weather the COVID-19 crisis, where many others faltered. SNE has now served over 10,000 students, launched dozens of modern educational products, and formed partnerships with more than 700 schools across Viet Nam.
SNE has now served over 10,000 students, launched dozens of modern educational products, and formed partnerships with more than 700 schools across Viet Nam.
Nguyen Chi Mai, a former student of Le Hong Phong High School and currently enrolled at Liberty University in the United States, credits SNE for helping her navigate both the application process and the cultural transition.
Nguyen Ngoc Diep, another alumna now studying at the University of Wisconsin, reflected that SNE’s programmes improved her communication, broadened her perspective, and empowered her to pursue overseas study.
Looking ahead, Bao intends to focus on expanding skills-development and university tour initiatives.
He remains driven by a belief in what he calls the “ripple effect”—where empowered students go on to inspire and uplift others.
