Come along to explore the inspiring journey and the secrets of MHT’s Culture Master 2025 champion – the one who triumphed over hundreds of fellow examinees to step onto the podium of glory! Brilliantly overcoming all three rounds Huong – Hoi – Dinh, Tran Khanh Linh from the HRD officially became the Trang Nguyen 2025.

Congratulations, Trang Nguyen! First of all, how do you feel honored as MHT’s Culture Master champion?

I truly feel proud, grateful, and very happy. I’m proud to be an MHTer, working in such a professional and inspiring environment. I’m grateful because MHT always creates opportunities for everyone to learn, contribute, and grow. I’m happy because my efforts have been recognized and rewarded in a way that feels truly deserved. I believe that every MHTer is a Trang Nguyen in their own way.

If you had to choose one word to sum up the journey through the three rounds, what would it be? And why?

I would choose the word “Trust” – the trust you give, and the trust you hold. If I hadn’t believed that I could do it, I probably wouldn’t have signed up for the first round. If I didn’t trust in the value of the company’s culture, I wouldn’t have been so excited to study as if I were preparing for a real exam. And most importantly, I believed in my teammates — those who inspired me to live authentically, work wholeheartedly, and share our culture in a natural way. For me, this journey wasn’t just a competition, but a way to keep the fire of trust alive.

You surpassed hundreds of examinees to become the Culture Master champion. What factor helped you achieve this?

Perhaps it’s because I have my own little “secret technique.” It’s a combination of the goldfish memory of a mom with two kids and the spirit of someone who doesn’t give up easily 😀. Just kidding, I believe that caring about culture every day, paying attention to all the small details of our company’s values, along with consistent practice and careful preparation for each round, helped me achieve this result.

Among the many questions across the three rounds, which one impressed you the most?

The question that impressed me the most was: “If a colleague asked whether Nui Phao Mining is about to close down, how would you respond?” I really liked this question and even prepared a thorough answer, hoping that if I made it to the Top 5, I wish I could draw on this topic (but life is not a dream). It was an opportunity to talk about all the wonderful things that the Leadership Team and everyone at MHT are working on together to drive sustainable development — from safety, people, and community to innovation…

Your presentation in the Dinh examination was praised as both practical and inspiring. In your day-to-day work, how do you lead your young, dynamic team?

Honestly, sometimes working with the younger team can be a bit challenging. 😊. Our team has multiple generations, and the younger members often have very different ways of thinking and working compared to the older ones. For me, being straightforward, patient, willing to listen, and especially leading by example are the principles I rely on. I try to have open conversations, create a space where everyone feels free to express themselves, and believe in praising when it’s deserved and correcting when it’s needed. I’m also willing to share my own mistakes, because no one is perfect. What truly matters is sincerity.

If you had the chance to write a question for next year’s Culture Master, what topic would you choose for future candidates to reflect on?

I would choose the topic: “If culture weren’t built, what would happen?” Imagine a workplace with no greetings, no one keeping their promises, and no one willing to take responsibility. Everything would become chaotic, and the spirit of teamwork slowly fades. That’s why I believe culture isn’t something luxurious; it’s the simple habits we nurture together — so every day we come to work feeling that we belong to MHT and want to contribute even more.