A quarter century ago, since the idea of entrepreneurs pursuing formal education was still unfamiliar in Vietnam, PACE Institute of Management has steadfastly established the Global Ecosystem of Management, accompanying more than 100,000 enterprises on their journey of “Authentic Learning”. The 25-year milestone is not only a moment to reflect on a proud journey, but also a forward-looking commitment to shaping the future of management for a new era.
From the aspiration of “Business wisdom” to the philosophy of “Authentic Learning” and the spirit of “Enlightened Leadership”
On June 6, 2001, at a formative stage in Vietnam’s transition to a market economy, when the notion of entrepreneurs pursuing formal education remained largely unfamiliar, PACE Business School, the predecessor of today’s PACE Institute of Management, was established.
As the first school for business leaders of Vietnam’s business history, more than introducing the concept of a “school for entrepreneurs,” PACE catalyzed a broader movement centered on Authentic Learning as the foundation for advancing management capability.
Guided by the vision of the Founder and executives, PACE has embodied a distinctly pioneering ethos, reflected in several defining contributions:
- Establishing the first dedicated “school for business leaders” in Vietnam, thereby redefining the role of management education in a transitioning economy.
- Advancing a management philosophy grounded in Authentic Learning and a liberal education ethos, with an emphasis on capability, judgment, and long-term value creation.
- Pioneering in developing the first and unique Global Ecosystem of Management in Vietnam, enabling the effective transfer and contextualization of leading international frameworks - from FranklinCovey’s 7 Habits and Blanchard’s leadership models to mindful leadership from SIY Global, global HR standards from SHRM, and leadership assessment science from Hogan Assessments.
Over 25 years marked by both complexity and progress, this founding aspiration has continued to evolve, accompanying more than 100,000 organizations in strengthening management capability and engaging more confidently with the global business landscape.
Authentic Learning in an age of Complexity
The 25-year journey of PACE is not solely its own story, but a collective narrative shaped by the shared aspiration for business leadership among hundreds of thousands of enterprises that PACE has had the privilege to support.
Across sectors and scales, from large multinationals to state-owned enterprises and globally minded SMEs, organizations turn to PACE. They are united by a shared value system: rejecting unethical business practices, committing to principled and sustainable growth, creating real value, and building organizations grounded in strong cultural foundations.
In an ever-evolving business environment where past models and formulas quickly become obsolete, PACE serves as both a “knowledge hub” and a “source of inspiration” for a community of business leaders who value real capability, pursue sustainable growth, and build deeply rooted organizational cultures.
PACE’s philosophy of Authentic Learning responds directly to this reality. It emphasizes:
- Starting from real-world challenges rather than theoretical constructs
- Focusing on problem-solving and decision-making capabilities under uncertainty
- Driving profound transformation in mindset, not just skillset
In this view, the value of learning lies not in the accumulation of knowledge, but in its translation into action and tangible results in management practice.
From the Global Ecosystem of Management to the Future of Management
To stay ahead of increasingly complex market dynamics, PACE has undergone a profound transformation. Moving beyond the boundaries of a traditional training provider, PACE has pioneered the creation of Vietnam’s first and unique Global Ecosystem of Management.
This comprehensive ecosystem equips enterprises with the mindset, tools, and methodologies needed to thrive in a new era:
- 8 affiliated schools focusing on core management disciplines: Business Management, Human Resources, Finance, Marketing, Sales, Production, Supply Chain, and Project Management.
- 8 member companies delivering diverse and in-depth solutions across training, consulting, and publishing.
- 8 global partners: PACE exclusively delivers world-class knowledge in Vietnam, in collaboration with leading organizations including FranklinCovey, SIY Global, Blanchard, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), American Management Association (AMA), Digital Marketing Institute (DMI), Wiley Efficient Learning, and Hogan Assessments.
- 5 non-profit organizations dedicated to advancing education and fostering self-directed development at both individual and societal levels.
Through three core activities - PACE Training, PACE Consulting, and PACE Books – PACE proudly provides powerful and applicable solutions to help leaders and their teams address important issues of businesses at all levels.
Shaping the future of Management
If the past 25 years were defined by Vietnam’s integration into a market economy, the next 25 will be shaped by far more complex forces: artificial intelligence (AI), structural shifts in global supply chains, and a persistent state of uncertainty.
In such a context, many technical skills will become obsolete at an unprecedented pace. Yet the foundational principles of management - clarity of thinking, strength of culture, and integrity in action - will only grow in importance.
Marking the 25-year milestone, PACE reflects a broader movement toward higher standards of management. Its forward aspiration is to help shape a “Trusted Vietnam”, where credibility is earned through real capability and organizations compete on integrity and long-term value, thereby affirming their place on the global economic map.
