About
Nguyen Hoa Binh—often called “Shark Binh” on Shark Tank Vietnam—is a Vietnamese tech entrepreneur and investor. He is the founder and chairman of NextTech Group of Technopreneurs, a company that has built a wide ecosystem across e-commerce, fintech, and e-logistics in Vietnam and other Southeast Asian markets. Born in 1981, he’s widely seen as part of Vietnam’s first generation of startup builders and has collected dozens of tech and business awards along the way. Media in China once even likened NextTech to an “Alibaba of Vietnam,” a nod to its broad digital footprint.
On television, Binh is known for direct, practical feedback to founders. He joined Shark Tank Vietnam in 2019 and has returned in later seasons, including Season 7 in 2024.
Before Fame
Binh majored in information technology at Vietnam National University and went on to earn a master’s degree in Urban Informatics from Osaka City University in Japan. Those years developed the problem-solving mentality he speaks of today.
In 2001, he started PeaceSoft, initially a small software outfit that hustled for early contracts while watching the rise of online marketplaces abroad. By 2005 he had secured investment from IDG Ventures Vietnam to build an online marketplace model, and in 2008–2011 PeaceSoft became eBay’s local partner, giving Vietnamese buyers and sellers a trusted way to transact online. PeaceSoft later evolved into NextTech as the group expanded into payments, logistics, and cross-border commerce. He also helped found the Vietnam E-Commerce Association (VECOM) in the mid-2000s, supporting the wider industry.
Trivia
- Binh’s business mantra is expansion-minded. At NextTech’s Hanoi HQ, a big “Go Global or Go Home” sign speaks to the company’s outward focus, reflected in operations across multiple Southeast Asian markets.
- Tech media have compared NextTech’s ecosystem approach to Alibaba’s, and the group has been profiled for building out marketplaces, payments, and logistics in parallel.
- Beyond TV investing, he backs founders through Next100, a US$10 million early-stage fund launched in 2019 to support Vietnamese startups with capital and hands-on help. The group later added a blockchain-focused vehicle.
- Brands tied to the NextTech umbrella over the years include NganLuong (e-wallet/payment gateway), Boxme (fulfillment), and more—parts of the “full-stack” infrastructure many online sellers use.
Family Life
Binh registered his marriage with actress Phuong Oanh on June 15, 2023. The twins, a boy and girl, were born on May 14, 2024. Coverage also mentioned that he has two older children from a previous marriage. These personal milestones have been widely reported by Vietnamese media.
Associated With
On Shark Tank Vietnam, Binh has shared the panel with other well-known investors such as Pham Thanh Hung (Shark Hung) and Bui Quang Minh (Shark Minh Beta), among others. His public comments during Season 7 emphasized that founders should stay close to technology and market needs to avoid wasting time and money.
Beyond television, his business journey has intersected with global names and investors: an early partnership with eBay through PeaceSoft; backing from IDG Ventures Vietnam; and the emergence of NextTech as a multi-company group often discussed in regional tech media. These connections helped shape both his reputation and the digital commerce rails many Vietnamese shoppers and small businesses use today.
