Pham Thanh
Founder & CEO ViBIM

Pham Thanh founded ViBIM with a clear vision to transform Vietnam’s construction industry through Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology. As CEO, his vision is to establish ViBIM as a premier, high-quality BIM outsourcing partner trusted by clients in international markets. His expertise in Architectural design practice and BIM implementation has helped ViBIM become a reliable partner capturing a large market share in the international Scan to BIM market in particular and the BIM field in general.

Biography

Pham Thanh was born and raised in Thanh Hoa, Viet Nam. He is a young architect with a solid foundation in architectural education from Assumption University (ABAC) in Bangkok, Thailand, where he completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from 2003 to 2008. His initial role as a 3D architect at SMEC Vietnam from May 2008 to April 2009, where he first developed his interest in digital modeling technologies.

His career trajectory advanced significantly when he joined Constrexim ICC in Hanoi from April 2009 to October 2014, serving as Design Architect and eventually rising to Vice Director of the Design Center. The transformation from architect to entrepreneur wasn’t immediate.Recognizing that technical expertise alone wouldn’t be sufficient to build a sustainable business, Thanh pursued his MBA from Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management between 2010 and 2012, balancing his studies with his professional responsibilities. He not only focuses on architectural design, BIM technology and business management but also specialized knowledge in BIM and proficiency in English, creating the comprehensive foundation for his entrepreneurial vision.

Founding ViBIM

In October 2014, he founded ViBIM (Vietnam BIM Consultancy and Technology Application Company Limited) in Hanoi, where he continues to serve as Founder and CEO. With an initial team of just three staff members, and starting up in the field of BIM outsourcing for the global market, Thanh took a calculated risk based on his conviction that BIM represented the future of construction.

“I started with a powerful belief and passion for the transformation happening in the construction design industry through BIM” he explains. “Following that passion, and what I felt was the right path, especially when such industry-wide change was something few considered. This conviction gave me strength and ultimately led to achievements. The courage to embrace change is probably what will define my career in my memory, and it speaks to my capacity to contribute to society in the years to come” he shares.

While building his company, Thanh also contributed to national BIM standards as part of the Vietnam Official BIM Steering Committee at the Ministry of Construction from 2014 to 2019. This dual role allowed him to shape both his company and the broader industry simultaneously.

Under his leadership, ViBIM has grown from a three-person startup to a respected organization of 30 professionals serving international clients across the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States, Canada and some EU regions.

Degrees and Certifications

Pham Thanh’s formal education and professional credentials form the foundation of his expertise in architecture, business management, and Building Information Modeling. His Degrees and Certifications include:

Achievements

Pham Thanh’s professional accomplishments span multiple domains, showcasing his expertise and vision in transforming BIM services in Vietnam:

Business Development

Founded a BIM outsourcing service company for international clients at the age of 30, starting with just 3 team members and building from zero
Grew the company to 30 professionals over 10 years, providing Scan to BIM services to clients in four key markets: the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States, and Canada
Achieved 100% success rate in meeting even the most demanding technical requirements from prospective clients
Maintained long-term relationships with 80% of clients spanning over 5 years
Established stable revenue streams and consistent employee benefits programs
Completed 1000+ formal projects over a decade, representing approximately 250,000 implementation hours with an exceptional 99% on-time delivery rate

Technical and Technological Innovation

Self-taught Revit software and BIM principles starting in 2009, when BIM concepts were still being defined in the industry
Successfully implemented BIM processes to enhance architectural design practices as early as 2011 at his design center, when the market was still struggling with basic implementation
Developed proprietary technical solutions to meet international standards and process requirements for BIM and Scan to BIM services
Independently developed and implemented a comprehensive framework of standards and best practices for Scan to BIM services that currently lacks global standards for this specific field
Actively contributed to research and drafting of Vietnam’s first official BIM Guidelines, published by the Ministry of Construction in 2017
Extensive knowledge of AI/ML technologies and Revit API to continuously develop internal tools that enhance competitive advantage in the BIM industry.

Leadership and Management

Led a team of 30 professionals while fostering a transparent, professional, efficient and highly committed work culture
Implemented business automation and digitization across multiple functions including production management, accounting, finance, IT infrastructure, human resources, and training
Managed production data and fully standardized Scan to BIM services to meet global standards
Trained many first-generation BIM engineers with high professional qualifications for Vietnam’s design and construction industry

Some event photos of Pham Thanh as speaker and conference participation

Below are some pictures of Pham Thanh participating as a speaker in the BIM field.

Vision

Pham Thanh’s vision for ViBIM is captured in the company’s official vision statement: “Clients receive BIM products that meet quality standards for local use at good costs without remote coordination risks. ViBIM becomes a reputable, trusted unit, capturing a large market share in the international Scan to BIM market in particular and the BIM field in general.”

Mission

Pham Thanh established ViBIM with a fundamental mission: to provide BIM resources with comparable skill levels to those in developed countries but at more accessible costs, while creating a high-tech, professional environment in Vietnam’s design and construction industry.

“Innovation in traditional design and construction sectors faced significant barriers in Vietnam, with many firms hesitant to invest in new technologies like BIM,” Pham Thanh explains. “My mission is to demonstrate that Vietnamese professionals can deliver world-class BIM services while developing a workforce with industrial-grade working standards.”

“We’re proud of the mission that we’ve followed. Each and every day, we dedicate ourselves to providing superior service to our clients. Our success lies in high-quality BIM products, working processes, excited people, and your valuable partnership. At ViBIM, we connect with the clients by understanding their mindset, value, culture, and working style. Together we can explore, create, and grow.” states Pham Thanh.

Goal in life

Pham Thanh’s professional and personal goals reflect his balanced approach to business leadership and life fulfillment. His top five life goals demonstrate this holistic perspective:

Develop the company to be the number one chosen partner in the Scan to BIM field
Expand the company’s scale while maintaining its professional culture
Ensure most company employees’ families have stable and comfortable lives
Successfully raise two sons to be well-rounded and independent
Optimize work, reduce personal pressure, and maintain personal interests

CEO Pham Thanh always puts Customer Satisfaction first

First engaging VIBIM for their modelling services over 8 years ago, in the intervening time I have had the pleasure of getting to know Thanh both professionally and on a personal level. Our connection has followed me from my previous role in the UK to my current position in the antipodes of Australia. in both settings. Thanh has visited our offices, participating in enjoyable activities and meaningful conversations with our modelling teams. Through these interactions, we’ve gained insights into not only each other’s professional practices and shared market challenges, but also our respective cultures, homes, and families.

Staying well-grounded in his hands-on technical abilities and process awareness, Thanh has an ability to focus on the bigger-picture strategy without losing sight of the important details. His leadership style is methodical, rooted in systematised and long-term thinking, and attuned to the technical realities of BIM modelling and wider industry demands. His focused attitude and attentiveness has rightly earned him the respect of both his team and his clients.

Overall, Thanh’s leadership at VIBIM has been instrumental in fostering trust, making the company our preferred supplier, I look forward to our continued relationship in the years to come. I would not hesitate to recommend VIBIM’s services to others seeking a reliable and high-quality Scan-to-BIM partner.

Mr.Horn

Pham Thanh Founder & CEO ViBIM