Holger Benthien | Founding Member of GBA / Managing Director of Hansa Vietnam
Holger Benthien, an entrepreneur born in Bremen, Germany, has been residing in Vietnam since 1992. He was the initiator and co-founder of the German Business Association (GBA) in Vietnam in 1995. Holger served as Chairman from 2006 to 2008, Vice-Chairman from 2005 to 2006, and again from 2009 to 2015. He initiated many of GBA’s regular business and social events, including Oktoberfest Saigon, which has become the largest Oktoberfest in Southeast Asia, as well as Fan-Meile, DeutschenTreff, the entrepreneurial Biz Challenge, and the regular monthly meeting format.
Holger was a member of the Board of the European Chamber of Commerce (EuroCham) in Vietnam from 2012 to 2015. In recognition of his contributions to the German business community in Vietnam, Holger has been an honorary member of the German Business Association since December 2014.
Professional Background:
- Abitur at “Altes Gymnasium” in Bremen
- Vocational diploma in Foreign Trade and Commerce with Joh. Gottfr. Schütte & Co (established 1792) in Bremen, Germany
- Master of Science (MSc) in Management
- Previous postings in Bremen, Taipei, New York City, and Hong Kong