Lâm Bội Minh
The man behind a 55+ year tea & coffee legend — from Bảo Lộc highlands to a hundred-million-dollar deal
Who is Lâm Bội Minh?
Lam Boi Minh (born 1946) is the founder of Phuc Long — a Vietnamese tea & coffee brand with 55+ years of history. He started in 1968 in the tea highlands of Bao Loc, building each brew recipe through hundreds of trials to achieve the right color, aroma and taste. In early 2022, Masan Group bought 31% of Phuc Long in a $110M transaction; he continues to guide brand strategy and opened Phuc Long Luxury (Da Nang) in 2025.
Notable Quotes
“A good name is sooner lost than won. It takes a lifetime to build a good reputation and only a minute to lose it.”
“To formulate a perfect beverage recipe, my team and I experimented hundreds of times to choose one that satisfied all the requirements of colour, fragrance, beauty, and taste.”
“If you dare to think and dare to do, wisdom will always shine through, especially in times of difficulty.”
Advice
Quality is everything
Every recipe must go through hundreds of tests. Never trade quality for speed of expansion.
Start from the smallest steps
"I built Phúc Long by researching and learning from the simplest and smallest steps."
Dare to think, dare to act
"Wisdom always shines through, especially in difficult times." Just dare to take action.
Key Highlights
- ✓Founded Phúc Long (1968) from Bảo Lộc — a tea & coffee brand over 55 years old
- ✓Masan deal: sold 31% stake, shareholders received $110 million (2022)
- ✓"Quality over quantity" philosophy — every recipe tested hundreds of times
- ✓Expanded into hospitality: Phúc Long Luxury hotel (Đà Nẵng, 2025)
Biography
Lâm Bội Minh was born in 1946 and started his journey with Phúc Long in 1968 on the tea highlands of Bảo Lộc. He personally researched and learned about tea and coffee "from the smallest and simplest steps." Every recipe was tested hundreds of times to meet all criteria: color, fragrance, beauty, and taste. In the 1990s, when espresso machines were still a luxury item, he was determined to import one to his shop in District 1, HCMC. His philosophy: "Value lies not in the number of stores but in the quality of each store." In early 2022, Masan Group acquired a 31% stake, with shareholders receiving $110 million. An extremely private entrepreneur — no public photos, no social media — yet he left an enormous legacy for Vietnam's F&B industry.
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Articles & Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
›Who is Lam Boi Minh?
Lam Boi Minh (born 1946) is the founder of Phuc Long — a Vietnamese tea & coffee brand with 55+ years of history. He started in 1968 in the tea highlands of Bao Loc and built Phuc Long into one of Vietnam's largest tea & coffee chains.
›Who owns Phuc Long? Who founded it?
Phuc Long was founded by Lam Boi Minh in 1968 in Bao Loc, Lam Dong. In early 2022, Masan Group acquired 31% of Phuc Long in a $110M transaction; Lam Boi Minh continues to guide brand strategy.
›How much did Masan pay for Phuc Long?
In early 2022, Masan Group acquired 31% of Phuc Long for $110M — one of the most notable F&B M&A deals in Vietnam. Masan has since continued to increase its stake through subsequent rounds.
›What is Lam Boi Minh's philosophy?
He believes "good reputation is easier to lose than to gain" and "value lies not in the number of stores but in the quality of each store." Every Phuc Long recipe was tested hundreds of times to meet criteria of color, aroma and taste.
›Why is Lam Boi Minh rarely in the media?
Lam Boi Minh is an extremely private entrepreneur — no public photos, no social media. He focuses on building product and brand legacy rather than personalizing his image, leaving behind an enormous legacy for Vietnam's F&B industry.
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