VNTHAcademics
At Viet Nam Tinh Hoa – The Futures School, academics are designed as a connected learning pathway from the Early Years to the Middle Years, with a future pathway towards the IB Diploma Programme.
Grounded in the International Baccalaureate and strengthened by visible thinking, inquiry, design, making, and real-world relevance, our programme helps students build strong foundations while preparing them to think deeply, act purposefully, and grow with confidence.
School Leadership & Partners
Matthew Green
Head of School - Academic
Matthew Green joins the academic leadership team as Vice Principal of Academics. With 17 years of experience in education, he brings extensive expertise in international programmes including the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), the UK National Curriculum, Cambridge, and the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), alongside strong experience in academic leadership, curriculum development, and enhancing teaching and learning quality.
Throughout his career, Mr. Matthew has held a variety of leadership and teaching positions in international educational environments across Vietnam, Egypt, Russia, Peru, Hong Kong, and Europe. In Ho Chi Minh City, he previously served as PYP Coordinator and Deputy Head of Primary at EIS, where he also led the IB PYP Authorisation process for an international school. Most recently, he served as Head of School at Think International School, Hong Kong.
In addition to his experience spanning Early Years, Primary, and Lower Secondary education, Mr. Matthew is particularly passionate about building inclusive learning environments where both students and educators are supported to grow within a culture of openness, respect, and collaboration.
Mr. Matthew graduated from The Open University, holds a PGCE from the University of Sheffield, and has achieved UK Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). He also completed a Diploma in Childhood & Youth Studies at The Open University and a Certificate in School Management and Leadership from Harvard University, reflecting his long-term commitment to professional growth and educational leadership.
Nicola Green
IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) Coordinator
Nicola Green joins the academic team as IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) Coordinator and Science Teacher. With more than 30 years of experience in education, she brings extensive expertise in teaching Science, Biology, Chemistry, and curriculum development across a wide range of international education systems, including the IB Middle Years Programme, IB Diploma Programme, Cambridge International Education, IGCSE, Pearson Edexcel, Cambridge Lower Secondary, the English National Curriculum, and the Next Generation Science Standards.
Throughout her career, Ms. Nicola has held numerous academic leadership positions such as Head of Sixth Form, Director of Studies, Head of Middle Years, and Head of Science, while teaching in international school environments across Hong Kong, Russia, Peru, Vietnam, Egypt, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
Before joining Viet Nam Tinh Hoa, she served as a Science Teacher at King George V School, where she taught DP Biology, Theory of Knowledge, and MYP Integrated Science. She also participated in the IB authorisation process at Brookes Saint Petersburg and previously held academic management roles at ACG/AIS Saigon.
Ms. Nicola holds a Master’s degree in International Education from the University of Sunderland, a PGCE from Kingston University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Hull. In addition, she serves as a Moderator and Assistant Examiner for IBDP Biology, reflecting her strong expertise in IB academic assessment and standards.
Trung Thanh Le
Design Director & Co-Founder – Regenerating Education
Trung Thanh Le is an architect and design leader with more than 35 years of pioneering experience in redefining educational spaces. He currently serves as Design Director and Co-Founder of Regenerating Education, where he leads innovative, learner-centered, and sustainability-driven learning design strategies.
He holds a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Throughout his career, he has founded and led several influential design organizations, including Third Teacher+, Wonder by Design, and 180 Studio — all recognized for integrating architecture, education, and learning experiences in transformative ways.
His projects have received recognition from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) at the Chicago, Illinois State, and National levels. His work has also been featured in respected publications such as Architectural Record, Contract Design, and Edutopia, reflecting his significant impact on the field of educational design.
In addition, Trung Thanh Le is a frequent speaker at international forums and conferences including Big Ideas Fest, TEDx Reset Istanbul, CEFPI, and the AIA National Conference. Through his forward-thinking and interdisciplinary approach, he continues to shape the future of learning environments, where space is not simply a setting for education, but a “third teacher” that inspires and empowers learners.
Murat Günel
Executive Advisor to the Board of Trustees & President of Koç School
Murat Günel is an experienced educational leader and scholar with a strong background in curriculum development and K–12 educational systems management. He currently serves as Executive Advisor to the Board of Trustees and President of Koç School — one of the leading educational systems in Türkiye — while also being the Co-Founder and Chief Learning Officer of Regenerating Education, where he advances innovative and sustainable educational models.
He earned his PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from Iowa State University, specializing in Science Education with a minor in Statistics. Originally trained as a physics teacher and professor in science education, he possesses deep expertise in curriculum design, particularly in integrating scientific thinking and data analysis into teaching and learning practices.
During nearly a decade as Director General of Koç School, Murat Günel led the strategic development of the entire school system, strengthened educational quality, and expanded the institution’s influence across the region. He has also been actively engaged in academic research, with notable publications including “What Makes Professional Development Programs Effective? Shedding Lights on Turkish Teachers’ Expectations and Experiences” (European SchoolNet, 2017), contributing significantly to the field of teacher professional development.
With a visionary mindset and a research-driven approach, Murat Günel continues to play a key role in shaping modern educational models that foster holistic and sustainable development for learners.
Veronica Maria
Boix-Mansilla
Senior Principal Investigator – Harvard Graduate School of Education, Project Zero
Veronica Maria Boix-Mansilla is a world-leading expert in global and intercultural education, whose work has made foundational contributions to shaping global citizenship competencies for the 21st century. She currently serves as a Senior Researcher at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and Project Zero, where she leads research on how learners understand, connect with, and respond to complex global issues.
She earned her Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree in Human Development and Psychology from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Her research focuses on designing learning conditions that foster interdisciplinary thinking, intercultural understanding, and responsible engagement with global challenges.
Veronica Boix-Mansilla co-led the development of the OECD Global Competence Framework for the PISA programme and has contributed to numerous international education initiatives in collaboration with organizations such as Asia Society, the Council of Chief State School Officers, and the International Baccalaureate.
She has also partnered with leading institutions including UNESCO, the Smithsonian Institution, National Geographic, and the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting in research and advisory roles. In recognition of her significant contributions, she was awarded an honorary doctorate (Doctorate Honoris Causa) by the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya.
Through her research and international engagement, Veronica Boix-Mansilla continues to play an influential role in advancing an education that promotes deep understanding, global responsibility, and learners’ capacity to take meaningful action in today’s interconnected world.
Board Members
THANH BUI
Founder & Chairman, Embassy Education
Founder, Viet Nam Tinh Hoa – The Futures Institute
Thanh Bui is the Founder and Chairman of Embassy Education, an educational and creative ecosystem established with the vision of empowering young Vietnamese generations to grow holistically in academics, the arts, creative thinking, and personal identity.
With a background as an artist, music producer, educator, and the initiator of numerous educational projects in Vietnam, Thanh Bùi has consistently pursued the belief that education is not merely about transferring knowledge, but about awakening potential, nurturing resilience, and helping each student understand who they are in an ever-changing world.
Through Embassy Education, he has founded and developed a wide range of educational models spanning early childhood education, K–12 schooling, arts, music, performance, and talent development. These initiatives all share a common mission: to create learning environments where students can access international standards of education while remaining deeply connected to Vietnamese culture, identity, and aspirations.
At Viet Nam Tinh Hoa – The Futures Institute, Thanh Bùi plays a key role in shaping the school’s strategic vision, connecting the institution with global academic movements, and fostering pioneering collaborations with international educational organizations. For him, excellence in education is not defined solely by achievement, but by the ability to help students develop independent thinking, creativity, confidence, and the courage to engage with the world through the strength of their own identity.
NGUYEN THI DIEU ANH
Lecturer at the Faculty of Psychology
Nguyễn Thị Diệu Anh is a lecturer at the Faculty of Psychology, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City. Her expertise lies in the field of psychology, with academic and professional interests focusing on clinical psychology for children and adolescents.
In her academic work, Dr. Nguyễn Thị Diệu Anh concentrates on psychological issues affecting children and teenagers, including risk factors associated with somatic symptom disorders among adolescents. This area of research is particularly significant in the context of growing awareness around student mental health and the increasing need for evidence-based and professionally grounded approaches to psychological well-being in schools.
With a strong foundation in psychology and extensive experience in higher education, Dr. Nguyễn Thị Diệu Anh contributes to bridging academic knowledge with practical challenges in modern education. Her work highlights the importance of creating learning environments that support students’ healthy development, strengthen self-awareness, and enhance their ability to adapt to the rapidly changing world around them.
CHRISTOPHER VU
Co-Founder and Architect of FutureSparQ Academy
Christopher Vu joins Viet Nam Tinh Hoa as Director of Innovation, bringing a unique combination of technical expertise, creative thinking, and educational leadership experience. As an MIT alumnus with nearly 30 years of experience in teaching, technology, and global EdTech, he has built his career at the intersection of human potential, educational innovation, and future-ready competencies.
Throughout his journey, Christopher has implemented AI-powered learning systems, blended learning models, and computational thinking programmes, helping expand learning opportunities for students across the United States, the United Kingdom, South Korea, and other countries. A defining characteristic of his approach is his ability to bridge disciplines — thinking like an engineer, creating like an artist, and designing learning experiences that prepare students to thrive in a constantly evolving world.
At Viet Nam Tinh Hoa, Christopher leads the development of the school’s Digital and AI Literacy programme while collaborating with global technology partners to bring meaningful and practical educational innovations to the student community. With a bold vision and pioneering spirit, he supports the school in empowering students to develop technological fluency, adaptive thinking, curiosity, and the confidence to lead in a new era.
Alongside his role at Viet Nam Tinh Hoa, Christopher Vu is also the Co-Founder and Architect of FutureSparQ Academy, an educational ecosystem designed to help students learn how to question, adapt, and discover their own potential with curiosity and purpose.
Bui Trieu Yen
Senior Academic Advisor
Bùi Triệu Yên holds a Master’s degree in Music, specializing in Vocal Performance, from the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music. She previously served as a Vocal Lecturer at the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music, Ho Chi Minh City College of Culture and Arts, and the National College of Education Ho Chi Minh City. Currently, she is the Senior Academic Advisor at Embassy Education (EE) and Head of the Vocal Department at Soul Music & Performing Arts Academy. She also serves as a Master Educator of Kindermusik Vietnam.
In addition, she has worked as a vocal coach for several major Vietnamese television talent shows, including Vietnam Idol, Vietnam’s Got Talent, and The Winner Is. Throughout her career, she has guided and trained many renowned artists as well as emerging young singers in Vietnam’s contemporary music scene.
Alexander Tu
Director of Dance Department
Alexander Tú is a choreographer, dance artist, and educator with more than 20 years of experience since the emergence and evolution of Hip Hop dance from a street movement into a recognized artistic discipline. From 2004 to 2010, he served as Executive Director of Kaba Modern at the University of California, Irvine, and KM LEGACY in Los Angeles, California. During this period, he was invited to perform at prestigious events in the United States, including the ESPY Awards, World of Dance, and Hip Hop International.
After completing his doctoral studies at Loma Linda University in Public Health with a specialization in Physical Therapy, Alexander Tú taught Hip Hop at the Academy of Dance in Tustin, California. During this time, he developed a deep passion for working with children and gained valuable insights into the relationship between movement, music, and human development. He later returned to Vietnam to continue contributing to the local arts and education landscape, participating in television programmes such as Star Academy Vietnam Season 1 and co-founding the Dance Department at Soul Music & Performing Arts Academy together with artist Thanh Bui.
He is also the Founder and Executive Director of LYRICÍST Dance Company and the LYRICÍST dance crew, which became the first Vietnamese champion of Super 24 in Singapore in August 2019.
Nguyen Duc Anh
Head of Piano Department
Nguyễn Đức Anh was born into a family with a strong musical tradition in Hanoi, Vietnam. He began studying piano at the age of seven at the Vietnam National Academy of Music under the guidance of lecturers and professors Trần Thu Hà, Ngô Lan Hương, and Hoàng Vĩnh Hương throughout his long-term studies there. In 2013, he continued his education at the Freiburg Conservatory in Germany. Between 2015 and 2017, he successfully completed both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Piano Performance under the mentorship of Professors Tibor Szász and Éric Le Sage.
During these years, Đức Anh received the Hanoi Chopin Association Award at the 2nd Hanoi International Piano Competition in 2012 and won Second Prize (with no First Prize awarded) at the Alkan-Zimmerman International Piano Competition in Athens, Greece, in 2014. He also had opportunities to work with renowned artists and music educators such as Robert Hill, Denis Pascal, and Bernhard Wulff. In addition, he participated in numerous national and international music festivals, including the Autumn Music Festival in Ho Chi Minh City, the Gina Bachauer Music Festival in Corfu, Greece, and the Long Lake Festival in Lugano, Switzerland.
He has performed as a soloist with the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra, the Hanoi Symphony Orchestra, and the Hanoi Chamber Orchestra. Đức Anh is also one of the four founding members of “Maestoso,” Vietnam’s first classical music startup initiative. Driven by passion and curiosity, he is committed to presenting rare and high-quality works by overlooked composers. He was the first musician to introduce the music of composer Charles-Valentin Alkan to Vietnamese audiences and became the first Vietnamese artist to officially represent the Blüthner piano brand.
Currently, Nguyễn Đức Anh serves as Head of Piano Department at Soul Music & Performing Arts Academy in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Do Hai Anh
Head of Theater
Đỗ Hải Anh is a dancer, choreographer, and arts educator recognized for her outstanding contributions to ballet and contemporary dance in Vietnam and internationally. She previously performed as a soloist in numerous classical ballet productions at the Ho Chi Minh City Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera (HBSO), demonstrating strong technical foundations and refined artistic expression.
Throughout her career, she has received several prestigious awards, including the Silver Prize at KIMDC 2012 in South Korea, the Star of AAF title at the Asian Arts Festival 2018 in Singapore, and the Outstanding Choreographer Award at KOAF 2019 in France. She was also recognized in the Forbes Vietnam 30 Under 30 list in 2020. In addition, she has participated in and performed at many international festivals such as Center Stage (USA), Jakarta International Festival (Indonesia), DanzINC (Singapore), and the Hong Kong International Choreographic Festival.
She is the Founder of Unicorn Dance and Co-Founder of Saigon Contemporary & Ballet Dance Company (SCBC Vietnam), contributing significantly to the growth of contemporary dance in Vietnam. Currently, in her role as Head of Theater at the SIA Dance Department, she guides and mentors the next generation of young artists through creativity, technical excellence, and an internationally minded approach to performance and artistic development.
Lilly Wong
Academic Advisor
Lilly Wong is a British textile designer, artist, and textile producer whose creative journey can be described as a richly woven tapestry shaped by the cultural identities of the United Kingdom, Vietnam, and China. Holding a BA (Hons) degree in Textile Design from Central Saint Martins, part of the University of the Arts London (UAL), she began a creative career spanning more than two decades across diverse artistic fields including fashion, art consultancy, photography, and arts education.
Drawing inspiration from philosophy, art, and the traditional aesthetics of Eastern design — as well as the refined beauty of distinctive Asian textiles — Lilly Wong has developed a personal artistic language that reflects a unique intersection of minimalism, symbolism, and modernism.
Mai Hoang My Trang
Head Coach – VITTA
Mai Hoàng Mỹ Trang is one of Vietnam’s leading table tennis athletes, with an impressive record of achievements at both regional and international levels. Throughout her competitive career, she has earned numerous prestigious medals and titles, including three medals at the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games), 11 Southeast Asian regional championships, and 13 national championship titles, firmly establishing her position in Vietnamese table tennis.
Beyond her accomplishments as an athlete, Mỹ Trang has also built extensive experience in coaching and athlete development through various sports programmes both in Vietnam and internationally. With her strong professional expertise and competitive spirit, she brings a modern coaching approach that emphasizes technical excellence, tactical thinking, and the holistic development of students and young athletes.
Currently, Mỹ Trang serves as a Coach at VITTA, where she contributes to physical education and school sports development programmes. Through her work, she focuses on inspiring students, fostering discipline and resilience through sports, and promoting the values of professional athletics within an international educational environment.
jay-thien nguyen
Actor - Director - Theatre Producer & Educator
Jay-Thiện Nguyễn is a theatre practitioner working across multiple disciplines with more than 10 years of experience in theatres across the United States, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, and beyond. He earned a Master’s degree in Musical Theatre from Temple University (USA) under the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship. He is the Founder of Impact Theatre Saigon (ITS) and ENCORE Academy under ITS — a leading organization in musical theatre performance, education, and community development in Vietnam. Since its establishment, he has directed and led nearly 30 projects across these three areas.
Jay-Thiện Nguyễn was twice awarded scholarships from American Voices and received Broadway musical theatre training through YES Academy ASEAN in Thailand and Indonesia. In 2019, he was selected as one of only 16 international performers to participate in the World Youth Theatre in Egypt. His notable stage roles include Papa Ge in Once on This Island, Basilius in Head Over Heels, Hanschen in Spring Awakening (Temple Theaters, USA), Snoopy in The World According to Snoopy (Hedgerow Theatre, USA), and Abraham U/S in Backing Track (Arden Theatre, USA), among others.
In addition, Jay-Thiện Nguyễn served as the Vietnamese singing voice actor for Prince Eric in The Little Mermaid produced by Walt Disney Studios.
Teachers
Quach Ngoc Thuy Đoan
Specialist Teacher
Bui Phuong Anh
Vietnamese Teacher for
Grades 4, 5 & 6
Conor Finn
Grade 5 Homeroom Teacher & Grade 6 Maths Teacher
Ngo Thi Mong Lanh
Vietnamese Teacher for Grades 2
Jozanne Holtzhausen
Grade 6 Homeroom Teacher & Individuals & Societies, English and PSHE Teacher
Cormac Francis Hamill
Grade 2 Homeroom Teacher
Chan Thi Lieu Chi
Grade 2 Teaching Assistant
Tran Hai Nhi
Grade 1 Teaching Assistant
Nguyen Thi Hong Nhung
Grade 1 Vietnamese Teacher & MOET Programme Coordinator