From outsider to insider: Over 3 decades of Vietnam’s economy through eyes of British entrepreneur

“Back then, the city was very poor. Most homes didn’t have running water. People had to collect shared water, meals were simple, and the streets were crowded with old vehicles,” he recalled of his first visit to Hanoi 35 years ago.

“But what impressed me most was the eagerness to learn and the integrity in the way Vietnamese people worked.”

At a recent launch event for his memoir ‘Never Say No’ in Ho Chi Minh City, Atkinson recounted many stories about Vietnam’s economic evolution over the years.

In the early days, he noted, many foreign investors were focused solely on signing contracts quickly, often neglecting the details.

“I always told them, don’t leave your brain at the airport, bring it into the meeting room," Atkinson said.

To him, understanding Vietnam’s culture and history is a prerequisite.

“A Vietnamese nod doesn’t always mean agreement," he said.

"And if you offend them, it’s very hard to bring them back to the negotiation table.”

'Never Say No' is a memoir that chronicles Kenneth Atkinson’s 35-year journey in Vietnam.

He describes the country as a refreshing and opportunity-filled contrast to the nation he had spent a decade in prior to arriving in Vietnam.

The book explores not only entrepreneurship, challenges, and successes, but also broader themes like globalization, the life of an expatriate, and how one individual can make a meaningful impact on a second homeland, Ho Chi Minh City, and Vietnam.

After more than three decades, Vietnam for him is more than a place to build a career. It is his 'second home' and a continued source of inspiration behind the motto 'never say no.'

The book’s title stems from what was once considered a weakness. 

During a business leadership network meeting, colleagues pointed out his habit of rarely saying no.

Over time, however, that very habit became a strength, allowing him to expand relationships and ultimately inspiring the title of his memoir.

Though he no longer holds an executive position at Grant Thornton Vietnam, an audit and advisory firm, Atkinson is proud of the legacy he has left behind, including his involvement in community initiatives such as Operation Smile, a medical nonprofit that provides free cleft lip and cleft palate surgeries to children and young adults in low- and middle-income countries, and various support programs in Da Nang City, central Vietnam.

His advice to the next generation of international business leaders coming to Vietnam is clear: “Learn the culture, learn the history, and always remain flexible in this country’s rapid changes. That is key to long-term success.”

Atkinson’s full name is often accompanied by the letters OBE, signifying that he has been awarded the Order of the British Empire—an honor given by the British monarchy for contributions to the arts, sciences, charitable work, and public service.

What makes it even more special is that he received the honor after being given a Vietnamese name: Pham Kien Son.

“So you could say I’m the only Vietnamese person to receive this title—at least so far,” he joked.

When asked if he had any regrets after all these years, he smiled and replied, “I honestly don’t have anything to regret. Like many Vietnamese people, I believe in letting the past go and always looking forward.

“If there’s one small regret, it might be not buying a plot of land in Thao Dien when it was only US$13 per square meter because at the time, I couldn’t find anyone I trusted enough to put it in their name.”