The first thing I did when I held a complimentary copy of Thời báo Kinh tế Sài Gòn—the flagship Vietnamese-language publication of the Saigon Times Group—was flip through the pages, searching for my name in the contributors’ section. My heart raced, fueled by equal parts nervousness and an unfamiliar surge of pride.
It was 2014. I was an economics student at the National Economics University, and my very first article had just been published. At the time, I had no idea I was stepping onto a path that would grow into one of the most meaningful journeys of my life.
I am Trinh Duy Hoang, leader of F-group’s writing team from 2014 to 2018. Founded in 2012 under the guidance of economist Dinh Tuan Minh, F-group was an intellectual community dedicated to economics and free‑market ideas. We were students of economics and journalism who thrived on analyzing, debating, and writing. Our close, sustained collaboration with Kinh tế Sài Gòn transformed F-group into a training ground—one that helped shape a generation of young contributors.
Our working process was remarkably structured, designed with growth in mind. The editorial team at Kinh tế Sài Gòn often commissioned articles on pressing economic issues and suggested possible approaches, while members were equally encouraged to propose their own topics. Even newcomers with little writing experience were welcomed to contribute.
We debated ideas passionately in group meetings before drafting our articles. Manuscripts were first reviewed by senior writers within the group, then received detailed feedback from Dinh Tuan Minh, and finally passed through the weekly magazine’s editorial process. This multi‑layered system not only refined each article but also sharpened our skills at every stage.
Nguyen Van Thinh, the first leader of F‑group’s writing team, once reflected:
“Contributing to Kinh tế Sài Gòn was both a great honor and an invaluable opportunity to sharpen my analytical and writing skills. To write well, I had to read more broadly and cultivate a multidisciplinary perspective, rather than viewing issues solely through the lens of economics. That proved immensely helpful later when I pursued graduate studies and eventually doctoral research. Equally important, the chance to meet and connect with the magazine’s network of experts and contributors became a tremendous advantage for my career.”
Many members of the group grew professionally through that experience. Nguyen Van Thinh, once an economics student, is now a doctoral candidate in economics at Osaka University in Japan. He continued contributing to Kinh tế Sài Gòn until its final issues, long after our writing group had disbanded. Nguyen Bich Thuan went on to become a specialist at the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Others pursued academic careers or professional roles at international organizations, banks, and government agencies. Yet wherever life has taken us, most of us have continued writing. For us, it remains one of the most powerful ways to refine our thinking and share our perspectives with society.
I still remember group meetings that stretched late into the night—spirited debates over major policy issues and field trips undertaken to gather information and insights. Kinh tế Sài Gòn was far more than a publication that carried our articles; it was a demanding yet devoted teacher that accompanied us as we grew.
Through the magazine, I learned the responsibility that comes with writing. More importantly, I came to understand that economics is not merely about numbers—it is, above all, about people.
Now, as the magazine prepares to bring its long journey to a close, I find myself surrounded by stacks of old issues—grateful, yet tinged with sadness. Looking back, I realize that reading, writing, and editing hundreds of articles profoundly changed me. They taught me to listen, to examine issues from multiple perspectives, and to appreciate the values that underpin a free and prosperous society.
Thank you, Kinh tế Sài Gòn, for patiently guiding us, challenging us, and believing in us when we were still inexperienced students. Thank you to Dinh Tuan Minh and the spirit of F‑group, which connected us to the this weekly. And thank you to all the friends and fellow writers who shared this journey and grew alongside one another.
Although this final issue marks the end of an era, the journey that Kinh tế Sài Gòn gave us will continue. Our passion for writing and our love of knowledge still burn brightly. We grew up with Kinh tế Sài Gòn, and a part of the magazine will always remain with us.
