05/20/2026
High Point University students in the Global Business Experience course in Southeast Asia, focused on global supply chain management and generously hosted by Ashley Furniture, have continued to engage in a broad range of cultural and experiential learning opportunities in central Vietnam. Led by Dr. Bradley Venable, PhD, MBA, and Dr. Jason Williams, MBA, DBA, the group concluded this portion of the trip after spending the weekend in Hoi An and several days in Da Nang. A key component of the experience was the opportunity to observe Ashley Furniture’s supply chain resilience and operational strength firsthand. Central Vietnam is experiencing rapid industrial growth, and Ashley Furniture is playing a leading role in that development.
Before departing for the trip, students were given a supply chain case study developed by Ashley Furniture. They completed the case yesterday at the company’s manufacturing facility in Quang Ngai, where they presented their recommendations to several site executives and Ike Hoehn, Senior Director of Supply Planning Operations and Vietnam GCC.
Before visiting Ashley Furniture in Quang Ngai, the students explored the ancient town of Hoi An, once a major trading port for China, Japan, and later European merchants. Their cultural experiences continued with a climb up Marble Mountain and a drive along the Son Tra Peninsula to Linh Ung Pagoda, which overlooks and symbolically protects the coastline and surrounding communities.
The students also toured THACO Automotive, one of the largest automotive manufacturing facilities in the world. THACO produces vehicles for Asian and European markets, including KIA, Hyundai, Mazda, Peugeot, and BMW models, as well as a range of trucks and buses for those regions.