A boy smiles radiantly in the arm of Vietjet CEO Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao.

Late last week, a well-known Facebook user posted a photo that showed Vietjet's female CEO Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao holding a passenger's child at Tan Son Nhat International Airport. The photo, which received thousands of likes, positive comments and shares on the social network, was taken when Thao was inspecting Vietjet's services at the airport with some of her colleagues.

Known as the spirit of Vietjet, the country's fastest growing carrier, it's easy to understand why Thao attracts a lot of public attention. Thao is one of the very few women CEOs in the aviation industry. Contrary to her charming appearance, Thao's toughness and determination inspire admiration in her partners and employees, as she negotiates deals or makes survival decisions for Vietjet's development.

CEO Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao in a friendly chat with the child's father.

John Leahy, chief operating officer - customers of Airbus, once described Thao as a woman with an iron hand in a velvet glove. "Just try to negotiate a contract with her and you will see," he told the press recently.

Respect and care are part of this CEO's nature and have also become Vietjet's business philosophy. Thao never refuses to take a photo with employees, no matter at what positions they work.

Vietjet CEO Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao listens to a passenger's comment on the airline's servives.

During a trip late last week, Thao spent time encouraging the staff who work at night and meeting passengers to listen to their comments as well as their suggestions to improve the airline's service quality, especially during the upcoming peak season.

Thao said the airline has worked with aircraft ground-handling companies and airports to review the service quality, personnel and equipment in an attempt to improve its passenger services during the peak season. The airline will also offer passengers with more facilities and services such as web check-in, kiosk check-in and mobile check-in.

Inspection delegates talk to airport security officials.

"Vietjet will provide about 250 flights a day and plans to increase the frequency of routes with high demand during the forthcoming holidays.

We are well-prepared to provide passengers with the best quality services during the peak seasons," Vietjet's CEO said with a smile.

Vietjet, led by Thao, has made impressive achievements over the past four years. It is now operating 30 brand-new and modern A320s and A321s, providing 190 flights each day.

Vietjet's CEO and colleagues check aircraft maintenance at midnight in preparation for the early morning's operation. — VNS Photos

The carrier has already opened 40 routes in Viet Nam and across the region to international destinations such as Thailand, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan, besides mainland China and Myanmar. As of December 5, it transported approximately 20 million passengers.

The airline recently won the IOSA Certification from the International Air Transport Association after a little more than three years of operations.

Vietjet was also declared the "Best Asian Low-Cost Carrier" at the TTG Travel Awards 2015, based on votes from travellers, travel agencies and tour operators in Asia. The airline was also rated as one of the top three fastest growing airline brands in the world on Facebook by Socialbakers.