Dinh Van Than

Who is Dinh Van Than?

Gilbert Dinh Van Than, more commonly known as Dinh Van Than, is a ni-Vanuatu "prominent businessman" and former politician. Ron Crocombe described him in 2007 as "perhaps the wealthiest entrepreneur and largest private employer in Vanuatu and many say the most politically influential [...] citizen".

Than is a naturalised citizen of Vanuatu. The Vanuatu Daily Post describes him as "a ni-Vanuatu of Vietnamese parentage". His father began his work in Vanuatu as an "indentured labourer".

The Dinh family have been described as long-standing supporters of the Vanua'aku Pati. In 1991, when the party was about to split, Than supported its founder and then-leader, the first Prime Minister of Vanuatu, Walter Lini. Than hosted meetings of Lini and his supporters, and enabled Lini to set up "headquarters" on the premises of one of the companies he owned. Later that year, when Lini was ousted from the leadership of the Vanua'aku Pati, and founded the National United Party, Than was a prominent member. The relationship between the two men was close; Than was literally adopted into Lini's family the same year.