Philip Young worked as the finance manager for Kuwait Petroleum International's joint venture to construct the Nghi Son oil refinery in Vietnam from 2013 to 2014. This was the largest joint venture in Vietnam at the time. Some of Young's responsibilities included finding local accounting staff through Skype interviews, increasing the budget lines to improve reporting and transparency, and justifying capital expenditures. Young witnessed rapid economic development and industrialization in Vietnam during this time. He also enjoyed engaging with Vietnamese culture through activities like badminton and dining with colleagues.