Vybol was born in a refugee camp after the Khmer Rouge regime. As a refugee’s child, he was taught of the Khmer Rouge genocide, in which millions of people starved to death. Making the difficult decision that many genocide survivors face, the family relocated to France to seek a better life. Vybol as a little boy who recalls going to bed or school hungry. Despite having only $5 when they arrived in France, his family embraced the entrepreneurial spirit, not only making a better life for themselves but also teaching Vybol the gift of tenacity in the face of hardship. However, unlike most, Vybol was fascinated with the Khmer empire and all of its triumphs rather than just the crimes of Cambodian history.

Vybol distinguished himself from his friends at a young age due to his intellectual prowess and ability to generate brilliant ideas and innovations. Even with a very modest background, Vybol managed to excel at school, graduate from one of the top French engineering institutions (ISEP), and work in Thales Research & Development, located in the prestigious Polytechnique engineering school.

Once he made the bold decision to leave France, he set out to use his vast wisdom and technological skills to serve the land from which his forefathers originated. He quickly became recognized in the country for being a serial entrepreneur, spending several years establishing and setting up successful businesses in the fields of IT, retail, real estate, and agriculture. All of his past experiences prepared him for his primary purpose of making the Bonlei project possible.