Pham Van Nhu was born in 1930 in the district of Tam Nong in Phu Tho. He held various positions in the district of Thanh Thuy in Phu Tho as well as in Ha Giang, including being in charge of the local youth (thieu nhi) organization, vice-secretary of the commune’s youth association (thanh nien xa), secretary of the department of education (in Ha Giang), and also participated in the land reform and rectification committees of Thanh Thuy in Phu Tho.