Vingroup chairman enters Forbes’ Top 500 Richest

By Vietnam News Agency
Thu, March 13, 2025 | 9:49 pm GMT+7

Vietnam now has only five billionaires, after Tran Ba Duong, founder of Vietnamese automobile producer Thaco, dropped off Forbes's list – but Vingroup’s founder and chairman Pham Nhat Vuong has now entered the magazine's ranking of the Top 500 Richest people across the globe.

 Vingroup’s founder and chairman Pham Nhat Vuong. Photo courtesy of nguoiquansat.vn.

Vingroup’s founder and chairman Pham Nhat Vuong. Photo courtesy of nguoiquansat.vn.

Vuong’s net worth has surged dramatically in just a few days. As of Tuesday, March 11, 2025, Forbes estimates Vuong’s wealth at nearly $6.7 billion. His fortune has grown by $1.1 billion since March 7 and by $2.6 billion since the start of the year.

This rapid increase has propelled him from 611th to 496th in the global billionaire rankings.

The rise in Vuong’s wealth comes as Vingroup’s VIC stock has gained nearly 13% over the past week and almost 20% in the last month. The billionaire currently chairs Vingroup and holds 691.27 million VIC shares, equivalent to about 18% of the company’s charter capital. He also owns additional shares through private entities.

Beyond Vingroup, Vuong controls a significant stake in VinFast and serves as its CEO. However, Forbes considers multiple factors beyond stock value when calculating net worth.

On the other hand, Vietnam’s billionaire list has shrunk with the exit of Tran Ba Duong, chairman of Thaco. Duong first joined the billionaires' club in 2018 with a net worth of $1.8 billion. Despite holding on for six years, his fortune has declined steadily. Before dropping off the list, his wealth had fallen to $1.2 billion.

Thaco, founded by Duong in 1997 in Dong Nai, has evolved from a used car importer into a diversified industrial conglomerate spanning automotive, real estate and agriculture.

Among Vietnam’s remaining billionaires, Techcombank chairman Ho Hung Anh has seen his wealth rise by $300 million this year to $2 billion. In contrast, Hoa Phat chairman Tran Dinh Long’s fortune has declined to $2.4 billion.

Billionaire Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao’s wealth remains unchanged at $2.8 billion. She is currently chairwoman of Sovico Group and Vietjet Air.

Similarly, Masan chairman Nguyen Dang Quang maintains his $1 billion fortune, according to Forbes.

Forbes calculates individual wealth based on the number and value of shares held at a given time. Additionally, it considers other assets when ranking billionaires, including private company holdings, real estate, artwork and yachts.

Comments (0)
  • Read More
Vietnam mulls opening door for private investment in small modular reactors

Vietnam mulls opening door for private investment in small modular reactors

Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade has drafted a parliamentary resolution that, for the first time, would allow private companies to participate in the development of small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs).

Energy - Fri, October 17, 2025 | 4:37 pm GMT+7

Kido seeks buyer for remaining 49% stake in frozen food affiliate

Kido seeks buyer for remaining 49% stake in frozen food affiliate

Kido Group (HoSE: KDC), a leading food company in Vietnam, has approved a plan to divest the firm's remaining 49% stake in its affiliate Kido Frozen Food JSC (Kido Foods).

Companies - Fri, October 17, 2025 | 4:25 pm GMT+7

Le Ngoc Quang appointed Danang city's Party chief

Le Ngoc Quang appointed Danang city's Party chief

Le Ngoc Quang, a Party Central Committee member and Party chief of Quang Tri province, has been appointed Party chief of Danang for the 2025-2030 term - the highest position in the city, central Vietnam's economic hub.

Politics - Fri, October 17, 2025 | 4:17 pm GMT+7

T&T Group seeks to reshape north-central Vietnam’s urban landscape with major projects

T&T Group seeks to reshape north-central Vietnam’s urban landscape with major projects

Multi-sector conglomerate T&T Group is developing a model eco-urban complex in Ha Tinh province and plans to build a massive 236-hectare urban area in neighboring Nghe An, with an aim to reshape north-central Vietnam's urban landscape.

Investing - Fri, October 17, 2025 | 2:44 pm GMT+7

Toyota plans $359 mln plant expansion in northern Vietnam

Toyota plans $359 mln plant expansion in northern Vietnam

Toyota Motor Vietnam (TMV) plans to invest about VND9.46 trillion ($359.2 million) in the first phase of its plant expansion project in Phu Tho province.

Investing - Fri, October 17, 2025 | 2:09 pm GMT+7

PVI Insurance sees 9-month profit before tax more than doubling

PVI Insurance sees 9-month profit before tax more than doubling

PVI Insurance has reaffirmed its position as the No. 1 non-life insurer in Vietnam, with total revenue increasing nearly 1.4 times in the first nine months of 2025 and pre-tax profit more than doubling year-on-year - surpassing its full-year targets for both revenue and profit.

Companies - Fri, October 17, 2025 | 9:08 am GMT+7

Vingroup to develop 4,600ha coastal urban project in northern Vietnam

Vingroup to develop 4,600ha coastal urban project in northern Vietnam

A consortium of Vingroup (HoSE: VIC) and its real estate arm Vinhomes (HoSE: VHM) will develop a 4,600-hectare coastal urban complex in Ha An ward, Quang Ninh province, following local authorities’ approval of a zoning plan.

Real Estate - Fri, October 17, 2025 | 8:30 am GMT+7

Indonesia resumes int’l carbon trading after 4-year hiatus

Indonesia resumes int’l carbon trading after 4-year hiatus

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has issued a new decree to restart international carbon emissions trading after a four-year hiatus.

Southeast Asia - Thu, October 16, 2025 | 9:23 pm GMT+7

Investors seek 2-year delay for $2.56 bln LNG power project in northern Vietnam, citing equipment hurdles

Investors seek 2-year delay for $2.56 bln LNG power project in northern Vietnam, citing equipment hurdles

Investors of a $2.56 billion LNG-fired power plant in Hung Yen province have proposed delaying the project’s commercial operation schedule by two years due to difficulties securing key equipment.

Energy - Thu, October 16, 2025 | 9:04 pm GMT+7

Vietnam to soon raise taxpayers' personal deduction: official

Vietnam to soon raise taxpayers' personal deduction: official

The personal income tax deduction in Vietnam is "very likely" to increase to VND21.7 million ($823,940) per month, including VND15.5 million (588,530) for the taxpayer and VND6.2 million ($235,410) for each dependent.

Finance - Thu, October 16, 2025 | 6:25 pm GMT+7

Business confidence climbs as reforms gain traction amid global headwinds: EuroCham Vietnam

Business confidence climbs as reforms gain traction amid global headwinds: EuroCham Vietnam

The index climbed to 66.5, surpassing pre-tariffs level and reaching its highest in three years – showcasing resilience and adaptability amid global headwinds and evolving U.S. tariff pressures.

Economy - Thu, October 16, 2025 | 4:36 pm GMT+7

Vietnam's stock market watchdog suspends two Grant Thornton auditors

Vietnam's stock market watchdog suspends two Grant Thornton auditors

Vietnam's State Securities Commission (SSC) has suspended two auditors from Grant Thornton Vietnam after determining that the 2024 audited financial statements of Saigon Water Infrastructure Corporation (HoSE: SII) failed to meet required standards.

Finance - Thu, October 16, 2025 | 3:35 pm GMT+7

Law No. 56 a major policy breakthrough for Vietnam's stock market development

Law No. 56 a major policy breakthrough for Vietnam's stock market development

The Law No. 56, effective January 1, 2025, is one of the major legal breakthroughs in recent years that will enhance the transparency and operational efficiency of the Vietnamese stock market.

Finance - Thu, October 16, 2025 | 2:30 pm GMT+7

WHA Group breaks ground on smart technology industrial zone in central Vietnam

WHA Group breaks ground on smart technology industrial zone in central Vietnam

Thailand's WHA Group on Tuesday broke ground on a world-class, modern, and environmentally friendly industrial zone in central Vietnam, namely the WHA Smart Technology Industrial Zone-Thanh Hoa.

Real Estate - Thu, October 16, 2025 | 2:00 pm GMT+7

Vietnam a key partner in Murphy Oil’s global strategy: exec

Vietnam a key partner in Murphy Oil’s global strategy: exec

Vietnam remains a key partner in Murphy Oil’s global business strategy, said Eric Hambly, the U.S. corporation's president and CEO.

Companies - Thu, October 16, 2025 | 12:06 pm GMT+7

VNPT, Qualcomm debut Vietnam’s 1st original design-based excellence center

VNPT, Qualcomm debut Vietnam’s 1st original design-based excellence center

State-owned Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) and Qualcomm have officially launched the VNPT-Qualcomm Excellence Center (VQEC), the first facility in the country to operate under an original design co-development model using Qualcomm’s core technologies.

Companies - Thu, October 16, 2025 | 8:41 am GMT+7