HANOI, Vietnam — Vietnamese automaker VinFast recently welcomed more than 40 motoring journalists and key opinion leaders from the Philippines for an exclusive firsthand look at its fast-growing ecosystem — a remarkable integration of education, health care, and advanced manufacturing that’s driving Vietnam’s rise as a global technology hub.
The VinFast models we tested showcased the brand’s growing mastery in design, performance, and electrified mobility.
The four-day visit to Hanoi and Hai Phong offered the Philippine delegation a comprehensive experience of Vingroup’s visionary ecosystem, showing how the company’s interconnected industries work together to promote innovation and sustainable growth.
The Filipino team was warmly received and guided throughout the trip by Antonio Zara, CEO for Southeast Asia, VinFast; Nora Liquido, Communications Director of VinFast Philippines; Duong Quang Duc Chi, KOL Director of Vingroup; and Pham Thi Thanh Huong, CMCO Global and Deputy Chief of the Management Committee Division, Vingroup Global. Their presence underscored the significance of the visit, as the Philippines remains one of VinFast’s priority markets in the region.
Robotic arms work in perfect sync on the VinFast production line, handling precision welding to ensure quality and consistency in every vehicle built.
The tour began at VinUniversity in Hanoi’s Gia Lam District, a state-of-the-art institution founded by Vingroup to develop the next generation of engineers, doctors, and business leaders. Its courses are deeply linked to VinFast’s industrial operations, allowing students to gain hands-on experience in vehicle design, research, and production.
VinUniversity is also connected to the global academic community through partnerships with Cornell University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore. These collaborations ensure that VinUniversity meets international standards while nurturing local and regional talent for the future of technology and mobility.
A VinFast technician inspects a freshly stamped body panel, ensuring each component meets the brand’s strict quality and precision standards.
Among the students the Philippine delegation chanced upon was Gabrielle, a Filipina mechanical engineering scholar, who shared how the program gives her valuable exposure to real-world applications. “We’re encouraged to tackle practical engineering challenges and apply what we learn beyond the classroom,” she said. “It’s a hands-on experience that pushes us to think creatively and work with purpose.”
The next stop was VinMec Smart City Hospital, a modern medical facility that applies artificial intelligence, digital diagnostics, and robotic systems to deliver efficient, world-class care. VinMec stands as a pillar of Vingroup’s commitment to improving quality of life through technology-driven health care.
The new VinUniversity stands as a modern center of learning and innovation, reflecting VinGroup’s commitment to world-class education in Vietnam.
The hospital collaborates with major global institutions including Cleveland Clinic Connected, which provides operational and clinical guidance, and Penn State University, with whom VinMec works closely on research and medical training programs.
During the tour, executives revealed that Vingroup plans to expand its ecosystem globally, including the Philippines, with special focus on replicating its automotive and health care systems abroad.
The highlight of the trip was the visit to the VinFast Global Headquarters in Hai Phong. The expansive facility houses the company’s research and development center, EV assembly plant, proving grounds, and battery manufacturing complex — all in one big property for maximum efficiency and control.
Executives explained that VinFast’s tightly integrated setup allows it to move from concept to production in just three years, roughly half the time of traditional carmakers. This agility, they said, is a direct reflection of the company’s culture of rapid innovation and problem-solving.
On the company’s test track, the Philippine contingent had the opportunity to test-drive VinFast’s latest electric vehicles — the VF3, VF6, and VF9. Engineers encouraged the group to push the vehicles to their limits and share honest feedback about their performance, handling, and comfort.
That openness comes directly from Vingroup Chairman Pham Nhat Vuong, who is known for his hands-on approach and insistence on immediate action. “If something’s wrong, fix it immediately,” is his standing order to engineers and designers. One VinFast executive cited how, when US customers raised software issues, the chairman ordered an immediate investigation. Within six months, the problems were fully resolved — an extraordinary turnaround by global automotive standards.
The same philosophy fuels VinFast’s growth. From design to production, every department operates with the same sense of urgency and commitment to constant improvement.
The visit offered more than just a behind-the-scenes look at an emerging automaker — it was an eye-opening glimpse into a self-sustaining ecosystem that links education, health care, and manufacturing into one cohesive vision.
From the classrooms of VinUniversity, to the cutting-edge wards of VinMec Smart City Hospital, and the assembly lines of Cat Hai Island, every part of Vingroup’s ecosystem reflects the same principle: progress that serves people.