Top 5 Richest Men In Vietnam According To Forbes (2025)

Vietnam, a nation once known primarily for its agriculture and low-cost manufacturing, is now making waves in the global business scene. In the past two decades, the country’s economy has transformed dramatically, fueled by rapid industrialization, technological innovation, and the rise of a powerful private sector.

At the forefront of this transformation are a handful of ultra-wealthy entrepreneurs and business leaders whose ventures span industries such as real estate, airlines, steel manufacturing, consumer goods, and banking. According to Forbes 2025, here are the top 5 richest people in Vietnam, their net worths, and the stories behind their remarkable rise to billionaire status.

1. Pham Nhat Vuong — $6.5 Billion (Ranked #535 globally)

Industry: Diversified
Age: 56
Source of Wealth: Vingroup

Pham Nhat Vuong is widely recognized as Vietnam’s first billionaire and remains the richest man in the country for over a decade. With a net worth of $6.5 billion, Vuong is the founder and chairman of Vingroup, a sprawling conglomerate whose interests span real estate, retail, healthcare, education, tourism, and technology.

Vuong’s journey to wealth is the stuff of entrepreneurial legend. He started in Ukraine in the 1990s, producing and selling instant noodles before selling that business for millions. Upon returning to Vietnam, he founded Vingroup, which developed luxury urban complexes, hotels, and resorts that redefined the country’s property landscape.

In recent years, Vuong has pushed into electric vehicles (EVs) through VinFast, aiming to compete on the global stage with giants like Tesla. He has also invested in smartphones, e-commerce, and renewable energy. His aggressive diversification and forward-thinking strategies have made him a symbol of modern Vietnamese capitalism.

2. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao — $2.8 Billion (Ranked #1305 globally)

Industry: Airlines, Diversified
Age: 54
Source of Wealth: VietJet Air, Investments

Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao is not just one of the richest people in Vietnam—she is also the country’s first self-made female billionaire. With a net worth of $2.8 billion, Thao made her fortune through VietJet Air, the first privately-owned airline in Vietnam.

VietJet Air is famous for its low-cost flights and unconventional marketing campaigns, including “bikini flight attendants” that stirred international headlines. Despite the controversies, the airline rapidly expanded its market share, becoming a formidable competitor to Vietnam Airlines.

Thao’s business empire is far from limited to aviation. She has significant stakes in real estate, finance, and retail through Sovico Holdings. Known for her relentless ambition, Thao has publicly stated that her long-term vision is to turn VietJet into an international airline powerhouse while continuing to invest in Vietnam’s growing tourism and leisure industry.

3. Tran Dinh Long — $2.4 Billion (Ranked #1513 globally)

Industry: Steel Manufacturing
Age: 64
Source of Wealth: Hoa Phat Group

Tran Dinh Long, often referred to as Vietnam’s “Steel King”, built his fortune through Hoa Phat Group, the largest steel producer in the country. With a net worth of $2.4 billion, Long’s business success is deeply tied to Vietnam’s rapid urbanization and infrastructure boom.

Hoa Phat Group started as a small construction equipment supplier in the early 1990s but quickly pivoted to steel production. Today, it supplies steel for housing projects, infrastructure, and manufacturing plants across Vietnam. The company’s expansion into agriculture and real estate further boosted its revenues.

Despite facing volatility in global steel prices, Long has maintained a steady growth strategy by focusing on domestic demand and diversifying into new markets. His leadership style is known for being pragmatic and results-oriented, qualities that have helped Hoa Phat weather economic downturns.

4. Ho Hung Anh — $2 Billion (Ranked #1763 globally)

Industry: Finance, Consumer Products
Age: 54
Source of Wealth: Techcombank, Masan Group

Ho Hung Anh has built a dual fortune in banking and consumer goods, giving him a net worth of $2 billion. He is best known as the chairman of Techcombank, one of Vietnam’s largest private banks, and as a key shareholder in Masan Group, a major conglomerate in the food and beverage sector.

Anh’s journey began in Eastern Europe, where he studied and later engaged in trading businesses. Upon returning to Vietnam, he partnered with longtime friend Nguyen Dang Quang (also on this list) to expand Masan Group, which produces some of Vietnam’s most popular instant noodles, sauces, and packaged food products.

Under his leadership, Techcombank has become a highly profitable financial institution with a strong digital banking presence. Anh’s business philosophy blends conservative financial management with strategic risk-taking in consumer markets, allowing him to maintain his billionaire status despite market challenges.

5. Nguyen Dang Quang — $1 Billion (Ranked #2933 globally)

Industry: Food & Beverage, Banking
Age: 61
Source of Wealth: Masan Group, Techcombank

Nguyen Dang Quang rounds out the top five with a net worth of $1 billion. He is the co-founder and chairman of Masan Group, which dominates Vietnam’s packaged food market. Masan’s products—from instant noodles to chili sauce—are household staples in millions of Vietnamese kitchens.

Quang is also a major shareholder in Techcombank, working closely with Ho Hung Anh to build one of Vietnam’s most respected financial institutions. His background in physics and economics has influenced his analytical approach to business, focusing on market research and consumer behavior.

Over the years, Masan Group has diversified into meat production, beverages, and retail through its WinMart supermarket chain. Quang’s vision has been to integrate supply chains from farm to table, ensuring product quality while maximizing profitability.

Vietnam’s Billionaire Landscape — What It Tells Us

The stories of these five billionaires reflect broader economic trends in Vietnam:

• Diversification is key — From Pham Nhat Vuong’s expansion into EVs to Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao’s move from airlines to real estate, these billionaires avoid putting all their eggs in one basket.

• Consumer markets are thriving — Masan Group’s dominance shows the power of catering to domestic demand for food and household goods.

• Infrastructure and manufacturing matter — Tran Dinh Long’s steel empire is a reminder that basic industries remain critical for developing economies.

• Finance fuels growth — Both Ho Hung Anh and Nguyen Dang Quang leverage banking to support their other business ventures.

Vietnam’s rapid economic growth, combined with a young population and a rising middle class, provides fertile ground for these billionaires to grow even richer. However, they also face challenges such as fluctuating commodity prices, global economic uncertainty, and increasing competition from foreign firms.

Final Thoughts

The top five richest people in Vietnam in 2025 are not just wealthy individuals—they are key players in shaping the country’s economic trajectory. Their ventures create jobs, attract foreign investment, and help integrate Vietnam into the global marketplace.

From Pham Nhat Vuong’s futuristic electric cars to Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao’s budget-friendly air travel and Tran Dinh Long’s steel empire, these leaders represent the entrepreneurial spirit driving Vietnam’s transformation.

As Vietnam continues to grow, the fortunes of these billionaires will likely evolve, with some possibly climbing even higher in the global rankings. But one thing is certain: they have already secured their place in Vietnam’s business history.