Vietnam’s Vingroup eyes investment opportunities in San Pablo City

A promising partnership may soon take shape as Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup explores potential investment opportunities in San Pablo City.

The initial meeting to discuss this development was held at the historic Villa Escudero Plantations and Resort, bringing together key stakeholders from the public and private sectors. In attendance were Mr. Alexander M. Cruz, Chairman of XentroMall Developer, Inc. and Vingroup’s representative in the Philippines; Ms. Rosalie A. Escudero, President and CEO of Villa Escudero; Mayor Najie B. Gapangada Jr. of San Pablo City; Fr. Levi Dimaunahan, Senior Adviser to the Mayor on Investments and Governance; and Villa Escudero directors including Daniel A. Escudero and Carmela Balcazar, with additional directors participating via Zoom. The meeting was facilitated by Don Ares Escudero.

According to Mr. Cruz, the next step will involve direct discussions with Vingroup’s executives in Vietnam, while Villa Escudero continues to assess the investment proposal.

If realized, the proposed investment is expected to create significant employment opportunities in the city. Vingroup is among Vietnam’s largest and most diversified corporations, with an expansive portfolio that includes industry and technology, real estate, infrastructure, green energy, and social enterprises.

Founded in 1993 in Ukraine and officially entering the Vietnamese market in the early 2000s, Vingroup is known for its flagship brands Vincom and Vinpearl, which later merged to form Vingroup Joint Stock Company in 2012. The group has since become a major force in shaping Vietnam’s consumer and industrial landscape. One of its most anticipated initiatives is the launch of a bullet train service in Vietnam, slated for 2026.

In the Philippines, Vingroup is gaining recognition through its electric vehicle brand VinFast, which is gradually expanding its presence in the local automotive market.

This potential entry into San Pablo City signals growing investor confidence in the city’s economic direction under the leadership of Mayor Gapangada, who has been actively promoting transparency, good governance, and investor-friendly policies.

As talks progress, both local and foreign stakeholders await the outcome of what could become a transformative development for the city and the surrounding region.