Archive · 2 Jan 2026
VinFast CEO Pham Sanh Chau: From Diplomat to Business Leader
Pham Sanh Chau is a unique CEO who went from being the Vietnamese Ambassador to India to leading VinFast, a Vietnamese electric vehicle company.
After his time as an ambassador, he was asked to help VinFast enter the Indian market.
Even though he didn't have experience in the car industry, his skills as a diplomat helped him build relationships and set up a factory quickly.
VinFast launched two electric SUVs in India and has big plans to become one of the top carmakers in the country.
Chau believes that electric cars will make up most of India's car sales in the future, giving VinFast a great opportunity to grow.
He also wants to expand in other Asian countries and the US, aiming to make VinFast as famous as Toyota is for Japan.
Pham Sanh Chau transitioned from being the Vietnamese Ambassador to India to becoming the CEO of VinFast Asia.
Chau's diplomatic experience helped him quickly establish VinFast's manufacturing plant in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu.
VinFast launched two electric SUVs, the VF 6 and VF 7, in India in September 2025.
VinFast aims to become one of the top three carmakers in India within 10 years, focusing on electric vehicles.
Chau plans to expand VinFast's presence in Indonesia and the US, with a multi-billion-dollar facility in North Carolina.
- Who
- Pham Sanh Chau, former Vietnamese Ambassador to India and current CEO of VinFast Asia
- What
- Chau's transition from diplomacy to leading VinFast's expansion in India and Asia
- When
- Chau became CEO after his ambassadorial tenure ended in 2022, with VinFast launching in India in September 2025
- Where
- VinFast's operations in India are based in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, with plans to expand in Indonesia and the US
- Why
- Chau was asked by Vingroup chairman Pham Nhat Vuong to support Vietnam by leading VinFast's international expansion
- Name
- Pham Sanh Chau
- Current Role
- CEO of VinFast Asia
- Previous Role
- Ambassador of Vietnam to India (2018-2022)
- VinFast India Plant
- Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu
- VinFast India Launch
- September 2025
- VinFast Models
- VF 6, VF 7
- VinFast Expansion
- 24 dealerships in India by end of 2025
- VinFast Ambition
- Top-3 carmaker in India within 10 years