Pham Thu Huong Becomes Vietnam's Second Richest as Vingroup Shares Rally
Pham Thu Huong, Vingroup's Vice Chairwoman, now holds Vietnam's second-richest individual title. Her net worth reached US$4 billion, driven by Vingroup's stock performance.
Vingroup Vice Chairwoman's Wealth Climbs
Pham Thu Huong, Vingroup's Vice Chairwoman, became Vietnam’s second wealthiest person last Wednesday, according to Forbes. Her net worth climbed by US$162 million, reaching US$4 billion. This rise places her alongside Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, Vietjet Air's chairwoman, who also holds a US$4 billion fortune. Huong, 57, co-founded Vingroup, Vietnam's largest listed private company.
She holds a 4.4% stake in the conglomerate. Huong earned a master’s degree in international law from Ukraine. Forbes first recognised her as a billionaire in early February this year.
Market Gains Drive Valuations
Vingroup shares significantly drove market gains, jumping 12% since their inclusion in the FTSE Global Equity Index Series last week. This inclusion added 27 Vietnamese stocks, improving international investor access. Vietnam’s benchmark VN-Index rose 1.67% last Wednesday, marking its fifth consecutive daily gain.
Pham Nhat Vuong, Vingroup's chairman and Huong's husband, remains Southeast Asia's wealthiest individual. His net worth increased by US$1.3 billion last Wednesday to US$35.6 billion. Huong’s sister, Pham Thuy Hang, 51, holds the third position in Vietnam with US$2.8 billion.
Billionaire Ranks Expand
Other Vietnamese billionaires also saw gains last Wednesday, ranging from US$10 million to US$111 million. These include Tran Dinh Long, Hoa Phat Group chairman (US$2.5 billion); Ho Hung Anh, Techcombank chairman (US$2.3 billion); Ngo Chi Dung, VPBank chairman (US$1.1 billion); and Nguyen Dang Quang, Masan Group chairman (US$1 billion).
Vietnam is scheduled for a significant market reclassification on 21 September 2026. FTSE Russell plans to upgrade the country from a frontier market to a secondary emerging market.
Investor Focus on Market Reclassification
This wealth reordering highlights the direct impact of market index rebalancing on individual and corporate valuations in Vietnam. The upcoming FTSE Russell upgrade on 21 September 2026 will likely draw further international capital into Vietnamese equities.
Increased foreign portfolio investment (FPI) could sustain upward pressure on the VN-Index and benefit other listed companies with strong fundamentals. Investors should monitor the market's reaction to this reclassification, as it could signal broader shifts in capital allocation towards Vietnam's developing market.
This article is journalism, not investment advice; consult a licensed professional before making financial decisions. Market data is indicative, may be delayed, and should be verified with your broker or exchange before use.
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