“The Making of the Vinfast Car Factory: How Chairman Pham Nhat Vuong’s Swift Decisions Led to a 12,000 sq. m Warehouse in Just 2 Weeks”

The VinFast factory in Haiphong, inaugurated on September 2, 2017, marked the birth of Vietnam’s first domestically-produced automobile brand. Remarkably, after just 21 months, the factory was completed and operational by June 2019. Typically, constructing a similar facility would take three to five years. With its large-scale operations and modern technology, the factory produces not only automobiles but also electric motorcycles, showcasing VinFast’s grand ambitions to compete in the international market.

This remarkable achievement is a testament to both advanced technology and seamless coordination between the investor, contractors, and engineers. The driving force behind this lightning-fast progress was the resolute leadership of Vingroup’s Chairman, Pham Nhat Vuong, whose hands-on approach was instrumental in keeping the project on track.

Twice-daily Meetings with Swift Decisions

The 21-month miracle was made possible by Chairman Pham Nhat Vuong’s unwavering determination. He maintained a rigorous schedule of twice-daily meetings with the VinFast team to stay updated and provide timely guidance. Most impressively, when asked for his input, he would respond with a decision or feedback within just 1-2 minutes, preventing unnecessary delays.

Beyond mere oversight, Mr. Vuong set extremely challenging goals for his team to expedite the project. For instance, he tasked Vo Quang Hue with finalizing contracts for machinery and equipment for the factory, aiming to shorten the timeline by an entire month.

This breakneck pace was unprecedented in the decades-long history of the suppliers. When asked about their impression of the project, the suppliers highlighted the “intense speed and the Vietnamese people” as the most memorable aspect of their experience.

An Extreme Challenge for the Contractor: Constructing a Warehouse in 2 Weeks

Chairman Pham Nhat Vuong’s decisive leadership style was not only demanding on his internal team but also set seemingly impossible tasks for the contractors.

During one of his visits to the VinFast automobile factory, he identified an urgent need for a large warehouse. Immediately after his departure, VinFast convened a meeting and issued a challenge to the main contractor, Coteccons: to construct a 12,000-square-meter production facility within 14 days. The request was made one day, and the site was handed over the very next morning.

To meet this daunting deadline, Coteccons mobilized all its resources, working around the clock in three shifts. They maintained close coordination with the investor and design team to ensure a steady supply of materials, avoiding reliance on imports or new production.

The construction site resembled a real battlefield, with concrete pouring at one end and steel structure installation at the other, all happening simultaneously to save time. Despite challenges like storms, power outages, and road closures, Coteccons delivered the project on time. The facility was handed over in the morning, and VinFast commenced operations that very evening.

Construction Amidst Ongoing Production: Not a Speck of Dust Allowed

One of the project’s biggest challenges was constructing amidst ongoing production, requiring absolute precision and an unwavering commitment to cleanliness, especially in the car painting workshop, where dust could be detrimental.

Coteccons implemented stringent measures, using double layers of tarpaulins, continuous water spraying to reduce dust, and a dedicated cleaning crew to maintain a spotless site. In sensitive areas, they draped tarpaulins up to the 20-meter-high roof and continuously misted the area to ensure a dust-free environment.

Most of the work was carried out at night, after 10 pm, when the production lines slowed down or stopped, and by morning, the site was restored to its pristine condition for the factory’s operations. Despite the added costs and meticulous attention to detail, these efforts ensured uninterrupted production and maintained VinFast’s quality standards.