Analysts say that the biggest investors from the Philippines, the hottest economy in Asia, have been heading for Vietnam, where they can see great business opportunities in essential sectors, including food and beverage, infrastructure, clean water and pharmaceuticals.
Vinh Hoan Company (VHC), a Vietnamese big seafood exporter, in late May 2014, unexpectedly announced it had transferred 70 percent of the stakes VHC held in Vinh Hoan 1 Feed Company (VHF) to a Filipino company, reaping $19.6 million.
The buyer was Pilmico International, a subsidiary of Aboitiz Equity Ventures, specializing in making animal feed in the Philippines.
Analysts noted that the sale of the fourth largest feed plant in Vietnam with the capacity of 130,000 tons per annum, brought high profits to Vinh Hoan, which built the plant with VND70 billion, or $3.4 million only.
The two sides agreed that the other 30 percent of VHF that VHC is holding will be transferred to Pilmico within five years at negotiable prices.
Prior to that, a Filipino fast food chain, Jollibee, spent $25 million to buy 50 percent of Pho 24, a well-known pho (noodles served with beef or chicken) brand, and a famous café brand, Highlands Coffee.
With the deal, Jollibee became better known to Vietnamese and the brand is mentioned with McDonald’s and KFC when people list the big fast food chains in Vietnam.
Most recently, a large Filipino food group, Universal Robina Corp (URC), has taken big steps in its plan to expand its business plan in Vietnam.
The group announced it will turn Vietnam, with 90 million consumers, into a key market which can bring $1 billion.
URC emerged in the domestic food and beverage (F&B) market recently when it launched C2 bottled green tea, a product considered a direct rival to Tan Hiep Phat, and Coca Cola and Pepsi Cola.
Analysts noted that Filipinos have also been keen on infrastructure projects. In late 2013, Manila Water South Asia Holdings Pte Ltd, a subsidiary of the Filipino Manila Water Company Inc, bought 18.37 million SII’s stakes, a Vietnamese water infrastructure company, worth VND310 billion.
The fact that Manila Water injected money into SII was not a surprise at all. Analysts noted that infrastructure is one of the business fields Filipino investors are most interested in.
Ayala Group, the holding group of Manila Water, is a big infrastructure investor in HCM City which has poured big money into many infrastructure development firms, including CII, where it holds 10 percent of shares, SII (44 percent), Kenh Dong Water Supply Company (47 percent) and 49 percent of Thu Duc Water Supply Company.
Reuters has recently reported that Metro Pacific Investments Corp, another major Filipino infrastructure investor, is considering a transport infrastructure project in Vietnam.
Analysts have noted that the investments by these major companies from the Philippines in Vietnam have been profitable, and have resulted in bigger market share.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) By the end of November 2025, Vietnam’s total pangasius export turnover had exceeded the $2 billion threshold, registering a 9% compared with the same period in 2024. In November alone, pangasius exports reached $195 million, also posting a 9% increase year-on-year, underscoring a stable recovery trajectory for the sector in the final months of the year.
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(seafood.vasep.com.vn) An Giang is focusing on expanding climate-adaptive marine aquaculture models, aiming for safe and sustainable production. This approach not only enhances economic efficiency but also helps fishermen stabilize their livelihoods amid weather fluctuations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first 10 months of 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export value to China (including Mainland China and Hong Kong) reached $483 million, up 1% compared to the same period in 2024. October alone posted $73 million, a strong 19% increase year-on-year. The Chinese market currently accounts for nearly 27% of Vietnam’s total pangasius export value.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to data from Vietnam Customs, the country’s lobster exports posted another strong month in October 2025, reaching $93 million - a 75% increase from the same month in 2024. This performance extends the sector’s impressive growth streak from earlier in the year, pushing cumulative exports for the first 10 months to $712 million, up an extraordinary 135% year-over-year. Within the product mix, green lobster remained the dominant driver, accounting for 98% of total export value, with $700 million recorded in the first 10 months - a 141% jump year-on-year. In contrast, exports of spiny lobster and other lobster varieties declined slightly by 22% and 1%, respectively, indicating that market demand is becoming increasingly concentrated on the most sought-after product line.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Currently, Da Nang City has no fishing vessels detained, sanctioned by foreign authorities, or criminally prosecuted for IUU fishing violations. Patrols, monitoring of marine fishing activities, and handling of violations have been prioritized by competent forces, significantly reducing nearshore fishing infringements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel in the first nine months of 2025 reached just over USD 27 million, down as much as 49% compared to the same period in 2024. This is a steep and prolonged decline for many consecutive months, reflecting changes in import demand as well as shifts in the supply structure of this market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first 700 tons of Vietnamese tilapia ordered and imported by JBS Group will initially be distributed through supermarket chains, the Horeca network and JBS’s product showrooms in Brazil.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In October 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius exports hit $217 million, representing an 8% increase compared to the same month in 2024. For the first 10 months of the year, total export value has surpassed $1.8 billion, up 9% year-on-year. This growth demonstrates clear positive momentum for the pangasius industry, despite continued declines in certain markets.
In recent days, the Central provinces of Vietnam have been suffering from historic flooding, with prolonged heavy rains, landslides, flash floods, and deep inundation causing extremely serious impacts on tens of thousands of households, as well as many VASEP member exporters located in the region. With the spirit of mutual support and solidarity, and in order to promptly assist residents and member exporters in the affected areas to stabilize their lives and restore production activities, VASEP calls on all seafood exporters, organizations, and individuals to extend supports to the people and member exporters in the flood-hit areas. We urge timely and practical material and spiritual contributions to help member exporters and local communities in the severely affected provinces overcome this difficult period.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
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Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
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