Haiphong

During Trump’s first term, tariffs on China were a big win for Vietnam, especially in cities like Haiphong.

In Haiphong, jobs were scarce after the pandemic and at 38 years old, Phuong wanted what her sister had in London: the ability to save money and start a family.

On a trip to the sprawling factory in the port city of Haiphong in northern Vietnam, Widodo also sat behind the wheel of a VinFast electric car before wrapping up his three-day visit to Vietnam.

The Indonesian facility will be VinFast's third besides its main one in northern Vietnamese city of Haiphong, and a new plant in North Carolina, slated to start in 2025.

Even at that target, VinFast will be only selling at roughly a sixth of the production capacity it has at its Haiphong, Vietnam plant.