In a significant step toward building a robust electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing ecosystem in India, VinFast Auto India, the subsidiary of global EV major VinFast, has announced the induction of its first cohort of 200 locally hired professionals at its soon-to-be-inaugurated factory in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu. The plant, which will play a key role in VinFast’s Asia expansion strategy, is expected to generate employment for up to 3,500 professionals over the next five years.
The onboarding marks the successful culmination of a large-scale regional recruitment and skilling initiative, carried out in collaboration with the Government of Tamil Nadu, particularly under its flagship Naan Mudhalvan programme. The initiative focuses on aligning education with industry needs and delivering workforce-ready youth to India’s growing manufacturing landscape.
Upon joining, the new recruits will undergo specialized training by Vietnamese experts and Indian professionals to meet global automotive standards. This training framework is part of VinFast’s broader commitment to upskilling local talent, ensuring they are prepared for high-performance roles in advanced EV manufacturing.
Guidance Tamil Nadu’s WorkLabs Cell played a crucial role in facilitating this onboarding process by bridging industry-academia gaps and connecting diploma students from polytechnic colleges with job-ready opportunities. The District Collector’s Office, under Thiru. K. Elambahavath, I.A.S., worked closely with VinFast’s leadership and institutions to execute the selection process, which included a two-month institutional training programme followed by assessments and interviews.
Speaking on the milestone, Mr. Pham Sanh Chau, CEO of VinFast Asia, stated, “We deeply appreciate the support of District Collector Mr. K. Elambahavath and the Industries Department, whose collaborative approach has been vital in translating our talent development goals into reality. This facility is not just about vehicles—it’s about people, progress, and building a resilient, inclusive ecosystem that can power both Indian and global markets.”
VinFast’s workforce strategy follows an 80:20 hybrid model, with 80% of the plant workforce comprised of local freshers or trainees and 20% consisting of experienced Indian and global professionals from top-tier OEMs. The model reflects the company’s focus on community engagement, sustainable growth, and long-term industrial development.
As the Thoothukudi facility scales towards an annual capacity of 150,000 vehicles, it will also serve as a launchpad for VinFast’s first two EV offerings in India — the VF 6 and VF 7 premium electric SUVs. Parallelly, the company is working to develop a comprehensive dealership network and EV infrastructure, including fast-charging stations, to accelerate EV adoption nationwide.
The recruitment drive and plant development reaffirm VinFast’s long-term commitment to India, not just as a market, but as a manufacturing and innovation hub for the future of clean mobility in Asia.
