Cover Mr Ma Tuan Trong, newly appointed CEO of Grab Vietnam
Mr Ma Tuan Trong, newly appointed CEO of Grab Vietnam
1 / 1
In early May 2025, Grab officially confirmed that Mr Ma Tuan Trong will assume the role of CEO in Vietnam from 1 July.
Since making its debut in the Vietnamese market in 2013, Grab has undergone a series of leadership transitions at the senior level. Each chapter brought its own set of challenges, but also paved the way for notable achievements and key milestones in the company’s evolution. In advance of Mr Ma Tuan Trong’s appointment as CEO in Vietnam, the current CEO, Mr Alejandro Osorio, will move into a new role as CEO of Grab Singapore. In tandem, Mr Yee Wee Tang has been named Chief Operating Officer, with responsibility for coordinating operations across several countries to ensure cohesive strategic direction.
Looking back at the journey of Grab Vietnam’s Vietnamese CEOs
From 2013 to 2017, Mr Nguyen Tuan Anh led the team during Grab’s formative years in Vietnam. Under his leadership, the company established a local office and launched core services such as GrabBike and GrabCar—two offerings that would later become essential to the brand’s expansion.
Above Mr. Nguyen Tuan Anh, the first Vietnamese CEO at Grab Vietnam.
Mr. Nguyen Tuan Anh, the first Vietnamese CEO at Grab Vietnam.
1 / 1
Mr Tuan Anh continued as CEO of Grab Financial Group Vietnam until February 2020. During this time, Grab ventured into new digital financial services, including e-wallets and QR code payments.
In late 2019, Ms Nguyen Thi Thanh Van—formerly Vice President of Marketing at Unilever Vietnam—was appointed CEO of Grab Vietnam. Her tenure coincided with the global onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which posed serious challenges to operations. By 2021, with strict social distancing measures in place, core services such as GrabBike and GrabCar were suspended for extended periods.
Learn more: Female leaders weave sustainable journeys at the “hidden super-rich” Aman Resorts (Part 2)
Despite these headwinds, under Ms Van’s stewardship, Grab succeeded in retaining its customer base and supporting driver livelihoods. This was achieved through sustained focus on essential services such as GrabMart and GrabFood, and the introduction of contactless payment options.
Above Ms Nguyen Thi Hai Van, the female CEO who led Grab through turbulent times
Ms Nguyen Thi Hai Van, the female CEO who led Grab through turbulent times
1 / 1
In April 2022, Grab announced Ms Van’s departure, acknowledging her pivotal role in guiding the company through a challenging period while securing notable growth. In 2020, Grab recorded its first post-tax profit in Vietnam of VND243 billion. By 2022, this figure had risen to VND329 billion, marking a second consecutive year of profitability after years of investment in the market.
Ma Tuan Trong: The strategist behind Grab’s Vietnamese growth story
Prior to this appointment, Mr Ma Tuan Trong served as Commercial Director at Grab Vietnam. He was instrumental in steering the company’s food delivery arm from its inception, shaping it into one of Grab’s flagship services. His contributions also extend to other verticals including parcel delivery, online retail, and commercial solutions for corporate partners—playing a central role in Grab’s evolving presence across the Vietnamese market.
Above Mr Ma Tuan Trong previously served as Commercial Director at Grab Vietnam
Mr Ma Tuan Trong previously served as Commercial Director at Grab Vietnam
1 / 1
In addition, Mr Ma Tuan Trong has been instrumental in devising cross-selling strategies across Grab’s transport and delivery segments—efforts that have helped bolster the company’s market share in Vietnam. According to figures released by Momentum Works in early 2025, Grab currently leads the country’s food delivery sector with a commanding 48 per cent share. In 2024, this market experienced a robust growth rate of 26 per cent, with total transaction value estimated at USD 1.8 billion. These figures suggest a steady recovery post-COVID, and highlight the sector’s strong prospects for further expansion.
You may be interested in: Dr Do Anh Duc on equipping the next media generation with sustainable thinking
With his in-depth expertise and a longstanding track record at Grab, Mr Ma Tuan Trong is well positioned to steer the company through its next chapter. As CEO, he is expected to broaden the firm’s business reach and contribute meaningfully to Vietnam’s economic progress.
Mr Trong shared that following his appointment, he and his team will continue to harness technology and the company’s operational scale to deliver meaningful value to users, driver-partners, businesses, and the wider community. He also emphasised that Grab Vietnam will maintain close collaboration with the government to help citizens access greater opportunities in the digital economy.
Topics
