Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup JSC is seeking a $300m private credit loan to repurchase a 38% stake in its education subsidiary, Vinschool, from global investment firm KKR & Co, according to a report by Bloomberg News.
The transaction, if completed, would mark the exit of KKR from its investment in Vinschool, which it acquired in 2021 as part of a broader $650m deal that also included stakes in Vinhomes, Vingroup’s real estate arm. Vinschool, a prominent K-12 education provider in Vietnam, is part of Vingroup’s expansive portfolio, which spans sectors including real estate, healthcare, automotive, and technology.
Vingroup is reportedly engaging with private credit lenders to finance the acquisition, reflecting a growing trend among Asian conglomerates to utilise alternative financing sources for strategic transactions. The move underscores Vingroup’s commitment to consolidating its holdings in key subsidiaries and streamlining its investment structure.
KKR’s potential exit from Vinschool aligns with its broader investment strategy in Southeast Asia, where the firm has been active in deploying capital across various sectors. The divestment would allow KKR to reallocate resources and potentially pursue new opportunities in the region.
Both Vingroup and KKR declined to comment on the ongoing discussions.
