The company states its history which is traced to a London tobacconist, Philip Morris, opening a single shop on London's Bond Street in 1847 which sold tobacco and cigarettes. After being M&A in many times, 1919 marked a historic turning point when the logo of Philip Morris was officially patterned with the image of a masculine "Marlboro man" with a cowboy hat, owned by American shareholders. By the mid-1950s, the Company had become part of American culture, and soon after its launch, Philip Morris International (PMI) manufactured and marketed its products worldwide. PMI is an international tobacco company, with 7 of the world's top 15 brands, including Marlboro, the world's best-selling. Besides Marlboro, a premium brand portfolio also includes Parliament and Virginia. The mid-range price segment is led by L&M, Lark, Merit, Muratti along with other leading international strong brands include Bond Street, Chesterfield, Next, and Red & White. In 2016, PMI announced its decision to build its future on the basis of smoke-free products, which are much better alternatives to cigarettes. As of March 31, 2019, PMI's heated not burn tobacco products were available in 47 countries. PMI has embraced an ambition that smokeless products will account for more than 50% of total net sales by 2025. Each market contributes to making the smoke-free vision a reality on a global scale. PMI believes that the Company can best contribute to public health by developing a variety of harm-reducing products. Then, smokers can switch from cigarettes to other better alternatives. Since 1994, PMI cooperated with Vinh Hoi Cigarette Factory to produce Marlboro cigarettes. By 2001, the production under the authorization of Marlboro brands was transferred to Saigon Tobacco Company. The partnership between Vinataba and PMI has been enhanced and effective since 2010, and a joint venture, Vinataba-Philip Morris Limited (VPM), was incorporated in Can Tho city to produce and distribute cigarette products, including the Marlboro brands. Under this new model of operations, Vinataba and PMI have been actively coordinating in management, bringing about efficiency and high growth rates over the years.

Formed in 1999 when JT Group acquired the non-US operations of R.J.Reynolds. for 7.8 billion USD – yet it has roots in many of the most famous tobacco companies around the world, with a global heritage that can be traced back to the late 16th century. Since then, its international workforce has driven two decades of growth. As a member of Japan Tobacco Group and one of the world's leading tobacco manufacturers, JTI distributes its products in 130 countries in regions (the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East) with 95 representative offices. In addition, JTI also has 26 tobacco factories globally and 33 tobacco leaf growing countries from where JTI factories conduct sourcing. Its flagship brands include Winston, Camel, Mevius, Mevius và LD… JTI set a clear goal for business growth to create the most successful and respected Tobacco Company in the world. Today, it has more than 40,000 employees working around the world, with a mission to develop internationally best known brands and lead the way in reduced-risk products and new business approaches. Since 2001, Vinataba and JTI have started cooperation under the agreement of licensing of Mild Seven cigarettes brands to Thanh Hoa Tobacco Company, an affiliate of VINATABA. In accordance with regulations of the Government, since 2010, JTI has converted into a 5-year licensing agreement (to be extended further) to Thanh Hoa Tobacco Company, the latter committed to producing and distributing JTI's cigarette brands in the local market. Over the past 20 years, the cooperation between the two parties has stabilized with steady growth in terms of 4 to 5 million packs per year.