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• Solid‑State Transformer (SST): High‑efficiency medium‑voltage direct step‑down, reshaping the power supply chain
• HVDC to LVDC: The critical bridge connecting high‑voltage distribution to chip power delivery
• Power to GPU: The "last mile" from 48V bus to GPU core
• Cooling infrastructure and building automation: Liquid cooling and AI‑driven smart thermal management
• AI Robotics: Autonomous inspection, dexterous manipulation, and intelligent operation and maintenance

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Learn more at arrow.com.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

As Green GSM's second service tier in the Philippines after Green GSM Car, Premium Taxi offers a new mobility option for groups of up to six passengers, families, business travellers, passengers carrying multiple pieces of luggage, and customers seeking a smooth ride in a pleasant and relaxing environment.

The entire Limo Green fleet is finished in black to reflect its high-end positioning, making it easily recognisable and distinguishable from the existing Green GSM Car service, which features a cyan color scheme. Alongside its modern exterior design and spacious seven-seat configuration with three rows, each Limo Green is equipped with amenities including automatic air conditioning, dedicated air vents for the two rear rows, and an air filtration system that helps keep the cabin pleasant and fresh.

Alongside the three signature benefits of electric vehicle-zero emissions, no fuel odour and no engine noise-Green GSM's Premium Taxi also delivers a five-star service experience through carefully-selected drivers who have received high ratings for service quality. Fares are transparently displayed through in-vehicle meters and on the Green GSM app, allowing customers to conveniently track their fares and trip information.

During its initial phase, Premium Taxi will operate in Makati, Taguig, Mandaluyong and Pasig City, serving travel needs across key business districts, commercial centres, hotels and transport hubs in Metro Manila. Customers can book through the Green GSM app, hail an available vehicle on the street, or contact the customer service hotline at 02-7777-8080.

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According to data from Frost & Sullivan, GREE's leading position in the global Premium residential air conditioning market is built upon comprehensive superiority in core product performance. Consumers in the Premium segment do not pay merely for a "higher price tag", instead, they choose products that offer superior usage experiences, more durable and stable operation, and outstanding energy-saving performance. GREE's widespread recognition in this market is fundamentally rooted in its years of deep cultivation in energy efficiency technology, noise reduction technology, and comfortable airflow technologies. These technologies have passed the most demanding user tests across diverse scenarios in different countries and regions.

Winning recognition in the global premium market ultimately relies on what the product itself says. GREE's reputation for quality among global consumers stems from sustained investments in core technologies, superior user experiences, and user value over many years.

To address the harsh challenges posed by diverse global climates, GREE independently developed a matrix of core compressor technologies covering all climatic zones. The Timo series, equipped with G-Boost single-stage enthalpy-adding compressors, was specifically developed for extremely hot regions like the Middle East. It remains reliable operation even at ambient temperature of 68℃, achieving non-declining cooling performance at 54℃. The Airy series pioneered the commercialization of ultra-wide frequency rotary compressors, capable of continuous heating for 10 hours without defrosting, improving the seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) by 9.5% to 16.7%. The S-cool series, equipped with G-Hyper dual-cylinder two-stage compressors, was crafted for extremely cold regions such as Northern Europe and North America. It operates stably within an ultra-wide temperature range of -40℃ to 54℃, achieving industry breakthroughs of "non-declining heating at -25℃ and non-declining cooling at 46℃". These three compressor technologies provide "all-climate comfort" solutions for users in different climate belts through their respective differentiated technical paths.

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• Financial security emerged as the single strongest definition of preparedness, with 68% of Singaporeans identifying it as the most important factor in being future ready. Nearly half of Singaporeans (47%) cite lack of money as their biggest barrier to life preparedness, significantly ahead of lack of knowledge (20%), lack of time (16%), and lack of motivation (15%).
• 68% of Singaporeans expressed readiness to take action to improve their life preparedness. They are most likely to start or increase savings (55%), exercise regularly (49%), spend more quality time with loved ones (38%), improve sleep habits (37%), and learn a new skill or take a course (33%).
• 76% of Singaporeans have already taken action to address their concerns for 2026. Some of the key concerns are financial worries (49%), conflict issues (32%), lack of exercise (30%), and limited time to upskill (28%).

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

The investment momentum takes center stage at the Thailand Electronics Circuit Asia (THECA 2026) summit at Bangkok's BITEC exhibition center, which convenes more than 300 global tech enterprises and 7,000 international delegates across 40 nations. The summit's program includes more than 60 conference sessions spanning AI infrastructure, the semiconductor ecosystem, photonics, advanced packaging, PCBs, and electronics manufacturing services. The event reinforces the accelerating realignment of critical electronics manufacturing toward Southeast Asia amid ongoing global supply chain diversification.

The technological drive comes as Thai policymakers accelerate structural reforms aimed at overcoming the middle-income trap, lifting the country's global competitiveness ranking into the world's top 20, and driving annual gross domestic product growth.

With the electronics sector serving as a primary economic engine, the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) is shifting its focus from basic capital attraction to maximizing national competitiveness. The agency's four-pillar framework prioritizes high-value and high-potential sectors, enhances Thailand's readiness for leading multinationals, deepens local economic benefits by upskilling the workforce and fortifying domestic supply chains, and builds international cooperation to connect Thai firms to global production networks.

"The investments flowing into Thailand's electronics sector today are fundamentally different from those of three decades ago," said Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Secretary General of the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI). "They are driven by frontier technologies, proprietary knowledge, and highly skilled labor. Our objective is not merely keeping pace with global technology, but anchoring Thailand as an indispensable co-creator of the future global supply chain."

Thailand's selection to host the 17th Electronic Circuits World Convention (ECWC17) in August 2027 — a triennial flagship event that rotates among the world's premier electronics manufacturing economies — further underscores the country's rising clout in global electronics manufacturing.
Industry leaders note that surging demand for edge computing, smart mobility, and artificial intelligence is reshaping regional manufacturing footprints.

"In an era dominated by rapid breakthroughs in AI, advanced packaging, and semiconductors, competitive advantage is no longer determined by brute manufacturing capacity alone," said Canice Chung, Chairman of the Hong Kong Printed Circuit Association (HKPCA), a co-organizer of the event. "It hinges on international knowledge transfer, cross-border research cooperation, and developing specialized technical talent."

To strengthen regional collaboration, the summit introduces dedicated platforms such as Power2Motion, focusing on power electronics and future mobility systems, alongside the ASEAN+ Technology Pavilion, which unites 15 robotics, AI, and IoT industry alliances from Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam.

"Thailand is building the critical mass necessary to serve as Asia's next-generation electronics nexus," noted Pithan Ongkosit, President of the Thai Printed Circuit Association (THPCA), as THECA holds its third consecutive edition. "Uniting every tier of the supply chain — from raw substrates and automated machinery to semiconductors and advanced packaging — creates essential commercial scale and accelerates technology adoption across the region."

As regional competition for high-tech capital intensifies, Thai investment officials are emphasizing the co-development of domestic capabilities alongside foreign investment.

"By synchronizing foreign direct investment with our domestic manufacturers, academic institutions, and next-generation engineering talent, we are cementing Thailand's position as the regional hub for smart electronics manufacturing — creating high-value jobs and driving sustainable economic growth," Narit said.

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The transition to the new logistics system is part of a plan to upgrade infrastructure to support AstraZeneca’s growing operations in Vietnam, while building the necessary capacity to deliver innovative medicines and advanced therapies to patients in a stable, safe, and timely manner.

The new system is designed to better support the storage, preservation, and distribution of medicines in accordance with modern technical standards, including expanded storage capacity, increasing warehouse capacity to meet the demand for the distribution of specialised therapeutic products, strengthening storage standards, and optimising supply.

“The infrastructure upgrade is a significant step in AstraZeneca Vietnam’s long-term commitment to strengthening operational capabilities, meeting patients’ increasingly diverse healthcare needs, and supporting the sustainable development of the healthcare system,” said Dr. Nguyen Thi Luong Phong, director of Corporate Affairs. “We are committed to maintaining a stable supply of medicines, fully complying with Vietnamese regulations, and continuing to work closely with healthcare partners to help improve patients’ access to advanced treatment options.”

Photo: AZVN

AstraZeneca Vietnam confirmed that the revocation of the pharmaceutical business licence for its former facility is a technical step in the process of transitioning its logistics infrastructure and does not affect the company’s commitment to supplying medicines in Vietnam.

The company will continue to collaborate with relevant authorities and partners to ensure the transition is carried out in accordance with current regulations.

People encouraged to contribute and grow at AstraZeneca Vietnam AstraZeneca Vietnam is combining scientific excellence with local collaboration to advance access to innovative therapies and strengthen healthcare capacity. ATUL TANDON, general director of AstraZeneca Vietnam, discussed with MINH ANH a future corporate culture strategy to foster a culture of innovation for a sustainable future.

Astrazeneca Vietnam eyes cooperation with MoH in new health financing solutions Astrazeneca Vietnam is interested in cooperating with the Ministry of Health to develop innovative healthcare financing mechanisms aimed at improving resource efficiency and increasing access to treatment for patients.

AstraZeneca chief on Vietnam's healthcare financing shift With Vietnam at a pivotal moment in its healthcare evolution, diversifying healthcare financing is essential to meeting future needs. Atul Tandon, chairman and general director of AstraZeneca Vietnam, spoke with VIR’s Bich Thuy about AstraZeneca’s investment and partnership strategy to support the country’s efforts.

Alpro Group partners with AstraZeneca for kidney screening initiative Healthcare network Alpro Group launched a screening initiative on 19 August 2026 with AstraZeneca to provide subsidized blood tests for 12,550 patients in Malaysia.

On July 28, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam issued Resolution 21-NQ/TW, replacing Resolution 18 of 2022, to set out the direction for amendments to the Land Law aimed at addressing regulatory bottlenecks and supporting sustainable development.

The proposed amendments to the land and housing laws focus on resolving legal constraints related to land allocation, land valuation, and decentralisation to local authorities to accelerate project implementation.

The resolution emphasises greater state oversight of land prices, the introduction of service life limits for apartment buildings, long-term land allocation for commercial housing projects–particularly apartment developments–and the promotion of rental housing.

The government aims to moderate property prices by increasing housing supply through measures including prioritising long-term land allocation for apartment projects, boosting rental housing, and introducing service-life limits for apartment buildings. MBS Research noted that these policies aimed at moderating property prices primarily focus on increasing the supply of apartment housing.

Another key issue is to prioritise long-term land allocation for commercial housing development, particularly apartment projects. Such measures prioritising apartment development signal an effort to increase housing supply amid tightening land availability.

In addition, the policy also aims to accelerate compensation and site clearance by institutionalising measures to expedite these processes, particularly for key projects. In addition, it aims to promote resettlement development by shifting from compensating for acquired assets towards “rebuilding livelihoods” for residents affected by state land acquisition.

MBS Research says that this will facilitate the acceleration of compensation and site clearance for key infrastructure projects, with a focus on the development of resettlement urban areas.

Another key policy idea is potential taxation of real estate gains, with higher tax rates on vacant and underutilised properties. This will help to curb speculative investments.

According to MBS Research, the key policy change is the introduction of service-life limits for apartment buildings, alongside clearer financial obligations for owners in apartment renovation and reconstruction.

Provincial authorities would oversee planning, quality assessment, and compensation coefficients, while apartment owners would retain corresponding rights and financial obligations upon expiry of the building’s service life.

No specific regulations have been issued to date. However, proposals by the Ho Chi Minh City Real Estate Association suggest that the new framework should not apply retroactively, allowing existing apartments to retain long-term ownership rights.

For ageing or deteriorating projects, redevelopment could be facilitated through owner contributions or cooperation with developers. For 50- year apartment projects, MBS Research expects owners and developers to potentially make additional land-use and construction payments to extend the project’s operating period.

For Vietnam’s real estate market, drawing on international practices, MBS Research expects apartment projects under the proposed amendments to the Land Law could be subject to a 50–99-year tenure, after which developers may be given priority to pay additional fees for project renovation and redevelopment.

It is forecast that demand for freehold apartments will increase in the near term ahead of the new regulations. However, upside may remain limited amid an unfavourable market environment, as investors adopt a more cautious stance towards planning revisions and elevated interest rates. Over the longer term, service-life regulations could reduce the attractiveness of leasehold apartments to investors, as preferences remain skewed towards long-term ownership, potentially benefiting low-rise housing and land plots.

Given the policy directions under Resolution 21, apartment projects with approved 1/500 master plans, completed land-use payments, or sales approvals are expected to attract stronger investment demand and achieve higher absorption, supported by buyers’ preference for long-term ownership and relatively affordable products amid elevated interest rates.

Industrial players demand more value As industrial investors shift their focus to establishing modern manufacturing operations, developers are being compelled to move beyond infrastructure provision and towards creating long-term value.

Vinhomes Drives Asian Sustainable Real Estate Market Growth Through ESG Integration Vietnamese property developer Vinhomes expanded its urban development framework across Asian markets by embedding integrated environmental, social, and governance standards into its large-scale real estate projects.

Corporate bond recovery set to continue amid funding, maturity pressures Vietnam’s corporate bond market is regaining momentum, led by banks and selective real estate issuers, as funding needs rise amid mounting maturity pressures and cautious investor sentiment.

PVI Holdings, the parent company of PVI Insurance, entered the second half of this year with a notable result: pre-tax profit in H1 approximated $49.6 million, equivalent to 99.7 per cent of its full-year target.

PVI's 2026 targets are consolidated revenue of $1.15 billion and pre-tax profit of $49.7 million. The profit target is about 15 per cent lower than the nearly $58.4 million recorded in 2025, while revenue is projected to remain virtually flat.

Revenue and profit growth mirrored in the share prices of insurance firms on the stock market. Photo: baodautu.vn

At its 2026 AGM in April, PVI's management said this year's business plan was formulated against a backdrop of continued uncertainties in the global economy, geopolitics and financial markets. After posting record profit in 2025, setting a more cautious target for 2026 is also a way to create room for PVI to continue outperforming its plan.

For PVI Insurance alone, the company’s revenue in H1 reached $686.6 million, while pre-tax profit stood at $40.2 million, equivalent to 63 per cent and 103.2 per cent, respectively, of the full-year targets.

At other insurance companies, Bao Minh Insurance Corporation posted more than $8.84 million in pre-tax profit in H1 of 2026, up 26 per cent on-year.

Military Insurance Corporation recorded pre-tax profit of $9.8 million, up 5.9 per cent on-year, while revenue grew more strongly, rising 32 per cent to $149.9 million.

OPES Insurance reported pre-tax profit of $24.5 million in H1 of 2026, nearly three times the figure recorded in the same period last year. In 2025, the company's profit reached $25.5 million, up 38 per cent from 2024.

According to OPES Insurance, the key driver behind the sharp increase in H1/2026 profit was gross written premium revenue of nearly $106.2 million, up 23.5 per cent, lifting its market share to 5.3 per cent and placing it among the seven leading non-life insurers in the market.

The growth momentum was supported by a strategy of digitalisation and the application of AI across the value chain, particularly in claims processing.

The Fast track and Eclaim platforms enable claims to be handled online; when all required documents are available, processing time can be reduced to around 30 minutes.

In contrast, BIDV Insurance Corporation (BIC) posted pre-tax profit of $11.5 million in H1, achieving only about 37 per cent of its full-year target.

Pressure came from claims expenses, while the company’s financial income was no longer supported by large realised gains from securities as in the same period last year.

Similarly, Post and Telecommunication Insurance Corporation saw profit fall by more than 15 per cent as claims expenses rose sharply.

At DBV Insurance, pre-tax profit in H1 reached only around $840,000, down 33 per cent on-year. In the second quarter of 2026 alone, the company’s management expenses rose 65 per cent to more than $6 million, narrowing profit despite positive financial performance.

Meanwhile, the business results of Bao Viet Group offer a different perspective. The group owns two insurance companies operating in both the life and non-life segments, Bao Viet Life and Bao Viet Insurance.

In the first half of the year, Bao Viet Group posted consolidated revenue of $1.28 billion, up 9.2 per cent on-year, while profit after tax increased 33.9 per cent to $74.5 million.

Bao Viet Insurance recorded revenue growth of more than 21 per cent, but profit after tax rose by only more than 5 per cent, highlighting a significant mismatch between revenue and profit growth.

This is also becoming an increasingly important issue for non-life insurers: premium growth is only one part of the equation. The ability to control claims, acquisition costs, reinsurance and investment efficiency ultimately determines the quality of that growth.

Vietcap Securities forecasts that the financial sector will remain increasingly differentiated in the second half of 2026. For the insurance sector, a higher interest-rate environment is expected to support investment income and profit growth among insurers.

Vietcap said that although the growth rate of gross written premiums may slow, insurers' profits could still grow strongly in 2026, supported by improvements in insurance business operations, higher financial income and reduced pressure from technical provisions amid rising interest rates.

According to economist Tran Nguyen Dan, behind the profit-growth figures, the important questions are not only how much profit has increased, but also where the increase has come from, whether it is sustainable, and whether each dollar of shareholders' capital is generating greater value.

“A company can grow by increasing premium revenue, capital and market share, but shareholders only become genuinely wealthier when the profit generated on that capital also rises accordingly,” he said.

Non-life insurers face mounting pressure after typhoon hits motor sector Typhoon Bualoi has triggered a wave of motor insurance claims in Vietnam, with hundreds of vehicles damaged by floods and debris, pushing compensation costs and insurance pressure to new highs.

Insurers accelerate post-typhoon recovery Vietnam's insurance industry has rapidly activated emergency measures to assess damages, advance payouts, and support communities rebuilding after three powerful typhoons struck the country.

Insurers weather Q4 shock to deliver solid growth Despite a sharp fourth-quarter profit slump caused by rising disaster-related claims, Vietnam’s listed insurers closed 2025 with strong full-year growth.

Non-life insurers rebound on strong first-half results The insurance industry is showing signs of a broad recovery, with stronger first-half earnings at major non-life insurers and market indicators pointing to improving business momentum.

On August 21, Khanh Hoa Economic Zone and Industrial Zones Management Board granted approval to British Virgin Islands-registered Bangshi Co., Ltd. to implement the Unitex Vietnam high-end fabric manufacturing plant.

The venture will occupy a site of approximately 3.29 hectares at Du Long Industrial Park. With an investment capital of $23.45 million, the investor's cash contribution amounts to nearly $4.7 million, while the remainder consists of mobilised capital. The company will establish Unitex Vietnam Co., Ltd. to implement the venture.

The plan specialises in producing knitted and woven fabrics and delivering textile finishing services. Its main products will include knitted fabrics made from polyester spandex and nylon spandex yarns, as well as various fabrics serving the garment industry and export markets.

The plant is designed with a capacity of 10.8 million square metres of fabric per year, equivalent to 2,400 tonnes of products annually.

Construction is expected to begin in October, with completion scheduled for 2027. The plant is slated to put into operation before 2028. It will have an operating term of 50 years. Once fully operational, the plant is expected to employ just over 200 workers, the majority being Vietnamese nationals. It is expected to generate nearly $18.5 million in annual export revenue.

According to the dossier, the plant is expected to apply cutting-edge and automated knitting, high-pressure jet dyeing, and fabric finishing technologies. It will feature digital colour measurement and matching systems, as well as automated systems for weighing, mixing and supplying dyes and chemicals. The company also proposes applying digital production management systems to monitor equipment, energy usage and operations.

In addition, Bangshi plans to incorporate solutions to save resources during production, including heat recovery, water reuse, and water saving.

In terms of environmental protection, the company will invest in a wastewater treatment system with a capacity of 800 cubic metres per day. Wastewater generated from dyeing and production activities will be collected and treated before being discharged into the central wastewater treatment system of Du Long Industrial Park in accordance with regulations. The company also proposes recovering part of the treated water for reuse in the production process.

Syre to explore ABB's technologies for industrial-scale textile recycling On March 31, Swedish textile impact company Syre announced that the company signed an MoU with ABB to jointly explore technologies to support the development of Syre’s first textile-to-textile recycling plant in Vietnam.

Vietnam’s garment sector shows resilience despite headwinds Vietnam’s garments and textiles industry posted a resilient performance in the first quarter of 2026, with export turnover exceeding $8.8 billion. However, geopolitical uncertainties are posing significant challenges to the industry’s full-year target of nearly $50 billion.

Textile exporters navigate growth amid tariff uncertainty Vietnam’s garments and textiles exports maintained growth during the first five months, but rising costs, thinner margins and uncertain US trade policies are emerging as key risks.

According to the August 24 report, Vietnam's growth target is ambitious as Vietnam’s total investment grew only 8–10 per cent during 2011-2025, equal to 32–35 per cent of GDP, well below the government’s 40 per cent target by 2030.

The report points out that the private sector holds the largest share of Vietnamese investment at approximately 54 per cent, while manufacturing and transport collectively account for approximately 40 per cent of total shares.

Under both GDP growth scenarios – 8.5 per cent (transition) and 10 per cent (ambition) for 2026–2030 – investment must accelerate well beyond the 8.2 per cent annual average of 2020–2025.

For both GDP growth scenarios, the government has set specific investment targets by economic group: public, private, and foreign direct investment (FDI). For public investment and FDI, Vietnam has a strong chance of meeting its targets, given the still-modest size of government debt and FDI relative to GDP compared with peers.

Vietnam’s government debt-to-GDP ratio has undergone strong deleveraging since 2016, now standing at a comfortable 30 per cent against a 50 per cent cap rate.

Maybank said the public sector is also set to finance 85 per cent of national strategic infrastructure projects, which account for approximately 15–18 per cent of total investment during 2026–2030f.

For private investment, realisation will hinge partly on whether the banking system can deliver sufficient and efficient credit support, the report added.

Overall, to meet private investment targets, credit growth must average 13–15 per cent annually during 2026–2030, broadly in line with the 15 per cent pace of 2020–2025.

AMRO upgrades Vietnam growth forecast to 7.5 per cent The ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) has upgraded Vietnam's economic growth forecast for 2026 to 7.5 per cent.

Economy needs 11.9 per cent growth in H2 to achieve 10 per cent GDP target for 2026 Vietnam's economy will need to grow by around 11.9 per cent in the second half of 2026 to achieve the government's 10 per cent GDP growth target for the full year. However, this is not simply a matter of accelerating growth. It also requires keeping inflation under control, maintaining macroeconomic stability, and improving the quality of growth.

Vietnam’s reforms earn international recognition as government reviews July performance On August 3, at the government’s monthly meeting for July, Minister of Finance Ngo Van Tuan said many sectors had maintained positive growth since the beginning of the year.

Under the partnership, the NIC becomes Canva’s key partner in Vietnam for digital workforce development in education. The cooperation focuses on three priorities: practical and effective use of digital creativity, design thinking and AI in education; expanding free access to modern digital tools for teachers and students nationwide regardless of location; and establishing a public-private cooperation framework for future programmes aligned with Vietnam’s digital workforce development strategy.

“We see this as the starting point for a broad, practical and long-term programme that can have a meaningful impact on Vietnam’s digital workforce, particularly teachers and students,” said Do Tien Thinh, deputy director of the NIC.

He said digital transformation in education should create more creative and personalised approaches to teaching and learning while expanding access to knowledge.

“Ultimately, the goal of applying AI in education is for technology to help teachers teach better and learners learn better,” Thinh said. “That is the spirit that the NIC and Canva Education hope to promote through this partnership.”

Lam Trung Quan, country director of Canva Vietnam, said AI has already begun entering Vietnamese classrooms, with 64 per cent of teachers reporting that they use AI in teaching. At the same time, 71 per cent said their schools still lack adequate digital infrastructure and tools, while 60 per cent of teachers who have yet to use AI cited insufficient skills as a key barrier.

“This means the question is how we can enable teachers to use AI simply and effectively,” he said. “We see enormous potential in the market and a clear responsibility for Canva to take a more proactive role in supporting Vietnam and contributing to the country’s digital transformation and digital creativity in education."

Photo: NIC

Following the signing, NIC will work with Canva on communications and connectivity efforts to make free Canva for Education accounts available to schools, teachers and students from kindergarten through upper secondary education nationwide. The partnership will also support a training programme for 30,000 teachers, equipping educators with practical technology and AI skills to innovate their teaching methods.

In September and October, the two sides will organise six national webinars for education administrators and school leaders, introducing Canva and exploring ways to use AI to support innovative and creative teaching methods. The programme is also designed to promote design thinking and digital creativity among key decision-makers in schools.

Another major initiative is the Canva Creative Challenge 2026, a creative competition for K-12 students at primary, lower secondary and upper secondary levels. The competition is expected to be launched in September 2026 across northern, central and southern Vietnam, with the national final scheduled for January 2027. The programme aims to engage around 3,000 students nationwide, helping them develop essential design skills, foster creativity and strengthen digital capabilities.

Canva will also be integrated into NIC’s existing STEM ecosystem and training programmes, further expanding opportunities for students and educators to access digital creativity and AI tools.

“The most meaningful thing is that Canva is not entering Vietnamese education through some distant or abstract concept. It is happening naturally, through teachers who want to make their lessons more engaging, students who want to present their ideas more vividly, and countless small but very real moments in the classroom,” Quan said. “If Canva can help create more of those moments in classrooms across Vietnam, I believe that would be something truly meaningful."

RE:ACT challenge aims to turn youth ideas into community impact Young innovators across Vietnam can receive up to $15,000, expert mentoring, and real-world testing opportunities through a new youth innovation challenge launched in Hanoi.

NIC and Thermo Fisher advance shared tech infrastructure The National Innovation Centre (NIC) and Thermo Fisher Scientific held a forum on advancing Vietnam's semiconductor, AI, and innovation ambitions on August 13.

Vietnam-Japan cooperation moves towards results-driven innovation From semiconductor workforce development and the establishment of innovation spaces to concrete technology projects, Vietnam-Japan cooperation is shifting towards deeper collaboration and tangible outcomes.

The agreement focuses on researching, surveying, and advancing a proposed project covering activated carbon filter manufacturing, water environment, and energy in Phu Tho.

South Korea's Advanced Water Technology specialises in wastewater treatment and environmental technologies. Since its inception in 2010, the company has developed various water treatment solutions, including ceramic membrane technology. The company is expanding its technology and manufacturing footprint into international markets, including Vietnam.

Under the MoU, the two sides will work together to research and survey potential investment sites, with the centre facilitating Advanced Water Technology's access to provincial information, regulations, and policies. Advanced Water Technology will lead technical research, feasibility studies, and investment procedures in accordance with Vietnamese law, with the aim of ensuring the project's viability and long-term effectiveness.

Phu Tho has identified South Korea as one of its leading sources of foreign investment, with 396 projects and approximately $5.65 billion in cumulative investment to date. The province has stated that it is prioritising high-technology, clean industry, clean energy, environmental protection, circular economy, and resource-efficiency projects as part of its development strategy – an orientation that aligns closely with Advanced Water Technology's core technology and business focus.

“This MoU represents an important step in Advanced Water Technology's efforts to bring our water treatment and environmental technology to new markets in Vietnam,” said Cho Sung Yeon, CEO of Advanced Water Technology. “We look forward to working closely with Phu Tho to conduct thorough research and site surveys, and to explore how our activated carbon filter and water treatment solutions can contribute to the province's environmental and economic development goals.”

Before the signing, an Advanced Water Technology delegation surveyed a potential investment site at Song Lo II Industrial Park, developed by Vinh Phuc Infrastructure Development JSC, as part of its ongoing due diligence process in the region.

Advanced Water Technology and the centre will continue to coordinate on next steps, including detailed site studies and the development of formal investment procedures, in preparation for a possible future project agreement.

VinEnergo, SunAsia Energy partner on solar-on-water aquaculture projects in Philippines VinEnergo, a member of Vingroup's green ecosystem, has partnered with SunAsia Energy to develop Solar-on-Water projects integrated with aquaculture operations in the Philippines, combining renewable energy with food production.

De Heus opens a marine and cold-water fish feed mill in Vinh Long De Heus Animal Nutrition has opened its first mill dedicated to marine and cold-water fish feed in Vinh Long, with a production capacity of 84,000 tonnes per year.

Over 20 markets to gather at Vietnam Water Week 2026 Over 20 countries and territories will gather at Vietnam Water Week 2026, boosting the opportunities for international cooperation for the domestic water supply and sewerage industry.

At the meeting, Deputy Minister Can praised the contributions made by FWD to the development of Vietnam’s insurance market.

He said that as economic growth continued and household incomes improved, demand for financial protection in Vietnam was increasing. However, the insurance market remains relatively modest compared with its potential. As of 2025, insurance premium revenue was equivalent to around 1.8 per cent of GDP, while approximately 12 million life insurance policies remained in force for a population of more than 100 million.

Combined with Vietnam’s favourable “golden population” structure, these factors provide strong foundations for international insurance groups to expand their operations and develop a broader range of specialised products, including retirement insurance and personal financial solutions, he said.

Providing an update on the market, Ngo Viet Trung, director general of the Insurance Supervisory Authority, said total insurance industry assets were estimated at more than VND1.2 quadrillion ($47 billion) in the first eight months of 2026, up 10.2 per cent on year. Investment back into the economy reached nearly $40.5 billion, up 11.2 per cent, while total insurance technical reserves exceeded $30.5 billion, an increase of 11.19 per cent.

Total insurance premium revenue in the first eight months was estimated at $6 billion, up 3.45 per cent on year. Non-life insurance premiums reached $2.5 billion, rising 15.17 per cent, while life insurance premiums stood at $3.5 billion, down 3.6 per cent. Insurance benefit payouts reached $2.6 billion, up 12.39 per cent.

Alongside changes within the industry, regulators are continuing to improve the legal framework governing insurance businesses. During 2025-2026, regulations were amended to streamline business conditions and strengthen supervision through post-inspection mechanisms.

To implement the sector’s strategy towards 2030, which targets insurance premium revenue equivalent to 3.3-3.5 per cent of GDP and aims to raise the proportion of the population covered by life insurance to around 18 per cent, the MoF is accelerating efforts to refine the regulatory framework.

The reforms focus on reducing business conditions, simplifying administrative procedures and shifting from pre-inspection towards transparent post-inspection, creating a more favourable environment for investors.

Photo: Duc Minh

Phong said that Vietnam remained a key market in FWD’s long-term growth strategy in Asia. FWD currently serves more than 40 million customers across 10 markets, with total assets of $62.4 billion. The group has also been investing heavily in digital infrastructure, with 98 per cent of its operations running on cloud-based platforms and more than 320 AI applications deployed.

Regarding FWD Vietnam’s operations after a decade in the Vietnamese market, Phuong Tien Minh, general director of FWD Vietnam Life Insurance Company, said the company was recording a positive growth trajectory.

FWD Vietnam currently has charter capital of $749 million, while its total assets reached $948 million in 2025, up 10.1 per cent. Total investments stood at $52.4 million, representing a 21.3 per cent increase.

The strategic bancassurance partnership between FWD and Vietcombank recorded 29 per cent growth in the first seven months of 2026. New business premium generated through the banking channel currently accounts for 67 per cent of FWD Vietnam’s total new business premium revenue.

FWD Vietnam is also making extensive use of AI, voice recognition and conversational analytics to monitor the quality of insurance advice, strengthen compliance and ensure greater transparency in the provision of information to customers.

Recognising the company’s efforts, Deputy Minister Can called on FWD to continue expanding investment in Vietnam while linking business performance with social responsibility and accelerating digital transformation to improve customer experience.

He stressed that sustainable growth in the insurance market must be built on customer trust, supported by transparent advice, prompt settlement of insurance claims and accurate communication about the substantive value of insurance. This would help consumers better understand the benefits and protection they receive when purchasing insurance products.

The MoF leadership stated that the Vietnamese government remained ready to work with and facilitate reputable international financial and insurance groups such as FWD in making long-term investments and contributing to the country’s socioeconomic development.

FWD Vietnam bolsters capital base in pursuit of market dominance Life insurance firm FWD Vietnam revealed a substantial increase in charter capital for July 2023, taking the total to a staggering VND19.102 trillion ($795.08 million) and solidifying its position at the vanguard of the Vietnamese life insurance market in terms of capital.

Insurance market sees Q3 rebound According to statistics from the Vietnam Insurance Association (IAV), in the third quarter (Q3) new business revenue in the life insurance sector surpassed $247 million, showing a slight increase compared to the same period in 2023 which scored $244.7 million.

Life insurance rebounds with renewed growth and trust The life insurance sector posted a solid rebound in the first half of 2025, signalling renewed market confidence and strong recovery momentum.

FWD Singapore signs strategic partnership with Ascend Asia FWD Singapore and Ascend Asia Financial Services Group signed a long-term strategic partnership to strengthen financial advisory distribution and broaden access to quality financial advice across Singapore.

Data from DealStreetAsia shows that the round was led by new investor Mizuho Asia Partners of Japan through Grand Mia Pte. Ltd., which invested $18 million. Existing shareholder Trip.com, the Chinese online travel group, contributed a further $8 million.

The investment was made at $9 per share, up from $4.96 per share in the previous round in March 2025. This put the company’s post-money valuation at $121.4 million, more than double its previous valuation of $52.5 million.

In 2025, M Village also attracted attention after receiving a $5.8 million credit facility from OCB, in what was a rare case of a Vietnamese startup securing bank financing without collateral.

The startup’s previous funding round took place in 2024, when it raised $10 million in a Series B round from Trip.com.

Earlier, the company had raised $3.7 million in a Series A round from STI Holdings of Vietnam, Singapore’s Vulpes Ventures, Japan’s Genesia Ventures, and South Korea’s Access Ventures.

Founded in 2020 by Ninh, M Village initially operated a modern serviced-apartment model catering to both short- and long-term stays. Beyond accommodation, the company has built an integrated ecosystem spanning workspaces, dining, wellness, and community facilities.

Four years after opening its first property in 2022, M Village has expanded to 53 locations across Vietnam.

In May 6, the company changed its name to Modern Village Lifestyle. Ninh said the rebranding and restructuring were aimed at building a multi-brand accommodation ecosystem covering a wider range of market segments, including 5-star hotels and resorts.

The company’s new ecosystem currently includes urban hotel brands such as M Village Hotel, Express by M Village, and Savvy, alongside its Signature and Grand Signature resort brands.

It also plans to expand its portfolio with brands such as Prestige, targeting the luxury resort segment, and Harmony Living Suites, a premium serviced-apartment concept designed for long-term stays.

Vietnam village project in RoK to get Korea's funding

M Village speeds up expansion plan

Vinpearl starts construction of tourism village in Danang

Golden Gate spends $10.5 million to acquire The Coffee House

Domestic drinks chains set to step-up

Experts at the event said Vietnam’s real estate market was entering a new, more pragmatic and challenging chapter. The era of easy money and speculative, herd-driven investments has effectively come to an end. As broad-based market consolidation accelerates, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are no longer merely a short-term solution, but are evolving into a strategic restructuring tool that requires knowledge, rational decision-making, and long-term vision from both buyers and sellers.

Pham Huy Trung Hieu, general director of Danco Land, likened a business to a living organism.

“One of the most common mistakes among Vietnamese businesses is turning to M&A only when the illness has become too severe or when cash flows are completely constrained and the company is struggling to survive. At that point, M&A negotiations put the company in a passive position, forcing its value down to a bargain price,” said Hieu. “M&A should be planned in advance and considered from the point at which the expected lifespan of the business extends beyond the period that the business owner is willing to devote to it.”

Hieu suggested that Vietnamese businesses should look at how foreign companies prepare for M&A transactions.

“Within the boards of directors of our companies, disagreements often arise when facing an M&A decision. This lack of alignment undermines negotiating power. By contrast, the charters of foreign companies clearly specify who has the final decision-making authority and what negotiating parameters are permitted to achieve optimal outcomes,” he said.

Hieu likened waiting until a company becomes weak before pursuing M&A to seeking medical treatment only after an illness has become severe when the cost is extremely high.

“If we use M&A like a daily health supplement and prepare an appropriate strategy in advance, the cost will be much lower and the value of the business can be optimised,” he said. “Businesses also need to clearly distinguish between selling an equity stake and transferring actual management control. A company may sell 60 per cent of its shares while retaining key powers, such as control over the corporate seal or authority to approve expenditures; conversely, it may sell 40 per cent while transferring significant decision-making powers.”

Real Estate M&A Forum. Photo: VMAA

Agreeing that businesses need to take a proactive approach to M&A from an early stage, Nguyen Chi Nghia, deputy general director of Dat Xanh Mien Bac, shared practical experience gained from 16 years of operating a real estate business and navigating two major market cycles in Vietnam.

He said the era of projects being sold based on promises or investment decisions driven by sentiment and herd behaviour has come to an end.

“I define this period as the market’s coming of age. There will no longer be real estate based on promises, herd-driven real estate investments, or emotional decisions. Instead, this is an opportunity for businesses to make more professional decisions. Even amid these challenges, genuine investors are still making decisions at an early stage. An M&A perspective needs to be adopted now, rather than waiting until a business becomes weak, fails, or falls into crisis before taking action,” said Nghia.

“Today, many developers fail because they cannot distinguish between a product and a commercially viable asset. Some build a building and sell all the apartments but still suffer heavy losses because they are left carrying an unviable commercial podium,” he added. “It is time for consultants and M&A professionals to put emotions aside and bring greater rationality into their advice to identify the underlying value of an asset.”

Nguyen The Diep, vice chairman of the Hanoi Real Estate Club, said the real estate market’s completely shift is essentially a necessary process of restructuring.

“After a period of overheated growth, when almost any investment could generate returns thanks to financial leverage and speculative sentiment, smart capital is now becoming more concentrated and flowing towards areas that genuinely create surplus value for society,” he said.

He noted that the concept of a centre is broad, encompassing major urban centres and tourism hubs such as Quang Ninh, Danang, Nha Trang and Phu Quoc, as well as industrial centres such as Phan Xa and Hoang Hoa.

“If investors lack knowledge and expertise today, they will lose immediately and potentially permanently, unlike in the past,” said Diep.

Diep emphasised that Vietnamese businesses are predominantly small and medium-sized enterprises, making M&A likely.

“One party may be strong in project development and legal matters, while another may have stronger access to capital and contribute funding for construction and operations. That is how both sides can win. Vietnam is going through a golden demographic period and rapid urbanisation. Although foreign capital is substantial, in reality it is still comparable to the scale of remittances. Most importantly, government policies need to remove existing bottlenecks and unlock resources.”

Lawyer Nguyen Van Thai Vice chairman of the Vietnam M&A Association (VMAA) Real estate M&A is entering a new phase as regulatory reforms, planning, infrastructure development, and increasingly selective capital reshape how investors assess opportunities. With the legal framework for land, housing, and real estate business continuing to evolve, investors are looking beyond projects to acquire and increasingly seeking assets that can be restructured and generate new value. The value of an M&A transaction therefore lies not only in the purchase price, but also in the ability to resolve legal issues, restructure finances, address outstanding obligations, strengthen governance, and return projects to the investment and business cycle. In this context, M&A should be viewed not simply as a transfer of ownership or control, but as a tool for restructuring and unlocking capital and resources. This is where VMAA can play a more clearly defined role. Rather than representing buyers or sellers, VMAA seeks to encourage a transparent, professional, and sustainable M&A market. For real estate, the Association aims to bring together not only investors and developers, but also lawyers, financial institutions, banks, auditors, investment advisers, valuation firms, planners, construction professionals, and other specialists involved in M&A transactions. VMAA seeks to connect projects, investors, capital, and professional expertise; share market practices and identify transaction risks; and consolidate practical obstacles to make policy recommendations to competent authorities. Ultimately, protecting members means more than resolving disputes after they arise. It means helping them identify risks before signing, choose appropriate transaction structures, and operate in a professional environment where parties can build trust and pursue sustainable cooperation.

Discipline shapes M&A environment Experts in Vietnam are cautiously positive in terms of dealmaking for the rest of 2026 after momentum improved in the second quarter, and new acquisitions continue to move forward.

Bain Capital set to acquire Gong Cha Bain Capital, a leading global private investment firm, has agreed to acquire Gong cha Global, one of the world’s fastest-growing tea brands, from TA Associates and the company’s other shareholders.

This is the network closest to borrowers, where financing needs are identified, loans are monitored after disbursement, and difficulties faced by borrowing households are reported back to the bank.

With policy credit, SCGs are not merely places where borrowers come together, but part of the infrastructure that delivers policy to the grassroots level.

Savings and Credit Groups serve as an effective link between the bank and residents. Photo: VBSP

A meeting of an SCG in residential groups in Son Tra ward, Danang, takes place much like a neighbourhood meeting. Residents hear about policy information, exchange views on their businesses, remind one another about savings deposits and debt repayment schedules.

Behind that meeting is an entire process. SCGs take part in reviewing and selecting borrowers, guiding them through paperwork, coordinating with local socio-political organisations and grassroots authorities, and informing borrowers of disbursement schedules.

Once the capital reaches residents, the groups continue to monitor how the funds are used, remind borrowers to repay principal, collect interest and monthly savings deposits, and disseminate new VBSP policies.

The distinctive feature of this network lies in the very short distance between those managing the capital and the borrowers.

Le Thi Chau, head of an SCG under the Women’s Union of Son Tra Ward, often visits households that remain hesitant about taking out loans.

Some people do not yet understand the borrowing conditions, while others have not identified a suitable production plan. For Chau, if people are to feel confident about borrowing, they first need to understand what the loan will be used for and what source of income will enable them to repay it.

After disbursement, Chau continues to keep track of each household's situation. Her visits help identify early difficulties in production and business activities and in the use of the funding.

In other case, Le Thi Kim Son has served as an SCG head for more than 20 years and currently oversees 50 members with total outstanding loans of more than $120,000, with no overdue principal or outstanding interest for many years.

Son believes that effective capital management starts with understanding the circumstances of each household, from its borrowing needs to its ability to use and repay the capital.

These tasks add another layer of information at the local level. Whether a plan is suitable, whether production activities are progressing smoothly or encountering difficulties, and whether borrowers are fulfilling their commitments – all these issues can be identified earlier when someone within the community is monitoring them.

SCGs are therefore not simply places where people who borrow money come together, but a connecting layer between the bank and residents, where credit policies are translated into practical guidance suited to individual circumstances.

The ‘touchpoint’ of policy credit

Viewed across the system as a whole, the role of SCG network is becoming increasingly apparent. As of June 30, VBSP maintained 9,964 transaction points and 165,303 SCGs in all communes, wards and special administrative zones across the country.

Total capital stood at approximately $19 billion, while total outstanding policy credit was about $18.12 billion, with nearly 6.7 million households still carrying outstanding loans.

Overdue loans accounted for just 0.20 per cent of total outstanding loans. At this scale, SCGs are no longer merely a supplementary support network.

They constitute a distinctive credit-delivery infrastructure, helping VBSP maintain a presence close to residents at the grassroots level. This model is based on the participation of the bank, grassroots authorities, local socio-political organisations and the management boards of SCGs.

A VBSP study on policy credit in ethnic minority and mountainous areas found that 98.8 per cent of respondents rated the effectiveness of lending through SCGs and local socio-political organisations positively.

The network also operates in two directions. If one side is the flow of capital from the bank to residents, the other is the flow of savings deposits, information about loans and repayment discipline from residents back into the system.

In An Hai ward (Danang), Hoang Xuan Nhi manages 59 members with outstanding loans of more than $212,000. All members participate in savings, with their deposits reaching $11,400.

For Nhi, encouraging members to save money is not only about increasing their accumulated savings but also about helping borrowers develop financial habits and become more proactive when repayment dates arrive.

On a larger scale, as of the end of May 2026, the network of SCG jointly managed by the Vietnam Women's Union had nearly 2.47 million borrowing households, with members' savings deposits reaching $307 million.

Thus, SCGs do not merely help capital flow from VBSP down to residents. The network also creates a reverse flow of information, savings and financial discipline.

Behind a policy loan, therefore, there is not merely the bank and the borrower. There is an entire intermediary system that understands borrowers, monitors the use of capital and helps establish financial discipline.

For VBSP, this is not a network operating outside credit activities, but an integral part of the policy-credit model.

VBSP lends to 1.1 million poor households in first five months of 2026 In the first five months of 2026, over 1.1 million poor households and policy beneficiaries have gained access to Vietnam Bank for Social Policies’ capital.

Policy lending accelerates in first half with $19 billion in loans Policy lending gathered pace in the first half of 2026 as the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies expanded concessional financing, creating jobs, supporting underprivileged groups and reinforcing the country's social security and inclusive growth agenda.

VBSP brings commune banking services into digital space While preserving its nationwide commune transaction network, the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies is accelerating digital transformation, enabling customers to access policy credit services, information and transactions more conveniently.

Beyond loans, veterans turn capital into sustainable livelihoods After leaving the military, many veterans have turned timely access to credit into a springboard for building productive businesses, creating jobs and continuing to contribute to their communities.

According to Dung Duong, managing director of CBRE Vietnam, following the regional merger, the combined industrial land and ready-built warehouse stock in the former Binh Duong area has increased nearly sixfold to more than 15,000 hectares, while a wider range of price points is giving investors more options.

“In the housing segment, investment capital is shifting towards suburban areas, resulting in a more diverse supply and wider range of price points. Average primary apartment prices across the expanded Ho Chi Minh City stand at around VND76 million ($2,900) per square metre, compared with $3,500 per sq.m in the former city area, while secondary market prices average around $2,400 per sq.m,” Dung said at the event.

Dung forecasts that both primary and secondary property prices will begin to level off from 2026 as supply increases, while the market could continue to benefit over the next three years from the city’s expanded development space.

“In the long term, the international financial centre is expected to become a key driver of capital attraction and commercial real estate growth, while Ho Chi Minh City will develop towards a polycentric, multi-nodal urban model. However, to fully unlock the potential of these new growth hubs, the city needs to develop a well-connected infrastructure network, including expressways, ring roads, metro lines, urban railways, seaports, and free trade zones,” she said.

As the urban structure evolves, housing demand is also shifting from standalone residential products towards urban developments, mixed-use projects, and multi-generational housing. From 2026, satellite urban areas are expected to gain further momentum, moving towards an “all-in-one city” model where residents can live, work, shop, and access essential services within their local communities.

Sharing the same view, Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong, vice chairwoman of the Vietnam Association of Realtors, said the new planning vision would create fresh growth momentum and give Ho Chi Minh City greater room to accelerate its development.

According to Huong, the implementation of projects based on a polycentric urban model is gathering pace, opening up new opportunities for the real estate market. However, turning this vision into reality will require removing institutional impediments, while renewing the city’s urban landscape through urban upgrading and population redistribution.

“We need to create a value ecosystem around real estate, so that people can both live and work in the same area. Only by developing urban areas that meet both housing and employment needs can we draw in people to live there. This will be an important trend in population movement in the future,” Huong said.

Kieu Xuan Phan, vice chairman of Nam Mekong Group, said that within a megacity, each growth hub needs to serve distinct functions.

For example, the former Binh Duong area is being positioned as a hub for industrial and high-tech development, talent attraction and foreign direct investment. However, a key question is where people will live and work, and how they will access essential services.

According to Phan, the distance between home and workplaces, dining and other daily activities should not be measured simply in kilometres, but more importantly in travel time. This requires investors and authorities to adopt a new approach to infrastructure investment and spatial planning, giving residents better access to convenient transport networks.

“Over the next 10–15 years, I hope people will be able to live in the former Binh Duong area and travel to central Ho Chi Minh City in just 15-20 minutes via metro and public transport,” Phan said.

Prof. Dr Nguyen Duc Thuan, chairman of the Vietnam Association of Corporate Managers, likewise said that metro lines, ring roads, expressways, seaports and airports form the circulatory system of a megacity. However, building new infrastructure is only a necessary condition; the sufficient condition is to organise urban space around that infrastructure.

“Development should follow the transit-oriented development model, turning each station and transport hub into an integrated centre for housing, commerce, services, employment and public spaces. Infrastructure should not merely serve the city; it should help shape the city,” Thuan said.

Experts discussed at the event

Vinhomes Drives Asian Sustainable Real Estate Market Growth Through ESG Integration Vietnamese property developer Vinhomes expanded its urban development framework across Asian markets by embedding integrated environmental, social, and governance standards into its large-scale real estate projects.

What foreign investors need when choosing industrial real estate in Vietnam As manufacturing investment flows into Vietnam, foreign-invested enterprises need more than industrial space – they need a single point of contact to navigate site selection, infrastructure, logistics and expansion.

In line with the national goal of improving public health, physical fitness, and quality of life, the government has introduced the Strategy for the Development of Physical Training and Sports in Vietnam through 2030, with a Vision to 2045.

The strategy prioritises physical education and sports by creating better conditions for people to participate in physical activities, thereby improving public health and strengthening human resources. This is reinforced by the amended Law on Physical Training and Sports (2018), which emphasises the development of community-based sports programmed and the creation of opportunities for all people to exercise their right to participate in physical and sporting activities.

Since 2024, TCP Group, in partnership with the Central Committee of the Vietnam Youth Federation, has launched the "Community Sport Yard - Energising Vietnamese Youth" project. The initiative aims to develop a network of modern, safe, and accessible community sports spaces that cater to the recreational and fitness needs of local communities across Vietnam.

Over 2024-2026, the project targets the establishment of 22 community sports yards, providing convenient venues for physical activity while encouraging young people and residents to adopt active and healthy lifestyles.

On August 22, a new Community Sport Yard was officially inaugurated in Quang Phu commune, Dak Lak province spanning a total area of 1,000 square metres, and featuring one badminton court, one pickleball court, and outdoor sports equipment. The new facility is expected to serve the physical fitness, recreational, and community needs of approximately 4,000 residents and youth.

Previously, on August 21, Hue city inaugurated its Community Sport Yard in Huong An ward. The facility spans a total construction area of 1,200 sq.m, including a 400 sq.m sports court area with two badminton courts and an outdoor sports equipment area. The new facility is expected to provide a space for approximately 12,000 residents to engage in physical activities.

Photo courtesy of TCP

After two years, the project has realised its goals by putting sports spaces into operation across numerous provinces and cities. Specifically, nine sports fields were completed in 2024, followed by six more in 2025.

In 2026 - the final year of the three-year plan, the project has raised its target from expanding five sports yards to delivering seven projects. Expanding the project scope by adding two sports yards beyond the original plan underscores TCP’s long-term commitment to promoting active lifestyles and improving the physical health of Vietnamese youth. This achievement also marks the seven-year strategic partnership between TCP and the Central Committee of the Vietnam Youth Federation, while looking ahead to the 70^th anniversary of both organisations.

Looking ahead, the project will continue its rollout with new sport yards scheduled to open in Ho Chi Minh City, Ninh Binh and Lao Cai.

Nguyen Kim Quy, secretary of the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union and standing vice president of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Youth Federation, said, “Providing safe, accessible, and well-designed sports spaces plays a meaningful role in encouraging young people to stay active and embrace healthier lifestyles. The 13^th National Congress of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union held in Hanoi in June 2026, identified the implementation of the ‘Comprehensive Development of Vietnamese Youth’ programme, which includes key focus areas on ‘building, renovating, and effectively utilising cultural and sports facilities."

Representing TCP Group, Arjaree Suwangool, corporate affairs and communications department director, said, “As TCP marks its 70^th anniversary this year, we continue our long-standing commitment to energising local communities to move forward through meaningful and sustainable initiatives across our key markets, including Vietnam. Guided by our corporate purpose, ‘Energizing a Better World for All’, we believe that TCP’s value lies not only in our products, but also in our ability to spread positive energy, unlock human potential, and support local communities."

Having originally set out to develop 20 community sports yards over a three-year period, the project is now entering its final phase with an expanded rollout. The progress achieved to date underscores the value of public-private collaboration in creating accessible community sports infrastructure, while empowering Vietnamese youth to adopt active lifestyles for their overall health and wellbeing.

Through this project, TCP and the Central Committee of the Vietnam Youth Federation continue to advance their shared vision of fostering more active and connected communities, while enabling a healthier generation of Vietnamese to thrive.

Thai beverage group sees Vietnam as long-term growth partner As Vietnam and Thailand move towards the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, Saravoot Yoovidhya, CEO of TCP Group, one of Thailand’s leading F&B groups, speaks with VIR's Thanh Van how businesses can help translate high-level cooperation into long-term value.

TCP Group reaffirms commitment to Thailand-Vietnam economic cooperation TCP Group has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Thailand-Vietnam economic cooperation through sustainable investment and community development initiatives.

TCP extends youth development partnership with CVYF for 2026-2028 TCP Pharmaceutical Industries and the Vietnam Youth Federation have signed an MoU for the 2026–2028 period to support community activities for Vietnamese youth.

Today Hoymiles has launched the brand-new HiSwitch and HiBox gateway – designed to work with the HiOne All-in-One Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) for seamless off-grid switching to make whole-home backup simpler, more expandable, and more practical.

HiSwitch: Simpler backup, five-in-one design for essential functionality

Integrating transfer switch, circuit breaker, meter, bypass switch, and CT, the five-in-one HiSwitch delivers a compact whole-home backup solution with less components, cabling, and labor. Comparable in size to a standard electricity meter, it is installed directly inside the distribution board via a DIN-rail design, eliminating wall drilling and extensive cable rerouting.

With a 100 A maximum bypass current, HiSwitch supports a wide range of loads, from lighting and kitchen appliances to other high-power devices.

HiSwitch also features:

• 6,000 high-current switching cycles and 6 kA SCCR, promising dependable backup transitions and stronger protection against unexpected electrical faults.
• Minimal replaceable design, allowing installers to replace the HiSwitch alone in the event of a fault rather than replacing the entire energy storage system.
• Up to 80% shorter replacement time, cutting downtime and after-sales service costs.

HiBox: Professional control with room to grow

HiBox serves as a central hub for whole-home backup while allowing the energy system to expand as household needs grow.

Key features include:

• Expandable system: Simply add a second inverter to increase system capacity and backup capability as energy needs grow.
• Multi-source power supply: It supports compatible third-party generators and PV inverters, with full data monitoring without additional metering equipment.
• Smart load control: Loads connected through the Smart Port can be intelligently managed, helping homeowners make greater use of available clean energy.

An all-in-one ecosystem, more ways to build energy resilience

"Whole-home backup should not compromise on installation flexibility," said Hoymiles Vice President Guy Rong. "With HiBox and HiSwitch, we are offering two approaches to build resilient home energy systems that keep everything within a single, integrated energy ecosystem."

By combining HiOne, HiBox, and HiSwitch, Hoymiles aims to help more households move toward smarter and more resilient energy independence

The MoU establishes a three-party framework to evaluate and prepare an AI data centre project in Haiphong.

According to information confirmed by NTC, Nam Trang Cat Industrial Park in Haiphong covers approximately two million square metres and has a planned power load of approximately 300MW.

Using the industrial park as the proposed project base, the parties intend to conduct phased work on feasibility, site and power-access verification, network and cooling design, permitting, customer-demand validation, and financing and investment planning.

Under the MoU, NTC is expected to support local project coordination and assist with verification of relevant site, power and infrastructure conditions. BTC Digital is expected to contribute its digital computing infrastructure experience and international business resources to project evaluation and technical preparation. SGP is expected to support engagement with potential investors, financing sources and industry participants.

The MoU provides for a two-year cooperation period and an initial six-month exclusivity period. Except for provisions concerning the cooperation period, exclusivity and general terms, the principal commercial arrangements under the MoU are non-binding. Any investment, financing, construction, equipment procurement, power supply, customer contract or operating arrangement remains subject to due diligence, required approvals, financing arrangements and definitive agreements.

BTC Digital's management said, "This MoU gives the parties a practical framework for the next stage of work: verifying the site and power profile, completing the technical design, mapping permitting requirements and evaluating the project's capital structure. We intend to advance the Haiphong opportunity in stages and make investment or construction decisions only after the key conditions have been validated," said Siguang Peng, CEO of BTC Digital Ltd.

The cooperation extends BTC Digital's AI computing infrastructure strategy and provides a platform for evaluating digital-infrastructure opportunities in Southeast Asia. The parties plan to establish a preparatory working group and develop an action plan focused on confirming the project entity and site rights, verifying power availability and interconnection conditions, developing engineering and cooling concepts, assessing permitting and data-compliance requirements, validating customer demand, estimating capital requirements, and evaluating financing and implementation arrangements.

Petrovietnam, PV GAS and Nebula Energy partner on LNG-powered data centre On July 28, Petrovietnam, PV GAS and Nebula Energy signed a cooperation agreement to explore an integrated data centre utilising LNG infrastructure at Vung Ang Economic Zone, Ha Tinh.

Evolution rents five hectares for data centre in Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee has decided to lease nearly five hectares of land at the Saigon Hi-Tech Park to Evolution DC VN HCMC JSC for a data centre venture.

Data and resilience drive Vietnam’s digital government Public-sector digital transformation is entering a new phase, with data becoming the foundation of governance, while the ability to connect, share, protect, and recover data is increasingly determining operational resilience and the economy’s capacity for growth.

Pursuant to the agreements, the investors have agreed to exercise certain of their existing warrants at a reduced exercise price of $1.65 for gross proceeds of $1 million (the initial warrant exercise) and will have the option to exercise their remaining existing warrants at the reduced exercise price for gross proceeds of approximately up to an additional $1.1 million within 30 trading days of the agreements. The existing exercise price of the existing warrants is currently $4.017 per share.

AMC Robotics intends to use the net proceeds from the transaction for funding of its robotics manufacturing facility in Vietnam, working capital, general corporate purposes, and the continued advancement of its products and services.

In exchange for exercising in cash, AMC Robotics agreed to issue new unregistered warrants – one per share exercised, up to 1,219,816 shares. The new warrants will have an exercise price of $5.775, representing a 25 per cent premium to the prior day's close, and expire on the four and one-third year anniversary of the date of issuance.

In June, AMCV Co., Ltd., the company’s wholly owned Vietnam subsidiary, announced an agreement to lease a 6,150-square metre facility in Bac Ninh. The facility is dedicated to Phase 1 NovaArm production. The lease is expected to become effective in the third quarter of 2026, initial production targeted for the second half of 2026 and approximately $3.5 million planned for build-out and equipment.

Separately, the company is also advancing pre-commercial activities with Sunward Logistics USA LLC, its designated first deployment customer and strategic partner, to support field readiness ahead of commercial launch.

“In the second quarter of 2026, we continued to advance AMC Robotics towards commercialisation while strengthening the technology and capabilities that support our long-term platform strategy,” said Sean Da, chairman of the board and CEO of AMC Robotics. “Securing our 6,150-sq.m manufacturing facility in Bac Ninh is an important step toward launching NovaArm in the second half of 2026, while our work with Sunward Logistics continues to prepare the platform for its first deployment."

AMC Robotics establishes Vietnam subsidiary to support robotics manufacturing AMC Robotics Corporation, an AI-driven robotics solutions company, has announced the establishment of a Vietnamese subsidiary in Ho Chi Minh City.to support the manufacturing and production scale-up of its robotic dog, Kyro.

AMC Robotics signs lease agreement for manufacturing facility in Vietnam AMC Robotics Corporation, an AI-driven robotics solutions provider, on June 24 announced it has signed a lease agreement for a 6,150-square-metre manufacturing facility in Bac Ninh, which has been identified as a long-term hub for production and operations in Southeast Asia.

Switzerland's Jakob Rope Systems expands manufacturing in Vietnam Swiss group Jakob Rope Systems is expanding its production site in Vietnam to create additional production and storage capacity, improve manufacturing efficiency, and lay the foundation for continued growth.

The event, one of the largest New Zealand education gatherings in Vietnam this year, provided a platform for education providers, agents, school counsellors and university admissions officers to discuss student recruitment, transnational education and articulation programmes.

The seminar also marked the first official visit to Vietnam by David Downs, chief executive of ENZ. He was accompanied by Scott James, New Zealand consul-general and trade commissioner, highlighting the importance placed on education cooperation between the two countries.

Vietnamese student enrolments in New Zealand increased 14 per cent in 2025, exceeding the 11 per cent growth in overall international student enrolments, according to ENZ.

Universities accounted for 61 per cent of Vietnamese enrolments, reaching their highest level in a decade. Bachelor’s programmes represented 47 per cent of enrolments, followed by Master’s programmes at 24 per cent and doctoral programmes at 7 per cent.

Demand was concentrated in business and management, languages and literature, information systems, and economics and econometrics.

New Zealand education providers connected directly with Vietnamese education counsellors to expand education cooperation and student recruitment. Photo: ENZ

Secondary schools represented the second-largest education subsector, reflecting an increasing tendency among Vietnamese students to begin their overseas education earlier and complete their secondary qualifications in New Zealand.

Other education segments also recorded significant growth. Enrolments at private training establishments increased 34 per cent, while English language schools and institutes of technology and polytechnics grew 25 per cent and 10 per cent, respectively.

Growth was also recorded across New Zealand’s regions, with six of 10 regions reporting increases. Otago led with growth of 39 per cent, followed by Waikato at 26 per cent and Auckland at 21 per cent.

Downs told VIR that Vietnam remains one of ENZ’s priority growth markets and is one of only two countries where the agency focuses on all education subsectors.

He also linked the growing education relationship to the broader bilateral relationship, following the recent state visit to New Zealand by General Secretary and President To Lam, the first such visit in nearly two decades.

“For ENZ, growth is not simply about increasing numbers. It is about welcoming students who understand the value of a New Zealand education, who thrive while they are here, and who return home as lifelong ambassadors for New Zealand,” Downs said.

New Zealand’s eight universities are ranked among the world’s top 450 in the QS World University Rankings 2027, while the country also continues to perform strongly in measures covering peace, sustainability, employment outcomes and work-life balance.

David Downs, chief executive of ENZ, highlighted Vietnam as a priority growth market, with education continuing to serve as an important pillar of New Zealand-Vietnam relations. Photo: ENZ

The seminar also saw ENZ announce a series of new partnerships aimed at expanding New Zealand’s education presence in Vietnam.

ENZ will collaborate with international education organisation Grok to connect with Vietnamese learners and school career counsellors, boost transnational education and develop a community of international country representatives. Grok will also provide market intelligence to help New Zealand institutions better understand student trends and strengthen recruitment strategies.

A partnership with Pearson PTE will seek to expand access to New Zealand government-backed scholarships for Vietnamese students while strengthening English-language capabilities among scholarship candidates.

ENZ also announced partnerships with three master agents - Adventus.io, Bright Can-Achieve, and Global Education Alliance - to broaden engagement with education agents nationwide and improve the information and guidance available to students and their families.

Ben Burrowes, regional director for North Asia and Southeast Asia at ENZ, said the partnerships would expand study opportunities while supporting a more connected international education network.

“These new collaborations and partnerships not only expand study opportunities for Vietnamese students, but also reflect our vision for a connected and sustainable global learning community. With the support of our partners, New Zealand will continue to strengthen its position as a leading destination for world-class education, inspiring young people in Vietnam to pursue knowledge, nurture their ambitions and prepare to shape their future,” he said.

Looking ahead, ENZ plans to continue promoting New Zealand government-backed scholarships across different levels of study and introduce initiatives to strengthen engagement with Vietnamese learners.

These include an Alumni Talk webinar series in September featuring Vietnamese alumni who studied and worked in New Zealand, followed by a Master Class Series in November featuring online taster classes delivered by New Zealand tertiary lecturers.

ENZ also plans to encourage more frequent visits by New Zealand education providers to Vietnam as it seeks to deepen relationships with local partners and expand education cooperation between the two markets.

Growing opportunities for Vietnamese students in New Zealand The Education New Zealand (ENZ), in collaboration with the New Zealand Embassy and Consulate General, hosted the 2024 New Zealand Education Fair in Hanoi on October 20.

Strong turnout at New Zealand Education Fair in Hanoi The 2025 New Zealand Education Fair drew strong interest from Vietnamese students and parents eager to explore study opportunities abroad.

New Zealand institutes strengthen educational exchange and cooperation with Vietnam A delegation of New Zealand Institutes of Technology & Polytechnics and Private Training Establishments made its first official visit to Vietnam from March 29 to April 5.