More than a sales gallery, the space is designed to give customers and partners a fuller picture of the brand, its project portfolio, and how MIK builds residential communities.

The opening ceremony of House of MIK on the 25th floor of Riverfront Financial Centre, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: MIK Group

The name reflects that spirit. 'House' conveys warmth and familiarity while evoking the idea of home and everyday living – values at the heart of MIK Group's business. The venue also serves as a destination with its own brand identity, created to host the group's key activities in the south as it enters its next stages of growth.

Located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, House of MIK offers sweeping views over the city centre and the Saigon River. The space is designed to feel welcoming and open while remaining private and polished, comprising reception, consultation, exhibition, and lounge areas where customers and partners can learn more about the group, hold discussions, and meet.

At House of MIK, customers can do more than learn about individual projects. They can see first-hand how the brand approaches real estate, from the quality of its spaces and the experiences it offers to the living values MIK stands for. The launch reflects MIK Group’s carefully planned investment in raising the quality of its customer touchpoints and in creating a space that matches its long-term ambitions in the south.

MIK Group leaders and guests raise a toast to House of MIK. Photo: MIK Group. Photo: MIK Group

Speaking at the event, Nhan Huu Hoc, CEO of MIK Group in Southern Region, said, “The south is a key market in MIK Group’s long-term development strategy. With House of MIK, we want to create a space where customers and partners can better understand how MIK develops its projects, the values we pursue, and the standards we intend to keep setting in this market. The experience we have built up over the years will be the foundation for MIK Group’s next phase in the south, where expectations for quality and experience continue to rise.”

To mark the opening, MIK Group is presenting an exhibition and experiential programme themed 'Living in Motion by the South – Song dong mot mien Nam,' inspired by the waterways that helped shape southern Vietnam. Created for the occasion, it guides visitors through the story of the region, its people, and the milestones MIK Group has achieved over more than a decade.

The journey begins with the installation 'Song dong mot mien Nam' (A Vibrant South) by young artist collective ENOD, which uses the boat as its central visual motif. Recalling generations of life along the rivers, the work evokes a current in constant motion, where silt, people, and culture flow together to shape the character of the south.

Next comes Living in Motion by the South, an interactive zone where nature, the city, and people come together in real-time motion. As visitors step into the zone, their silhouettes become part of the landscape on screen, creating an interplay between people, nature, and the rhythm of urban life.

In the MIK in Motion area, the group’s signature projects from northern to southern Vietnam are presented through an artistic lens, tracing how MIK Group has steadily refined its development approach and built up its internal strength over the years. The exhibits are interspersed with House of MIK’s lounges and reception areas, creating a seamless experience that also accommodates customer consultations and meetings.

The MIK in Motion area showcases MIK Group’s signature projects from more than a decade of development. Photo: MIK Group

Rounding off the experience is Humans of MIK, which looks back on the group’s journey of more than a decade through the eyes of residents, partners, and MIK staff. Drawing on real stories and experiences from its existing communities, MIK reflects on the values it has nurtured in people’s daily lives, and carries that foundation forward into a new chapter in the south.

Along the way, the Imperia Sensa Park scale model offers visitors a glimpse of MIK Group’s next chapter in the south. As the first project in the group’s I series line in the southern market, Imperia Sensa Park is set to become a flagship development that opens a new phase of growth. For this undertaking, MIK Group has set stringent requirements for product quality, handover standards, and living experience, building on a proven track record to establish a benchmark for its future projects in the region.

The opening of House of MIK marks an important milestone in MIK Group’s southern strategy, underscoring its commitment to a long-term presence and its determination to keep raising the bar for products, living experiences, and communities in this market.

Vietnam faces sharper competition in global manufacturing reshuffle Vietnam remains among the top manufacturing destinations in Southeast Asia, but competition for new production investment is intensifying as neighbouring economies strengthen their industrial ecosystems, speakers said at the sixth Vietnam Industrial Property Forum.

A competitive advantage for next-generation industrial parks At the third session of the sixth Vietnam Industrial Property Forum, co-organised by Vietnam Investment Review and the Vietnam Industrial Real Estate Association in Ho Chi Minh City on September 29, experts and business representatives discussed how to build competitive advantages for next-generation industrial areas.

Green Future Awards honour five leading industrial park developers Five enterprises have been honoured in the Leading Green Industrial Property Developers in 2026 category at the Green Future Awards 2026, held as part of the Vietnam Industrial Property Forum 2026.

At the end of the second quarter of 2026, the after-tax profit of 27 listed banks reached $3.5 billion, up 18 per cent on-quarter and 25 per cent on-year. Of these, 18 banks recorded profit growth, six saw declines, while three remained broadly flat.

Photo: baodautu.vn

In the third quarter, many banks are forecast to continue posting profit growth. Behind these headline gains, however, lies mounting pressure from higher deposit rates, which are eroding the banking sector’s net interest margin (NIM).

Do Minh Trang, director of Market Analysis and Strategy at ACB Securities Co., Ltd. (ACBS), pointed out that many people tend to believe that a high-interest-rate environment enables banks to make more money.

“In practice, however, a high interest-rate environment carries several adverse implications,” he said.

Trang made the remarks at ACBS’ the online section ‘Data Talk-Market Inside” in Hanoi on September 25.

She noted that deposit rates at many banks for six- to 12-month terms currently hover at 9 per cent or higher. The underlying cause stems from the effects of three years of strong credit growth, which has pushed the loan-to-deposit ratio (LDR) for VND deposits to a record 110 per cent.

The imbalance between deposits and lending, coupled with a shortage of long-term funding, has forced banks to raise deposit rates for longer maturities to retain funds.

Most customer deposits are concentrated in short-term maturities of less than one year, with 70 per cent in the three- to six-month range, while deposits with maturities of more than 12 months account for only 15-20 per cent. Meanwhile, loans are predominantly medium- and long-term, accounting for as much as 40-50 per cent at many banks.

This means banks’ interest expenses on deposits are rising rapidly and continuously, while the time required to reprice existing loans is considerably longer.

“High interest rates and an LDR reaching 110 per cent mean costs are rising faster than interest income, causing NIM to decline. The banking system’s NIM is now only around 2.9 per cent, the lowest level in 10 years. This shows that rapid growth in credit or total assets does not necessarily mean banks are generating higher profits,” Trang said.

Sharing the same view, senior financial expert Nguyen Tri Hieu told VIR that bank deposits are growing relatively quickly, but rising interest rates are also putting banks under significant pressure from funding costs.

“When input costs rise sharply while banks continue to face pressure to maintain reasonable lending rates to support the economy’s growth targets, net interest margins and profitability will be squeezed if operating costs are not properly controlled,” he said.

Echoing concerns over the impact of high funding costs on banking sector profitability, a Q3/2026 review report released by MBS Research on September 25 said that the sector-wide NIM in the third quarter of 2026 is under pressure from elevated funding costs, particularly among joint-stock commercial banks with rapid credit growth or greater reliance on term deposits.

Specifically, in light of the report, at HDBank, the NIM is forecast to reach 4.7 per cent in Q3 of 2026, 19 basis points higher on-year, although the NIM for the first nine months of 2026 is estimated to have fallen by 76 basis points on-year.

Provisioning expenses are expected to rise 23.2 per cent on-year and 10 per cent on-quarter.

At Techcombank, thw NIM is forecast to remain at 3.7 per cent in Q3, unchanged from Q2, but down 17 basis points on-year.

Provisioning expenses are forecast to fall 13.1 per cent on-year but double on-quarter due to a low base.

Third-quarter 2026 pre-tax profit is forecast at $388 million, broadly flat on-quarter, and up 17.5 per cent on-year.

VPBank is also facing funding cost pressures, with NIM forecast to continue declining in Q3 of 2026, down 29 basis points on-year.

Its risk provisioning expenses are forecast at $312 million in Q3, up 19 per cent on-year. VPBank’s Q3 pre-tax profit is expected to reach $466 million.

At LPBank, Q3’s NIM is forecast to decline due to pressure from funding costs. Accordingly, net interest income is expected to edge down during the period, whereas the bank’s non-interest income is expected to grow on-year, mainly driven by net fee income.

Its provisioning expenses are expected to rise by around 40 per cent as asset quality is forecast to continue deteriorating in Q3 of 2026.

In terms of asset quality, MBS Research said that bad-debt pressure in Q3 remains concentrated mainly among small and medium-sized enterprise customers and retail borrowers facing high interest rates, particularly at privately owned joint-stock commercial banks.

Banks step up HSX listings to support capital growth A growing number of banks are set to move to the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange or debut on the Unlisted Public Company Market in the second half of 2026 as they pursue capital expansion and broaden investor access.

Banks face growing bad debt risks amid rising funding costs Banks are facing rising bad debt risks as non-performing and special-mention loans increase, while thinner provisioning buffers and higher funding costs threaten to put pressure on asset quality.

Banks roll out lower-cost credit to boost businesses and priority sectors Banks are stepping up lending rate cuts and rolling out large preferential credit packages, signalling stronger efforts to ease borrowing costs and support businesses and economic growth.

Funding and asset quality to sharpen divide across Vietnam’s banks Vietnam’s banking sector is entering the second half with the gap between stronger and weaker lenders widening, as funding costs, liquidity pressures and asset quality increasingly separate banks with resilient balance sheets from those reliant on more expensive and short-term funding.

The $150 million state-of-the-art crafting facility opened on October 1 in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Pandora

Following decades of successful crafting in Thailand, the Vietnam facility is Pandora's first production site outside the country. This will be the world's largest crafting facility for fine jewellery and reflects Pandora's ambition to combine future growth with a diversified, resilient and more sustainable manufacturing footprint.

According to Berta de Pablos-Barbier, CEO of Pandora, the opening of its Vietnam facility is Pandora’s start with an important new chapter.

“We are building on decades of exceptional craftsmanship in Thailand, bringing that expertise together with new talent and capabilities in Vietnam. This investment gives us the capacity, flexibility and innovation to support our future growth while continuing to deliver the craftsmanship excellence Pandora is known for to millions of people around the world,” said Pablos-Barbier.

The facility will also play an important role in Pandora’s future production of platinum-plated jewellery, as the company diversifies its material strategy, while creating new opportunities for design innovation and consumer desirability.

Vietnam continues to strengthen its position as a global manufacturing hub, attracting international companies seeking growth, resilience and access to talent.

For Pandora, the opening marks the beginning of a long-term partnership with Vietnam, combining the company’s jewellery craftsmanship expertise with the country’s skilled workforce and strong manufacturing capabilities. Pandora's new facility will create 7,000 local jobs when fully operational.

Nguyen Loc Ha, Permanent Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, pleased that many Danish companies have chosen Ho Chi Minh City as a destination for business and manufacturing, including Pandora through this strategically significant investment.

“The Pandora factory project will not only create thousands of employment opportunities and contribute to local economic development, but will also further reinforce the position of Ho Chi Minh City, and Vietnam more broadly, as an important manufacturing hub in global supply chains. We particularly appreciate Pandora’s commitment to pursuing long-term growth while upholding strong principles of responsible production and sustainable development,” said Ha.

Lina Gandløse Hansen, Danish Ambassador to Vietnam, said that the opening of this crafting facility and the start of Pandora’s production in Vietnam were a testament to Vietnamese craftsmanship and to the importance Danish companies place on sustainability.

“Vietnam’s skilled workforce and its vision for access to renewable energy are important factors behind Pandora and other Danish investments in Vietnam at record levels these years. I’m delighted to see Pandora bringing 7,000 new, high-quality jobs to Vietnam, while crafting beautiful jewellery here for international markets,” he said.

Craftspeople will receive specialised training through Pandora's crafting academy, supporting skills development and long-term career opportunities. The academy also supports close collaboration and knowledge-sharing between Pandora's crafting teams in Thailand and Vietnam, building on decades of craftsmanship expertise.

Pandora's expansion combines high-quality crafting capacity to support future growth while reinforcing the company's commitment to responsible manufacturing.

Designed to meet the highest operational and environmental standards, the new facility has achieved LEED Gold certification, a globally recognised standard for sustainable buildings.

The facility will operate solely on renewable electricity, and all silver and gold will be 100 per cent recycled. It incorporates energy and water efficiency measures, underscoring Pandora's commitment to combining future growth with world-class environmental performance.

Pandora facility will produce up to 60 million pieces of jewellery per year. Photo: Pandora

Domestic suppliers will be key part of Pandora’s progression Danish jewellery maker Pandora last week started construction of its $150 million factory in the southern province of Binh Duong. Pandora CEO and president Alexander Lacik talked to VIR’s Bich Ngoc about the significance of the facility, which is its first outside Thailand.

Pandora signs solar energy MoU with VSSES On March 13, Pandora Production Vietnam signed an MoU with Vietnam Singapore Smart Energy Solutions JSC to collaborate on utilising electricity from a solar farm to Pandora’s crafting facility in Vietnam.

Two-way trade between Western Australia and Vietnam was valued at around AUD2.7 billion in 2025. We see this as a substantial foundation for continuing to grow the relationship and the economic opportunities in trade and investment between Vietnam and Western Australia.

The focus of this particular delegation is to continue building government-to-government ties, while also providing an opportunity for companies from three specific sectors in Western Australia to grow their partnerships.

Firstly, there is the energy sector, which is an important area for both countries as we recognise that we are all going through a clean energy transition. Western Australia has significant resources and capabilities in the energy space, so we are looking to see how we can help make energy a key area of partnership between Vietnam and Western Australia.

The second area is agriculture. We have been a reliable supplier of agricultural products, particularly cereals and grains, for many years, and we want to continue to grow that relationship. We also want to explore how we can move further towards value-added products, food processing and agri-food products, in order to increase the total value associated with agricultural products.

The third area is international education. Western Australia has a very strong higher education and vocational education and training sector, and we believe there are significant opportunities to grow the partnership between Vietnam and Western Australia.

This includes looking at how we can enhance skills, particularly in building the skilled workforce needed for Vietnam's vibrant, dynamic and growing economy. In terms of higher education, it is also about providing greater connectivity between curricula in Vietnam and Western Australia so that we can build further opportunities in this area.

These three sectors are all underpinned by direct aviation connections. We know that fresh produce can be transported between Western Australia and Vietnam in around six and a half hours via a direct flight between Ho Chi Minh City and Perth.

We also know that international students value direct aviation links as part of their choice of university, so that is an important factor as well. More broadly, we recognise that direct flights are an important part of strengthening people-to-people ties and providing opportunities for businesses to form partnerships through those direct air links.

The Hon Roger Cook MLA, Premier and Minister for Defence Industries, Tourism, Trade and Investment of the State of Western Australia. Photo: Minh Tuan

Beyond securing individual deals, what would you like to see this visit achieve over the next five to ten years?

We know that this is an important opportunity for businesses and organisations in Western Australia to come to Vietnam, listen, understand, and build relationships.

That is the key focus of these trade missions. It is less about transactions and contracts, as we know that these flow from good conversations and strong relationships. The key opportunity here is for these 32 businesses to come here, engage with industry partners in Vietnam, understand the challenges and opportunities, and then use the relationships they build during this mission to develop transactions in the future.

Having said that, we know that a number of businesses have had very strong conversations and discussions here, and some immediate opportunities have presented themselves.

Where do you see the next stage of the agriculture commodities relationship with Vietnam?

I’ve been joined by my Agriculture Minister, department heads, and industry representatives to speak with Vietnamese industry, government, and businesses about the opportunities for the future through agri-food and food processing products.

As you would be aware, we already have significant links through our grain and cereal crops such as wheat. One of the facts that has been given to me is that Australia provides 50 per cent of the wheat that goes into banh mi across Vietnam.

We also see great opportunities in fresh produce, particularly now that we have that direct flight. We can get rock lobster, fresh produce, and other perishable products into Vietnam in six and a half hours once they are put on the plane.

We’ve also had good conversations with Vietnamese businesses about opportunities to collaborate in areas such as poultry farming, for instance.

So, we will continue to build on the strong ties that we already have around our traditional crops and products, while looking at how we can diversify the range of products that come to Vietnam from Western Australia, particularly by taking advantage of those direct aviation links.

How does Vietnam fit into Western Australia's broader trade and investment strategy?

I think that is a really important point, and that was one of the reasons why we brought companies from Western Australia: to give them more confidence about engaging in the market and to look at the opportunities for investment here in Vietnam.

I am delighted to see that a number of those companies are now looking at how they can further the relationships they have established here in Vietnam and continue to grow those partnerships through direct investment.

We spoke with Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee about formalising an agreement that would allow us to establish a more comprehensive partnership, which I think would facilitate more direct investment in that context.

Critical minerals and mining more generally are our real strengths in Western Australia. That is what we do really well. I think mining, or mining engineering and technical services, could therefore be a real opportunity for companies to base themselves here.

In addition, we could potentially grow the opportunities in agriculture. I think we have a lot to learn from Vietnam when it comes to food processing and value addition. In a couple of the meetings, I have had the honour of being involved in, we talked about how we can bring greater technical resources to food processing to add value to those products.

Vietnam does that really well. So, there is something for us to learn there.

Vietnam and Australia commit $2.3 million to agricultural research Vietnam and Australia have agreed in principle to invest A$3.3 million ($2.3 million) in two new research projects focused on fisheries in the Mekong subregion and mabé pearl development, while unveiling a 10-year strategy for agricultural research cooperation through to 2035.

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ASL Law’s partners at the firm’s 13th anniversary celebration and Danang office opening ceremony. Photo: ASL Law

The decision to establish an office in Danang comes as the city enters a new phase of economic development, with a growing focus on attracting investment in high-value sectors such as technology, semiconductors, AI, logistics, infrastructure, international finance and the digital economy, alongside the development of the Danang Free Trade Zone and International Financial Centre.

According to Pham Duy Khuong, managing partner of ASL Law, these developments are not only creating new investment opportunities but also generating more sophisticated and cross-border legal needs.

“Danang is becoming an increasingly important economic and investment hub in Central Vietnam. As new capital flows, technologies and business models emerge, companies’ legal needs will extend well beyond basic investment procedures to areas such as transaction structuring, finance, technology, data, intellectual property, employment, compliance and dispute resolution,” Khuong said.

For ASL Law, the opening of the Danang office is intended to bring the firm’s lawyers closer to businesses and investors in Central Vietnam while connecting clients in the region with expertise and resources across its network.

A key element of ASL Law’s strategy for its Danang office is an integrated operating model, allowing clients to access the firm’s wider resources rather than limiting them to professionals based in one location.

Businesses working with the Danang office will be able to access ASL Law’s lawyers and specialists in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore and the United States, as well as the firm’s network of law firms and partners across international markets where required.

This approach is particularly relevant for investment projects and cross-border transactions, where a project based in Danang may simultaneously involve foreign investors, international financing, technology, intellectual property rights and multiple legal jurisdictions.

The Danang office will provide access to ASL Law’s broader legal services, with particular focus on corporate and foreign investment, M&A, intellectual property, technology and data, employment, dispute resolution, commercial transactions and cross-border matters.

Clients will also be able to access specialist support in areas including trade remedies, technology transfer, tax, finance, real estate and construction, as well as legal issues arising during the investment, operation and expansion of businesses.

ASL Law also advises clients on intellectual property matters, including trademark, patent and copyright registration and protection, intellectual property enforcement and strategies for protecting intellectual assets in Vietnam and international markets.

ASL Law expects demand for legal services in Danang to grow significantly in the coming years, particularly in foreign investment, technology and semiconductors, logistics, infrastructure, international finance, digital business and intellectual property.

“In the future, many legal matters arising in Danang will no longer be purely local. A single project may involve multiple parties, markets and areas of law. This is why we believe the ability to connect domestic resources with international capabilities will become increasingly important for clients,” Khuong said.

The Danang office is headed by Nguyen Thi Thuy Chung, senior partner at ASL Law. In addition to developing the firm’s local operations, Chung will coordinate resources between Danang and ASL Law’s other offices and specialist practice groups. The opening of the Danang office is also part of ASL Law’s strategy to build a legal services network connecting Vietnam with ASEAN and other international markets.

“Our objective is not simply to expand our offices, but to build a connected legal platform for Vietnamese and international clients, while strengthening the international standing of Vietnamese lawyers,” Khuong said.

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What are the most important changes industrial property developers need to make to their products and services to remain competitive?

As global manufacturing footprints become more diversified, investors are increasingly looking beyond land availability and rental costs. They are paying greater attention to how quickly and efficiently they can establish operations, access supply chains and scale their business.

From a product perspective, flexibility and speed to operation are becoming increasingly important. Ready-built factories and warehouses can give investors a faster and more flexible entry point, particularly for companies that want to start operations quickly or scale progressively without taking on the time and complexity of developing a facility from scratch.

At the same time, the quality of the facilities and their locations, connectivity to key logistics and manufacturing networks are becoming increasingly important considerations.

The service component is equally important. Investors, especially foreign investors need reliable support throughout their entire journey, from securing a facility and completing investment registration to navigating ongoing operational and compliance requirements, including fire safety, environmental regulations and other regulatory obligations. These may seem like operational details, but they can have a direct impact on business continuity.

How can industrial property developers build an operating environment that encourages tenants to stay, expand their operations, and deepen their long-term commitment to Vietnam?

We see attracting an investor as the beginning of the relationship, rather than the end goal. What matters to us is how we can continue supporting them after they arrive, so they can operate efficiently, grow their business and build a long-term presence in Vietnam.

Infrastructure quality is an important foundation. Reliable infrastructure, well-maintained facilities and efficient utilities can help tenants manage their operating costs and maintain stable production over time. For manufacturers, these factors may not always be visible at the point of site selection, but they can have a significant impact on operational efficiency and costs throughout the life of the investment.

Tenant services are equally important. As mentioned earlier, the role of an industrial property provider should not end once a tenant moves in. Businesses may face operational, compliance or facility-related issues at different stages of their operations, and having a responsive partner who understands their needs and can help resolve issues efficiently can make a meaningful difference.

Beyond day-to-day support, ongoing engagement is also important. Developers need to understand how their tenants' businesses are evolving, whether they are increasing production, changing their operational requirements or looking to expand. By staying connected and supporting these evolving needs, we can help companies not only establish their operations in Vietnam, but also create the conditions for them to grow here.

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The initiative marks the next phase of a collaboration that began under Project ACTIVE 1.0, with a continued focus on strengthening local expertise, connecting healthcare professionals, and supporting high-quality cervical cancer treatment in Vietnam.

Project ACTIVE 2.0 launches in Vietnam. Photo: VIR

ACTIVE 2.0 contributes to this broader effort by focusing on professional development and knowledge exchange in radiotherapy-related aspects of cervical cancer treatment, while also exploring approaches to support patients during recovery. The project recognises that strengthening treatment capability requires technology as well as sustained investment in the knowledge, skills, and professional networks of healthcare teams.

The three-year regional initiative is backed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, DEG Impulse, Elekta, and the Federation of Asian Organizations for Radiation Oncology, with the Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation supporting its delivery. The project brings together healthcare institutions, clinical experts, technical partners, and development partners across Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Laos, and Cambodia to facilitate learning and collaboration.

Cervical cancer remains an important public health concern in Southeast Asia. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 160,000 new cases, and 100,000 deaths from cervical cancer occurred in the WHO South East Asia Region in 2022, accounting for approximately one-quarter of the global burden of the disease.

In Vietnam, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the specialised cancer agency of WHO, estimated 8,274 new cases of cervical cancer and 4,110 deaths in 2024. These figures underscore the importance of strengthening every part of the cervical cancer care pathway, from prevention and screening to diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care. Against this background, continued efforts in prevention, early detection, treatment, and follow-up care remain important.

Tong Tran Ha, deputy director general of the Administration of Maternal and Children's Affairs. Photo: VIR

In Vietnam, ACTIVE 2.0 builds on the experience of Project ACTIVE 1.0, which worked in collaboration with three oncology hospitals: K Hospital in Hanoi, Danang Oncology Hospital, and Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital. In this new phase, the project will continue working with these hospitals to deliver professional training and facilitate clinical knowledge exchange, with the aim of supporting the continued development of healthcare professionals’ capacity in cervical cancer treatment. Experience and knowledge generated through these activities may also provide a basis for broader professional exchange with other hospitals and healthcare professionals.

The training and knowledge exchange activities will focus particularly on image-guided adaptive brachytherapy, and external beam radiotherapy, together with relevant aspects of cervical cancer management. International clinical experts and professional partners will contribute to the exchange of clinical knowledge and experience, while the project will also explore digital approaches to support follow-up and patient recovery after treatment.

“Vietnam continues to pay attention to cancer prevention, early detection, treatment and care,” said Tong Tran Ha, deputy director general of the Administration of Maternal and Children's Affairs, Ministry of Health. “We welcome the continued implementation of activities under Project ACTIVE 2.0, particularly those that provide opportunities for healthcare professionals to further develop their knowledge and exchange clinical experience in cervical cancer care.”

“Achieving 90 per cent HPV vaccination among adolescent girls, 70 per cent cervical cancer screening and 90 per cent adequate treatment by 2030 will enable Vietnam to effectively eliminate cervical cancer by 2055 and avert over 300,000 deaths by the end of the century. The ACTIVE 2.0 project contributes to efforts towards these goals,” said Matt Jackson, UNFPA country representative.

Paul Lee, project director of ACTIVE 2.0. Photo: VIR

The launch also highlighted the importance of continued collaboration and professional exchange in supporting cervical cancer care in Vietnam. International partners and clinical experts will contribute to knowledge exchange and capacity development alongside local healthcare professionals and institutions.

“It is encouraging to see Vietnamese and international partners coming together to exchange knowledge and strengthen professional capacity in cervical cancer care. ACTIVE 2.0 provides another opportunity for clinical experts and healthcare professionals to share experience and build on ongoing cooperation in this area,” said Michael Swen Lehmann, second secretary, deputy head of Development Cooperation of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Hanoi, Vietnam.

“The launch of ACTIVE 2.0 in Vietnam builds on the collaboration and experience developed through the earlier phase of the project,” said Paul Lee, project director of ACTIVE 2.0. “By continuing to work with hospitals and healthcare professionals in Vietnam, we hope to support further clinical training and knowledge exchange, while contributing to ongoing efforts in cervical cancer treatment and patient recovery.”

ACTIVE 2.0 aims to build on the capacity, knowledge, and professional connections developed through the project, supporting their continued use and development beyond individual training activities. In Vietnam, the project hopes to contribute to longer-term efforts to strengthen cervical cancer care in line with broader national and public health priorities.

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Total assets approached the $17.89 billion mark. Alongside scale expansion, Nam A Bank’s asset quality and capital safety buffer continued to be strongly reinforced, with the non-performing loan (NPL) ratio dropping to around 1.5 per cent, the NPL coverage ratio increasing by 12.6 per cent on-year, and international capital funding green credit continuing its strong momentum.

Growth accompanied by reinforced asset quality

In the first nine months of the year, Nam A Bank continued to expand its operational scale while maintaining strict credit quality control and enhancing safety foundations. PBT exceeded $182.34 million, up 25 per cent on-year; return on equity reached nearly 20 per cent, continuing to position Nam A Bank among top-performing banks in return on equity in the market, ensuring maximum shareholder value and enhancing financial self-accumulation.

Non-interest income maintained its vital role, contributing 26 per cent to total operating income. The trading of valuable papers delivered a strong breakthrough with a 30 per cent on-year growth, contributing 5 per cent to total PBT.

Nam A Bank delivers strong and impressive growth in 9M2026. Photo: Nam A Bank

Parallel to business scale expansion, Nam A Bank placed special emphasis on risk control, enhancing asset quality, and expanding its capital safety buffer. As of September 30, the NPL ratio (before CIC) dropped to around 1.5 per cent, a sharp decrease of 1.1 percentage points compared to the same period in 2025.

The Group 2 loan ratio was tightly controlled at a very low level of 0.6 per cent, reflecting strict credit quality management from appraisal and post-disbursement monitoring to effective debt recovery. Meanwhile, the NPL coverage ratio rose by 12.61 percentage points on-year, bolstering provisioning resources and proactive credit risk management capabilities.

Alongside enhancing provisioning capacity, Nam A Bank continued to reinforce its capital base. The bank completed a 20 per cent stock dividend payout, finished issuing 100 million shares under the ESOP scheme, and finalised the issuance of nearly $159.65 million in Tier 2 capital bonds through both private placements and public offerings. These actions supplemented medium- and long-term funds, strengthened Tier 2 capital, and supported the maintenance of capital safety ratios.

Nam A Bank completed its compliance evaluation for the Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) under Circular 14/2025/TT-NHNN, establishing a solid foundation to further refine its capital safety governance framework towards Basel III standards. By the end of September, CAR reached 11.3 per cent, up 0.2 percentage points from the end of 2025 and far exceeding the minimum requirement of 8 per cent.

Strong growth in capital mobilisation

As of September 30, total capital mobilisation from economic organisations, individuals, and valuable paper issuances reached nearly $9.77 billion, an increase of nearly 20 per cent compared to the end of 2025. Along with deposit mobilisation, Nam A Bank allocated resources to highly liquid assets.

The investment securities portfolio reached $1.87 billion, up 21.5 per cent, with government bonds accounting for $1.25 billion, up approximately 31 per cent year-to-date.

This portfolio contributed to enhancing flexibility in capital management while creating further headroom for the bank to proactively balance liquidity and meet customer capital demands.

Nam A Bank has accelerated its partnerships with international financial institutions. Photo: Nam A Bank

On the foundation of a reinforced capital base, total credit growth rose 10.8 per cent compared to the beginning of the year. Credit growth remained aligned with the financing needs of the real economy, ensuring a balance among scale expansion, asset quality, and prudential indicators.

Credit flows were directed towards sectors with closed value chains and high export value (such as tea, seafood, coffee, rubber, etc.), as well as sectors generating stable cash flows such as education and healthcare, while significantly reducing exposure to the real estate sector.

Since the beginning of 2026, Nam A Bank has accelerated its partnerships with international financial institutions, including IFC, ADB, BlueOrchard, Symbiotics, and numerous other institutions. These partnerships have helped diversify medium- and long-term funding sources while bolstering capital resources dedicated to trade finance, supply chain finance, small and medium-sized enterprises, green finance, and inclusive finance. By June 2026, Nam A Bank reported that the total volume of international funding successfully mobilised since the start of the year reached nearly $350 million.

For the remainder of 2026, the bank expects to secure its maiden international syndicated loan facility, marking a strategic transition from bilateral borrowing to multilateral capital mobilisation. Furthermore, after completing an equity capital increase of over $130.8 million from owners' equity and $38.47 million from ESOP, the bank is proceeding with its plan for a private placement of 100 million shares to professional investors as approved by the 2026 AGM.

Continuous collaboration and international capital attraction not only supplement medium- and long-term funds for business operations but also expand the partner ecosystem, strengthen governance capabilities according to international standards, and create broader headroom for Nam A Bank to accompany businesses in their green transition and sustainable development.

Expectation to complete 2026 targets and expand growth

With the nine-month results, Nam A Bank has achieved nearly 80 per cent of its PBT and over 95 per cent of its scale growth target.

In the fourth quarter, Nam A Bank will remain focused on exceeding its 2026 business targets while maintaining a harmonious balance among credit growth, capital mobilisation, operational efficiency, and asset quality control.

Nam A Bank secures green capital from Switzerland, bringing international fundraising to nearly $350 million Nam A Bank signed an international credit agreement with SIFEM AG and secured additional capital from funds managed by responsAbility Investments AG, raising the total mobilised capital since the beginning of the year to nearly $350 million.

Nam A Bank successfully raises $30 million in international funding from Proparco Nam A Bank has signed a $30 million credit agreement with Proparco, the development finance institution of the French Development Agency.

Nam A Bank receives $60 million loan from FMO Nam A Bank has completed a green and inclusive lending facility agreement to receive a $60 million loan from Dutch development bank FMO.

Vietnamese family businesses are entering a phase of ambitious growth. According to PwC’s 12^th Vietnam Family Business Survey, 31 per cent of leaders have set their sights on ‘quick and aggressive’ growth over the next two years - twice the rate recorded in 2023 and well above the global average.

But turning that ambition into reality requires a next generation (NextGen) capable of carrying forward and building on what earlier generations have created. In practice, training programmes specifically designed for next-generation leaders at Vietnamese private and family businesses remain limited.

The five core pillars of the NextGen programme helping business family generations optimise their succession roadmap

Experience across Asia and internationally demonstrates that successful generational transition requires more than the transfer of ownership.

Long-term continuity depends on effective governance, shared values, leadership capability and the ability of families to steward their financial, human, social, political and intellectual capital across generations.

These are capabilities and frameworks that can be developed and applied, with appropriate adaptation, to help Vietnamese family businesses pursue growth while remaining strong and sustainable across generations.

“NextGen: Lead the Legacy, Shape the Future” has been jointly developed by Talentnet Academy and SMU Executive Development, in collaboration with SMU Business Families Institute.

The programme combines SMU’s regional expertise in executive development and family business with Talentnet’s more than two decades of experience in Vietnam’s HR consulting and management advisory landscape.

It has been specifically contextualised for the realities, opportunities and dynamics of Vietnamese family-owned and private enterprises.

Through a combination of academic insights, practical frameworks, peer learning and application to participants’ own family enterprises, the programme addresses four interconnected challenges: leading across generations; transforming the business in an era of technology and AI; strengthening family and business governance; and translating succession aspirations into practical action.

Participants will be supported to turn family conversations into clearer decision-making mechanisms and build a concrete action plan for their own business.

This regional perspective helps participants benchmark their own succession and legacy-preservation approaches against models taking shape across Asia.

The relationships formed throughout the programme - including within the participant cohort, with faculty and with fellow next-generation business leaders - are intended to create a valuable peer network that extends beyond the formal programme.

The programme is expected to launch in March 2027, with limited enrolment to ensure a high-quality learning experience for participating business leaders. Detailed information about the programme will soon be updated on Talentnet Academy’s official channels.

“We are not simply passing on a business. We are preparing a generation to take it forward,” said Tieu Yen Trinh, founder and CEO of Talentnet Group.

Mandy Tham, academic director, Business Families Institute, Singapore Management University said, “Prosperity rarely survives beyond three generations unless a family systemises its values and leadership principles for success, while periodically renewing that core tradition in ways relevant to each generation’s own context.”

Talentnet Group is a leading human resources and business consulting company in Vietnam, providing HR, payroll, talent management, and workforce solutions to businesses.

Founded in 2000, Singapore Management University is one of Singapore’s leading publicly funded autonomous universities, with strengths in business, accountancy, technology, economics, law, and the social sciences. SMU ranks among the top 5 Specialist Universities in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2027.

15+ Top CEOs converge to harness new future of HR The shifting expectations of the current and future workforce are quickly reshaping how organisations operate. With the future of work upon us, business leaders, HR practitioners, and even CEOs are now thrust into the limelight to lead workforce changes within the business. So, what can we do to keep up with this new reality, be future-ready, and stay ahead of the changing game?

Business management change to adapt to new HR realities The pandemic causes businesses to convert their operating model from a triangular to a circular model where management gives direction, facilitate, and empower subordinates to take responsibility for implementation.

HR firm Talentnet increasing regional footprint Human resources (HR) consultancy Talentnet opened a new branch in Cambodia and a representative office in Singapore in January in a bid to expand its business and to assist Vietnamese firms more effectively in finding growth opportunities in new markets.

The Makeover 2024 promises to unlock green-growth secrets The Makeover is an annual event taking place in Ho Chi Minh City on October 15 and 16 with the participation of more than 20 innovation strategists and people management experts from leading global enterprises.

Future-Ready Banking Award – HD Financial Group

HD Financial Group wins the Future-Ready Banking Award at TRF’26 APAC.Image courtesy of Temenos

HD Financial Group is building one of Vietnam’s most ambitious financial ecosystems, integrating HDBank, Vikki Bank, HD SAISON Finance and Vietjet Air, as well as real estate and other businesses to deliver seamless financial services across customers’ daily lives.

By selecting Temenos as its core banking platform for both HDBank and Vikki Bank, HD Financial Group is investing in a future-ready, cloud-native banking foundation that enables innovation, AI-driven services, operational agility, and scalable growth.

Digital Transformation Award – KAF Digital Bank

KAF Digital Bank has demonstrated strong digital adoption through a disciplined, phased onboarding strategy and a fully cloud-native deployment on Temenos SaaS. Customers can now open accounts, receive virtual debit cards, and transact digitally end-to-end through a mobile-first experience, positioning KAF Digital Bank for rapid acquisition, high engagement, and sustainable growth in Malaysia’s digital banking market.

Core Banking Modernisation Award – MUFG

MUFG is one of the world’s largest financial groups with presence in more than 40 markets globally. Headquartered in Japan, MUFG has been on a transformation journey with Temenos since 2009 to implement the latest core banking and payments technology for its overseas branches.

Customer Impact Award – SACOMBANK

Sacombank is recognised with the Customer Impact Award at TRF’26 APAC. Image courtesy of Temenos

SACOMBANK, one of Vietnam’s leading commercial banks, recently upgraded its Temenos Core Banking platform, moving from an on-premises deployment to a hybrid cloud environment on Red Hat OpenShift and IBM Power infrastructure, to support greater scalability, performance and faster innovation.

The upgrade enables significant gains in performance, speed and efficiency, including a 200 per cent improvement in application performance, three-times faster deployment cycles and a 50 per cent reduction in server footprint.

Growth Excellence Award – E.SUN Bank

A Temenos core banking client since 2014, E.SUN Bank has used the scalable platform to expand its footprint across multiple countries and territories. In 2025, the bank successfully completed a comprehensive upgrade to enhance both the operating system and database layers.

This modernisation milestone reinforces operational excellence while accelerating E.SUN Bank’s capacity for rapid growth and digital innovation.

Banking Innovation Award – Techcombank

Techcombank received the Banking Innovation Award at TRF’26 APAC.Image courtesy of Temenos

Techcombank is one of the largest joint-stock banks in Vietnam, serving more than 18 million retail and corporate customers. In 2025, the bank began a major transformation project to upgrade to the latest version of Temenos Core and move its operations to the cloud. This is designed to help the bank deliver new products to market faster and achieve its goal of doubling its customer base by 2030.

Banking Innovation Award – Maldives Premier Bank

Launched in 2026 on Temenos Core running on AWS cloud, Maldives Premier Bank (MPB) was established with a vision to deliver a more modern, customer-focused banking experience.

By combining cloud-native technology, open integration, and a digital-first operating model, MPB has created a strong foundation for sustainable growth, rapid innovation, and future scalability in the Maldivian banking sector.

Successful Transformation Award – Bank Syariah Indonesia & Systems Limited

As Indonesia’s leading Islamic bank, Bank Syariah Indonesia serves more than 20 million customers. Working with Systems Limited, the bank recently upgraded to the latest version of Temenos core banking running on Red Hat OpenShift, positioning it to support continued customer growth and geographical expansion while enhancing the flexibility of its digital banking operations.

Successful Transformation Award – Bank of New Zealand and Deloitte

Founded in 1861, Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) is one of the largest banks in the country, offering personal, business and private banking services.

Modernising its core banking operations with Temenos in partnership with Deloitte, BNZ has demonstrated the importance of a collaborative ecosystem and meticulous planning in successful transformation.

18h Global Chinese Awards ceremony concludes in Beijing Cultural organizers hosted the 18th Global Chinese Awards ceremony at the Phoenix Center in Beijing on 12 August 2026 to recognize outstanding international community contributions.

Vietnam Fund Awards 2026 to spotlight fund industry ecosystem Vietnam Fund Awards (VFA) 2026 will bring together policymakers, economists, fund managers, and financial institutions to discuss major issues facing Vietnam's fund industry.

Awards seek benchmark for investment funds Vietnam’s first investment fund ranking programme aims to establish a transparent and independent benchmark for the country’s growing fund management industry, helping investors assess fund performance and supporting the mobilisation of longer-term capital.

KNIC honoured for third consecutive year at Green Future Awards KN Industrial City (KNIC), a member of KN Holdings, has once again been honoured in the category of Promising Green Industrial Real Estate Developer at the Green Future Awards.

The event, “The New Era of Productivity Powered by Embodied AI: Vietnam – Southeast Asia's Pillar,” was organised by the National Innovation Centre (NIC), AGIBOT, Great Education Technology Group, and ECOLIV Technology at NIC's Hoa Lac campus in Hanoi, as part of Vietnam's National Innovation Day 2026.

Hoang Trung Hieu, deputy director of NIC, said AI was moving beyond digital environments into the physical world, increasingly powering robots, autonomous devices and smart production lines that can sense, make decisions and interact with their surroundings.

“Embodied AI is expected to drive a breakthrough in labour productivity across manufacturing, logistics, agriculture, healthcare and services. It can also help address labour shortages, improve workplace safety and enhance the quality of economic growth,” he said.

Embodied AI combines AI's perception and decision-making capabilities with physical systems that can interact with their surroundings and perform tasks. Applications range from manufacturing and research to retail, tourism, hospitality and other services.

Photo: Duc Minh

At the conference, AGIBOT presented humanoid robots, quadruped robots, wheeled robots and embodied AI solutions designed for education, research and industrial applications. Demonstrations and interactive activities gave businesses, educators and researchers opportunities to explore the technology's capabilities and potential uses in real-world settings.

NIC, AGIBOT, Great Education Technology Group and ECOLIV Technology also discussed ways to introduce embodied AI into Vietnam's education and research systems, with an emphasis on strengthening links between technology companies, universities and research institutions.

Hieu said AI, particularly embodied AI and robotics, was among the core technologies prioritised in NIC's development strategy.

The centre aims to build a comprehensive national innovation ecosystem by connecting government agencies, businesses, universities and research institutions. Its priorities include mobilising resources for technology development, training a skilled workforce, and supporting the testing and commercialisation of new solutions.

NIC plans to leverage the infrastructure at Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park to facilitate technology demonstrations, trials and sandbox programmes for embodied AI, mobile robotics and smart manufacturing.

A key part of this effort is developing human resources with the interdisciplinary skills needed to integrate AI with physical systems, while creating opportunities for students, lecturers and researchers to gain practical experience with robotics technologies.

Photo: Duc Minh

During the event, Great Education Technology Group signed strategic cooperation agreements with three Vietnamese organisations: the University of Engineering and Technology at Vietnam National University, Hanoi; the School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering at Hanoi University of Industry; and the Vietnam Association of Vocational Education and Training.

The agreements cover the development of training programmes, joint laboratories, lecturer training, practical activities for students and collaborative research projects.

The partnerships aim to expand research and training capacity in embodied AI at Vietnamese educational institutions, while strengthening the domestic workforce's ability to develop and apply the technology.

The conference also examined emerging business models, including Robot as a Service, under which businesses can access robotic capabilities through service-based arrangements instead of purchasing equipment outright.

Supported by local service providers and ecosystem partners, such models could give businesses more flexible ways to introduce robots into specific operations, reducing upfront investment requirements and allowing companies to assess their effectiveness before expanding deployment.

Such arrangements could help address one of the barriers to wider adoption: the cost and complexity of integrating robotics into existing business processes. Their viability will depend on service costs, maintenance arrangements, system reliability and the productivity gains achieved by customers.

Participants highlighted Vietnam's manufacturing base, workforce, innovation policies and regional market connections as potential advantages for developing embodied AI applications.

Further progress, however, will require continued cooperation between technology providers, universities, research institutions and businesses to ensure that robotics solutions meet practical needs and can be deployed at scale.

Photo: Duc Minh

NIC, AGIBOT, ECOLIV Technology and Great Education Technology Group, together with participating universities and research institutions, plan to continue cooperation in research, workforce development, industrial applications and the development of a local embodied AI ecosystem.

The conference marked a step towards connecting international robotics technologies with Vietnam's education and industrial sectors, as the country seeks to translate advances in AI into practical applications and productivity gains.

AI adoption reshapes marketing across Southeast Asia

STEM education evolves for AI era

Citi Vietnam hosts AI Day to equip staff with digital skills

Vietnam targets 50,000 AI-skilled professionals for key sectors by 2030

Image courtesy of LŌ-GOI Group

Vietnam continues to absorb manufacturing capacity relocating from elsewhere in the region, and demand from international manufacturers and distributors for institutional grade logistics and industrial space has consistently outpaced new supply in the established industrial parks serving Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

The venture has been assembled to acquire existing, well specified facilities occupied by international customers, with adjacent expansion capacity, rather than relying on speculative development alone.

The LŌ-GOI Hung Yen project. Image courtesy of LŌ-GOI Group

Trent Iliffe, founder and group CEO said “Vietnam has been central to our thinking since we first entered the market in 2019 as LOGOS, and this Venture is a direct result of the confidence our capital partners place in the country and in our team on the ground.

“Three of Asia’s established institutional investors have committed alongside us, which says a great deal about where long-term capital in this region now sees value. We are assembling a network of essential real assets that supports our customers as they grow, and Vietnam is one of the markets where that need is most needed,” he said.

Glenn Hughes, CEO, Vietnam, LŌ-GOI Group said “Prime opportunities that meet the venture’s investment criteria are very limited in Vietnam: high specification facilities in prime locations, inside the strongest industrial parks nearby Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Where those assets exist, we acquire them directly from the operators who own them. Where they don’t, we build them ourselves, and we build to own the assets for the long term.”

The same management team first entered the Vietnam market in 2019 as LOGOS, before rebranding as LŌ-GOI in 2024. Under the guidance of Glenn Hughes, the LŌ-GOI Vietnam business has since delivered more than one million square metres of new prime logistics and industrial facilities and introduced more than six capital partners into the Vietnam logistics and industrial market.

The venture’s acquisitions will be announced separately in the coming weeks. LŌ-GOI Group’s Vietnam platform is led from offices in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, with fund management and venture level oversight from Singapore.

LŌ-GOI Yen Phong Project. Image courtesy of LŌ-GOI Group

LŌ-GOI Group is a global real asset infrastructure platform advancing sustainable, essential real assets that drive growth.

Founded in 2024 by Trent Iliffe, who co-founded LOGOS Property Group and grew it into one of Asia-Pacific's largest logistics real estate platforms, with approximately $30 billion in assets under management across 10 countries and 40 funds, LŌ-GOI carries forward the same global customer relationships and more than three decades of experience.

Today the group manages more than 1.5 million square metres of gross leasable area, with a team of over 60 professionals across corporate offices in Singapore, Japan, India, Vietnam and France focused on connecting Asia and Europe, and is expanding further across Asia-Pacific, the UAE, and Europe.

LŌ-GOI opens Bac Ninh’s first two-storey industrial complex LŌ-GOI Group, a major developer and operator of industrial and logistics assets in Asia-Pacific, has opened its first two-storey industrial complex in Bac Ninh.

LŌ-GOI develops sustainable industrial properties in Vietnam LŌ-GOI Group currently manages 11 industrial projects across Vietnam and India, with total assets under management exceeding $1 billion. VIR's Bich Ngoc spoke with Matthew Jackson, northern region director of LŌ-GOI (Vietnam), about the company's development strategy for the country.

New northern industrial parks attracting foreign investors Vietnam Investment Consulting released an industrial real estate report for northern Vietnam in late September. The report shows that in 2024-2025, there were several new industrial parks built in Nam Binh Xuyen, Vinh Phuc, Hai Duong, and Thai Nguyen.

Warehouse and ready-built factory developers adopt ESG standards Warehouse and ready-built factory developers are increasingly adopting environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards to contribute to the country's net-zero target, but challenges remain.

Beginning with the opening of trading on October 2, 2026, the Company's Class A ordinary shares will begin trading on a post-Share Consolidation basis on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the same symbol "ZCMD," but under a new CUSIP number of G9897X156. The objective of the Share Consolidation is to maintain its listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market.

Upon the effectiveness of the Share Consolidation, every two (2) Class A ordinary shares with a par value of US$0.744 each will be consolidated into one (1) Class A ordinary share with a par value of US$0.00001 each, and every two (2) Class B ordinary shares with a par value of US$0.744 each will be consolidated into one (1) Class B ordinary share with a par value of US$0.00001 each. No fractional shares will be issued as a result of the Share Consolidation. Instead, any fractional shares that would have resulted from the Share Consolidation will be rounded up to the next whole number. Immediately prior to the Share Consolidation, as of the date hereof, the Company has a total of 8,666,755 Class A ordinary shares and 206,721 Class B ordinary shares issued and outstanding, respectively. As a result of the Share Consolidation, the Company will have approximately 4,333,378 Class A ordinary shares and 103,361 Class B ordinary shares issued and outstanding, respectively, subject to the rounding up of any fractional shares. The Share Consolidation affects all shareholders uniformly and will not alter any shareholder's percentage interest in the Company's outstanding ordinary shares, except for adjustments that may result from the treatment of fractional shares. The Share Consolidation was approved by the Company's shareholders on September 18, 2026 and by board of directors on September 10, 2026, respectively.

More information about the Company can be found at its investor relations website at http://izcmd.com.

The primary endpoint was assessed at 7 to 16 days post-treatment (D21–30). Clinical cure rates were 52.4% in the investigational group and 31.8% in the placebo group (P=0.117), a 20.6-percentage-point numerical difference favoring the investigational product. At D15-18, secondary endpoints showed statistically significant differences: clinical cure rates of 57.1% vs 22.7% (P=0.009) and bacteriological cure rates of 54.8% versus 27.3% (P=0.036).

Exploratory analyses found a 54.8% vaginal colonization rate for the administered strains at D21-30. Colonization occurred in 81.8% of clinically cured participants versus 25% of uncured participants (P=0.001). Median relative vaginal Lactobacillus abundance changed 6.64% from baseline in the investigational group versus -0.04% in the placebo group (P=0.001).

Drug-related adverse events during treatment occurred in 11.6% of the investigational group and 8.7% of the placebo group, with no statistically significant between-arm difference (P=1.000). No serious adverse events related to the investigational product were reported. The findings provide clinical data for designing and planning the sample size of a larger, confirmatory Phase III study.

BV involves vaginal microbiota dysbiosis and depletion of Lactobacillus-dominant microbiota. Current antibacterial treatments target anaerobic bacterial overgrowth but may fail to restore normal vaginal microbial balance, underscoring the need for alternatives. The investigational capsule contains Lactobacillus gasseri and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus at 1 × 10⁸ CFU per capsule and was administered intravaginally twice daily for 14 days. It is designed to help restore vaginal microbial balance through competitive colonization, lactic acid production to maintain an acidic environment, and hydrogen peroxide production.

The peer-reviewed study was published on August 4 in the National Medical Journal of China, 2026;106(28):2958-2965, DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn112137-20260328-00828. Trial registration: NCT07418918.

Forward-Looking Statement: This release contains forward-looking statements regarding future clinical development, including potential Phase III evaluation. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual development outcomes may differ materially from current expectations.

Background

In an age where generative AI enables anyone to produce information and content, trust in who delivers the message has become more valuable than ever.

That is precisely why authenticity has never been more valuable. Now that synthetic faces and generated voices can be produced with ease, this project deals in the real and nothing else: authentic photography and film of a genuine, acclaimed actor, captured with Hollywood's production craft. What elevates a brand is not imitation, but authenticity itself. Meanwhile, countless companies with outstanding products and services remain unable to deliver their value to the market, held back by barriers of brand power and recognition. Through Smith's reach and expressive power, the program communicates the true value of companies to the world and supports the creation of new business opportunities.

About THE HEADLINER PROJECT

THE HEADLINER PROJECT is a corporate advertising service that enables companies to deploy advertising creative featuring Will Smith. Engaging a global star typically requires substantial upfront investment ̶ contract fees, shooting, and production costs. Under this program, those initial costs are covered by the project, allowing companies to use official Will Smith assets for a usage fee.

The service provides curated official creative ̶ cinematic, story-driven photo and video assets ̶ that companies can feature as their own main visuals. All assets are designed for advanced adaptation, including background removal and tone adjustment, enabling seamless integration into each brand's visual world. Creative can be deployed across both online and offline media, from web advertising, social media, and landing pages to large-scale OOH, transit advertising, and in-store visuals.

The six selected markets span Asia and Oceania ̶ all regions where economic growth and the digitalization of advertising are advancing rapidly, yet where global-star endorsements have long been within reach of only a handful of major corporations. Smith's work has been widely loved across these regions for decades, and his rare power as a "universal language" that transcends countries and languages will support companies taking on these markets.

Key Features

1. World-class brand value, remarkably seamless ̶ The program eliminates the complexity of direct Hollywood negotiations, intricate international licensing contracts, and the risk of heavy upfront investment. Companies can feature Smith's official creative as their own main visual, instantly elevating brand credibility and scale to a global standard. Hollywood talent contracts ̶ once within reach of only major corporations ̶ are now accessible to far more companies.

2. Curated creative assets that tell a story ̶ A quality-first selection of cinematic, emotionally rich photo and video assets, spanning business scenes to evocative storytelling moments, delivers commanding presence as a corporate asset. All assets are real photography and film; no synthetic or AI-generated likeness is used. This protects Smith's own image and the cinematic quality that underpins it. Voice-over assets recorded by Smith are also available, enabling creative that builds deep emotional resonance.

3. Advanced customization, fully integrated into your brand world ̶ The program provides curated official photo and video assets formally licensed by Smith's team. Cinematic, finely crafted creative can be used as your main visual with all rights already cleared. Assets are designed for advanced adaptation ̶ background removal, tone curve adjustment, and layout integration ̶ enabling full alignment with your brand's visual world.

4. Omnichannel presence across online and offline ̶ Deploy seamlessly across digital channels (web advertising, social media, landing pages) and physical media (large-scale OOH, transit advertising, in-store main visuals), with usage across six markets.

Comment from the Project Lead (Itsuo Teruya)
"No matter how exceptional a business is, if no one knows about it, it may as well not exist. THE HEADLINER PROJECT is a platform designed to amplify the value of ambitious companies with world-class reach ̶ turning value the world hasn't discovered into value the world knows. We look forward to writing new growth stories together with companies ready for their next stage."

Profile : Will Smith

Will Smith is one of the defining entertainers of his generation: an Academy Award–winning actor, multi-platinum recording artist, best-selling author, and producer whose work moves effortlessly between blockbuster spectacle and genuine heart. He made history as the winner of the first-ever Grammy for rap, going on to earn four in total, before launching hip-hop further into the mainstream and headlining era-defining films like Independence Day, Men in Black, and Bad Boys - culminating in a Best Actor win for King Richard.

In recent years he's carried that same curiosity into the real world with National Geographic, venturing across all seven continents in Pole to Pole with Will Smith and exploring the planet's wonders in Welcome to Earth; pushing his own limits while inviting audiences along for the discovery. Beyond the screen, he's a dedicated entrepreneur and philanthropist, building businesses and backing causes with the same ambition he brings to his art. With new films on the horizon, Smith remains what he's always been: a storyteller who keeps finding bigger worlds to explore.

Service Overview

• Name: THE HEADLINER PROJECT
• Launch: October 1st 2026, 8:00 AM JST
• Markets: Japan / South Korea / Taiwan (China) / Australia / India / Indonesia
• How to Apply: https://headliner-project.com/

*All applicants are subject to a corporate review by the project office.

Operating Company

• Company: Eclairer Inc.
• Website: https://eclairer.co.jp/

The study* of 1,500 CFOs found that 62% of respondents say their role has expanded into enterprise technology or AI strategy leadership, 56% report greater portfolio-management and capital reallocation authority, and 54% have taken on more responsibility for business model or growth strategy design. Yet only 6% of surveyed CFOs say finance has reached a transformation-ready state, with AI consistently embedded into finance workflows and decision-making at scale.

More than half of surveyed CFOs report that by 2030 they expect to have greater responsibility for designing financial and ethical guardrails for AI (56%), shaping operating models, workforce strategies and organizational structure (55%), and driving enterprise value creation and portfolio strategy (52%).

James Kavanaugh, IBM Chief Financial Officer, writes in the study's foreword: "Historically, the CFO was viewed as the guardian of stability, responsible for financial discipline and controllership of risk. Those responsibilities remain essential. But today, it's not enough for CFOs and their teams to simply evaluate decisions. They need to shape them from the start – connecting strategy to execution, insight to action, and technology to value creation."

The study also identifies a group of AI-first CFOs whose organizations demonstrate advanced capabilities across enterprise strategy, AI governance, integrated intelligence, capital allocation, and long-term planning. These CFOs are twice as likely as their peers to help design enterprise-wide business-model experiments or lead initiatives that could shape their industries.

Other key findings include:

Data-driven insights are changing how CFOs approach capital allocation

• 48% of CFOs say their organizations frequently update capital allocation for AI and growth investments using real-time, data-driven insights, while 38% say their approach is informed by data but slow to adjust.
• 48% of CFOs say finance actively tracks AI-driven value creation and reallocates capital accordingly, but just 8% say finance leads enterprise-wide AI value goals and has automated investment triggers tied to those results.
• Only 6% of respondents allow AI to recommend or execute reallocations within defined guardrails.

Finance is developing AI skills faster than it is redesigning work around AI

• Nearly half (48%) of CFOs describe finance as being in the developing stage, where targeted AI skills remain concentrated in specific roles, teams or use cases rather than scaled across the function.
• 42% of CFOs say finance has reached a high stage of AI readiness, with AI-fluent teams capable of scaling AI.
• Only 6% of respondents describe finance as transformation-ready with AI consistently embedded into workflows and decision-making at scale.

Organizations led by AI-first CFOs report stronger execution and better outcomes

• Organizations led by AI-first CFOs achieved revenue growth rates 23% higher relative to peer organizations from 2022 to 2024.
• AI-first CFOs are 18% more likely to report that their organization executes its enterprise strategy effectively.
• Organizations led by AI-first CFOs approve funding for new AI initiatives 15% faster than peer organizations.

The study includes a playbook for CFOs on connecting enterprise strategy, AI governance, decision-making, capital allocation and long-term flexibility to create value. To view the full report, visit: https://www.ibm.com/thought-leadership/institute-business-value/en-us/c-suite-study/cfo

The study also features perspectives from CFOs across industries on how finance leaders are turning AI ambition into disciplined execution. A selection of these quotes is available in the addendum below.

*Study Methodology

The IBM Institute for Business Value, in cooperation with Oxford Economics, conducted a survey of 1,500 CFOs and equivalent senior finance leaders across 33 geographies and 26 industries from February to April 2026. A composite performance measure was developed using respondents' assessments of organizational growth, efficiency and productivity, agility and adaptability, and risk preparedness relative to competitors. Additional analysis was conducted to measure which organizational capabilities, leadership practices, and investment approaches are closely tied to stronger business outcomes.

The IBM Institute for Business Value, IBM's thought leadership think tank, combines global research and performance data with expertise from industry thinkers and leading academics to deliver insights that make business leaders smarter. For more world-class thought leadership, visit: www.ibm.com/ibv. To receive more insights, subscribe to the IdeaWatch newsletter: https://ibm.co/ibv-ideawatch.

From 1 October 2026 until official sales commence, customers who place a Stockman reservation online will be eligible for an exclusive pre-launch incentive package, designed to provide additional value to early adopters.

The pre-launch reservation offer includes:

• $2,000 Bunnings gift card
• Three years / 45,000km of complimentary scheduled servicing
• Priority reservation of the Stockman in Matte Silver

Chery is excited to have entered an exclusive partnership with Bunnings to support the launch of the new Chery Stockman, bringing together two brands that share a strong connection with Australian lifestyles. The partnership reflects the Stockman's positioning as a versatile and capable dual-cab ute, designed to support Australians across work, weekends and everyday adventures.

As part of the pre-launch reservation program, customers who secure their Stockman reservation from 1 October will receive a $2,000 Bunnings Gift Card, providing an added benefit that complements the vehicle's practical, go-anywhere character.

The Stockman is an important addition to Chery's expanding Australian line-up, bringing the brand into the competitive dual-cab ute segment and broadening its offering to Australian customers.

"Opening reservations for the Stockman marks an important milestone for Chery in Australia," said Lucas Harris, Chief Operating Officer, Chery Australia.

"We've had a phenomenal response to the Stockman since the first announcement, and the reservation program gives customers the opportunity to secure their place ahead of the official sales launch, while also receiving a valuable pre-launch offer."

"The Stockman represents another significant step in the expansion of the Chery brand in Australia, and we look forward to sharing more details with customers as we move closer to its official launch."

Further information, including pricing, specifications and official sales launch timing, will be announced closer to the Stockman's arrival in Australian showrooms.

Chery Stockman reservations open online from 1 October 2026, with deliveries commencing from 1st Feb 2027.

Pre-launch reservation offer: $2,000 Bunnings gift card | 3 years/45,000km free servicing | Matte Silver reservation colour

Terms and conditions apply. The $2,000 Bunnings gift card is subject to applicable offer terms. Reservation, servicing and vehicle availability conditions apply. Further details will be available at the time of reservation. This offer is promoted and administered by Chery Motor Australia.

For more details on Chery visit www.cherymotor.com.au

Originally developed to address expenditure reporting requirements in Western Australia, Expenditure Watch 2.0 has been redesigned as a web-based platform that can support different jurisdictions and operating environments. The release introduces multi-user access, centralised data management and portfolio-wide visibility of expenditure commitments.

The platform connects accounting data, exploration activity and mineral title obligations in one system. It enables teams to track required, actual and committed expenditure, monitor compliance status, forecast future requirements and prepare reporting information with less manual reconciliation between spreadsheets, accounting systems and tenement records.

"This launch marks an important step in expanding Expenditure Watch beyond its original desktop and jurisdictional scope," said John Shippick, VP Exploration at Datamine. "The web-based platform supports our broader direction for connected exploration workflows by bringing expenditure information, exploration activity and tenure obligations together. This gives organisations a more consistent and scalable way to manage compliance across complex tenement portfolios."

Expenditure Watch 2.0 provides land, tenure, exploration and finance teams with a shared view of commitments and reporting requirements. This helps users identify tenements that may require attention, review expenditure allocation and prepare for reporting deadlines.

The platform forms part of Datamine's wider Exploration portfolio, alongside Discover, Fusion, PA Explorer and LandTrack Systems, supporting connected workflows from field activity and exploration data through to tenure and expenditure compliance.

Learn more about Expenditure Watch 2.0: https://dataminesoftware.com/expenditure-watch-by-datamine

Powered by the Qualcomm^® QCS6490, the ASR-D501 delivers up to 12 TOPS of AI performance within a sub-10W power envelope, while integrating multi-camera vision, sensor connectivity, flight-controller interfaces, wireless expansion, and the Advantech Robotic Suite for Drone.

Designed specifically for size-, weight-, and power-constrained airborne applications, the ASR-D501 provides a unified computing platform for real-time AI inference, visual perception, localization, sensor fusion, and mission-level processing. It supports advanced autonomous capabilities including object detection, visual localization, VIO, SLAM, obstacle awareness, and GNSS-denied navigation.

Power-Efficient AI Computing for Autonomous UAVs

The Qualcomm QCS6490 combines heterogeneous CPU, GPU, and NPU computing to enable AI workloads to run directly onboard the drone.

By processing perception and mission-level workloads locally, the ASR-D501 reduces reliance on continuous cloud connectivity while allowing the primary flight controller to remain focused on real-time flight stabilization and actuator control.

Supported AI workloads include:

• Object detection and tracking
• Semantic segmentation
• Visual inspection and anomaly detection
• Obstacle awareness
• Vision-based localization
• Sensor-fusion processing

Multi-Sensor Perception and Flexible Connectivity

To support increasingly sophisticated UAV perception systems, the ASR-D501 integrates five 4-lane MIPI-CSI interfaces, enabling flexible combinations of RGB, monochrome, stereo, and high-resolution cameras.

The platform also provides a 2.5 GbE interface, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports, and onboard interfaces including CAN FD, UART, I2C, and GPIO for connecting LiDAR, depth cameras, IMUs, flight controllers, ESCs, battery-management systems, and other onboard devices.

For long-range and BVLOS-oriented deployments, the ASR-D501 supports Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth, and 4G/5G cellular connectivity through M.2 expansion, together with an onboard Nano-SIM. This enables flexible communication architectures for telemetry, command and control, video transmission, and remote mission management.

Accelerating Development with Advantech Robotic Suite for Drone

The ASR-D501 supports Ubuntu 24.04 LTS and the Advantech Robotic Suite for Drone, providing a pre-integrated development environment for autonomous UAV applications.

The software environment connects high-level ROS 2 applications with flight-controller ecosystems including PX4 and ArduPilot, leveraging technologies such as MAVLink, MAVSDK, and MAVROS.

Advantech also provides validated reference workflows that integrate AI perception, visual localization, sensor fusion, mapping, object tracking, path planning, and flight control. By providing a connected software and hardware foundation from perception to flight-control integration, the ASR-D501 helps developers reduce integration complexity and move faster from hardware bring-up to autonomous-flight application development.

Built for Production UAV Deployment

The ASR-D501 is engineered to meet the practical requirements of industrial UAV deployment with a compact, fanless design and industrial-grade reliability.

Key specifications include:

• 100 × 60 mm compact form factor
• Approximately 50g board weight without heatsink
• 5–12V DC input
• Passive / fanless thermal design
• -20°C to 70°C operating temperature
• 3.5 Grms vibration resistance
• Industrial-grade ESD protection
• Lockable connectors
• Long-term product lifecycle support

Expanding Advantech's UAV Computing Portfolio

The ASR-D501 is part of Advantech's broader strategy to build a scalable computing portfolio for increasingly diverse UAV architectures and mission requirements.

Beyond the QCS6490-based ASR-D501, Advantech's UAV roadmap includes OSM- and SMARC-based SOM solutions for flexible system designs, as well as IQ9075M-based platforms for applications requiring higher AI performance and advanced sensor integration. In 2027, Advantech plans to further expand the portfolio with mid-range Qualcomm^® CQ8-based solutions.

By combining scalable computing platforms, robotics software integration, sensor ecosystem support, and long-term industrial lifecycle management, Advantech aims to provide drone developers with a clear path from autonomous-flight prototyping to increasingly intelligent and production-ready UAV systems.

To learn more about the ASR-D501 drone computing solutions: Link

Advantech robotics solutions: Robotics eBook / Robotic Suite

www.advantech.com

Participants joined the forum to exchange knowledge, stay updated on industry trends, and discuss challenges in the cosmetics industry. Photo: DKSH

The event came as Vietnam’s personal care industry continues to evolve amid growing consumer demand and changing regulatory requirements in which compliance, transparency, and traceability are becoming increasingly important across the product value chain.

Growing requirements in evolving landscape

Vietnam’s beauty and personal care market continued to demonstrate solid growth in 2025, supported by a growing middle class and increasing digital adoption. The Vietnamese market was valued at approximately $2.74 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 3.3 per cent through 2029.

Within the sector, personal care products account for the largest share at approximately $1.2 billion, while skincare and cosmetics remain among the fastest-growing categories as consumers place greater emphasis on skin health and wellbeing. This opens up growth opportunities for businesses in the beauty and personal care industry.

Globally, demand for clean and sustainable beauty products also continues to rise. The clean beauty market is expected to grow from $10.5 billion in 2025 to $35.3 billion by 2033, reflecting increasing consumer expectations around product safety, transparency, and sustainability.

Alongside these market developments, Vietnam’s personal care industry is experiencing a period of regulatory evolution. New requirements are placing greater emphasis on product documentation, traceability, and accountability across the value chain, encouraging manufacturers to strengthen compliance practices and product stewardship. In this environment, compliance, transparency, and traceability are becoming essential foundations for building trust and supporting long-term business growth.

Tran Thanh Hai, associate director, Business Line Personal Care Industry, Business Unit Performance Materials, DKSH Vietnam, said that the industry's significant legal transformations are aimed at enhancing market transparency, strengthening consumer protection, and encouraging businesses to improve their product governance capabilities. This also means that, in this new phase of development, market growth will always be accompanied by higher demands for compliance.

“This context places new demands on manufacturing businesses, asking them to continuously innovate formulas to meet consumer preferences, accessing raw materials with transparent origins, traceability, verifiable safety and product performance claims, and updating and quickly adapting to compliance requirements, both in Vietnam and target markets,” he said.

“In this evolving landscape, international distribution networks play a vital role in connecting Vietnamese businesses with trusted global suppliers and specialised products. Manufacturers need partners who can act as connectors and have a deep understanding of both international and Vietnamese markets.”

Growing high with DKSH

Against this backdrop, as a trusted distribution and solutions partner to key global ingredients suppliers and local manufacturers, DKSH is strengthening its role as a bridge between international suppliers and Vietnam’s rapidly developing industries.

The beauty show, an annual platform connecting local personal care and cosmetics manufacturers with global ingredient suppliers highlighted how a strong distribution and market-expansion network can help bring high-quality raw materials from around the world closer to Vietnamese businesses.

DKSH Performance Materials is also enabling companies to navigate and adapt to complex regulatory environments, supporting them to maintain focus on business growth.

DKSH Performance Materials emphasised the growing importance of compliance amid continued evolving regulatory requirements in Vietnam. Through its regulatory and technical expertise, DKSH helps industry stakeholders respond to changes with a deep understanding across the supply chain and product lifecycle, contributing to responsible and sustainable market growth.

Nguyen Thanh Phuong, manager, Regulatory Affairs & Quality Assurance for Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore at DKSH Performance Materials, said the regulatory team follows the authorities from the drafting stage before a law is issued.

"A product suited to the European or US market may not fully meet Vietnamese requirements, as each market has its own management system. We act as an intermediary, sharing local requirements with international suppliers and updating partners on policy changes expected over the next six to 12 months, so that technical documentation and ingredient information are prepared before the new rules take effect," she said.

Beyond regulatory expertise, DKSH also focuses on close collaboration with partners across the value chain to help businesses navigate changing requirements and support sustainable growth.

Hoang Thi To Nga, general manager, Performance Materials, DKSH Vietnam shared how DKSH supports ingredient suppliers and local manufacturers in adapting to changes in chemical regulations. Photo: DKSH

Nga Hoang, general manager, Business Unit Performance Materials, DKSH Vietnam said, “At DKSH Performance Materials, regulatory affairs is about enabling our partners to prepare for change. Our team closely follows evolving regulatory developments and translates them into practical action plans in collaboration with our partners. Compliance requires strong cooperation across the value chain, and our role is to support customers in navigating these requirements effectively while fostering consumer trust and sustainable growth.”

By strengthening its role, DKSH helps its partners bring innovations to market smoothly, supporting manufacturers in developing and commercialising high-quality products that meet international standards.

Opened on September 16, the hotel offers views of the city and West Lake and marks the latest chapter in Fusion Hotel Group's expansion, reinforcing its role in Vietnam's wellness-inspired hospitality landscape.

Located in the city's historic Ngoc Ha ward, LÈGACY Hanoi pays tribute to Hanoi's rich heritage with design elements inspired by the historic O Quan Chuong Gate, the Red River, and the iconic five-petal peach blossom. Here, guests can enjoy a curated selection of experiences, from cutting-edge dining and bar concepts to restorative spa treatments, and wellness rituals.

“Hanoi has an extraordinary sense of history, culture, and identity. Our ambition with LÈGACY was to create a destination that feels truly connected to Hanoi – one that respects the character and heritage of the city while offering a fresh and contemporary hospitality experience,” Christopher Hur, CEO of Fusion Hotel Group, said during the grand opening ceremony.

"This opening is also a testament to the vision, dedication, and trust of our ownership partners. Bringing a hotel of this scale and ambition to life requires tremendous commitment and collaboration, and we are grateful for the confidence they have placed in Fusion. Today is not the end of a project. It is the beginning of a new chapter – for this hotel, for our partnership with the ownership team, and for Fusion here in Hanoi," he added.

Photo: Fusion

Upon arrival, guests are captivated by a grand interpretation of the legendary Chim Hac (crane), gliding above the shimmering reception space. Throughout the lobby, abstract patterns and textures offer timeless Vietnamese cultural references with an elevated, artistic touch. Guest experience is further enhanced by a complimentary refreshment experience, Sparkling Moments service, that encourages social interaction and adds a relaxed, convivial atmosphere.

The new hotel deploys 133 service apartments on floors 9-13 and 19-21, and 85 hotel rooms on floors 14-18. The eight room types range from studios to one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units, with floor plans ranging from 37 to 105 square metres.

The hotel options include 20 Original Rooms, 45 Deluxe Suites, 5 Premium Deluxe Suites, and 15 Executive Suites. Each has a private balcony framed by floor-to-ceiling windows, a choice of twin or double beds, and a vintage record player with a selection of vinyl classics. The apartments have a distinctly Vietnamese heritage-inspired design, with warm wooden tones combined with indigo blue, and terracotta accents.

As each hotel room and suite is situated on a high floor, they offer natural light, and spacious views.

Fusion Hotel Group partners with Hotel Management Japan to expand in Asia Fusion Hotel Group has entered a strategic partnership with Hotel Management Japan to expand its hospitality footprint across Asia.

Fusion Original Saigon Centre names new executive chef At a time when Vietnam’s culinary scene is entering a compelling new era of creative expression, Fusion Original Saigon Centre welcomes Ninh Le Trung Hau as executive chef – a rising talent redefining contemporary Vietnamese cuisine through precision, restraint, and cultural storytelling.

Fusion Hotel Group announces integration of Ayola and Odua brands Fusion Hotel Group, on August 20, announced the integration of Ayola and Odua, two established mid-scale Indonesian hotel brands under Topotels Hotels & Resorts, into its expanding regional portfolio.

Photo: Taiwan Tourism Administration

A walk along the street is more than a sightseeing trip. It is a chance to experience a side of Taipei where the city’s past remains part of everyday life, from the aromas drifting out of traditional shops to the restored façades lining the street.

Stepping onto Dihua Street feels like stepping into a living museum. Beautifully preserved shophouses showcase a rich mix of architectural styles, from ornate Baroque façades and Fujianese red-brick structures to clean-lined buildings reflecting the Japanese era.

Every turn offers a different architectural detail, making the street particularly rewarding to explore on foot. Historic façades provide a striking backdrop for photographs, while narrow lanes and old courtyards reveal quieter corners of Dadaocheng.

Historically, Dadaocheng served as a critical trading hub along the Tamsui River. For generations, merchants gathered here to trade Chinese medicinal herbs, dried goods, fragrant teas, and fine fabrics.

That heritage remains wonderfully tangible today. Walking past the long-standing storefronts, visitors can still catch the earthy aromas of dried ginseng, star anise, and roasted tea leaves. Traditional herbal pharmacies, tea merchants, and shops filled with dried foods and spices offer an experience that engages more than just the eye.

Photo: Taiwan Tourism Administration

Yet, Dihua Street is not frozen in the past. Multi-generational family businesses now operate alongside independent cafés, boutique craft shops, and contemporary art spaces tucked inside renovated historic buildings and courtyards.

Visitors can browse traditional remedies in a century-old herbal shop before stepping into a contemporary design studio, discovering locally crafted ceramics, or enjoying a modern interpretation of Taiwanese tea. This seamless transition between old and new is one of the street’s greatest charms.

The neighbourhood becomes especially lively around Lunar New Year, when Dihua Street transforms into one of Taipei’s most famous festive markets. Locals and visitors arrive to stock up on traditional delicacies, festive snacks, red decorations, and holiday gifts, filling the street with colour, aromas, and the energy of the season.

Even outside the festive period, Dihua Street retains its appeal. A leisurely afternoon can easily turn into several hours of browsing, tasting, photographing, and discovering small businesses that reveal different facets of Taiwanese culture.

For international travellers, Dihua Street offers an intimate introduction to Taipei beyond its modern landmarks. Here, heritage is not simply something to look at. It is something to walk through, taste, smell, and experience, a living neighbourhood where Taipei’s commercial roots and creative future meet.

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

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

Alexandre Crazover (CEO and co-founder of the group ), Didier Rosenberg (cofounder of the group)

• CREATE, which brings together the expertise of 87seconds Creative and Switching-Time in content creation, production, and amplification;
• DEPLOY, which unites Datawords and Wezen around the orchestration, management, and governance of content on an international scale;
• MANAGE, which brings together Vanksen and Whatsquare around visibility, monitoring, digital performance, and conversational experiences.

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

WHO IS 87S ?

87seconds connects brands to the world.

Driven by the conviction that every individual deserves unique attention, 87seconds puts respect for local nuances across the globe at the core of its commitment and expertise. By combining artificial and emotional intelligence, the Group creates, deploys, and manages visual, audio, and written content—faster, smarter, and at scale. This guarantees that brand messages resonate across every touchpoint (websites, e-commerce, e-retail, social media, OOH, TV, and physical stores) across 160 cultures.

Powered by an international network of over 1,000 in-house experts operating 24/7, 87seconds has earned the trust of major global groups (Coty, L'Oréal, LVMH, Michelin) for 27 years to accelerate their international growth.

WHO IS 87S CREATIVE ?

We make every second count.

87seconds is now 87seconds Creative, the creative agency of the 87seconds group (formerly Datawords). Founded in 2010, the agency brings together +100 creative minds to design and produce campaign content across all touchpoints: TV, print, digital, social media, influencer marketing, brand content, activations, and events. Fully integrated, from strategy and creation to production and post-production, the agency turns trends and culture into ideas that capture attention and drive impact from the very first seconds.

Key clients: Henkel, L'Oréal, Darty, Pierre Fabre, Sanofi, Carrefour, Lacoste, Metagenics, Candia Baby, TotalEnergies, Nestlé, Thales, Cavaillès, and Candy'Up.