Truong Viet Dung, Vice Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee, on September 1, signed a decision allowing the Mining Technology and Construction Consultancy JSC to conduct a pilot project in Hanoi.

Under Decision No.4657/QD-UBND, the company will be allowed to pilot test a process for producing total rare earth oxides with a purity exceeding 95 per cent from rare earth ore sourced in Vietnam.

The pilot project will take effect within 18 months from the date the decision was signed. The entire operation is subject to strict monitoring via a camera system and 33 specific key performance indicators (KPIs) covering technical, environmental, and radiation safety aspects.

These KPIs are considered the basis for controlling, monitoring, and evaluating test results. The obtained results provide a scientific and practical basis for improving technological processes, developing technical standards and regulations, and establishing management norms for the deep processing of rare earth elements.

The processing line will have a designed capacity of 100 kg of run-of-mine ore per hour, with a maximum of 100 metric tonnes of ore to be used during the pilot.

The ore will come from the Dong Pao mine in Lai Chau province.

The technology, covered by Vietnamese Patent No.33663, involves two main stages, namely flotation to enrich the ore into concentrate and hydrometallurgical processing to produce total rare earth oxides.

The technology uses a water-recycling process during hydrometallurgical treatment and is designed to recover valuable products and by-products, including barite, fluorite and sodium hexafluorosilicate. This process is expected to improve resource use and reduce waste generation.

Thirty-five people are involved in operating the project. Personnel receive intensive training in chemical safety, radiation safety, and production line operation.

A key principle of the project is the non-commercialisation of products during the testing period. It means that the products created are used only for analysis, testing, and technological refinement; they are not to be sold, traded commercially, or given away.

The project does not involve on-site mineral extraction or long-term industrial investment at the testing site.

Hanoi Department of Science and Technology was assigned to coordinate with agencies to guide, supervise, inspect and evaluate the pilot, and handle issues arising during the process within its authority.

Vietnam yet to tap rare earth resources Vietnam boasts a large reserve of approximately 30 million tonnes of rare earth, but the country has yet to conduct thorough research about how to exploit and process it effectively.

South Korea's Trident forms joint venture with US' Zoetic to develop rare earth mines in Vietnam South Korea's Trident Global Holdings announced a strategic joint venture with the US' Zoetic Global on July 25 to develop rare earth mines in Vietnam.

Vietnam to limit raw rare earth exports The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE) plans to submit a national strategy on rare earths to the government in 2026, laying the foundation for a closed manufacturing chain to limits exports of the raw material.

LS Eco Energy to invest in Vietnam rare earth sector LS Eco Energy is making a strategic push into Vietnam’s rare earth metal sector, aiming to secure new growth engines and strengthen its long-term business portfolio.

Full inspections mandated as Vietnam moves to control rare earth exports The Department of Vietnam Customs has mandated 100 per cent inspection of rare earth export shipments from May 6, tightening oversight to combat fraud and reinforce control over strategically vital mineral resources.

On the afternoon of September 3, at its sixth session, the National Assembly Standing Committee gave its opinions on the draft Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Securities Law.

Presenting the draft at the session, Deputy Minister of Finance Ta Anh Tuan said the current Securities Law had established a basic legal framework for the market.

The amended Securities Law is expected to take effect on March 1, 2027. Photo: baodautu.vn

However, in response to requirements for administrative reform, the development of the private sector, digital transformation, innovation, integration and enhanced market capacity, a number of provisions need to be improved.

“The objective of the revision is to reduce procedures, business conditions and compliance costs; boost modernisation and digital transformation; complete the legal framework for new issues; ensure consistency across the legal system; strengthen regulatory effectiveness; support market development; and improve the market’s status,” Deputy Minister Tuan said.

The draft does not change the scope of regulation, regulated entities or the basic policies of the existing law. It amends and supplements 23 articles, adds one new article and retains 112 articles unchanged.

One of the draft’s new provisions is to codify a plan to cut and simplify administrative procedures related to production and business activities under the management of the Ministry of Finance.

Accordingly, the draft removes certain conditions and documentation requirements for the registration of securities depository operations by commercial banks and foreign bank branches; conditions applicable to commercial banks selected to act as payment banks; and documentation required for the issuance of establishment and operation licences for securities business organisations.

A number of provisions concerning initial public offerings of shares; registration dossiers for additional public offerings of shares and convertible bonds; publication of offering notices; registration of public companies; and registration of securities depository operations will also be simplified to make them suitable for processing in a conducive e-environment.

The reductions are intended to go hand in hand with post-inspection, supervision and risk management.

Another notable new provision is the addition of a controlled testing mechanism for new technologies, products, services and business models, within defined limits in terms of scope, eligible entities, operating environment and duration.

The draft also sets out principles on safety, participation conditions, the issuance and handling of certificates, and the supervision of responsibilities throughout the testing process.

The amended Securities Law is expected to take effect on March 1, 2027. The provisions on the controlled testing mechanism in the securities sector, however, are scheduled to take effect on March 1, 2028, allowing sufficient time to prepare for implementation.

Explaining several issues of concern raised at the session, Deputy Prime Minister Le Tien Chau said the revision of the Securities Law was intended to expedite policies on improving the legal and institutional framework, reform administrative procedures, boost digital transformation, develop the private sector and the capital market, while addressing problems that have arisen in implementation of the law.

“The government’s consistent approach is to make targeted and focused amendments while retaining provisions that remain appropriate. For complex and new major issues, we will continue to conduct comprehensive research and assessment and adopt an appropriate roadmap for a comprehensive revision,” the DPM said.

Chau also reaffirmed the policy of ‘maximising the reduction of administrative procedures, but without lowering requirements for regulation, supervision and investor protection.’

Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Hong said the National Assembly Standing Committee agreed on the need to amend and supplement the Securities Law in order to improve the legal framework, remove obstacles, cut administrative procedures and create a legal basis for new products, services and transaction methods.

At the same time, the NA Standing Committee asked the government to focus on completing several issues, including ensuring that the simplification of administrative procedures and investment and business conditions were accompanied by stronger post-inspection, supervision, and data utilisation and sharing, without lowering safety standards.

A trio of policies to improve securities transparency

Securities law reflects alignment efforts After four years of implementing the Law on Securities, regulatory updates have become necessary to close loopholes and tighten oversight, enhancing market integrity and transparency. Partner Dang Hoan My and associate Ngo Dang Loc of Indochine Counsel look at the details.

Amendments to Securities Law aim to modernise capital market framework The Ministry of Finance is continuing to refine the draft Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Securities Law, with a view to submitting it to the 16th National Assembly’s second session, scheduled for October.

FDI listing hurdles lie beyond securities law With the current position of Vietnam's stock market, the State Securities Commission expect foreign-invested enterprises to become one of the key providers of high-quality listings for the market, reflecting its integral role in the economy.

VinMetal Production and Trading JSC is waiting for the approval of an environmental permit for the VinMetal Ha Tinh steel plant investment project.

One of the notable points in the proposal is the source of raw materials for steel production. The company plans to import approximately 950,000 tonnes of scrap steel per year. This scrap volume will be transported by sea and stored in the factory's outdoor scrap storage area.

This is also one of the reasons why the project is subject to the environmental permit application procedure as cited in the report.

The raw material is part of a closed steel production chain comprising many stages. The project includes production lines for coke, ore pellets, sintering, iron smelting, steelmaking, continuous casting, and steel rolling.

In the final product stage, the plant is expected to produce three million tonnes of hot-rolled coil steel per year, 1.4 million tonnes of steel bars, and 600,000 tonnes of steel wire. The total product output of the project is estimated at five million tonnes per year.

In addition to steel products, the project also generates several by-products such as 1.7 million tonnes of finely ground granulated blast-furnace slag and approximately 800,000 tonnes of secondary-processed slag cement per year.

Previously, in February, the investor, namely VinMetal Production and Trading JSC, a subsidiary of Vingroup, was granted the investment registration certificate for the VinMetal Ha Tinh Steel plant project.

The project has a total investment capital of nearly VND80 trillion ($3.2 billion), of which the investor's capital contribution is approximately $479.6 million, equivalent to 15 per cent of the total capital. The remaining $2.71 billion, equivalent to 85 per cent, will be mobilised from credit institutions and other legal capital sources.

According to the schedule outlined in the application, the project is expected to commence construction in the fourth quarter of this year and begin commercial operation in the first quarter of 2031, with a total construction time of approximately 48 months.

In May, VinMetal signed an MoU for a strategic partnership with Primetals Technologies. The agreement focuses on the creation of a large integrated steel complex in Ha Tinh. This facility will produce both long and flat steel products through two production lines.

As part of the agreement, Primetals Technologies will serve as technology integrator and will also execute a pre-engineering package for the complete scope of equipment, enabling early preparations for civil works. This partnership allows VinMetal to lower technical risks and complete the project faster by using standardised technological solutions from the start.

VinMetal partners with Primetals Technologies on large-scale steel complex VinMetal and the UK's Primetals Technologies signed an MoU on a strategic partnership to facilitate VinMetal's large-scale integrated steel complex in Ha Tinh province on May 7.

Vingroup to develop $352-million Son Duong international port Vingroup will develop Son Duong, a $352 million international port in Ha Tinh province’s Vung Ang Economic Zone, following approval of the undertaking.

Consortium seeks Ha Tinh support to accelerate Vung Ang III LNG plant The consortium developing the $2 billion Vung Ang III Liquefied Natural Gas Power Plant has requested support from Ha Tinh authorities to accelerate land allocation and leasing procedures.

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

VinFast to pour over $280 million more into Ha Tinh Ha Tinh Economic Zone Management Authority has granted approval for VinFast to implement a factory and auxiliary facilities project at Vinhomes Vung Ang Industrial Park.

Photo courtesy of TEKCOM

Across Vietnam Rubber Group (VRG) units in Cambodia, rubber plantations entering the replanting cycle are expected to total about 4,000 hectares a year from 2027. Chu Se – Kampong Thom Rubber expects around 600 ha under its management to enter replanting in 2027, rising to an average of about 1,000 ha annually from 2028.

The projected volumes point to a sizeable future resource base and a broader effort to move rubberwood beyond primary use into higher-value veneer and plywood products.

From latex to timber

Hevea is the market name commonly used for rubberwood from Hevea brasiliensis–the same tree tapped for natural rubber latex before being harvested when plantations are replanted. VRG is seeking to increase the value created from both latex and timber over the full life cycle of the tree.

Under the MoU, the companies will conduct field assessments and study veneer production and drying, plywood manufacturing technology, equipment selection, quality control, workforce training, traceability and product development.

Photo courtesy of TEKCOM

The framework also gives TEKCOM priority purchase rights for veneer and plywood produced from hevea resources managed by Chu Se – Kampong Thom Rubber, subject to agreed specifications and commercial terms.

The first route would supply veneer into TEKCOM’s broader plywood network; the second would develop Cambodia-origin plywood for selected furniture, interior and other plywood-based programmes.

The parties also plan to link timber to plantation plots and standardise records covering land use, harvesting, transportation and origin. VRG’s experience in PEFC plantation management is expected to support due-diligence requirements in regulated markets, including markets subject to the European Union Deforestation Regulation.

Cambodia joins a broader ASEAN manufacturing strategy

The Cambodia initiative sits within TEKCOM’s strategy to develop regional manufacturing partners across ASEAN, including Malaysia, Laos and Cambodia. The model is designed to match local raw materials and production capabilities with defined product programmes, giving customers more manufacturing-origin options and helping manage supply concentration as tariff and non-tariff barriers change.

“International buyers are looking for supply continuity, transparent origin and greater sourcing flexibility,” said Vu Quang Huy, CEO of TEKCOM. “By combining VRG’s hevea resource base with TEKCOM’s plywood technology, quality systems and market access, Cambodia can become an additional regional platform for veneer and plywood.”

On August 19, a delegation from the Handicraft and Wood Industry Association of Ho Chi Minh City and VRG visited TEKCOM to review rubberwood demand, technical specifications, expected volumes, supply stability, traceability and opportunities to connect VRG resources more directly with wood-processing companies.

Photo courtesy of TEKCOM

The meeting placed the MoU within a wider industry effort to raise the value of rubberwood. It also reflected VRG’s direction to develop rubber plantations for both latex and timber as the group pursues double-digit annual growth.

The MoU will now move into a technical phase. A joint working team is expected to complete field surveys within 60 days and prepare a technology proposal and investment estimate within 120 days, before the parties negotiate specific implementation agreements.

If implemented, the project will extend TEKCOM’s supply base from plantation-level hevea to veneer and Cambodia-produced plywood, while adding another production node to its regional ASEAN manufacturing network.

TEKCOM Corporation welcomes new leader together with new corporate identity On October 18, TEKCOM Corporation introduced its new chief executive officer, Nguyen Van Vu. Along with this announcement, the corporation launched a new identity, leveraging a new set of vision and core values together with the visual aspects of branding – a compass for the development of TEKCOM in the near future.

Wood industry striving to regain growth momentum Having undergone numerous hardships, businesses in the wood industry are showing great resilience with a high level of adaption and flexibility to regain their growth momentum.

TEKCOM embarks on strategic journey towards higher-value growth Despite rapidly shifting global tariff policies, TEKCOM, one of Vietnam’s leading wood manufacturers, is continuing to build on its high-value offerings while accelerating its international expansion.

“According to the Ministry of Finance’s assessment, the city is among the localities with strong disbursement performance, handling a large volume of capital and ranking among the 20 localities with rates above the national average,” Thanh said at a meeting on the city’s socioeconomic performance, held by Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee on September 4.

Ho Chi Minh City sees positive improvement in public investment disbursement in first eight months. Photo: Le Toan

One notable development has been the positive progress in land clearance and compensation for key infrastructure projects. Ho Chi Minh City has allocated $2.15 billion for compensation across 147 projects, with 65.5 per cent of the allocated capital disbursed to date.

According to Ho Chi Minh City Department of Agriculture and Environment, land clearance and compensation for key projects have also achieved encouraging results. In particular, 100 per cent of the required site has been handed over for the Ho Chi Minh City-Long Thanh Expressway expansion project, while the Ho Chi Minh City-Moc Bai Expressway project has achieved 97.7 per cent site clearance.

Other projects, including Ho Chi Minh City-Thu Dau Mot-Chon Thanh Expressway and Ring Road 4, are also undergoing site clearance procedures.

Ho Chi Minh City has identified accelerated public investment disbursement as a key priority for the remaining months of the year. The city will assign clear responsibilities and timelines to individual project groups, strengthen on-site inspections, and focus on addressing impediments related to compensation and site clearance, technical infrastructure relocation, and construction material supplies.

The city aims to achieve a disbursement rate of at least 70 per cent by the end of the third quarter, equivalent to approximately $3.96 billion.

In September alone, Ho Chi Minh City targets disbursements of at least $692 million and aims to complete the entire capital plan assigned by the prime minister by year-end.

According to Nguyen Khac Hoang, head of Ho Chi Minh City Statistics Office, to fulfil the annual plan, the city will need to disburse an average of around 10.6 per cent of the plan each month over the remaining four months of the year, approximately 47 per cent higher than the average pace recorded during the first eight months.

Public investment should therefore continue to be identified as one of the key drivers of growth in the final months of the year. The city needs to focus on removing impediments, particularly in compensation, site clearance and the handover of cleared land, while accelerating investment procedures, technical infrastructure relocation, securing construction material supplies, and enhancing construction capacity for key projects.

Accelerating disbursement will not only directly boost aggregate demand but also generate spillover effects across construction, building materials' production, transportation and a range of related service sectors.

According to Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction, the city broke ground on 22 key projects and works in the first eight months, with total investment of approximately $24.8 billion.

In the fourth quarter, the city plans to commence construction on around nine additional projects, including the upgrade and expansion of National Highway No.22; the upgrade of the North-South arterial road from Nguyen Van Linh street to Ben Luc-Long Thanh Expressway; Thu Thiem 4 Bridge; Can Gio Bridge; Phu My 2 Bridge; and an inter-port road linking Cat Lai-Phu Huu ports with Ring Road 3, among others.

Ho Chi Minh City outlines plans to start four more metro lines Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee plans to begin construction on four metro lines by the end of 2026, which is part of the plan to complete 255km of metro lines by 2030.

Golden land plot in Thu Thiem to be auctioned off in September A more than 6,440 square metre land plot in Thu Thiem New Urban Area will be put up for auction by Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee in September, with a starting price of around $72.8 million.

Real estate gains momentum from urban expansion Following the expansion of its development space, Ho Chi Minh City is emerging with new growth hubs centred on industry, high technology, finance and logistics, creating new opportunities for the real estate market while also placing greater demands on infrastructure.

Photo: Tran Ngan

As part of a transformation strategy launched in 2024 to restructure its operations in response to market changes and support growth, Japfa Vietnam has made the development of a safe and healthy working environment a key priority.

The company has subsequently strengthened its environment, health and safety (EHS) management system, integrating safety and environmental standards into daily operations across its nationwide network of feed mills, farms, slaughterhouses and processing facilities.

Speaking to the media in the last days of August, Nguyen Van Quoc Cuong, EHS manager at Japfa Vietnam, said the company’s EHS system was built around four key pillars: leadership commitment, risk assessment and control, legal compliance, and continuous improvement.

The approach is designed to foster a proactive safety culture in which employees are encouraged to identify potential hazards and take part in managing workplace risks. Hazard identification and risk control are supported by regular training, emergency preparedness and safety education, with occupational health and workplace safety incorporated into day-to-day operations.

“EHS is a core priority across Japfa’s entire system. We see it as a core value and a competitive advantage in sustainable management. Based on this approach, Japfa is developing an EHS culture and creating a safe and sustainable working environment across its eight feed mills, more than 1,400 farms, and three pig and poultry slaughtering and meat-processing plants,” Cuong said.

The company has established regular communication and safety checks to reinforce these practices. EHS issues are discussed between management and employees on a weekly basis, while factories allocate the first five minutes of each working day to EHS reminders and safety requirements.

These briefings apply to everyone working at or visiting the facilities, including contractors, customers and drivers, rather than employees alone. Such routine practices allow the company to identify hazards, assess and control risks, strengthen emergency response capabilities and improve employees’ safety awareness. EHS requirements are incorporated into operational processes to encourage early risk prevention and a more proactive approach to workplace safety.

“Human safety, environmental responsibility and operational efficiency need to go hand in hand. By integrating risk management, environmental protection, occupational health and operational efficiency, we are gradually building a comprehensive and long-term EHS system that meets safety and environmental requirements while supporting the company’s goals,” Cuong said.

At its feed mills, Japfa has also introduced the 6S programme to create a more organised, systematic and safer working environment. Tran Thi Anh, warehouse assistant manager at Japfa’s Phu Tho Factory, said the programme has produced practical benefits beyond workplace cleanliness.

“6S helps us maintain an organised and clean workplace while standardising working processes and raising employees’ awareness of safety. It also makes it easier to identify potential hazards at an early stage, allowing us to address them before they develop into safety risks,” she said.

By integrating EHS principles into daily operations and encouraging participation across its workforce and wider network of stakeholders, Japfa Vietnam aims to make workplace safety and environmental responsibility an integral part of its operational culture, while improving efficiency and supporting its longer-term growth strategy.

Nguyen Manh Hai's chicken farm. Photo: Tran Ngan

Alongside investments in production infrastructure and technology, Japfa Vietnam is expanding its contract farming model for coloured chickens, building long-term partnerships with local farmers and strengthening links across the poultry value chain.

The company currently works with nearly 700 farming households across the country, with its contract farming network supplying more than 40 million commercial coloured chickens to the market each year.

The model combines the characteristics of local chicken breeds with the genetic advantages of imported breeds to produce birds that are healthy, uniform and well suited to local consumer preferences, with flavourful meat and an appealing appearance.

Under the model, partner farms operate modern closed-house systems and receive comprehensive support from Japfa, including day-old chicks, feed, technical guidance and standardised husbandry protocols. Environmental management and strict biosecurity measures are also applied to improve survival rates, flock quality and overall production efficiency.

Japfa’s product off-take policy is another important element of the model, allowing farmers to plan production with greater certainty, reduce exposure to market fluctuations and invest more confidently in expanding their farms. This has helped shift the relationship from the provision of production inputs towards longer-term cooperation and shared value creation across the supply chain.

A typical example is the farm operated by Nguyen Manh Hai in Yen Thinh village, Bat Bat Commune, Hanoi. Hai has worked with Japfa under the contract farming model since 2006.

When he started, Hai and his wife used all of their savings and borrowed additional funds to build the farm. As the business proved profitable, they reinvested their earnings in new poultry houses and gradually expanded the operation. The family’s farm now covers 26,800 sq.m and comprises three closed-house production areas, with a capacity of around 25,500 chickens per cycle.

In 2019, with support and guidance from Japfa, Hai switched to raising Mia chickens, a traditional Vietnamese breed from Ba Vi known for its flavourful meat.

“Mia chickens have a longer growing period, but they have good disease resistance and a high tolerance for heat. They are also less vulnerable when power outages or extreme weather occur. Compared with industrial breeds, Mia chickens are more resistant to disease, and when proper disease-prevention procedures are followed, mortality can be kept very low,” Hai said.

His farm currently raises around 2.5 batches a year, with an average market weight of 2.75-2.8kg per bird. Each cycle produces 65-70 tonnes of chicken for sale.

“With a contract farming fee of around 30 US cents per kilogram, after covering electricity, water and labour costs, the farm generates net profits of around VND1 billion ($390,000) a year. The stable production model gives us greater confidence to maintain and expand the farm over the long term,” he said.

According to Pham Thi Thanh Binh, director of Commercial Coloured Chicken Production at Japfa Vietnam, the model generates benefits beyond direct farm income by creating jobs and enabling the transfer of modern farming techniques and technologies to local producers.

“Through long-term cooperation with farmers, we can help them improve production capacity, adopt more advanced husbandry practices and increase their income. At the same time, the model creates more stable livelihoods for farming households and contributes to the development of local livestock production,” Binh said.

The scale of Japfa’s contract farming network has continued to expand. In 2025, the total number of native and coloured chickens raised under the company’s contract farming system reached around 40 million, and this figure is expected to rise to 50 million in 2026. Japfa currently pays its partner farms around $21 billion in contract farming fees each year, equivalent to approximately $1.7 million a month.

Japfa Vietnam hosts annual customer conference

Japfa marks 30 years in Vietnam with focus on sustainable growth

One of the most significant milestones has been Sacombank's upgrade of its core banking system to the latest Temenos Core Banking platform and its transition to a hybrid cloud architecture.

According to Luu Danh Duc, deputy chief executive officer of Sacombank, the upgrade represents an important milestone in the bank's digital transformation journey, enhancing flexibility and scalability while accelerating innovation.

Luu Danh Duc, deputy CEO of Sacombank, at Temenos Regional Forum Asia-Pacific 2026 from August 25 to 26. Photo courtesy of Temenos

The results following the upgrade demonstrate a clear operational impact. Sacombank's application performance has increased by 200 per cent, deployment cycles have become three times faster, and server infrastructure capacity has been reduced by 50 per cent.

The new platform supports millions of customers and approximately 13 million transactions per day, providing a foundation for Sacombank to develop real-time banking services and data-driven solutions.

For Sacombank, the transformation extends beyond core banking. The bank is expanding its collaboration with Temenos through Temenos Payments Hub to support cross-border payment transactions. Core banking technology is evolving beyond its traditional role as the backbone of banking operations into an integrated platform connecting multiple layers of the banking ecosystem, from transactions and payments to data and digital services.

Takis Spiliopoulos, global CEO of Temenos, said, “The developments at Sacombank also reflect a broader trend within Vietnam's banking industry. Banks are increasingly required to modernise their technology infrastructure while simultaneously ensuring operational continuity, security, and regulatory compliance throughout the transformation process.”

Takis Spiliopoulos, global CEO of Temenos, at Temenos Regional Forum Asia Pacific 2026. Photo courtesy of Temenos

One approach being promoted by Temenos is “progressive modernisation.” Rather than replacing an entire system at once, banks can begin by transforming a specific business line, product, or geographic area before gradually expanding the transformation to other parts of the organisation.

“They start with one part, migrate that, move to the next one, and then perhaps expand into another geography or business line. For example, they may start with retail banking and then move to corporate banking,” Spiliopoulos said.

This approach enables banks to reduce the risks associated with large-scale transformation programmes. It also addresses one of the most important challenges facing banks as they modernise their core banking infrastructure: how to innovate without disrupting systems that serve millions of customers every day.

Cloud as transformation

Cloud computing is emerging as one of the most important drivers of the next phase of digital transformation.

Spiliopoulos said, “Over the past three years, Temenos has observed a growing number of banks moving workloads from on-premises infrastructure to cloud environments. The primary rationale is the significantly greater scalability and flexibility that cloud technology can provide.”

“More and more banks in Vietnam are moving workloads from on-premises systems to the cloud, giving them greater control and flexibility in their operations.”

Sacombank represents a clear example of this trend. Its transition to a hybrid cloud architecture is not simply about changing where the system is hosted. Rather, it represents a move towards a more scalable technology architecture capable of supporting the next generation of banking services.

The benefits of this transformation are reflected in measurable performance indicators: application performance has increased by 200 per cent, deployment speed has tripled, and server infrastructure capacity has been reduced by half. These figures suggest that digital transformation is gradually moving beyond a narrative centred on technology investment towards one focused on measurable business and operational performance.

AI a major opportunity, not a race

The next phase of banking transformation will extend beyond cloud computing. According to Spiliopoulos, AI presents substantial opportunities for the banking sector, but its adoption must be approached with an appropriate degree of caution.

“We see tremendous potential for growth in banking. Many banks want to increase the use of AI across their operations. However, how AI is applied appropriately is something that needs to be carefully considered. If the pace of AI adoption is too fast, it could potentially lead to failures,” he said.

This perspective illustrates Temenos' approach to AI. Rather than introducing AI indiscriminately across every banking process, the technology should be deployed in areas where the underlying data, processes, and risk profile allow it to generate meaningful value.

One example cited by Spiliopoulos is FCM AI Agent, a solution designed to support customer classification and assessment. Temenos began developing the capability approximately one year ago and subsequently introduced it to customers at an event in Copenhagen in May, before bringing it to customers across the Asian market.

The localisation advantage

According to Spiliopoulos, one of the factors that has enabled Temenos to maintain a strong position in Vietnam is its ability to adapt its technology to the specific characteristics of individual markets.

For a banking platform operating across multiple countries, technology cannot rely solely on common global standards. Each market has its own requirements relating to data, taxation, currency, language, reporting, and operational practices.

Spiliopoulos noted that Temenos has extensive experience in complying with stringent data requirements across markets, including Switzerland and Germany, as well as other jurisdictions that impose specific requirements concerning domestic data storage.

“We have always placed a strong emphasis on localisation. Vietnam is now a relatively mature market for us. However, when we enter a new market, we need to build the appropriate localisation layer,” he said.

According to Spiliopoulos, this represents one of Temenos' key competitive differentiators. Its solutions are localised to accommodate market-specific requirements relating to regulation, taxation, language, currency, and operational frameworks. In Vietnam, these localised capabilities have already been deployed and successfully operated across approximately 30 banks.

This established localisation also helps reduce the risks faced by banks considering Temenos in the future. Rather than building market-specific functionality from scratch, new customers can leverage a platform and localisation layer that have already been tested and validated in real-world banking environments.

The Sacombank case illustrates how Vietnam's banking technology is entering a new phase. If the previous stage of digital transformation focused primarily on moving banking services into digital channels, the next stage is about rebuilding the underlying technology infrastructure so that banks can operate faster, more flexibly, and increasingly on a data-driven basis.

For Temenos, its success with Sacombank provides tangible evidence of the company's technological capabilities after more than two decades in Vietnam. More importantly, however, it may represent the beginning of a new growth cycle, as core banking, cloud computing, data, payments, and AI increasingly converge within a single banking modernisation journey.

As Vietnam pursues a highly competitive digital economy, the pace of transformation within its banking sector will remain an important indicator of the country's broader technological progress. If Spiliopoulos' assessment proves correct, over the next five years Vietnam may evolve from being primarily a technology-adopting market into one of the leading markets for AI adoption and digital transformation.

The future of banking discussed at Temenos forum The 2023 Temenos Regional Forum was held on August 23 and played host to banking experts as they shared their views on digital transformation and the future of banking, where the customer is at the centre of new technology.

LPBank partners with Temenos to drive next-gen banking solutions The Vietnam-based LPBank is bolstering its commitment to innovation by entering a strategic partnership with Temenos Group, a provider of banking solutions based in Switzerland.

VPBank upgrades core banking with Temenos and Systems Limited VPBank, one of Vietnam's top five private commercial banks, has successfully upgraded to the latest Temenos core banking system, in collaboration with Systems Limited, deploying the platform on Red Hat OpenShift.

The 22nd edition of OGA, taking place from 2 to 4 September 2026 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, is co-located with the Malaysian Oil, Gas & Energy Services Exhibition & Conference (MOGSEC) and EIC Connect OGA. Together, the three platforms bring Malaysian OGSE capabilities, international project opportunities, technology, investment and industry expertise into closer contact.

The joint opening was officiated by PETRONAS President and Group Chief Executive Officer Tan Sri Tengku Muhammad Taufik, alongside Informa Markets Malaysia Chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Mamat, Energy Industries Council (EIC) Regional Director, Asia Pacific Syed Saggaf Syed Ahmad, Malaysian Oil, Gas & Energy Services Council (MOGSC) President Zahris Sham Abu Musa and Malaysia Petroleum Resources Corporation (MPRC) President and Chief Executive Officer Mohd Yazid Jaafar.

For Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Mamat, Chairman of Informa Markets Malaysia, the value of OGA lies in bringing companies, capabilities and markets together at a time when the energy industry is undergoing significant change.

"OGA connects businesses with decision-makers, technology providers with potential users, investors with opportunities, and Malaysian companies with regional and international markets. And very often, a conversation that begins here can lead to a partnership, an investment or a new business opportunity," said Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Mamat.

The commercial potential of such connections was demonstrated at OGA 2025, which attracted more than 33,000 attendees from 81 countries and 2,000 participating brands and companies, generating US$42.17 million in reported potential business for exhibitors.

OGA 2026 is expected to attract more than 30,000 trade attendees, alongside 2,000 participating brands and companies, more than 40 industry speakers and eight international pavilions from Australia, China, Germany, India, Italy, Singapore, South Korea and the United Kingdom. Notably, 35% of exhibitors are new to OGA this year, bringing a wider mix of companies and capabilities to this year's edition.

The international profile of the event is further strengthened by a new pavilion from Western Australia, bringing additional companies, capabilities and perspectives to OGA. The event is also collaborating with Timor-Leste, strengthening links with an emerging energy market and creating another avenue for cooperation.

The participation of new and international players is supported by PETRONAS, as Corporate Sponsor, and Malaysia Petroleum Resources Corporation (MPRC), as National OGSE Development Partner. For Malaysia's OGSE sector, stronger regional and international links are increasingly important as companies seek to build capabilities, adopt new technologies and identify new markets.

"For MPRC, being the National OGSE Development Partner at OGA 2026 gives us an opportunity to bring Government and industry closer and move forward together on an important conversation: Not just about where the oil and gas services industry is today, but about where Malaysian companies will find their next source of growth." said Mohd Yazid Jaafar, President and CEO of MPRC.

That focus on domestic capability is reflected in MOGSEC, which returns for its eighth edition, co-organised with MOGSC. Bringing together emerging companies from Malaysia's OGSE sector, MOGSEC puts local capabilities in the spotlight, creating opportunities for service providers to showcase their expertise and connect with regional and international stakeholders. Its SME Pavilion further provides a dedicated platform for smaller companies to build connections and pursue new business opportunities.

The international business dimension is strengthened through EIC Connect OGA, delivered in partnership with the Energy Industries Council. The platform brings international energy companies, technology providers and service organisations together to explore project pipelines, market intelligence, investment opportunities and potential partnerships, with a focus on markets including Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei and Indonesia.

Beyond the exhibition floor, OGA's conference and knowledge programme, including the SPEAK OGA C-Suite Series, brings industry leaders, technical experts and policymakers together to examine market developments, operational efficiency, digital transformation, energy transition, talent development and emerging technologies, with a focus on how businesses are responding to a changing operating environment.

OGA Industry Plus, supported by SBM International Trading FZCO, further expands industry engagement by encouraging broader participation and peer-to-peer networking across the energy community.

Across the three days, OGA 2026 will also host a series of targeted business engagements, leadership roundtables, investment forums, talent sessions and technical dialogues, bringing together stakeholders from specific markets, sectors and communities across the wider energy ecosystem.

The event is supported by industry partners across the energy value chain, including Platinum Sponsors Velesto Energy and EPIC Berhad; Gold Sponsors Octave and ANP; Silver Sponsors Yokogawa, MHH Condition Monitoring Sdn Bhd and Vantris Energy Berhad; General Sponsors ENE Petro Services Sdn Bhd, FPT Corporation, Prometheus Group and KMIRA; and OGA Industry Plus sponsor SBM International Trading FZCO.

OGA 2026 continues at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre until 4 September, bringing together the regional energy community for three days of business, industry dialogue and technology showcase.

For more information and visitor registration,

visit www.oilandgas-asia.com and www.informamarkets.com

DJI Redefines the Premium Smart Cleaning Experience with Global Launch of ROMO 2

AI-Powered Full-Dimensional Perception and Decision-Making for Complex Environments

The ROMO 2 is built to deliver an AI-driven, all-scenario cleaning solution^[1]. It can understand the characteristics of different areas and distinguish between debris and liquid, before autonomously executing the optimal cleaning approach: automatically boosting suction on carpets to lift embedded dust or deploying its extended-reach arm for precise, contained cleaning when it detects liquid spills to prevent them from spreading while nimbly maneuvering around complex, obstacle-filled environments. Its intelligent cleaning capabilities also enable the ROMO 2 to prioritize open pathways, re-mop as needed or automatically lift its mop pads when appropriate.

Building its perception system from the ground up, the ROMO 2 achieves millimeter-level awareness of floor-level obstacles — not only capable of avoiding cables or pet training pads as thin as 2 mm, but also mimicking human-like reasoning and concept transfer to generalize from what it has learned during previous use. Even obstacles it has never encountered before^[1] can be autonomously detected and avoided. Notably, ROMO 2 can also effectively detect and avoid transparent obstacles such as glass and mirrors, easily handling a wide range of complex avoidance scenarios. Its bottom-mounted dust-revealing light is precisely calibrated to cast an even carpet of light across the floor, helping the robot clearly spot dirt and obstacles in low-light conditions, while its soft glow won't disturb family members or pets.

LiDAR-Guided Adaptive Robotic Arm and All-in-One Cleaning System

Building on its powerful AI perception and decision-making, the ROMO 2 uses innovative mechanical design to translate intelligence into outstanding cleaning performance. Featuring a built-in high-precision LiDAR, the LiDAR-Guided Adaptive Robotic Arm knows exactly where deep cleaning is needed. With a 123° ultra-wide swing, it has a 7.8 cm wider reach and mops 4.5 cm deeper under floating furniture than the previous generation — allowing it to reach under cabinets and sofas previously out of reach, while gliding millimeter-close to walls and table legs without making contact^[1].

On carpet, the pressure plate lowers to create a semi-seal against the floor, allowing 36,000 Pa suction to pull out deep-seated dust in a single pass^[1]. Dual side brushes with a dual-tuft bristle design combine overlapping sweep coverage with smoother debris transfer to keep hair tangle-free^[1].

The DJI ROMO 2's robotic legs cross single-step obstacles up to 4 cm and double-step obstacles up to 8.5 cm^[1]. DJI mechatronics help it detect thresholds and lift smoothly for more efficient crossing, moving freely throughout the entire home.

Advanced Self-Cleaning Base Station for 365 Days of Maintenance-Free Operation

The base station washboard features a nanocrystalline surface that helps resist stain buildup, while grime is flushed away by four high-pressure water jets and a large 16 mm waste suction port — delivering up to 365 days of maintenance-free operation^[1]. DJI ROMO 2 supports 55W fast charging, reaching a full charge in just 2.5 hours^[1], and quickly recharges every time it returns to the base station to wash its mops.

Noise reduction starts at the source. From the motor to the air outlet, 32 acoustic noise-reduction materials are selected with acoustic control in mind, paired with multiple acoustic insulation pads and muffler chambers. Covering robot movement, mopping, and base-station dust collection, DJI ROMO 2 reduces noise energy by up to 85% and operates as low as 38 dBA during quiet mopping^[1] — without disturbing your family or pets.

Elegant, Future-Forward Design

DJI ROMO 2 continues ROMO's signature design language — the robot's semi-translucent body elegantly reveals its neatly organized internal structure, making it a piece of home décor that doesn't need to be hidden away.

Fast Charging, Always Ready

DJI ROMO 2 supports 55W fast charging, reaching a full charge in just 2.5 hours^[1]. It also quickly recharges every time it returns to the base station to wash its mops.

Industry-Leading Data Security and Privacy Controls

DJI places the highest priority on data privacy – and puts customers in control of their data. Setting a new industry standard for home robotics, DJI offers Local Data Mode for the ROMO 2. When activated, the DJI Home app's connection with the Internet is severed, preventing any unintentional syncing of photos or videos with external servers. While used primarily for obstacle avoidance and recognition as well as smart voice assistant, users can disable the camera and microphone from the DJI Home app at any time. Any personal data shared can be deleted whenever users want.

(Local Data Mode will be available on the ROMO 2 later this year. Further details regarding its availability for the ROMO 1 will be shared at a later date.)

Since 2017, DJI has regularly submitted its products for third-party security audits and certification. ROMO holds multiple internationally recognized cybersecurity and privacy certifications.

For more information, please visit: https://www.dji.com/au/trust-center/romo?backup_page=index&target=au

Pricing and Services

The DJI ROMO 2 will be available to order from store.dji.com and authorized retail partners starting September, in the following configurations:

• DJI ROMO P2 (Water Tank Version) – From AUD 2899

After-Sales Service Policy

Purchasing the Extended Protection Plan provides an additional one-year warranty after the product's official warranty period ends. Covered parts include the robot and base station. For a full list of details, please visit: https://store.dji.com/product/dji-extended-protection-plan-dji-romo

For more information, please refer to: https://www.romo.tech/

The new lineup offers a preview of MAMMOTION’s 2027 product generation

As robotic mowing enters its next stage of maturity, the new benchmark goes beyond simply proving autonomous mowing works, but perfecting the details that determine whether a lawn is simply cut or professionally maintained. Guided by a decade of innovation and shaped by millions of real-world user interactions, MAMMOTION has enhanced its new lineup to tackle the industry's toughest edge cases. The result is more precise navigation, gentler handling, and more complete edge coverage. MAMMOTION's next-generation technologies, including the updated Tri-Fusion navigation system and front-wheel steering with bidirectional driving, enable smarter positioning and turf-friendly maneuvers, while new edge-cutting solutions help finish lawn borders with fewer gaps.

"True automation isn't just about starting the job—it's about finishing it intelligently and purposefully," said Jayden Wei, CEO of MAMMOTION. "At IFA 2026, we are taking outdoor automation all the way to the edge—not only by tackling the edge cases that have long limited robotic mowing, but by redefining what autonomous lawn care can achieve. Our mission remains clear: to make autonomous lawn care more thoughtful and refined, delivering a tailored, gardener-standard level of care across every type of landscape."

LUBA 4 AWD Series: The Proactive Robot Gardener for Complex Lawns

MAMMOTION is breaking new ground in autonomous lawn care with the LUBA 4 AWD, redefining what homeowners can expect from a robotic mower. Moving beyond standard automated tools that only cover the middle of the lawn, the LUBA 4 AWD acts as a proactive gardener that takes lawn care all the way to the edge—pushing the boundaries of intelligent navigation, turf protection, and zero manual touch border trimming to deliver a truly complete, professional-grade finish.

Building on MAMMOTION's centimeter-level Tri-Fusion navigation system, the LUBA 4 AWD upgrades its perception with a four-camera array covering the front, sides, and rear. By integrating 360° LiDAR, NetRTK, and a high‑precision vision system, the robot establishes a triple‑redundancy sensing architecture where each sensor serves as a real‑time backup for the others – delivering maximum stability with zero dead zones and zero drift. This fused spatial awareness enables the robot to seamlessly interpret complex outdoor environments, react to obstacles in real time, and plan optimal paths even under dense canopy shade or low‑light conditions.

LUBA 4 AWD is designed to better nurture the lawn with bidirectional driving with independent front-wheel steering. Guided by front and rear cameras with 360° LiDAR, it changes direction seamlessly without needing forced U-turns, eliminating pivot pressure and turf tearing. Each wheel turns through a clean arc rather than scrubbing, leaving no brown rings or visible tracks on delicate grass.

The new robot also addresses the industry's most persistent pain point: untrimmed lawn borders. A dedicated edge-cutting accessory enables LUBA 4 AWD to trim flush against walls, fences, and garden borders, ensuring complete edge coverage and eliminates the need for manual string trimming altogether.

The LUBA 4 AWD range is available in three versions, recommended for lawn areas from 0.75 acres (3,000 m²) to 3 acres (12,000 m²). Regional model availability and specifications for LUBA 4 AWD series may vary by market. Pricing and channel availability will be available later this year.

Maston Series: An All-in-one Professional Robotic Mowing Solution

For professional users, MAMMOTION is showcasing Maston commercial robotic mowing solution, a unified platform that is designed to bring greater automation and efficiency to large-scale grounds management.

The Maston series combines robotic mowing hardware with fleet management capabilities, allowing multiple machines to coordinate work across large areas through the MAMMOTION Fleet Management platform. Professionals can manage their fleet from a centralized dashboard while monitoring mowing performance and accessing remote diagnostics.

Powered by MAMMOTION's Tri-Fusion 2.0 Intelligent Perception System, Maston maintains pinpoint positioning and reliable path planning across challenging, expansive terrain. The series also offers two cutter configurations for different applications: Maston Rotary is designed for dense brush and heavy clearing in overgrown areas, while Maston Flail is designed for fine turf maintenance, including applications requiring a high-quality finish.

Maintenance is further simplified by the robot's modular design, where key components like cutting discs, sensors, wheels, and the battery feature standard quick-release interfaces for fast field repairs without disassembly. To ensure maximum uptime for continuous operation, the Maston series is equipped with a 500W high-efficiency fast-charging station, significantly reducing charging intervals and keeping fleets working productively throughout the day.

The Maston series is now available for pre-order through authorized European and Australian distributors. Regional models and specifications may vary.

For purchasing or dealership opportunities, visit www.mammotion.com

Empowering Home Creators and Small Businesses with Approachable Printing Tools

Since 2017, MUNBYN has focused on lowering the barrier of professional printing for individual creators and small teams. The brand's devices simplify custom labeling, creative packaging, workspace organization, and daily operational printing, helping DIY enthusiasts and home-based businesses boost productivity with cost-effective, reliable hardware.

The Michaels collaboration accelerates MUNBYN's North American market growth, embedding the brand inside the U.S.'s most influential creative retail ecosystem. It enables local creators to discover and purchase trustworthy printing tools locally, supporting their craft projects, personalized branding, and small-business growth.

Convenient In-Store Access for Local Creators

This partnership also makes it easier than ever for local customers to find and purchase MUNBYN products offline. With availability at over 400 Michaels stores nationwide, creators, small business owners, and DIY enthusiasts can now see the devices in person, get hands-on experience, and take products home immediately — no shipping wait, no online-only hassle. Whether it's a last-minute craft project or an urgent shipping need, MUNBYN is now just a short trip away.

Trusted by industry reviewers

MUNBYN's products have received strong recognition from leading technology reviewers and media outlets for their performance and reliability.

• FunMaker 226 was named "Best Battery-Powered Printer for Small Labels" by PCMag
• RealWriter 405B was recognized as "Best Thermal Printer" by Wired, and was featured by SlashGear as a DIY-friendly gadget that makes sticker-backed labels with minimal effort, cost, and fuss.

These accolades highlight MUNBYN's continued commitment to innovation, usability, and product quality in the competitive printing hardware market.

Featured MUNBYN Products Now Available at Michaels

• FunMaker 226 Battery-Powered Label Maker
  A compact, fully portable label maker perfect for craft customization, home organization, workspace sorting, and on-the-go creative labeling. Its cordless design maximizes flexibility for daily DIY and personal branding needs.
• RealWriter 405B Thermal Label Printer
  A high-performance wireless dual-color thermal printer optimized for custom craft labeling, branded packaging, e-commerce shipping, and daily small-business workflows. It delivers stable, high-speed printing to streamline creative and commercial tasks.

Both products are now available on Michaels.com and at select Michaels retail locations across the United States.

Executive quote

"Partnering with Michaels allows us to bring MUNBYN closer to the creators and small business owners who rely on our products every day," said Mark Yuan, VP of MUNBYN. "We believe this collaboration will make it even easier for people to turn their ideas into businesses, whether they are shipping products, organizing their workspace, or building their creative brands."

"We are pleased that Aura has acknowledged the validity and applicability of our cognitive health IP, reinforcing its value and strength in the marketplace," said J. Randal Wexler, FutureCeuticals' Vice President & General Counsel. "Our ongoing vigilance in protecting FutureCeuticals' IP ensures the value of continued investment in clinical research and innovation, while also safeguarding our customers' and partners' interests."

Although this resolution marked the end of Aura's NeuroRush^® ingredient, it also marked the beginning of a new joint effort between the companies; a seamless transition by Aura to CognatiQ is already underway. "We are excited for the opportunity to share CognatiQ^® with our current and prospective customers," remarked Mr. Kyle Seymour, Director of Product Development at Aura. "It offers a like-for-like compositional substitution with NeuroRush, while adding FutureCeuticals' robust clinical support and scientific expertise," Seymour concluded.

"This outcome represents a true win-win between our organizations, offering an exciting path forward," Mr. Wexler added. "Aura's growing impact on the wellness market through its ideation and logistics capabilities aligns well with our objective of supporting brands seeking ingredients with meaningful health benefits. We look forward to exploring opportunities together around highly differentiated, clinically supported ingredients."

"We appreciate FutureCeuticals' willingness to work constructively with Aura as we move forward," said Mr. Seymour. "Our goal is to focus on projects where Aura's customer perspective and product development experience can complement FutureCeuticals' strong ingredient portfolio, clinical support, and scientific expertise. We believe that creates a better path for our customers and for the broader wellness market."

The Global Tech Awards is a widely recognized industry program that honors excellence across the global technology sector. With a focus on innovation, creativity, and excellence, the awards recognize technology solutions that combine breakthrough innovation with real-world impact.

As advertisers increasingly look beyond Walled Gardens for growth, the Open Internet has emerged as a critical source of incremental opportunity. However, advertisers operating in the Open Internet environment often face challenges, including slow cold starts, volatile campaign performance, and approval issues that can be difficult to trace and resolve.

To address these pain points, MediaGo has developed a comprehensive, deep learning-powered product matrix. Centered around SmartBid 3.0 and supported by two newly introduced features—AD Learning and Approval Copilot—the suite provides advertisers with robust digital marketing solutions tailored for the Open Internet.

Upgraded with advanced algorithms, SmartBid 3.0 has delivered three major performance breakthroughs. It reduces the ramp-up time for new advertising campaigns by over 50%. In Max CV mode, it dynamically adjusts bids based on historical data, improving spend completion rate by an average of 58%. In tCPA mode, it further improves bid pacing in real time, effectively keeping CPA overflow within 1.15x of the target.

To better support advertisers on the Open Internet, MediaGo launched AD Learning and Approval Copilot earlier this year.

AD Learning allows new campaigns to inherit model features from high-performing existing campaigns, helping ease cold-start challenges. Approval Copilot provides multi-level diagnostics for disapproved creatives and sends real-time alerts when high-loss risks are detected, helping advertisers reduce losses caused by creative issues.

"Being recognized by the Global Tech Awards for three years running is a strong endorsement of MediaGo's technology and product innovation," said Jianjing Du, Deputy General Manager, MediaGo. "Our core mission remains unchanged: to help advertisers maximize campaign efficiency and ROI, so they can invest in Open Internet advertising with greater confidence."

MediaGo will continue to advance its deep learning-driven advertising technology, evolve its solutions in step with advertisers' needs, and connect global advertisers with high-quality inventory across the Open Internet to drive scalable, sustainable, and meaningful growth.

The transaction is expected to close in 2027, subject to regulatory approvals, shareholder approvals, and customary closing conditions. The terms of the transaction provide for NT1 shareholders to receive shares of the Purchaser (a Cayman Islands exempted company to be incorporated as part of the transaction) in exchange for all outstanding NT1 shares, with Purchaser shares valued at USD $10.00 per share for purposes of the exchange consideration. The terms of the transaction represent an estimated enterprise value of NT1 of USD $500 million.

NT1 is an Australian mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition, holding, and exploration of mineral properties and related assets in the West Arunta region of Western Australia and the Northern Territory, with a particular emphasis on rare earth elements, niobium, and IOCG mineral systems.

Following the transaction, NT1 intends to accelerate its growth strategy by expanding exploration activities, strengthening its portfolio of mineral assets, and leveraging its position in the critical minerals sector. The combination with Plutonian II provides NT1 with access to U.S. capital markets and a platform to pursue additional financing opportunities.

Frank Jiang, Chief Financial Officer of NT1, remarked: "This transaction represents a defining moment for NT1. By joining forces with Plutonian II, we unlock new pathways to capital and broaden our global reach. Worldwide demand for rare earths and strategic minerals continues to rise. We believe NT1 is uniquely placed to deliver sustainable growth and contribute meaningfully to international supply chains."

Wei Kwang NG, Chief Executive Officer of Plutonian II commented: "We are pleased to enter into a definitive business combination agreement with NT1 Resources. We believe this transaction will provide NT1 with a strong public-market platform to advance its exploration strategy and pursue long-term value creation, and we look forward to working closely with the NT1 team toward a successful closing."

Plutonian Acquisition Corp. II is a Cayman Islands exempted company formed for the purpose of entering into a share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, recapitalization, reorganization, or other similar business combination. As part of the transaction, NT1 will retain its current management team and business structure.

Additional Information About the Proposed Transaction and Where to Find It

The proposed transaction will be submitted to shareholders of Plutonian II and NT1 for their consideration. The combined company intends to file a registration statement on Form F-4 (the "Registration Statement") with the SEC, which will include a proxy statement/prospectus to be distributed to Plutonian II's shareholders in connection with Plutonian II's solicitation for proxies for the vote by its shareholders in connection with the proposed transaction and other matters to be described in the Registration Statement, as well as the prospectus relating to the offer of the securities to be issued to NT1 shareholders in connection with the completion of the proposed transaction. After the Registration Statement has been filed and declared effective, a definitive proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents will be mailed to Plutonian II's shareholders as of the record date established for voting on the proposed transaction. Before making any voting or investment decision, Plutonian II's shareholders and other interested persons are advised to read, once available, the definitive proxy statement/prospectus, as well as other documents filed with the SEC by Plutonian II in connection with the proposed transaction, as these documents will contain important information about Plutonian II, NT1, and the proposed transaction. Shareholders may obtain a copy of the definitive proxy statement/prospectus, once available, as well as other documents filed by Plutonian II with the SEC, without charge, at the SEC's website located at www.sec.gov.

Participants in Solicitation

Plutonian II, NT1, and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Plutonian II's shareholders in connection with the proposed transactions. Information regarding the persons who may, under SEC rules, be deemed participants in the solicitation of Plutonian II's shareholders in connection with the proposed transactions will be set forth in the proxy statement/prospectus included in the Registration Statement. You can find more information about Plutonian II's directors and executive officers in Plutonian II's final prospectus related to its initial public offering dated April 28, 2026, and subsequent SEC reports. Additional information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests will be included in the proxy statement/prospectus when it becomes available. Shareholders, potential investors and other interested persons should read the proxy statement/prospectus carefully when it becomes available before making any voting or investment decisions. You may obtain free copies of these documents from the sources indicated above.

Forward-Looking Statements

This communication contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws with respect to a proposed transaction among Plutonian II, NT1 and the other parties thereto. Forward-looking statements include information concerning the parties' possible or assumed future results of operations, business strategies, competitive position, industry environment, potential growth opportunities, and the effects of regulation, including whether the transaction will generate returns for shareholders. These forward-looking statements are based on the parties' management's current expectations, projections, and beliefs, as well as a number of assumptions concerning future events. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words "believe," "project," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "strategy," "future," "opportunity," "plan," "may," "should," "will," "would," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this document. These risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other important factors include, but are not limited to: (a) the occurrence of any event, change, or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of negotiations and any subsequent definitive agreements with respect to the transaction; (b) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the parties, or others following the announcement of the transaction and any definitive agreements with respect thereto; (c) the inability to complete the transaction due to the failure to obtain the approval of the shareholders of Plutonian II or NT1 or to satisfy other conditions to closing, including the receipt of certain governmental and regulatory approvals; (d) changes to the proposed structure of the transaction that may be required or appropriate as a result of applicable laws or regulations or as a condition to obtaining regulatory approval of the transaction; (e) the ability to meet the applicable stock exchange listing standards following the consummation of the transaction; (f) the risk that the transaction disrupts current plans and operations of the parties or its subsidiaries as a result of the announcement and consummation of the transactions described herein; (g) the effect of the announcement or pendency of the transaction on the parties' business relationships, operating results, and business generally; (h) the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the transaction, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of the surviving company to grow and manage growth profitably, maintain relationships with customers and suppliers and retain its management and key employees; (i) costs related to the transaction; (j) changes in applicable laws or regulations, including legal or regulatory developments (including, without limitation, accounting considerations) which could result in unforeseen delays in the timing of the transaction; (k) the possibility that the parties may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; and (l) other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in Plutonian II's final prospectus related to its initial public offering dated April 28, 2026, including those under "Risk Factors" therein, and other documents filed or to be filed with the SEC by Plutonian II.

Copies are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in documents filed by Plutonian II or the surviving company from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and the parties assume no obligation and do not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. No party gives any assurance that any party will achieve its expectations.

No Offer or Solicitation

This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. This communication is not, and under no circumstances is to be construed as, a prospectus, an advertisement or a public offering of the securities described herein in the United States or any other jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or exemptions therefrom. INVESTMENT IN ANY SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED BY THE SEC OR ANY OTHER REGULATORY AUTHORITY NOR HAS ANY AUTHORITY PASSED UPON OR ENDORSED THE MERITS OF THE OFFERING OR THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. This press release is not, and under no circumstances is to be construed as, a prospectus, an advertisement or a public offering in any jurisdiction.

Operations inside a GREENFEED’s animal feed mill in Vietnam. Photo: GREENFEED

According to securities firm Vietcap, average live hog prices in the market fell by approximately 4 per cent on-year in the first six months, affected by weaker consumer demand, food safety concerns and supply-side pressures.

A notable development was the increase in shareholders’ equity. As of June 30, GREENFEED’s equity reached $379.34 million, up 37 per cent, equivalent to an increase of $101.74 million from $277.6 million a year earlier. Compared with the end of 2025, equity increased by $25.53 million, or 7.2 per cent.

During the first six months of 2026, contributed capital remained unchanged at $196.5 million, while undistributed after-tax profit increased 15 per cent, from $170.56 million to $196.15 million. In 2025, the company delivered a strong profit performance, with full-year profit after tax reaching nearly $140.2 million, up 73.6 per cent on-year.

Alongside the expansion of its operations, total liabilities stood at approximately $280.53 million, up 17.8 per cent from $238.23 million as of June 2025. However, as shareholders’ equity grew at a faster pace than liabilities, the company’s financial leverage ratios continued to improve. Specifically, the liabilities-to-total-assets ratio declined from 0.46 times to 0.43 times, while the liabilities-to-equity ratio fell from 0.86 times to 0.74 times.

Based on the reported total equity and liabilities, the company's total assets stood at approximately $659.87 million at the end of June 2026, an increase of nearly 28 per cent on-year.

Liquidity indicators also showed positive developments. The current ratio increased from 1.76 times to 1.85 times, while the quick ratio improved from 1.15 times to 1.53 times. Interest coverage remained strong at 22.1 times, indicating that the company maintained a healthy buffer to meet its financial obligations.

The company's bank borrowings stood at approximately $81.93 million at the end of June, up $11.05 million, equivalent to 15.6 per cent on-year. Other payables also increased by approximately 30 per cent to $183.26 million. The increase was in line with the company’s funding needs to support its business operations and expansion investment plans.

Another notable feature of GREENFEED’s first-half 2026 financial position was the continued reduction in its outstanding bonds. On June 15, the company spent $11.50 million to partially repurchase the GFVCH2128001 bound ahead of maturity, reducing the outstanding amount from $26.84 million to $15.34 million. This is currently the only bond outstanding issued by the company.

Following the early bond redemption, outstanding bond debt decreased by approximately 43 per cent. Accordingly, the ratio of outstanding bonds to shareholders’ equity fell sharply from 0.10 times to 0.04 times. With shareholders’ equity reaching nearly $379.34 million, bonds continued to account for a relatively small share of the company’s capital structure.

The bond was issued in November 2021 with an original value of $38.34 million and an 84-month tenor, with maturity scheduled for June 2028. The company previously repurchased $11.50 million of the bond in 2024 before purchasing an additional $11.50 million this year. Proceeds from the bond issuance were used to expand operations in breeding and commercial pigs, animal feed, slaughtering, and food processing.

The company broke ground on the expansion and upgrade of its Binh Dinh animal feed mill in March. Photo: GREENFEED

The company operates an integrated 3F Plus food value chain, with a network of factories and farms in Vietnam and several Southeast Asian markets. As a result, live hog price movements remain one of the key variables shaping the company’s business environment.

Following an unfavourable period in the first half of the year, Vietcap’s base-case scenario forecasts live hog prices to remain above $2.31 per kilogram in the second half of 2026, mainly as supply could tighten amid disease outbreaks.

Under its positive scenario, Vietcap projects average prices at around $2.46 per kilogram. Meanwhile, under its negative scenario, prices could fall below $2.31 per kilogram if herd restocking accelerates supply growth while purchasing power recovers slowly.

Another long-term trend highlighted by Vietcap is the shift from smallholder farming towards industrial-scale livestock production, driven by increasingly stringent requirements for biosecurity, livestock regulations and risks associated with African swine fever. This is a development to watch closely, as the company has built an integrated value chain spanning animal feed, breeding stock and farms through to slaughtering, processing and food products.

Following a year in which full-year profit after tax reached nearly $140.20 million, GREENFEED’s first-half 2026 results indicate that the company continued to generate profit after tax of more than $65.26 million.

At the same time, equity grew faster than liabilities, capital structure ratios improved on-year, and outstanding bond debt continued to decline. Together, these factors strengthen the company’s financial foundation and its ability to adapt in the future.

GREENFEED in Top 10 Best Workplaces in Vietnam 2026 At the announcement ceremony for “Best Workplaces in Vietnam 2026” held on May 26, GREENFEED became the first and only agriculture–food enterprise to be ranked in the top 10 Large Enterprise category.

Greenfeed secures hat-trick of sustainability awards Greenfeed has strengthened its sustainability credentials with recognition from three prestigious domestic and international awards in June.

Greenfeed retains spot among best companies to work for in Asia On July 9, Greenfeed was named among ‘Best Companies to Work for in Asia’ at the HR Asia Awards 2026 for the second consecutive year.

That problem ends today.

DESLOC today announced the official North American launch of the V150 Plus, the world's first consumer smart lock powered by an integrated perovskite solar panel that self‑charges in low‑light and shaded conditions. Starting today, homeowners can finally install a smart lock and stop worrying about its battery.

Available exclusively through DESLOC's official website at a launch price of $259.99 (MSRP $299.99) — a 30% discount for early buyers.

The Problem Smart Lock Makers Don't Talk About

Every new smart lock feature — facial recognition, fingerprint access, remote control — needs power. More features mean more batteries to check, more chargers to find, more things to remember.

For the average homeowner, that adds up to 146 standard AA batteries replaced every year. Not just cost. Not just waste. Another chore.

DESLOC asked a different question:

What if the lock could power itself — even on a shaded porch or a cloudy day?

The Answer: Perovskite Solar, Built for Real Homes

The V150 Plus combines three innovations that no other smart lock offers:

• A 4.8‑inch perovskite low‑light solar panel that captures ambient light starting at just 300 lux — meaning it generates power in covered entryways, shaded porches, and even indirect indoor lighting
• A 10,000mAh removable backup battery that keeps the lock running for up to 8 months even with zero solar input
• DESLOC's proprietary intelligent battery management system(BMS) that dynamically allocates power between solar input and battery reserves

The result: less charging, less battery anxiety, less maintenance. Full stop.

Smart Access That Removes Friction, Not Adds It

Power is only half the story. The other half is getting through the door without thinking about it.

With 3D facial recognition, enrolled users unlock hands‑free as they approach — groceries in both hands, holding a child, walking the dog. No key. No code. No phone.

The curved AI fingerprint sensor 2.0 gives family members another fast way in, with adaptive learning that recognizes worn, shallow, or damaged fingerprints.

Built‑in Wi‑Fi enables remote access through the DESLOC App — no extra hub required. Voice control works with Amazon Alexa and Google Home.

For reliability, the V150 Plus is IP65 dust‑ and water‑resistant, BHMA Grade 3 certified, and stores all biometric data locally — never in the cloud.

Less friction at the door. Less to think about at home.

Validated by Backers. Certified by TÜV Rheinland.

Before today's launch, the V150 Plus had already passed two critical tests:

The market test: More than 755 Kickstarter backers pushed the campaign past $500,000 — making it one of the most successful smart lock crowdfunding campaigns in the past 3 years. It earned Kickstarter's "Project We Love" designation.

The independent test: TÜV Rheinland awarded the V150 Plus its Sustained‑Endurance Certification, verifying that the lock's energy management system actually delivers on its promise — not just that the solar panel can generate power, but that it can support real‑world daily use.

Kickstarter proved the demand. TÜV Rheinland proved the performance. Today, the V150 Plus proves it belongs on your front door.

From Early Adopters to Every Home

Crowdfunding begins with people willing to try something new. A product launch asks a harder question:

Can this innovation fit into everyday life?

For the V150 Plus, the answer is yes. It's no longer a prototype, a concept, or a Kickstarter project. It's a real product, available today, built for real homes.

Not just adding more features. Removing one more thing homeowners have to think about.

Pricing & Availability

The DESLOC V150 Plus is available from August 31, 2026, exclusively through the Official DESLOC Website.

• Launch price: $259.99** (30% off MSRP $299.99), use code "PRNV150" to get another $30 off.
• Offer valid for a limited time

For more information, visit desloc.com.

Osmo 360 II's advanced square HDR image sensor increases sensor utilization by 25%^[1], reducing power consumption while keeping footage clean and clear, day or night^[1]. Paired with AI SuperNight 2.0, Osmo 360 II captures exceptionally clean low-light shots. In addition to advances in imaging quality, the new 360° camera also features ultra-hard, replaceable lenses^[1] and 105 GB of built-in storage, allowing creators to shoot fearlessly as they capture every moment – night or day – in stunning detail from every angle.

1-inch 8K/60 fps HDR 360° Imaging Captures Epic Action Shots Night or Day

Osmo 360 II offers the industry's first advanced 1-inch square HDR image sensor^[1] that maintains the same 360° image field as a traditional 1-inch rectangular sensor. The 360° dynamic range has been expanded to 14.5 stops^[1], doubling the brightness range. Additionally, an all-new AI noise-reduction algorithm, AI SuperNight 2.0, enables creators to capture exceptionally clean, bright low-light shots^[1]. For high-speed action shots, the camera's large 2.4 μm pixels and a high-performance chip enable epic shots from every angle in 8K/60fps 360° video – keeping every frame sharp and free of motion blur.

Diverse Scenarios, Various Angles:

• Motorcycling: The camera can be securely mounted anywhere for unique multi-angle shots. With Gesture Control and Voice Control, creators can start recording instantly without releasing the throttle.
• Diving: The camera is ready for underwater action up to 10 meters^[1] out of the box. For deep dives, creators can seal it inside the Invisible Waterproof Case and explore down to 50 m^[1].
• Skiing: The camera can be used in -20°C (-4°F) temperatures^[1], and will start shooting by double twisting the selfie stick. Creators can unlock aerial views with the 2.5m Extended Carbon Fiber Selfie Stick, and add Motion Blur for a more cinematic run.
• Mountain Biking / Road Cycling: The camera's powerful stabilization can smooth out the rough trails. Creators can add the Sports Dashboard overlay to create engaging data-rich cycling videos.
• Vlogging: The camera can be used for solo selfie videos with the Invisible Selfie Stick serving as an on-the-go camera crew. Paired with Dual Recording, creators can capture passing scenery and multiple people in a single frame to make their stories even more immersive.

Creative Features to Shape the Light:

• 120MP HDR 360° Photo^[1]: Creators can freeze any scene as an HDR 360° photo with true-to-life lighting and contrast
• 16K 360° Timelapse^[1]: Capture the epic flow of time in 16K resolution^[1], using Clouds mode to condense sweeping skies
• 64x Pano Slow Motion^[1]: Unlock up to 64x of buttery-smooth slow motion in post-production with DJI Studio's AI frame interpolation that's equivalent to cropped 8K/480fps^[1]
• 8K/120fps Vortex^[1]: Turn exciting moments into smooth high-definition wraparound slow motion with a simple swing
• 10-bit & D-Log M^[1] Color Profile: Every video format now supports 10-bit color depth, capturing over a billion colors

Improved Workflows with Spotlight Follow and One-Tap NFC Connections

Osmo 360 II and the upgraded DJI Mimo app offer intelligent subject-tracking and improved ease-of-use features. With Spotlight Follow^[1], creators can intelligently track and keep a subject centered in the frame, no matter how the camera rotates – without needing to reframe in post. Additionally, Osmo 360 II features a new NFC area for more streamlined workflows. With one tap, the camera can quickly connect with the Mimo app, transfer footage, or go directly to the app's editing page. Users can import 360° video files exported from DJI Studio directly using the plugin for DaVinci Resolve, accelerating professional workflows. With these upgrades, DJI enables a wider range of users—from professional imaging specialists to everyday users—to become panoramic content creators.

Create Fearlessly with Ultra-Hard Replaceable Lenses

Osmo 360 II features an all-new replaceable lens design. Both lenses feature an ultra-hard optical film for improved scratch and wear resistance. If a lens gets damaged, creators can easily swap it out and keep shooting quickly. Weighing just 183g and equipped with 105GB of built-in storage, the camera makes shooting on the go effortless. Moreover, the Osmo 360 II battery can record continuously for 100 minutes^[1] at 8K/30 fps resolution and fast-charge to 80% in just 22 minutes^[1]. With the Battery Extension Rod, runtime can be extended by 180 minutes^[1].

Seamless Integration with DJI Ecosystem

Osmo 360 II has a built-in four-mic array and wind noise reduction design that delivers crisp audio straight from the camera. With DJI OsmoAudio Direct Microphone Connection, the camera is compatible with DJI Mic 3, DJI Mic 2, DJI Mic Mini 2S, DJI Mic Mini 2, and DJI Mic Mini. The Osmo dual-direction quick-release design enables magnetic attachment on both sides. Featuring a 1/4″ thread, it easily connects to DJI Osmo ecosystem accessories and traditional camera gear, unlocking unique angles for any scene.

Osmo 360 II Makes Global Offline Debut at IFA 2026

DJI will debut Osmo 360 II at IFA 2026 (Booth No. H20-129, Hall 20) – one of the world's largest consumer electronics trade shows from September 4th to 8th. Attendees will be able to experience the innovative imaging capabilities of DJI's latest 360° camera first hand.

DJI Care Refresh

DJI Care Refresh, the comprehensive protection plan for DJI products, is now available for Osmo 360 II. Accidental damage is covered by the replacement service, including natural wear, collisions, and water damage. For a small additional charge, you can have your damaged product replaced if an accident occurs.

DJI Care Refresh (1-Year Plan) includes up to 2 replacements in 1 year. DJI Care Refresh (2-Year Plan) includes up to 4 replacements in 2 years. Other services of DJI Care Refresh include official warranty, international warranty service, and free shipping. For a full list of details, please visit: https://www.dji.com/support/service/djicare-refresh

For more information, please refer to: https://www.dji.com/360-2

The milestone represents 1,800 FranklinWH aPower battery units now installed in more than 1,000 Hawaiian homes, an average of nearly two units per household, reflecting growing demand among homeowners for greater energy storage capacity.

The milestone comes as Oahu regulators advance a virtual power plant (VPP) program that could compensate homeowners for the power their batteries send to the grid. If approved, the program would let utilities call on thousands of home batteries at once, the same way they'd draw power from a traditional power plant.

HEC installs the FranklinWH System, a whole-home energy management and storage solution, which combines battery storage, intelligent energy management, and solar integration to help homeowners better manage their electricity use. The system is designed to provide whole-home energy during peak hours, rather than relying on the grid, and backup power during outages while also allowing storage capacity to expand as household energy needs grow.

"Reaching 1,000 system installations tells you Hawaii's battery market has moved well past the early adopters," said Vincent Ambrose, chief commercial officer of FranklinWH Energy Storage. "Families increasingly want energy independence and a way to be compensated for sending stored energy to the grid when it needs it. Homeowners in Hawaii can depend on the FranklinWH Certified Installers at HEC who have a strong reputation and history of doing things properly."

For HEC, the achievement reflects the growing interest among Hawaii homeowners in battery storage as electricity costs remain among the highest in the nation and concerns about outages, severe weather and grid reliability continue to increase across the islands.

"Reaching 1,000 installations represents the trust families have placed in our team to help them make important decisions about their energy needs," said Chris DeBone, co-founder of Hawaii Energy Connection. "Our goal has always been to provide a level of service and product quality that homeowners feel good about sharing with their friends and neighbors. As energy storage becomes a bigger part of Hawaii's future, our partnership with FranklinWH allows us to continue helping homeowners understand how these systems can benefit them."

Hawaii has more rooftop solar per person than any other state, with more than 1 gigawatt of residential solar installed and approximately 410 megawatts of battery storage paired with those systems. Yet fewer than 16 percent of those batteries participate in programs that support the electric grid, leaving significant untapped capacity that could help meet current and future energy needs.

Residential battery adoption continues to grow nationwide. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, 45 percent of new residential solar installations in the United States now include battery storage, driven by demand for backup power, energy management and participation in programs that compensate battery owners for supporting the grid.

For more information, visit kumukit.com and FranklinWH.com

The meeting took place in Vladivostok on September 3 between Minister Tuan and Aysen Sergeyevich Nikolayev, Head of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). Minister Tuan expressed appreciation for Nikolayev's initiative in proposing the meeting and reaffirmed Vietnam's commitment to its comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia, while valuing Sakha's interest in fostering multi-faceted cooperation with Vietnamese localities.

Recalling that Nikolayev previously served as Minister of Finance of the Republic of Sakha, the minister said the two sides had considerable shared experience to exchange in financial and budget management, as well as in pursuing sustainable economic development.

Highlighting Sakha’s substantial potential in minerals, diamonds, coal, energy, and liquefied natural gas, as well as the infrastructure of the Aldan Industrial Cluster, Minister Tuan called for stronger links between the business communities of the two sides to maximise investment and trade opportunities.

He proposed enhancing the complementarity between Sakha’s abundant natural resources and raw materials and Vietnam’s processing capacity, large consumer market and extensive network of free trade agreements, particularly in agriculture and fisheries, mineral processing, and consumer goods.

Nikolayev expressed his pleasure at meeting Minister Tuan and praised Vietnam’s impressive socioeconomic development achievements. He stated that Sakha regards Vietnam as a key priority partner in Southeast Asia and wishes to create a new breakthrough in bilateral cooperation.

Responding to Vietnam’s proposals, Nikolayev stressed that Sakha has a significant demand for workers to support infrastructure and industrial development projects. The Sakha delegation offered its support for Minister Tuan’s proposal to establish an organised labour cooperation model that complies with the laws of both countries and is linked to systematic vocational training.

Photo: Nguyen Quoc Phuong

In line with the shared focus on strengthening sub-national cooperation, Minister Tuan welcomed and supported Sakha’s proposal to establish comprehensive cooperation with Can Tho city.

The two sides agreed to task their respective focal agencies with promptly establishing contact and preparing the necessary procedures towards signing a formal cooperation agreement between Sakha and Can Tho. The agreement would serve as a foundation for expanding cooperation to other Vietnamese localities with similar characteristics.

The two leaders also agreed to continue promoting cultural, sports and tourism exchanges, as well as cooperation in education and training, to enhance mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries.

In an open and candid atmosphere, the two sides held in-depth discussions on measures to address obstacles and facilitate practical cooperation, including improving payment mechanisms, optimising logistics infrastructure, sharing market and legal information, and establishing direct support channels for investors.

Concluding the talks, Minister Tuan expressed his confidence that cooperation between Vietnam and the Republic of Sakha would become increasingly substantive, effective and mutually beneficial.

He also invited Nikolayev and a high-level delegation from the Republic of Sakha to visit and work in Vietnam at a mutually convenient time. Nikolayev warmly accepted the invitation and said he would make arrangements for the visit soon.

Vietnam-Russia energy cooperation: a strategic pillar in global transition Amid a rapidly restructuring global economy shaped by geopolitical shifts, economic cooperation between Vietnam and Russia is entering a new phase with significant potential for both depth and scale.

Vietnam and Russia boost transport ties at international summit Russia and Vietnam have agreed to strengthen transport cooperation and logistics connectivity following talks at an international summit in Russia.

Vietnam calls for stronger Russia-ASEAN economic cooperation Vietnamese Finance Minister Ngo Van Tuan called for more concrete economic cooperation between Russia and ASEAN at the Russia-ASEAN Business Dialogue, held on the sidelines of the 11th Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok on September 2.

According to PwC, carbon pricing is no longer a distant regulatory concept with the launch of the ETS (Emissions Trading System) on June 29. It is becoming a business issue with potential implications for compliance, cost management, investment planning, supply chains, and competitiveness.

For many organisations, the 2026–2028 pilot phase should be viewed as a window to prepare rather than a period to wait. Experience from more mature carbon markets shows that businesses which build emissions data, governance and decarbonisation capabilities early are often better positioned as market rules become more demanding.

The ETS pilot phase is currently expected to run until the end of 2028, after which the system is planned to be fully implemented from 2029 onwards.

PwC noted that Vietnam is in a pilot and market-readiness phase, with the framework focused on Monitoring, Reporting and Verification, Greenhouse gas inventory discipline, registry processes, allowance allocation, and compliance readiness in selected high-emitting sectors. The pilot initially covers 110 facilities across thermal power, iron and steel, and cement: sectors with material emissions exposure and comparatively stronger readiness for monitoring and reporting.

Vietnam’s pilot differs from the EU ETS in one critical respect. The EU ETS operates under a declining absolute cap, while Vietnam’s pilot uses an intensity- and output-based allocation approach with free allocation in the initial phase. This means that Vietnam’s total covered emissions may still increase if production output grows, unless benchmarks and allocation rules tighten over time.

Vietnam has also introduced flexibility mechanisms, including eligible carbon credits and certain banking and borrowing arrangements. These features support transition, but will need to preserve environmental integrity and maintain a credible future price signal.

As Vietnam moves through this early stage, the EU ETS provides a useful benchmark for how emissions trading systems can mature from initial market set-up into a driver of compliance, investment and strategy.

Photo: PwC

For Vietnamese businesses, the pilot phase is a timely opportunity to build capabilities before obligations become broader or more complex. Early action can strengthen compliance readiness, clarify carbon-related implications and position businesses for future market developments.

All businesses should start by building the foundations needed to participate in a maturing carbon market. They should monitor updates to allowance rules, ETS implementation and carbon market mechanisms to anticipate new requirements. It is also necessary to improve data quality, monitoring, reporting and verification processes to support credible ETS participation.

Another way is to build shared ownership across sustainability, operations, finance and compliance teams so carbon readiness is embedded in decision-making. Define responsibilities, oversight and links to risk management and strategy, so carbon governance is embedded in the organisation.

Vietnam shapes next-generation carbon market As carbon markets evolve rapidly, Vietnam is stepping up its institutional and technical groundwork for market operation.

Vietnam launches pilot carbon trading exchange Vietnam launched its long-awaited carbon trading exchange on June 29, marking a key milestone in the country’s transition towards a low-carbon economy and creating a market-based mechanism to help businesses reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Businesses urged to join carbon market Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Van Thang has urged businesses to be transparent with environmental data and participate in the carbon market after the exchange begins its pilot operation.

The PADN-HF-PH trial is a multicenter, randomized, controlled clinical trial involving 264 patients, led by Academician Yaling Han of the General Hospital of Northern Theater Command. The trial was designed to evaluate the safety and clinical efficacy of adding Pulmonary Artery Denervation (PADN) to Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy (GDMT) for patients with pulmonary hypertension associated with left heart disease (PH-LHD).

For patients suffering from PH-LHD, pulmonary hypertension and left-sided heart disease mutually exacerbate one another, leading to a higher symptom burden and poor clinical outcomes. Currently, treatments for PH-LHD primarily revolve around the underlying left heart condition. While GDMT improves the overall prognosis for heart failure patients, there remains a critical lack of approved, specific therapies targeting the pulmonary hypertension itself.

Summary of Key Findings:

• 51% Reduction in Risk of Clinical Worsening: During a median follow-up of 338 days, the Kaplan-Meier estimated 2-year incidence of clinical worsening was 25.7% in the PADN plus GDMT group, compared to 51.5% in the GDMT alone group.
• Highly Significant Primary Endpoint Outcome: This represents a 51% reduction in the risk of clinical worsening (hazard ratio, 0.49; 95% confidence interval, 0.30 to 0.82; P=0.006). The effect was sustained through the follow-up period, which is clinically relevant for this chronic, progressive disease.
• Comprehensive Improvement in Composite Metrics: The primary outcome was a rigorous composite of clinical worsening events, defined as death, heart or lung transplantation, hospitalization for heart failure, outpatient worsening of heart failure leading to intravenous diuresis, or a significant decline in the 6-minute walk distance. This holistic evaluation reflects the true changes in a patient's long-term disease state.
• Decrease in Recurrent Clinical Events: For first-plus-recurrent events of clinical worsening, the annualized rate was 36.3 per 100 patient-years in the PADN group versus 56.3 per 100 patient-years in the GDMT group.
• Overall Disease Burden Reduction: This equates to a 35.5% decrease in the annualized rate of recurrent events (hazard ratio, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.39 to 0.89), suggesting that PADN modifies the overall disease burden rather than simply delaying the first event.
• Protection Against Functional Decline (6MWD): PADN resulted in improved functional capacity and health status. At 12 months, patients achieved a net improvement of 24.8 meters in their 6-minute walk distance. Specifically, the risk of experiencing a 10% or greater decrease in the 6-minute walk distance was reduced by 63% (hazard ratio, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.15 to 0.92).
• Concordant Improvements in Quality of Life (KCCQ) and Biomarkers (NT-proBNP): Concordant improvements in exercise capacity, health status, and ventricular function provided strong internal consistency. PADN resulted in an improved health status as measured by the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire overall summary score (KCCQ-OSS). At 6 months after the procedure, patients demonstrated a greater reduction in natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels from baseline compared to those receiving GDMT alone.
• Favorable Safety Profile: The procedure demonstrated favorable safety, with access-site hematomas occurring in only two patients in the PADN group and in one patient in the GDMT group; there were no other procedural complications.

The robust, multi-dimensional evidence generated by the PADN-HF-PH trial is set to establish a new clinical paradigm. By comprehensively reducing clinical worsening, lowering recurrent event rates, and improving functional status and key biomarkers, the trial provides critical new evidence for treating PH-LHD patients.

Pulmonary Artery Denervation

Pulnovo's proprietary Pulmonary Artery Denervation (PADN) is a minimally invasive therapy designed to modulate overactivated sympathetic nerve activity that contributes to pulmonary vascular remodeling and cardiopulmonary disease progression.

The therapy has been recognized in multiple international clinical guidelines, including its inclusion as an investigational interventional therapy in the 2022 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) / European Respiratory Society (ERS) Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary hypertension, and has been referenced in a total of seven clinical guidelines to date.

Clinical investigation of the PADN procedure is ongoing across multiple subtypes of pulmonary hypertension. Building upon its regulatory approvals in 12 countries/regions and clinical experience of approximately 1,500 procedures in WHO Group 1 PH. Pulnovo Medical is expanding its clinical investigation of the therapy into WHO Group 2 PH associated with Left Heart Disease (PH-LHD) to address the significant unmet clinical needs of this broader patient population.

For more information, please visit www.pulnovomed.com.

Many businesses are now required to comply simultaneously with multiple frameworks and reporting requirements set by individual investors and banks. What is the greatest risk if these frameworks are not properly harmonised?

The greatest risk is not the cost of reporting itself, it is what that cost to execute the strategy related to the requirement of the report.

When a business is chasing standards plus a different questionnaire from every bank and investor, its scarcest resources which could be management attention, capital, skilled people, get concentrate on producing documents rather than into changing the business those documents are supposed to describe.

The report becomes the product. That is precisely the “high compliance, low value” trap. You could end up with a great, instrumented report with low recognition.

Vietnamese businesses should not begin with the framework, as that could be the mistake almost everyone makes.

I believe that organisations should begin with their own materiality. That could be a single, honest assessment of what genuinely matters to your business and your stakeholders. At the level of the underlying data, these frameworks overlap in areas such as emissions, energy, water, workforce and governance. They diverge mainly in lens and presentation, not in substance.

Besides that, businesses, investors, the professional community, and government should agree upon and recognise a common standard. This could raise the recognition of the framework and also raise the value of the report. The organisations should have frequent communication and build strong networks and ecosystems in accepting sustainability frameworks.

Additionally, the business could consider building one data foundation strategy. This could be a single source of truth, with consistent boundaries and methodology held to the same discipline as your financial data, because environmental, social, and governance data is heading towards audit and assurance.

Use IFRS S1 and S2 as the spine, since the ISSB baseline is where global capital markets are converging. For Vietnam specifically, sequence it to reality requirement. We can start with what is already required under legislation, and with what your most important customer or lender demands.

The principle beneath all of this is straightforward. We should treat the report as the product of running the business well, not as the product itself. It depends on the decisions, the discipline of disclosure forces you to make including reducing the energy wasting, de-risk the supply chain, the capital that grows cheaper because your data is credible.

What is the most significant gap in the current systems for data collection, measurement and verification that must be addressed for the Green Taxonomy to be implemented effectively in practice?

The biggest challenge is the absence of consistent, decision-useful and verifiable data according to the specific framework.

Today, many companies can report sustainability-related information, but the underlying data is often fragmented across departments, collected using different methodologies, and in some cases not subject to the same standard to create. Besides that, the limit of historical data also creates challenges for the business to build the baseline.

In my view, the most significant gap is the lack of robust measurement and assurance infrastructure. Many organisations still struggle with fundamental questions such as the data that should be collected, how it should be measured, who owns it, how frequently it should be updated, and how accuracy can be verified. Without clear answers, it’s difficult to compare projects and businesses.

How will the roles of accountants and auditors evolve in helping bridge this gap?

Addressing this challenge requires more than regulation. It requires investment in data governance, digital reporting systems, common methodologies, and independent verification mechanisms. Companies need a reliable audit trail for relevant data, just as they do for financial data. The focus should be on choosing consistent strategy, framework and creating systems that produce consistent, transparent and comparable information over time.

This is where the roles of accountants and auditors will evolve significantly. Traditionally, accountants have been responsible for measuring financial performance and auditors for providing assurance on financial statements. Going forward, both professions will play a critical role in ensuring the credibility of sustainability information.

Accountants will increasingly play a central role in managing environment and climate-related data, designing reporting processes, establishing internal controls, defining measurement methodologies and integrating suitable metrics into management decision-making. Their role will expand from reporting historical financial results to helping organisations measure broader drivers of long-term value creation.

Developing suitable talent for greener financial ambitions Vietnam’s ambition to develop international financial centres is sharpening the focus on talent capable of navigating sustainable finance and evolving standards. To Quoc Hung, country manager of ACCA Vietnam, spoke with VIR’s Khanh Linh about how the country can strengthen its green finance talent pipeline.

Accounting oversight to strategic decision-making Initiatives by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and its partners have played a significant role in enhancing green capabilities and knowledge within the accounting and auditing sector. To Quoc Hung, country director at ACCA Vietnam, spoke with VIR’s Hazy Tran about the increasingly pivotal role of accounting and auditing in strategic decision-making.

ACCA supports SMEs in meeting sustainability reporting standards At VIR's sustainable development conference on November 12, To Quoc Hung, country manager at ACCA Vietnam, committed to supporting the development of a green workforce in driving the green-digital transition within small- and medium-sized enterprises in Vietnam.

According to the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Finance, total foreign direct investment (FDI) registered in Vietnam reached $40.63 billion as of August 31, up 55.4 per cent year-on-year. All three components – newly registered capital, additional capital injected into existing projects, and foreign investors’ capital contributions and share purchases – recorded increases.

In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam granted investment licences to 2,771 new foreign-invested projects with total registered capital of $21.72 billion, representing a 9.4 per cent increase in the number of projects and a sharp 96.8 per cent rise in registered capital compared with the same period last year.

The strong growth in newly registered capital indicates that fresh investment flows into Vietnam are continuing to expand, with manufacturing and processing remaining the dominant sector.

Manufacturing and processing attracted $12.15 billion in newly registered capital, accounting for 55.9 per cent of the total. Electricity, gas, water supply and air-conditioning production and distribution ranked second with $3.13 billion, or 14.4 per cent, while other sectors accounted for $6.44 billion, or 29.7 per cent.

Including both newly registered capital and additional capital injected into projects licensed in previous years, manufacturing and processing remained the largest recipient, attracting $20.18 billion, equivalent to 59.5 per cent of total newly registered and additional capital.

Real estate business ranked second with $5.32 billion, accounting for 15.7 per cent, while other sectors attracted $8.42 billion, or 24.8 per cent.

The figures show that manufacturing continues to be the main focus of FDI attraction, while sectors such as real estate, energy and services are also making significant contributions to total registered investment.

Alongside new projects, 819 existing projects registered increases in investment capital during the first eight months, with additional capital totalling $12.21 billion, up 14.7 per cent on-year.

Foreign investors also stepped up capital contributions and share purchases. A total of 2,062 transactions were recorded, with a combined value of $6.7 billion, up 50.1 per cent from the same period last year.

Of these, 652 capital contribution and share purchase transactions increased the charter capital of Vietnamese enterprises, with a total value of $2.55 billion. The remaining 1,410 transactions involved foreign investors purchasing domestic shares without increasing companies’ charter capital, with a combined value of $4.15 billion.

By sector, professional, scientific and technical activities attracted the largest value of capital contributions and share purchases, at $2.74 billion, accounting for 40.9 per cent of the total.

Wholesale and retail trade, and repair of motor vehicles, motorcycles and scooters ranked second with $2.01 billion, or 30 per cent, while other sectors accounted for $1.95 billion, or 29.1 per cent.

Singapore was the largest source of newly registered FDI among the 73 countries and territories with newly licensed projects in Vietnam during the eight-month period, with $7.62 billion, accounting for 35.1 per cent of the total.

South Korea ranked second with $5.67 billion, or 26.1 per cent, followed by Hong Kong (China) with $2.96 billion, or 13.6 per cent; China with $1.93 billion, or 8.9 per cent; Japan with $1.42 billion, or 6.5 per cent; and the Netherlands with $424.3 million, or 2 per cent.

The figures indicate that major investors continue to come largely from partners with a long-standing investment presence in Vietnam, while capital flows from Asia remain an important source of new FDI.

Alongside the strong increase in registered capital, disbursed FDI in Vietnam also posted positive results in the first eight months of 2026.

According to the Foreign Investment Agency, disbursed FDI was estimated at $17.25 billion during the period, up 12 per cent on-year. This was the highest level of FDI disbursement recorded in the first eight months of any year over the past five years.

Manufacturing and processing continued to account for the overwhelming majority of disbursed FDI, at $14.24 billion, equivalent to 82.6 per cent of the total.

Real estate business received $1.29 billion, or 7.5 per cent, while electricity, gas, hot water, steam and air-conditioning production and distribution attracted $622.9 million, or 3.6 per cent.

The 12 per cent increase in disbursed FDI, alongside a 55.4 per cent rise in registered capital, indicates that the expansion of investment commitments is being accompanied by stronger actual capital inflows into the economy. This is particularly significant for domestic growth and production capacity.

MoF outlines strategy to attract high-quality foreign resources Speaking at the 33rd Diplomatic Conference on August 4, Deputy Minister of Finance Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc called for a fundamental shift in Vietnam's approach to attracting international resources, arguing that economic diplomacy should focus on mobilising capital, technology, and strategic partnerships.

Vietnam shifting to a stronger FDI ecosystem Vietnam is moving towards a new approach to foreign investment, with the focus shifting from attracting capital and individual projects to developing a foreign-invested economic sector that is more deeply integrated with the domestic economy.

Vietnam signals stronger investment-led growth in July Vietnam’s July data point to a strengthening investment-led growth cycle, driven by expanding manufacturing, public investment and foreign direct investment.

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

The survey result conducted from September to October 2025 in four key cities and rural Vietnam was published in Reference Report No. NUMVN-CIT-2608-002, issued on August 11.

Honouring that trust, this year Kinh Do is introducing over 80 products across every segment - from premium gifting collections and trend-forward lines for younger consumers, to traditional mooncakes with the familiar quality and flavours preserved through every Mid-Autumn season.

Kinh Do has been part of how Vietnamese families celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival for nearly three decades. Photo: Mondelez Kinh Do Vietnam

Despite rising costs in raw materials, labour, packaging, and supply chain, Kinh Do have only adjusted its Mooncake prices by an average of 2–3 per cent. Most Trang Vang products maintain their current pricing – a deliberate choice to stay accessible to more families and businesses.

Tran Thi Le Hang, marketing director of Mondelez Kinh Do Vietnam, said, “For nearly 30 Mid-Autumn seasons, millions of Vietnamese families have placed their trust in Kinh Do – that is both an honour and a responsibility. Every year, we preserve the familiar flavours that generations have grown up with, while creating fresh, more meaningful ways to celebrate – so that the essence of reunion never fades for any generation.”

Kinh Do Mooncakes are available at nearly 100,000 retail points nationwide and across leading e-commerce platforms.

Kinh Do has unveiled over 80 products this Mid-Autumn, spanning premium gifting, trend-forward lines, and traditional favourites. Photo: Mondelez Kinh Do Vietnam

The distribution network continues to expand into every region, bringing millions of mooncake boxes closer to consumers for both personal enjoyment and gifting.

Beyond retail, Kinh Do is bringing the spirit of reunion to life through creative engagement across multiple platforms – turning stories of family, sharing, and togetherness into experiences that resonate with consumers everywhere.

This year marks the launch of the ‘Mid-Autumn Memory Museum’ – the brand's largest-ever initiative dedicated to preserving Mid-Autumn memories.

Kinh Do's new campaign celebrates family and togetherness through storytelling. Photo: Mondelez Kinh Do Vietnam

Along with this, consumers across the country can share their own stories by scanning a QR code on the mooncake box or visiting the Kinh Do fanpage. Each story becomes part of a collective archive – and participants stand a chance to receive special gift boxes from Kinh Do.

At the heart of the campaign is a short film that brings Mid-Autumn memories to life through AI technology, taking viewers back through festive nights across generations. The film is an invitation for everyone to keep those memories alive – so that every family can continue creating their own Mid-Autumn moments together.

Through these creative initiatives, Kinh Do is doing more than sparking festive excitement across the country. The brand is continuing its role in preserving what makes the Mid-Autumn Festival meaningful – the reunion tradition that has connected generations of Vietnamese families.

Mondelez Kinh Do - a chapter of purpose-led leadership in Vietnam With over 25 years of experience across Asia and Africa, Vaibhav Bhanchawat, vice president and managing director of Mondelez Kinh Do Vietnam, spoke to VIR’s Huyen Thuy about his plans to align the company's growth with the local market.

Mondelez Kinh Do renews the spirit of togetherness With Tet 2026 drawing near, Mondelez Kinh Do once again highlights the values of tradition and togetherness through its message ‘See Kinh Do, Feel Tet’, reinforcing its long-standing place in Vietnam’s most meaningful season of reunion.

Mondelez Kinh Do continues to win accolades with two sustainability awards Driven by its commitment to responsible growth and circular economy leadership, Mondelez Kinh Do Vietnam continues to earn recognition for its sustainability initiatives and community contributions.

Mondelez Kinh Do makes Asia's Best Companies to Work for list for third straight year Mondelez Kinh Do Vietnam has once again been recognised at the HR Asia Best Companies to Work for in Asia 2026 awards, marking its third consecutive year of recognition.