Helen Brand, ACCA’s chief executive said that VIFC has the potential to become a vital platform connecting the country’s investment needs with international pools of sustainable capital.

“We strongly support the development of high-quality international sustainability reporting standards, including the work of the International Sustainability Standards Board,” she said. “These standards create a common language among businesses, investors, regulators and financial institutions. They make information more comparable and consistent, improve decision-making and, most importantly, build the confidence on which sustainable finance depends.”

The development of VIFC therefore gives Vietnam an important opportunity to embed these principles from the outset, according to ACCA’s chief executive. By placing these qualities at the centre of its activities and building its strategy and operations around transparency and trust, VIFC can position itself as a respected and valued partner for international investors.

“This requires a strong legal and regulatory foundation, effective governance and risk management, high-quality financial and sustainability information, and professionals with the skills and ethical judgement needed to make the system work,” she added. “This is where the accountancy profession is irreplaceable.”

ACCA expressed commitment to supporting Vietnam in widening and deepening its talent pool of highly educated, well-trained, and ethically motivated professional accountants, while developing the skills and knowledge base needed for the next stage of the country’s economic expansion.

Helen Brand, chief executive, ACCA. Photo: ACCA Vietnam

Dinh Hong Hanh, partner, financial services leader, PwC Vietnam, identified three key issues related to investor access to and confidence in the VIFC.

The first is policy predictability, which requires a stable, structured, and consistent system of regulations and guidance.

“This is vital because investors need to clearly understand the framework to make decisions, as well as the requirements involved in implementing those decisions and realising the benefits from their investments,” said Hanh

The second factor is the ability of VIFC members to build reliable information, starting with the financial reporting standards framework.

VIFC regulations allow the full and unmodified use of International Financial Reporting Standards. Hanh noted that this was a new decision issued by the Ministry of Finance in August and also supports the comprehensive financial market reform scheme issued by the government in July.

“These are very encouraging steps. When international financial reporting standards are applied consistently, the ability to reconcile and compare the financial statements of members within the international financial centre with one another, as well as with other components of the Centre, will be enhanced,” Hanh said.

Beyond financial reporting, the reliability of information is also reflected in reporting related to green finance. Vietnam issued its Green Taxonomy in 2025, providing a basis for classifying projects according to a specific set of criteria.

“The next important issue is how to develop the reporting framework and establish assurance mechanisms for those reports, thereby making financial information more reliable. I believe these are critical areas that need to be further developed,” she said.

Photo: ACCA Vietnam

Tran Minh Hoang, relationship manager – Financial Institutions at VPBank, said VIFC’s role should not stop at creating another framework or additional procedures for financial institutions.

“We hope that VIFC will not become an institution that simply creates additional administrative procedures for banks, but instead provides practical mechanisms to help banks scale up capital raising and, in turn, continue supporting the economy,” Hoang said. “In the short term, VIFC should first focus on standardising and aligning Vietnam’s Green Taxonomy framework with international green principles and standards.”

Hoang said that before Vietnam issued its green classification framework, many banks had proactively developed their own Green Frameworks and complied with the international principles and standards of the International Capital Market Association or the Loan Market Association to access international capital. Vietnam also issued its set of green standards in 2025.

In his view, rather than creating another set of criteria, the key is to ensure compatibility between Vietnam’s criteria and international principles.

“The important thing is to align Vietnam’s criteria with international green principles and standards. This would mean that companies and banks would not have to repeatedly work with or explain to international lenders that Vietnamese assets are recognised and have been standardised in line with international principles,” he said. “Such alignment could help reduce the need to re-verify or adjust portfolios when companies and banks seek international funding.”

However, according to Hoang, establishing a set of principles is only the first step. The next challenge is how companies can meet and maintain those criteria throughout the life of a loan or investment.

International principles generally provide an overarching framework, while specific assessment criteria and thresholds are established by individual countries to reflect their own circumstances. Therefore, alongside developing the framework, VIFC needs to support banks and companies in establishing effective measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) mechanisms.

“When investors come here and provide a 10-15-year loan or invest in a bond with a 10–15-year tenor, they can assess a company against individual criteria at a given time. But they will also require the company or bank to demonstrate that those criteria can be monitored, assessed and maintained throughout the life of the loan,” Hoang said. “Therefore, a clear and seamless MRV mechanism extending from the leadership level, together with a standardised system, would create opportunities for us to mobilise international capital.”

Green finance talent a must for new IFCs The development of international financial centres in Vietnam has been designed by the government around several core pillars, among which the international factor plays a decisive role in ensuring the safe operation of the entire financial system.

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.

ACCA marks 25 years in Vietnam Marking 25 years in Vietnam, ACCA is looking beyond a quarter-century of building the professional community to help shape the finance and accounting workforce needed for the country’s next phase of economic development.

The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) also requires credit institutions to continue strictly and effectively implementing the directives set out in Official Letter No.11686/NHNN-CSTT dated December 2025 about regulations on controlling credit growth in the real estate sector, and other relevant documents.

This marks the second time in this year that the SBV has adjusted the calculation method to exclude certain types of credit with specific characteristics from real estate credit balances when controlling credit growth in the sector.

Photo: tinnhanhchungkhoan.vn

Previously, under Official Letter No.4551/NHNN-CSTT dated May 29, the SBV stipulated that increases in outstanding credit for social housing, industrial parks and export processing zones would not be included in real estate credit balances when controlling credit growth in the sector.

The adjustment to the calculation method does not mean that banks are being allowed to relax their lending conditions. Credit institutions are still required to comply with requirements governing real estate credit under Official Letter No. 11686 and other relevant directives issued by the SBV.

According to the list attached to Official Letter No. 8509, the document was sent to the following 25 credit institutions: VietinBank, Agribank, BIDV, MSB, SACOMBANK, Eximbank, Nam A Bank, ACB, Saigonbank, Techcombank, Bac A Bank, VIB, SeABank, BVBank, OCB, ABBank, VietABank, SHB, PGBank, KienlongBank, Vietbank, LPBank, TPBank, BaoViet Bank, and PVcomBank.

Foreign credit institutions to gain broader access to foreign currency accounts Vietnam’s new rules on foreign credit institutions’ accounts are set to ease cross-border payments and deepen the country’s integration into global financial and e-commerce networks.

Banks begin tightening screws on property credit Huynh Quang Khanh invests in real estate by leveraging credit. Seventy per cent of his investment comes from banks. He has borrowed VNĐ1 billion at an interest rate of 9.5 per cent from a bank in Tan Phu District and also asked some of his relatives to borrow on his behalf from that bank.

Home demand drives property credit As policy steers credit towards end-users, Vietnam’s property lending is increasingly anchored in real housing demand, with stable growth masking a deeper shift in how capital is allocated.

The funds involved include Fubon Vietnam ETF, VanEck Vietnam ETF, Xtrackers Vietnam Swap UCITS ETF, as well as Vanguard funds tracking the global FTSE Global Equity Index Series (FTSE GEIS) index series.

The transactions are expected to be completed in the September 18 trading session, before the changes in portfolio composition and weightings officially take effect.

The first tranche of purchases by funds tracking FTSE’s global indices is expected to take place on September 18, three days before the new index composition becomes effective on September 21. SSI Securities estimated that these funds could generate net purchases worth around $240 million in the first tranche, covering 27 Vietnamese stocks.

However, because September 18 also marks the portfolio-rebalancing date for major foreign ETFs already invested in Vietnam, including Xtrackers, VanEck and Fubon, individual stocks could see buying and selling pressure from multiple ETF flows at the same time.

This means the actual trading impact on each stock will reflect not only additions to and removals from the relevant indices, but also simultaneous portfolio rebalancing by the various ETFs.

Vingroup is a notable example. While the stock is expected to receive strong buying from Vanguard funds, it is also facing net selling pressure from other ETFs, particularly Xtrackers, which is set to cut its weighting from 31.6 per cent to 15 per cent.

SSI Research has provided the following estimates for ETF trading flows during the September 14-18 week.

VPBank is expected to attract the strongest buying, with an estimated inflow of $32.82 million, followed by Vinhomes at $30.85 million and Masan Consumer at $22.10 million. FPT and Masan Group are next, with estimated buying flows of $21.48 million and $20.92 million, respectively.

On the selling side, Vingroup stands out by a wide margin, with estimated net selling of $28.06 million. Sacombank follows at $8.71 million, while SHB, Kinh Bac City Development Holding Corporation and Khang Dien House are expected to see selling of $3.97 million, $3.24 million and $3.19 million, respectively.

Photo: tinnhanhchungkhoan.vn

Pham Luu Hung, chief economist and head of SSI Research, said that under SSI Research’s base-case scenario, assuming Vietnam’s weighting remains around 0.51 per cent in the FTSE Emerging All Cap Index, total capital inflows from this group of funds could reach approximately $2.4 billion over the full implementation process.

Under a more positive scenario, with Vietnam’s weighting gradually rising to 0.95 per cent, the figure could climb to more than $4.4 billion.

“This development is consistent with independent estimates in the market. Previously, several securities companies estimated that passive and active capital flows into around 28 stocks expected to benefit directly from the market upgrade could reach more than $1.3 billion by 2027, with most of the value expected to come in the final two tranches rather than the first tranche,” said Hung.

“Meanwhile, among foreign ETFs undergoing periodic rebalancing, the fourth-quarter review of the MarketVector Vietnam Local Index, which serves as the reference index for VanEck Vectors Vietnam ETF, added SSB and removed CEO, in line with SSI Research’s earlier forecasts. Similarly, the STOXX Vietnam Total Market Liquid Index, which serves as the reference index for Xtrackers Vietnam Swap UCITS ETF, removed Nam Kim Steel without adding any new stocks.”

For the FTSE Vietnam 30 Index, which serves as the reference index for Fubon and CSOP funds, the official review results have not yet been released. Securities companies are therefore maintaining their preliminary forecasts of additions to VPBank, FPT Corporation, Asia Commercial Bank, Masan Consumer and Vinpearl, alongside the removal of Kinh Bac City Development Holding Corporation, VNDirect Securities Corporation, Viet Capital Securities and Khang Dien House.

“Against this backdrop, the September 18 trading session could become a key point of ETF-driven volatility across a number of Vietnamese stocks. FPT Corporation, VPBank, Hoa Phat Group, Vinhomes and Masan Group are among those expected to attract the strongest buying flows, while Vingroup, VIX Securities, VNDirect Securities Corporation, Kinh Bac City Development Holding Corporation and Khang Dien House are expected to face the strongest selling pressure,” Hung said.

MarketVector Vietnam Local Index adds three new stocks The MarketVector Vietnam Local Index has included Masan Consumer, VPS Securities, and VPBank Securities in its latest quarterly review.

VinaCapital lists Vietnam's first two strategic beta ETFs VinaCapital has listed its two strategic-beta ETFs on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange, marking another step forward in delivering transparent, efficient investment solutions built to international standards for investors.

Reshaping capital flows to unlock Vietnam's next growth engine As Vietnam pursues double-digit economic growth, restructuring capital channels beyond bank credit, spanning the equity market, corporate bonds and institutional investors, will be essential to building a more balanced and resilient financial system.

Nicolet EDX is the most comprehensive Natus EMG system, delivering industry-leading performance and advanced capabilities healthcare organizations rely on for confident diagnostic decision-making. On June 18, Nicolet EDX became the first locally manufactured Natus product registered in China after receiving final approval from the National Medical Products Administration.

The launch of the Nicolet EDX system marks an important milestone in the long-term commitment Natus has to China, where healthcare procurement increasingly prioritizes locally manufactured medical technologies. This launch positions Natus to better support hospitals, distributors, clinicians, and patients across the country.

"China has always been a critical geography for Natus, and our new locally manufactured capability builds on our long history of partnership with leading hospitals across China," said Walter Wang, General Manager, China. "Through our market-leading distribution network, we are strengthening access to advanced Natus neurodiagnostic technologies and services for clinicians and patients in China."

Designed for routine EMG examinations, complex neuromuscular cases, and advanced diagnostic workflows, Nicolet EDX gives clinicians a comprehensive and scalable platform for confident testing and diagnosis.

"This milestone represents far more than local production. It brings together Natus' global vision, standards, technology and experience with talent, insight and capabilities through our team in China," said Wang. "It also demonstrates our long-term commitment to the clinicians and patients we serve in China."

The EDX system is built in the new Natus office in Suzhou, a historic city that has become one of Eastern China's industrial hubs. Natus will hold a ceremony in Suzhou on October 27, celebrating the collaboration of this new site and product launch milestone in China.

For more information on Natus, please visit natus.com/neuro.

IMTS 2026 is expected to draw roughly 1,800 exhibitors and more than 90,000 visitors from a range of manufacturing verticals, including automotive, aerospace, defense, energy, electronics, and medical devices. This year's theme, Industrial AI, centers on applying AI across the full range of the manufacturing process to maximize efficiency and drive smarter operations, giving attendees a firsthand look at the real-world impact AI is having on the factory floor.

LG CNS will use its participation at the show to introduce several core solutions from Factova, its platform for building smart factories. Built on AI and IoT technologies, Factova optimizes production and enables smarter, more intelligent factories. It draws on more than 30 years of technical expertise and hands-on know-how from manufacturing sites in Korea and abroad, including LG Group affiliates such as LG Electronics, LG Display, LG Chem, and LG Energy Solution.

One of Factova's core solutions is 'Factova Worldworks', a digital twin-based simulator that lets manufacturers test and validate operations in a virtual environment before implementing them on the factory floor. It recreates an actual factory in a 3D virtual environment to test and refine everything from spatial layouts to data monitoring. When breaking ground on a new factory, for instance, manufacturers can test out the equipment placement and logistics flow in a virtual environment beforehand, thereby avoiding trial and error in the real world. Actual production data can also be run through the simulator to build cost-efficient production plans and check equipment integrity ahead of time.

'Factova MES' is a manufacturing execution solution that manages the entire production process in real time. AI analyzes floor-level data, including equipment utilization, workforce activity, and raw material usage to maximize operating efficiency. What sets it apart is its modular design. MES functions are broken down by industry and process type into individual modules, so manufacturers can pick only what they need and scale accordingly.

LG CNS will also present 'Factova Control', which has recently been enhanced with more advanced AI capabilities. This solution collects and standardizes equipment data across different manufacturers in real time for unified control. The AI analyzes electrical current, temperature, and vibration data from connected equipment, allowing it to flag early warning signs and predict equipment failures in advance. It also integrates seamlessly with higher-level systems like MES and is already running on more than 100,000 pieces of manufacturing equipment worldwide.

Backed by Factova's core solutions and its track record across electronics, battery, and chemical plants in North America, LG CNS plans to make a strong push into the region's emerging smart factory market.

"Factova has demonstrated proven performance differentiation and quality across more than 100 manufacturing sites worldwide," said Jun-ho Lee, CEO of LG CNS America. "We are going to build on that track record of success and, along with our proven AX capabilities, deliver visible results for our customers in North America."

For more information, please visit https://www.lgcns.com.

Financial Highlights:

Total Revenue: Increased by approximately 18.4% from approximately $263.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025 to approximately $311.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2026. The increase was primarily driven by a significant increase in revenue from our transportation services.

Gross Profit: Increased by approximately 11.3% from approximately $24.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025 to approximately $26.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2026. For the six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, our overall gross margin was approximately 8.6% and 9.1%, respectively. The gross margin decreased primarily due to competitive pricing pressures in the market.

Net Income: Increased by 9.6% from approximately $6.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025 to approximately $6.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2026.

Cost and Expense Overview:

• Operating Expenses: Operating expenses increased by approximately 9.1% from approximately $16.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025 to approximately $17.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2026.
• Selling and Marketing Expenses: Decreased by approximately 20.4% from approximately $2.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025 to approximately $2.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2026. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower employee salaries and related benefits, driven by a decrease in sales department headcount as a result of the Company's departmental restructuring.
• General and Administrative Expenses: Increased by approximately 15.4% from approximately $13.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025 to approximately $15.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2026. The increase was primarily attributable to higher employee salaries and related benefits, driven by an increase in G&A department headcount as a result of the Company's departmental restructuring.

Cash Position:

• Cash and Cash Equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents was approximately $16.9 million, as of June 30, 2026, decreased from approximately $35.3 million as of December 31, 2025. The decrease was primarily due to investments in business expansion and increased working capital requirements to support the growth in revenue. The Company remains committed to maintaining a strong liquidity position to support ongoing operations and strategic initiatives.

Operational Highlights:

• Transportation Services: Net revenues increased by approximately 18.4% from approximately $254.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025 to approximately $301.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2026. The growth was primarily driven by the expansion of services with existing clients, reflecting a deepened partnership and expanded service offerings.
• Warehouse Storage Management Services: Revenues increased by approximately 14.9% from approximately $7.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025 to approximately $8.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2026. The increase was primarily due to the acquisition of new clients for the six months ended June 30, 2026.

CEO Commentary:

Yongxu Liu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Shengfeng, commented, "Shengfeng delivered solid revenue growth in the first six months of 2026. Most of that growth came from customers we were already serving, who over the period chose to place a wider share of their logistics operations in our hands. New energy vehicles remained a core client segment, where we serve leading battery manufacturers and vehicle brands. We also deepened our work with major fast-moving consumer goods customers and with global industrial equipment manufacturers, while our warehouse storage management business grew on the strength of new customer acquisition. We supported this growth without a proportionate increase in overhead. For the second half of 2026, our attention is expected to turn to network and route optimization, the utilization of our transportation capacity, and the management of working capital, as we aim to translate revenue growth into stronger profitability."

Outlook:

Looking ahead, Shengfeng aims to sustain its growth and improve margins in the second half of 2026. The Company is committed to leveraging its extensive logistics network and innovative solutions to serve a broader range of industries and customers.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts. When the Company uses words such as "may," "will," "intend," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project," "estimate" or similar expressions that do not relate solely to historical matters, it is making forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations discussed in the forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks including, but not limited to, the following: the Company's ability to achieve its goals and strategies, the Company's future business development and plans for future business development, including its financial conditions and results of operations, product and service demand and acceptance, reputation and brand, the impact of competition and pricing, changes in technology, government regulations, fluctuations in general economic and business conditions in China, and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing and other risks contained in reports filed by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). For these reasons, among others, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements in this press release. Additional factors are discussed in the Company's filings with the SEC, including under the section entitled "Risk Factors" in its annual report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on March 27, 2026, as well as its current reports on Form 6-K and other filings, all of which are available for review at www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof, except as may be required by law.

For more information, please visit the Company's website: http://ir.sfwl.com.cn/.

Hyosung Heavy Industries announced on the 15th that it has signed supply contracts totaling approximately $287 million for ultra-high-voltage transformers with two major U.S. tech companies.

The ultra-high-voltage transformers ordered this time will be deployed at newly built AI data centers in the northern and southern regions of the United States. They consist of 765kV ultra-high-voltage transformers worth approximately $163 million and 345kV ultra-high-voltage transformers worth approximately $124 million, and will be supplied to data centers that consume enormous amounts of electricity.

This contract is the result of Hyosung Heavy Industries cementing its position as a "key partner" in the local power infrastructure market, including big tech companies, based on the high product reliability it has built up over the years.

Chairman Cho Hyun-joon: "A once-in-60-years super cycle... We will become a global top 3 within 5 years"

The major orders from U.S. tech companies validate Chairman Cho Hyun-joon's forward-looking strategy, meticulously prepared in response to the AI-driven shift in the power market.

Chairman Cho said, "In the AI era, demand for power infrastructure has exploded, ushering in a super cycle that comes once in 60 years." He added, "Based on the competitiveness of our 'total solution'—covering not only transformers and circuit breakers but also power stabilization systems such as HVDC, STATCOM, and ESS—we will make Hyosung Heavy Industries a global top-three player within five years."

Chairman Cho has been focusing on nurturing the data center and power infrastructure businesses in preparation for the AI era. In particular, he noted that global data center operators, including big tech companies, are seeking partners who can take responsibility for "stable power supply" and "rapid construction."

Chairman Cho has emphasized, "No matter how many data centers you build, they are useless without a power supply," and "We must develop the AI data center business, where Hyosung's overwhelming capabilities are fully concentrated, into the group's future growth axis."

The U.S. Tennessee ultra-high-voltage transformer plant acquired by Hyosung Heavy Industries in 2020 has now become a key base for taking the lead in the local supply chain. Once the ongoing expansion of the Memphis plant is completed, it will have the largest ultra-high-voltage transformer production capacity in the United States. In July, the company established a joint venture with Quanta, a leading North American energy infrastructure solutions company, for ultra-high-voltage circuit breakers—completing the hardware foundation for the "total solution" that Chairman Cho has championed, with local production capabilities for circuit breakers joining transformers.

In early September, the company also established a "Data Center Business Team," bringing together design personnel for power equipment such as transformers and circuit breakers, as well as stabilization solutions including ESS, microgrids, and STATCOM, into a single organization as part of its strategy to target the global data center market as a "one-stop partner."

Hyosung Heavy Industries Emerges as 'Partner of Choice' Amid Surging U.S. Data Center Power Demand

The United States, the world's largest power market, is seeing a sharp expansion of AI data center investment led by big tech companies. According to global investment bank Goldman Sachs, U.S. data center power demand is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 15% through 2030, with approximately US$50 billion (KRW 66 trillion) expected to be invested in new power infrastructure to support this growth.

Hyosung Heavy Industries has held the No. 1 market share in the U.S. 765kV ultra-high-voltage transformer market since the early 2010s, and has supplied nearly half of all 765kV ultra-high-voltage transformers currently installed in the U.S. power transmission grid.

Beyond ultra-high-voltage transformers, the company has built an unrivaled product lineup ranging from 72.5kV to 800kV ultra-high-voltage circuit breakers. It is also seeing a significant increase in orders for STATCOM (Static Synchronous Compensator) systems—power stabilization equipment—positioning the company to continue playing a key role in the AI data center power infrastructure market, where investment is rapidly expanding.

Meanwhile, Hyosung Heavy Industries' new orders through August reached approximately $6.9 billion, surpassing last year's full-year order volume. The company has also raised its annual order target from approximately $6.2 billion to $8.9 billion.

Website: https://www.hyosung.com/en/

The agreement, signed by Steven Liu, Founder and CEO of Novva, and Dr Karsten Schlageter, Managing Director of ABO Energy, builds on the successful acquisition of three solar projects in Colombia from ABO Energy earlier this year. Together with active developments across emerging markets, this transaction significantly reinforces Novva's global energy foundation and accelerates its expansion into Latin America.

Operating as an energy investment bank for the AI era, Novva integrates development, financing, and end-to-end delivery to provide bankable, aggregated clean power for next-generation data centres, Powered Land, and Powered Shells across the globe.

"Securing this 3.17 GW portfolio marks a decisive leap in our Latin America pipeline," said Steven Liu, Founder and CEO of Novva. "This upcoming acquisition propels Novva into the top-tier of regional renewable energy platforms and establishes us as one of the fastest-scaling infrastructure players powering the AI era. As computing demand reshapes global energy requirements, assembling high-quality wind and solar assets at scale delivers the certainty and bankability the AI economy demands."

"The upcoming transaction is in line with our strategy of focusing on core markets. We are pleased to continue our successful collaboration with Novva," commented Dr Karsten Schlageter.

www.novvaglobal.com
www.aboenergy.com

There is a familiar paradox to short getaways, the less time we have, the more we try to pack into it. With only a few days away, there is a natural temptation to make every hour count. A new restaurant for lunch, another place to visit in the afternoon, one more stop before dinner. By the time the trip comes to an end, the itinerary may be complete, but the feeling of having truly had a break can be harder to find. In the end, a holiday can start to feel like another deadline to get through.

This is where 'slow travel' offers a different approach. It leaves room for plans to change, for a morning to take its time, and for the day to be shaped by what feels right in the moment.

As Tran Tuan Vinh, general manager of Angsana & Dhawa Ho Tram resort, puts it, “Slow travel doesn’t mean doing nothing. It means you don’t need to rush or have a full schedule to enjoy your trip.”

A day on holiday can begin slowly, with the rest unfolding according to the mood of the moment. Some days may call for going out and exploring. On others, staying in, taking in the surroundings, enjoying an unhurried meal and simply resting may be all that is needed.

“There are many things to experience, but you don’t have to experience them all,” Vinh said. This is also how Vinh sees the role of a resort. Guests arrive with very different needs. Some are keen to explore, while others simply want a quiet day. Families may wish to spend time together, while some people simply need a break from the pace of everyday life.

A slow holiday can still be filled with experiences. What matters is that there is enough space for each person to choose what they genuinely want to do.

Photo: Angsana & Dhawa Ho Tram

Ho Tram is a destination shaped by both forest and sea, where nature remains an integral part of the landscape. Located around two hours from central Ho Chi Minh City via the Bien Hoa–Vung Tau Expressway, it is close enough for a short trip without spending too much time on the road, while still offering a feeling of distance from the familiar rhythm of the city.

Here, the Ho Tram coast meets open green spaces, giving you the freedom to spend a day at your own pace. Walk or cycle around the area instead of rushing from one place to another, or simply take a little longer over a meal.

For those who want to venture further, the area around Ho Tram and Binh Chau offers plenty to discover, from horse riding and nature experiences to hot springs and local life.

For Vinh, making guests feel that they are actually in Ho Tram has been part of the vision for Angsana & Dhawa Ho Tram from the beginning. The landscape brings the native melaleuca trees into the resort, while local ingredients, flavours and handmade products add touches of the destination to everyday moments.

These details bring a stronger sense of Ho Tram into the stay, through the landscape, the food and the local touches woven into the experience.

Slow travel, then, is not simply about slowing down. It is about choosing what you genuinely want from a journey, rather than trying to fit everything in. There may be plenty to discover, but there is no need to experience it all. What matters is having the time to enjoy the moments that feel right for you.

The idea of experiencing each destination in its own rhythm also runs through Banyan Group’s 'Vietnam For Every Season campaign', taking place from July 2026 to June 2027.

The campaign highlights four destinations across different times of the year, from lotus season in Lang Co and golden rice fields in Mu Cang Chai, to the tropical coast of Ho Tram in spring and summer on Quan Lan Island.

Each destination offers a different landscape, atmosphere and way of experiencing Vietnam, shaped by the season that surrounds it.

Angsana & Dhawa Ho Tram gains EarthCheck certification Angsana & Dhawa Ho Tram is the first hospitality project in Southern Vietnam to achieve Silver certification from EarthCheck, the world’s leading consulting and advisory group for sustainable destinations and tourism organisations.

Tet experience in an idyllic hideaway at Angsana & Dhawa Ho Tram Nestled along the unspoiled coastal road of Ho Tram, Angsana & Dhawa Ho Tram are two adjacent 5-star resorts under Banyan Group, offering the perfect sanctuary for relaxation, connection, and discovery amidst nature.

National Day comes to the coast at Angsana & Dhawa Ho Tram Angsana & Dhawa Ho Tram is offering a programme of family activities, Vietnamese cuisine and seaside experiences for the National Day holiday.

Two major industry exhibitions opened in Hanoi on September 16. The International Exhibition on Construction, Mining and Transportation (Contech Vietnam 2026) and the Electricity, Energy and Lighting Exhibition (EL Vietnam 2026) bring together hundreds of domestic and international brands seeking opportunities in the country's expanding infrastructure and industrial markets.

Organised by Hanoi International Advertising and Trade Fair (HADIFA), the exhibitions brought together hundreds of domestic and international brands, creating a platform for technology showcasing, business connections, and investment cooperation.

Now in their seventh edition, the events cover sectors that are becoming increasingly important to Vietnam’s infrastructure, and industrial development. Contech Vietnam focuses on construction, mining, and transportation, while EL Vietnam addresses electricity, energy and lighting.

This year’s exhibitions feature a growing presence of international brands, businesses and partners, reflecting rising interest in Vietnam’s infrastructure, and industrial markets.

“Our goal is to gradually develop Contech Vietnam 2027 into a larger and more influential specialised trade platform in Vietnam, ASEAN, and international markets, where Vietnamese businesses can access advanced technologies, find partners, and expand their markets, while international companies gain greater access to Vietnam’s rapidly developing construction, infrastructure, and industrial sectors,” said Le Lan Anh, CEO of HADIFA.

“In the coming years, alongside the strong development of construction, infrastructure, transport, mining, energy, and supporting industries in Vietnam, demand for new technologies, modern equipment, and international solutions will continue to increase.”

Contech Vietnam 2026 covers a broad range of products and solutions for the construction industry, including new and environmentally friendly technologies, structural and engineering solutions, construction machinery, and equipment, surveying and measurement systems, workplace safety equipment, as well as design, supervision, and project management consultancy services.

Photo: HADIFA

The construction materials section features building and finishing materials, technologies for environmentally friendly production, and machinery and equipment used in manufacturing construction materials.

For the mining industry, exhibitors are showcasing new and environmentally friendly technologies for mineral extraction and processing, alongside machinery, vehicles, and integrated equipment systems for mining, transportation, and mineral processing.

The transport section focuses on road and transport infrastructure, construction machinery, components, and safety technologies, public transport equipment, as well as technologies and services for railway and high-speed railway development. Related construction and development projects are also featured.

The exhibition will include a technical seminar on 'Smart Underground Cities' led by Hanoi University of Mining and Geology.

A business matching programme will also connect participating companies with businesses and potential customers in construction, mining and transport, supporting commercial discussions before, during and after the exhibitions.

Organisers said the combination of technology exhibitions, business matching activities, and industry seminars is intended to move the events beyond product displays and towards a platform for business development, technology transfer, and longer-term cooperation between Vietnamese and international companies.

The exhibitions come as Vietnam prepares for a major expansion of infrastructure and investment during 2026–2030. The country has set a target of average annual GDP growth of at least 10 per cent during the period, while a pipeline of large-scale infrastructure and construction projects is expected to generate additional demand for advanced machinery, equipment, materials and engineering technologies.

Against this backdrop, Contech Vietnam and EL Vietnam are positioning themselves as venues for businesses to introduce new technologies and solutions while connecting with potential partners in sectors expected to play a central role in Vietnam’s next phase of infrastructure and industrial development.

Cement producers sustain growth as construction demand holds firm Vietnam's cement producers delivered stronger first-half earnings as construction demand and infrastructure projects boosted sales, keeping the industry's growth outlook positive despite signs of slower market momentum in June.

Ministry of Construction and ADB sign cooperation agreement Vietnam’s Ministry of Construction and the Asian Development Bank on August 3 signed an MoU on cooperation in sustainable urban development, housing, infrastructure, and transport.

More reforms sought for businesses to develop industry, construction and infrastructure The government is urging authorities to be more dynamic and take bolder action to help businesses solve difficulties.

Announced on September 17, the recognition means Fortinet is now featured in 11 Gartner Magic Quadrant reports across networking and security. Powered by custom-built FortiASICs and FortiOS, its FortiGate firewall solutions form an integral part of the Fortinet AI-Native Security Fabric, delivering consistent protection, performance, and operational simplicity across hybrid environments.

"Enterprise firewall expertise is earned through the trust customers place in a solution to protect their most critical environments," said Anthony James, EVP of marketing at Fortinet. "We believe our recognition as a Leader and highest position for Ability to Execute reflect Fortinet's proven ability to deliver security and networking at scale. We continue to expand what customers should expect from a firewall through innovation in AI-driven operations, post-quantum cryptography (PQC), multi-cloud orchestration, and cyberphysical visibility."

Fortinet Hybrid Mesh Firewall (HMF) solutions protect enterprise perimeter, heavy branch, data centre, carrier-grade, and managed security environments across physical, virtual, cloud-native, and as-a-service deployments. Supported by the FortiOS operating system, centralised management, and common FortiGuard AI-Powered Security Services, this consistent foundation enables organisations to standardise policies and simplify operations without introducing separate products and operating models for each environment.

Fortinet’s long-standing strategy converges networking and security within a common operating system. FortiOS integrates enterprise-class routing, secure SD-WAN, and next-generation firewall capabilities, enabling organisations to coordinate connectivity and security policies, improve application performance, accelerate branch and campus modernisation, and centrally manage distributed environments.

By bringing these capabilities together, Fortinet helps customers reduce complexity, improve operational efficiency, and build more resilient infrastructure.

Efforts have been made to advance the HMF through AI-based automation, PQC, and multi-cloud orchestration. AI-driven assistance, automation, and analytics. These solutions help networking and security teams investigate issues faster, automate routine activities, and improve policy management. The company is also helping customers prepare for emerging cryptographic risks while enabling consistent security policy and orchestration across multi-cloud environments.

Another key area is to extend visibility across the Internet of Things and cyberphysical systems environments through passive and active device discovery. These capabilities help organisations identify and categorise connected assets by manufacturer, firmware, and industrial function, while real-time firewall file monitoring helps identify unauthorised changes and protect the integrity of critical security infrastructure.

AI adoption in cybersecurity surges across Vietnam Fortinet has announced the findings of a 2025 IDC survey highlighting how organisations across Vietnam are adopting AI as the front line of their cyber defence strategy.

Is our security becoming a battle of AIs? From the battlefield to the data center, artificial intelligence (AI) may become the dominant factor in determining the outcome of any conflict. Jim Richberg, head of Cyber ​​Policy and Global Field CISO, delves into this matter.

Fortinet report reveals surge in AI-enabled cybercrime On May 4, Fortinet released the 2026 Global Threat Landscape Report from FortiGuard Labs, highlighting the rise of AI-enabled cybercrime, contributing to a 389 per cent increase in ransomware victims on-year.

The opening ceremony took place on September 17 at Thang Long Industrial Park II. The 250,000-square-metre facility offers high-tech manufacturing, engineering, and quality assurance capabilities to support high-speed data centre customers. The plant currently employs nearly 5,000 people and is expected to grow to 8,000 employees by the end of 2026.

"For nearly 20 years, Vietnam has been an outstanding location for our operations and investment, enabling Molex to better serve our global customers," said Joe Nelligan, CEO of Molex. "We value the exceptional pool of local talent and look forward to scaling our workforce for long-term growth."

The expanded Hung Yen site joins Molex's 28,000-square-metre Hanoi plant, which has been in operation since 2007 and employs 1,000 people. Both sites integrate engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and support functions while fostering local career and skills development in modern, employee-focused workplaces.

Designed to optimise operational efficiency and reinforce Molex's commitment to environmental stewardship, both facilities feature advanced energy-saving systems, including on-site solar power, professional power management systems, LED lighting, electronic controls and inverter-based air conditioning, all intelligently controlled through the building management system.

Meiko breaks ground on $500 million electronic circuit factory On June 12, Japanese electronics supplier Meiko Electronics held the groundbreaking ceremony for the Meiko Yen Quang electronic circuit factory at Yen Quang Industrial Park, Thinh Minh commune, Phu Tho.

Intel marks 20 years of Vietnam factory as largest in its network Intel has celebrated the 20th anniversary of its Intel Products Vietnam factory in Ho Chi Minh City, which has grown into the largest assembly and test facility within Intel's global network.

LG Electronics strengthens Vietnam R&D operations to support future growth LG Electronics has reaffirmed it will continue to expand its Vietnam research and development subsidiary as an overseas innovation hub for LG Vehicle Solution Company.

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

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Announced on September 10, the partnership combines SJourney's destination knowledge and operational expertise with Arsenale's international experience in luxury hospitality and rail travel, supporting SJourney's ambition to build a distinctive international luxury travel brand rooted in Vietnam.

Through the partnership, SJourney will gain access to Arsenale's international commercial network and distribution channels, as well as strategic and industry expertise to support future route development, expansion into additional markets, and the continued evolution of the onboard experience. Product development will also include the introduction of three new carriages.

SJourney was founded on a simple belief: the journey itself should be an integral part of the destination. Rather than treating the railway simply as a means of transportation, SJourney creates journeys that invite travellers to experience Vietnam at a slower and more considered pace, connecting landscapes, cultural heritage, local communities, and the stories of the places along the way.

From historic cities and rural landscapes to coastal regions and culturally significant destinations, SJourney offers a different perspective on Vietnam, where the experience unfolds not just at each destination, but throughout the journey itself. This philosophy will remain central as SJourney enters its next phase of growth.

The partnership also includes the licensing of the Golden Eagle brand. As part of this strategy, SJourney will operate under the SJourney by Golden Eagle brand. SJourney will remain at the heart of the proposition and the distinctive local expression of the experience, while the Golden Eagle endorsement will support its international positioning and reach.

"SJourney was created to offer a more meaningful way to experience Vietnam – one where the journey is as important as the destination," said Thang Phan, co-founder and business development manager of SJourney. "Arsenale's investment lets us accelerate that vision by strengthening our product and extending our international reach. As we grow, what matters most is that we remain unmistakably Vietnamese. This partnership gives us the capabilities to expand internationally without losing what makes SJourney distinctive."

Arsenale's investment also marks the Italian Group's entry into Vietnam and further strengthens its presence in Asia. Arsenale will act as a strategic minority shareholder, supporting SJourney's growth while the company continues to build on its local expertise and distinctive brand identity.

Japanese firms maintain resilient deal activity in Vietnam Vietnam-Japan mergers and acquisitions activity has remained steady despite global geopolitical tensions and rising oil prices, with a new asset management joint venture announced between Amova Asset Management and BIDV Securities.

Japan’s Nissha to exit investment in Vietnam’s USM Healthcare Nissha Co., Ltd. on September 4 announced that the company resolved to transfer all shares of USM Healthcare Medical Devices Factory JSC held by the company and its consolidated subsidiary, Nissha Vietnam Co., Ltd.

Mekong Capital completes exit from Mutosi following acquisition by Ariston Group Mekong Capital on September 9 announced the sale of its majority stake in Mutosi Group JSC, a key player in Vietnam’s residential water purification market, to Ariston Group, one of the global leaders in climate and water comfort solutions, listed on Euronext Milan.

The research found that 51% of APAC organisations prioritising digital sovereignty want to retain control over sensitive and strategic data, broadly in line with 53% globally. They are also placing greater emphasis on digital sovereignty than their global peers, with 38% viewing it as a top or high priority, compared with 33% globally. In addition, 43% of respondents from the region also rank it among the leading drivers of technology investment, compared with 30% globally. This highlights how governance, risk and compliance considerations are becoming increasingly important as organisations scale AI and cloud initiatives.

The findings suggest organisations are looking beyond traditional approaches to data governance as they seek to better manage risk, regulatory obligations and operational resilience. Among APAC organisations not using AI or only beginning implementation, 60% identify security, data privacy, compliance or digital sovereignty concerns as a significant barrier to AI adoption, while 54% of APAC technology leaders regard new security risks as a significant potential consequence of using AI.

Eric Wong, president, Asia Pacific at Expereo, says: "There is no single path to digital sovereignty across Asia Pacific. Businesses are navigating very different regulatory environments, cross-border data requirements and geopolitical risks, while accelerating their adoption of cloud and AI.

For multinational organisations, the challenge is maintaining visibility and control over how data and traffic move across markets without creating fragmented operations. As AI adoption accelerates, the network will become an increasingly important part of managing that complexity and enabling businesses to operate confidently across the region.

At Expereo, we help multinational businesses design and manage global connectivity around their regional, regulatory and operational needs, providing greater visibility into how traffic moves across complex digital environments. As AI adoption accelerates, this visibility will become an increasingly important part of helping organisations maintain control, manage risk and operate confidently across many jurisdictions."

The report also highlights the growing commercial and regulatory pressures driving this shift and playing out differently across Asia Pacific. Among APAC organisations prioritising digital sovereignty, 16% say demands from customers or business partners to localise data are influencing their approach, compared with 22% globally.

For the full *IDC InfoBrief, commissioned by Expereo, "Enterprise Horizons 2026: Global Technology Leaders' Priorities & Insights" (doc #XX, April 2026).

Fact Sheet: APAC technology leaders prioritise sovereignty as AI, cyber risk and connectivity pressures converge

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

Announced on September 15, the facility supports VinFast Vietnam – a subsidiary of VinFast Auto, the electric vehicle arm of Vingroup – and underscores the company's standing in the global green mobility sector.

Barclays Bank, BNP Paribas, and HSBC acted as Mandated Lead Arrangers, Bookrunners, and Lenders for the financing. HSBC also served as ECA Coordinator, Facility Agent, Security Agent, and Offshore Account Bank. SACE provided a guarantee under its Push Strategy programme, through which it supports major international companies and buyers while fostering commercial relationships with Italian suppliers, including through dedicated business matching initiatives.

The financing will be used for general corporate purposes, including investments, research, and development activities supporting the implementation of VinFast Vietnam’s business plan.

Marco della Seta, Ambassador of Italy to Vietnam, said, "This operation reflects Italy's confidence in Vietnam's rapidly growing market. Opening up to international financing gives Vietnamese companies access to capital and expertise, and supporting Vingroup's electric mobility operations creates concrete opportunities for Italian business here. This agreement is a bridge between Italian technology and Vietnam's transformation."

According to Mario Melillo, chief network officer at SACE, "This transaction marks an important milestone in our cooperation with Vingroup and demonstrates the effectiveness of our partnership with HSBC. Vingroup and VinFast have strong execution capabilities and clear international ambitions – key factors behind our decision to support them.

Through the Push Strategy Programme, we aim to support international groups in their long-term growth while creating new opportunities for cross-market collaboration. Supporting VinFast also allows SACE to deepen its engagement in Vietnam, a dynamic and promising market."

"We are proud to continue working with SACE to bring innovative financing structures to Vietnam," said Tim Evans, CEO of HSBC Vietnam. "This is the fourth deal HSBC has completed with SACE in Vietnam, and we look forward to building on this partnership to support the growth ambitions of Vietnamese corporates as they help the country achieve its strategic objectives."

GELEX Infrastructure secures $40 million SACE Push loan for facility HSBC and the Italian Export Credit Agency have agreed a loan of $40 million for GELEX Infrastructure JSC.

GELEX completes international financing transaction worth $79 million GELEX Group announced the completion of a loan facility guaranteed by the Italian Export Credit Agency (SACE) with a total value of $79 million on May 29.

Italy deepens Vietnam ties as SACE backs Gelex and THACO's growth plans SACE, the Italian insurance and finance group fully owned by the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance, together with HSBC and LBBW, has finalised two medium-long term loans totalling $139 million, guaranteed by SACE, for Gelex Group and THACO AGRI, two of Vietnam's leading industrial players.

“If Vietnamese businesses fail to make the green transition, they risk being excluded from global supply chains,” Huong said. “We must act to transform production models, from adopting energy-saving technologies to building transparent environmental, social, and governance (ESG) management systems to ensure long-term competitiveness and sustainability.”

Requirements from key export markets such as the EU, the United States, and Japan are becoming more stringent, while net-zero commitments by multinational corporations are gradually extending environmental requirements throughout their supply chains.

Quality, cost, and delivery issues remain fundamental considerations for international buyers. However, carbon emissions, material origins, chemical management, traceability and ESG data are increasingly being incorporated into supplier assessments.

Tran Nhat Anh, ESG project manager at SGS Vietnam, said environmental requirements from end markets were being transmitted through original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and different supplier tiers before reaching individual factories.

"Quality, cost, and delivery remain essential, but suppliers are increasingly being asked to provide information on carbon emissions, material origins, and data transparency,” Anh said.

Tran Nhat Anh, ESG project manager at SGS Vietnam. Photo: SGS

According to Anh, buyers are increasingly assessing suppliers across four broad areas. Companies first need to meet legal, chemical, labour, and safety requirements, while also developing greenhouse gas inventories, product carbon footprint data, renewable energy information and material traceability.

Suppliers are also expected to demonstrate measurable improvement through baselines, targets, corrective action plans, and implementation schedules, while maintaining consistent and traceable documentation that can be independently verified.

These requirements are changing the role of environmental data in electronics manufacturing. Information that was previously used mainly for internal management is increasingly forming part of commercial discussions with customers as OEMs translate their net-zero targets into supplier scorecards and procurement requirements.

Scope 3 emissions are an important part of this shift. Scope 1 covers direct emissions from sources owned or controlled by an organisation, while Scope 2 relates to purchased electricity and other forms of energy. Scope 3 covers 15 categories of indirect upstream and downstream emissions.

Figures presented at the workshop indicated that 70–90 per cent of a brand’s emissions footprint could be located within its value chain. This is increasing demand for emissions information from suppliers as international companies seek to measure the carbon footprint of their products and supply networks.

The growing importance of data is also bringing digitalisation and green manufacturing closer together.

David Bergman, vice president of international relations at global electronics association IPC, speaks at the workshop. Photo: SGS

David Bergman, vice president of international relations at global electronics association IPC, provided an international perspective on smart-factory development in the electronics industry.

Bergman said smart-factory development was increasingly linked to companies’ ability to collect and manage production data. Connected manufacturing systems could help companies monitor energy and material use, production performance, and traceability, providing some of the data needed to respond to changing customer requirements.

While ESG requirements cover energy and material consumption, emissions and supply chain transparency, smart manufacturing systems can provide part of the infrastructure needed to collect, manage, and verify the underlying information.

For electronics companies, expanding production capacity is therefore increasingly accompanied by investment in data management and more integrated factory operations.

Huong noted that smart manufacturing extends beyond automation and productivity improvements. Digital systems can enable factories to measure and optimise energy consumption, materials, product quality and emissions, while improving traceability throughout production.

In traditional manufacturing operations, data on electricity, materials, production volumes, quality, and emissions may be distributed across different departments or systems, with some information still managed manually.

Connecting data from meters, bills of materials, enterprise resource planning, and manufacturing execution systems can provide manufacturers with more detailed information about resource consumption and environmental performance at different stages of production.

Packaging is another area where changing international requirements are influencing electronics supply chains.

Huynh Lam Diem My, a representative of SGS Vietnam, said sustainable packaging was becoming increasingly relevant as international markets introduce more detailed requirements covering materials, chemicals, recyclability and design.

"Electronics manufacturers need to look beyond the product itself, because packaging materials, chemicals, recyclability, and design are increasingly part of market requirements,” My said.

Photo: SGS

The EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, which started applying from August 12, is increasing the importance of packaging, material, and chemical data. Requirements involving packaging minimisation, post-consumer recycled content, and recyclability will continue to develop towards 2030.

For electronics manufacturers already accustomed to controlling restricted substances in components, environmental considerations are consequently expanding to boxes, plastic films, printing inks, and cushioning materials.

The division of responsibilities across the supply chain also creates challenges. Global brand owners may determine packaging designs, and EU importers may bear extended producer responsibility obligations, but Vietnamese suppliers remain directly involved in sourcing, producing, and using packaging materials.

My said Vietnamese manufacturers could take a more active role by reviewing designs for recyclability, testing materials and chemicals at an early stage, and identifying potential regulatory issues before shipments reach export markets.

Early material testing, design reviews, and traceability can also enable suppliers to propose alternative materials or more efficient packaging, adding capabilities beyond contract manufacturing.

The evolving requirements are broadening the capabilities considered by international electronics buyers. Alongside production capacity, quality, costs, and delivery, suppliers can increasingly differentiate themselves through carbon accounting, ESG management, traceability, smart manufacturing, and materials expertise.

For Vietnam, these changes coincide with the continued expansion of its electronics manufacturing base. As domestic suppliers build the data and production capabilities required by multinational customers, new environmental and digital standards could provide another avenue for Vietnamese companies to deepen their participation in higher-value segments of global electronics supply chains.

On September 15, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Finance Nguyen Duc Chi held a working session in Vienna with Mariana Kühnel, the newly appointed executive director of the Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA), to exchange experience in financial market supervision, and discuss future cooperation.

The meeting was attended by Vu Le Thai Hoang, Vietnamese Ambassador to Austria; Vu Thi Chan Phuong, chairwoman of the State Securities Commission (SSC); and senior officials from the Ministry of Finance, SSC, Vietnam Stock Exchange, and Vietnam Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation.

Deputy Minister Chi thanked Kühnel and the FMA for their reception and praised the information shared on Austria’s efforts to modernise financial management and supervision in response to rapid developments in science and technology and the emergence of new asset classes.

The two sides devoted significant attention to the crypto-asset market. Chi said Vietnam had established a pilot legal framework for crypto-asset activities and expected the first crypto-asset service providers to be licensed and begin operations in 2026.

Ministry of Finance delegation. Photo: SSC

Phuong said the Vietnamese authorities were developing a supervisory framework for crypto-asset service providers and investor transactions, drawing on recommendations from the financial action task force.

The framework would focus on risk management, investor asset protection and anti-money laundering measures, she said. Vietnam also hopes to learn from the experience of the FMA and European Union financial regulators as it continues to develop its legal framework for the sector.

The two sides also discussed support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which account for about 99 per cent of businesses operating in Vietnam.

The deputy minister said policies to support SMEs were being developed around improving corporate governance, financial capacity, regulatory compliance and digital transformation. These measures are intended to help businesses better meet requirements for accessing credit and the capital market.

Regarding the stock market, Phuong said Vietnam was studying the restructuring of trading boards, including those serving SMEs. The authorities are also seeking to improve the quality of listed securities, transparency and disclosure discipline, while strengthening supervision to prevent market manipulation and price manipulation.

Austrian FMA delegation. Photo: SSC

Responding to Vietnam’s proposals, Kühnel noted that many financial regulations are determined at European Union level, while the FMA is responsible for implementing and enforcing them in Austria.

For specific technical matters, she proposed that the two sides strengthen exchanges through the International Organisation of Securities Commissions, while also holding online technical meetings to allow experts from both sides to share information and discuss areas of mutual interest in greater depth.

Deputy Minister Chi agreed with the proposed approach and expressed his confidence that these channels would help translate the two sides’ exchange of experience and technical cooperation into practical activities in the coming period.

The meeting concluded with the deputy minister thanking Kühnel and FMA officials for their open discussions, which would contribute to strengthening links between the financial regulators of Vietnam and Austria.

The Austrian FMA is an independent, autonomous and integrated financial supervisory authority established in 2002 and headquartered in Vienna. It supervises banks, insurance companies, pension funds, securities firms, investment service providers, investment funds, stock exchanges, market infrastructures and crypto-asset service providers. Its responsibilities also include market supervision, investor protection, anti-money laundering and action against unauthorised financial activities.

Vietnam - Austria boost cooperation in high technologies and innovation Hundreds of big corporations of the two countries in the fields of AI, health technology, semiconductors and cybersecurity will gather at the "Austria - Vietnam High Technology and Innovation Forum opening on May 16 in Austria's Vienna.

Vietnam and Austria ink deal to boost bilateral finance ties Vietnam and Austria signed a €150 million ($172.5 million) financial agreement on June 23 in Hanoi, paving the way for bilateral projects and deeper economic ties over the next five years.

Vietnam and Austria seek to deepen financial cooperation and investment On September 14, in Vienna, Austria, a delegation from Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance, led by Deputy Minister Nguyen Duc Chi, held a bilateral working session with Barbara Eibinger-Miedl, State Secretary at Austria’s Federal Ministry of Finance.

Organised by the Vietnam Water Supply and Sewerage Association (VWSA) and partners, the event runs from September 16–18 and features exhibitions, seminars, business networking, and professional exchanges.

Featuring a specialised exhibition area of approximately 4,000 square metres, the event attracts 180 organisations and businesses to participate, with around 250 booths.

Along with the exhibition, Vietnam Water Week 2026 is holding a series of thematic seminars with the participation of state management agencies, international organisations, experts, scientists, and domestic and international businesses.

Key themes include climate change adaptation solutions, gender equality, and public-private partnerships, with one of the key themes being the digital transformation of the water industry in the new era.

“Digital transformation is not simply about investing in more software or equipment. At its core, digital transformation means using data to improve management, enabling early forecasting, reducing water losses and energy consumption, strengthening water quality control, and providing more convenient services to the people. Technology is truly valuable only when it solves real-world challenges,” Nguyen Ngoc Diep, chairman of VWSA.

“Alongside digital transformation, resilience must become a consistent requirement throughout planning, investment and operations. Every locality and enterprise needs to be proactive in responding to drought, saltwater intrusion, water pollution, flooding, and emergency issues to ensure that essential services are maintained safely and continuously under all circumstances,” he added.

Through these workshops, networking events, and technical exchanges, the event will create a substantive networking space between management agencies, businesses, development organisations, and experts to encourage innovation, share international experiences, and strengthen cooperation in the water industry.

“As Vietnam enters a new phase of development, the water sector is also undergoing a profound transformation. Beyond conventional infrastructure development, greater attention is being given to system efficiency, digital monitoring and operation, resource optimisation, energy efficiency, the reuse of treated wastewater, and circular economy approaches,” Kobayashi Yosuke, chief representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency in Vietnam.

The VWSA will also present awards, including the Green Stream of Vietnam award, the Young Water Sector Cadre of Vietnam award, the Outstanding Graduation Project in Water and Environment award, and the Water for Life photo contest.

Vietnam Water Week will run alongside the seventh National Congress of the Vietnam Water Supply and Sewerage Association for 2026–2031 on September 18. The congress will review the association's activities during its sixth term and set the direction, objectives, and key tasks. It also marks a generational leadership transition and defines strategic development directions for the industry amid digital transformation, climate change, and the need to modernise national infrastructure.

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

Vietnam Water Week 2025 to splash down in Hanoi in August Vietnam Water Week 2025 is set to take place in Hanoi from August 20-22, themed “Vietnam’s Water Sector in the New Era: Challenges and Opportunities”.

Vietnam Water Week 2025 gathers 200 domestic and international firms Vietnam Water Week 2025 will present a comprehensive picture of the Vietnamese water industry, marked by significant changes to meet the requirements of socioeconomic development and climate change adaptation.

Ministry of Construction updates draft Water Supply and Sewerage Law A comprehensive legal framework is being prepared for Vietnam's water sector, with a new law on water supply and sewerage scheduled for completion in 2026.

Vietnam Water Week returns to Hanoi with expanded exhibition space Vietnam Water Week returns to Hanoi this September with an expanded exhibition space and a record number of international participants, reinforcing its status as a key gathering for the sector.

The meeting is an important mechanism under the Connectivity Ministerial Meeting framework, serving to review implementation of bilateral cooperation and discuss priorities and new initiatives.

The two sides spoke positively about progress in bilateral cooperation, particularly in the areas of the economy, investment, trade and agriculture, finance and banking, sustainable development, transport and infrastructure, energy, science and technology, and human resources development.

Officials from both countries also discussed new opportunities to strengthen economic connectivity, deepen cooperation between business communities and facilitate investment, trade and services flows between Vietnam and Singapore.

The Vietnamese and Singaporean delegations agreed to make more effective use of existing cooperation mechanisms while boosting areas with strong potential and those aligned with the development priorities of both countries.

The two sides highlighted the importance of strengthening financial and investment connectivity, supporting businesses, developing infrastructure and logistics, and expanding cooperation in the digital economy, innovation and emerging economic sectors.

Online meeting from Singaporean side. Photo: Duc Thanh

Vietnam called on Singapore to continue sharing its experience, supporting capacity building and facilitating stronger connections with Singaporean financial institutions, investment funds, businesses and other partners in areas where Vietnam has demand and cooperation potential.

The two sides agreed to maintain close coordination to finalise preparations for the 20^th Singapore-Vietnam Connectivity Ministerial Meeting, creating a basis for implementing the outcomes of the meeting in the coming period.

Vietnam and Singapore are important partners in Southeast Asia, with bilateral cooperation continuing to develop positively and substantively across a wide range of areas. Maintaining and improving the effectiveness of the meeting is expected to strengthen economic connectivity, expand cooperation opportunities and deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

The Singapore-Vietnam Connectivity Ministerial Meeting is held alternately in Vietnam and Singapore once a year. This year’s 20^th meeting is scheduled to take place in Singapore on October 9.

Vietnam seeks to deepen financial cooperation with Russia

Vietnam and France seek to deepen economic and financial cooperation

Vietnam and Austria seek to deepen financial cooperation and investment

Between 2017 and 2023, the number of transactions conducted through VIB’s digital channels grew 60-fold. Over the next two years, transaction volumes nearly doubled again, with 97 per cent of retail customer transactions conducted digitally by 2025. But for VIB, the role of technology goes far beyond moving more transactions online. It is about building a bank that can serve millions of customers on a single platform while becoming increasingly relevant to each individual.

VIB began its journey on September 18, 1996, with a vision to build a modern, professional bank centred on customers. Three decades later, that vision continues to be powered by long-term investments in technology, data and people. From 2017 to 2025, VIB’s total assets grew at an average annual rate of 21 per cent–nearly 1.8 times the industry average.

Retail lending grew 23 per cent annually, 1.6 times the market rate, while profit maintained an average annual growth rate of 26 per cent. Growth has created greater capacity for innovation, while technology has enabled the bank to serve more customers with greater efficiency.

Over the years, VIB’s technology journey has evolved from digitising transactions to modernising infrastructure, connecting data and deploying AI. Every step has been designed around tangible improvements customers can feel: fewer steps, shorter wait times, greater choice and solutions that better fit their individual circumstances.

Bringing banking to where customers are

A major milestone came in 2017, when MyVIB downloads increased 104 per cent, the number of active users rose 87 per cent, and 20 per cent of new retail customers chose to open their accounts online. That same year, The Asset named VIB “Digital Bank of the Year” and recognised MyVIB as Vietnam’s “Best Retail Mobile Banking Experience.”

What set this period apart was not simply bringing familiar banking transactions to mobile. With MyVIB Social Keyboard, customers could transfer money and perform selected banking transactions directly while chatting on social media–without leaving the conversation to open another app. The solution was recognised by IDG as “Unique Innovative Service 2017.”

Photo courtesy of VIB

Behind the feature was a new way of thinking about digital banking: instead of waiting for customers to come to the bank, financial services could be delivered directly where a need arises. Digitalisation was no longer just about adding another transaction channel; it was about shortening the distance between a customer’s need and action.

Building the platform for the next wave of innovation

As users and transaction volumes grew rapidly, a seamless front-end experience could only scale sustainably with infrastructure that was flexible, secure and built to grow. In 2021, VIB became one of the first banks in Vietnam to deploy a multi-cloud strategy. This model enabled the bank to dynamically scale processing capacity based on demand, accelerate resource provisioning and continuously enhance its applications while minimising disruption to overall operations.

In 2022, MyVIB 2.0 set two Vietnam Records: becoming Vietnam’s first digital banking application to deliver an augmented reality experience and the country’s first mobile banking application built on a cloud-native architecture. Within six months of its launch, the application reached one million users–turning advanced technology into an accessible, reliable experience embraced by customers.

By 2026, VIB had further developed its digital application ecosystem, with each platform designed around the distinct needs and journeys of different customer segments. MyVIB serves existing customers with a comprehensive suite of banking capabilities; Max, VIB’s next-generation digital bank, is built for younger customers and those beginning their financial journey; VIB Business supports business finance management and day-to-day operations; while VIB Corp delivers specialised solutions for corporate customers.

Each platform brings together solutions tailored to specific customer profiles, with differentiated benefits and experiences. Designed specifically for young and dynamic customers, Max introduces a range of new-to-market solutions, including Max Card, the first subscription-based credit card; Group Card, a benefits ecosystem for cardholders; personalised 360° benefits for individual cardholders; Banking for Kids, the first solution designed for children from age six; and Quick Loan, offering disbursement within 15 minutes through the Financial Wallet.

From the customer-facing application layer, VIB has continued to modernise its core systems. In 2024, the bank announced the modernisation of its Temenos R23 Core Banking platform on a combination of public cloud and VIB’s private cloud. As the backbone supporting essential banking activities–including accounts, deposits, loans and transactions–the project creates the foundation for VIB to handle higher transaction volumes, deliver connected experiences across channels and accelerate time-to-market for new products.

Eric Yeo, general nanager of AWS Vietnam, said, “Vietnam’s financial sector is leading the adoption of innovative technologies to deliver tangible value to millions of customers. Modernising core banking systems on AWS cloud is an important step in VIB’s journey to build a strong foundation for innovation at scale and serve customers at scale.”

Technology capabilities have been strengthened alongside customer protection. 24/7 monitoring, biometric authentication, facial recognition and real-time transaction analytics provide adaptive layers of protection against constantly evolving forms of fraud. In 2026, VIB received two commendations from the Minister of Public Security for its achievements in implementing Project 06 and combating high-tech crime. For VIB, speed cannot be separated from security: a faster experience only creates lasting value when customers’ data, identities and assets remain protected.

Three decades of turning forward

After 30 years, VIB’s technology journey can be defined by three major shifts: from moving transactions onto digital channels to building infrastructure that can scale; from disconnected systems to connected data centred around the customer; and from one-size-fits-all products to experiences that adapt to each person’s choices, context and journey. Together, these shifts have helped establish new standards for speed, customer control and the ability to understand customers at scale.

The value created through investment and innovation has translated into resources for growth and broader contributions to society. For five consecutive years, from 2021 to 2025, VIB was ranked among Vietnam’s Top 50 Most Effective Businesses. In 2025 alone, the bank contributed $103.9 million to the state budget.

2026 marks VIB’s transition into a new growth cycle. Starting in 2027, VIB 3.0 will enter its next phase of development, building on capabilities accumulated over the years: the capacity to serve millions of customers, increasingly connected data and the responsible application of AI.

Looking ahead, the best technology may be the technology customers barely notice. Complexity moves into the background; what comes forward is a bank that is faster, safer, more intuitive and more empowering for every customer.

From a technological breakthrough to a better customer experience; from the bank’s growth to its contribution to the country–the value of innovation continues to compound with every step forward.

VIB's pre-tax profit reaches over $199 million On July 27, Vietnam International Bank announced its business results for the first six months of 2026, with pre-tax profit reaching over VND5.18 trillion ($199.23 million), up 3 per cent on-year.

VIB: customers need more value, not necessarily more cards As customer needs become increasingly diverse, credit cards should remain a steadfast companion for customers throughout every stage of their personal financial journey.

VIB cards – from trendsetter to a card that grows with customers With more than one million credit cards, ranking among Top 3 market-wide card spending, and total transaction value exceeding $5 billion, VIB continues to reinforce its leading position in Vietnam’s card market.

• Merchant setup: Creation of a new Xsolla Publisher Account, obtaining API credentials so that your LLM can interact with Xsolla tools
• Login: Full login flow setup via Xsolla's Login API, covering the complete path, not just the happy path
• Catalog: Product catalog management and display, with correct API usage patterns enforced throughout
• Payments: Payment processing, full Merchant of Record capabilities, and web shop configuration, taking developers from setup to a working storefront

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Emma Wu (Wu Beiwen) Chairperson, VX Logistics Emma Wu currently serves as the chairperson of VX Logistics. As an active practitioner of China's supply chain globalisation, she focuses on cold chain, fresh produce supply chain, logistics infrastructure, and industrial synergy. Under her leadership, VX Logistics has become an industry-leading integrated multi-temperature logistics service provider, with its cold chain capacity firmly leading in Asia and among the top tier globally.

The world-first robot designed for deliveries to metro-station retailers is self-developed by VX Logistics. The robot functions as an actual "on-duty" employee in VX Logistics' day-to-day operations. It has been rolled out at 61 Shenzhen metro stations, handling replenishment and delivery tasks for on-site retailers.

Within VX Logistics' business operations, these intelligent devices are working in tandem with the Company's proprietary OTWB end-to-end management system and digital platforms such as IoT-based cold-chain temperature control. VX Logistics' smart operation offers an efficient solution to every link of the supply chain.

"Each of these technologies is powerful on its own, but their true value emerges when they work together — data flows from the point of origin to end customer, and quality becomes predictable and controllable," said Emma Wu (Wu Beiwen), chairperson of VX Logistics, adding that this is not merely an enhancement at any single stage of logistics services, but it represents a transformation in the very way the industry functions.

The value of technology goes beyond efficiency. Emma Wu noticed that a large number of overseas fresh fruit brands are stepping up their presence in China, while many domestic brands are showing a strong desire to go global. Emma Wu remarked: "A growing number of international brands are now registering Chinese brand names, setting up dedicated consumer brand teams, and increasing their investment at the retail end. The essence of branding lies in brand owners extending their quality commitment to the end consumer. This, in turn, requires them to maintain effective control of product condition at every link of the domestic supply chain. The same applies to Chinese brands going global."

In the past, once imported fruit arrived at port, quality essentially entered a "black box" — brand owners had no visibility over key metrics like arrival temperature, handling status, or outbound records across the supply chain.

Emma Wu added that AI is transforming the fresh fruit and vegetables industry from one that "runs on experience" to one that "makes decisions with data." In sorting and quality inspection, AI vision technology can assess coloration, size, and defects within a second — with greater accuracy and consistency than the human eye. In warehousing, automated equipment is taking over repetitive tasks such as material handling and palletizing. In transportation, IoT sensors track the temperature and location of every load in real time, and could raise the alarm before any issue arises.

Built around the unique characteristics of berry products, VX Logistics has customized a comprehensive end-to-end solution encompassing precision temperature and humidity management as well as rapid in-warehouse throughput — supporting the annual market launch of close to 200 million boxes of berries for Driscoll's.

Zespri has been a partner of VX Logistics for over a decade. VX Logistics has built a full end-to-end system for Zespri in China - covering warehousing, quality inspection, ripening, automated sorting, and packaging.

"Cold-chain logistics is not a cost center — it is a value center." She further pointed out that cold-chain logistics today is no longer merely a cost item for warehousing and transportation. It is a provider of supply chain solutions for brand clients. Both expanding overseas and deepening presence in China demand stable temperature and humidity control and quality assurance. The technological nature and professional reliability of cold-chain operations make cold-chain logistics an "added value" that safeguards product quality and reduces loss.

After 13 years of dedicated development, VX Logistics' cold-chain scale now ranks first in Asia and stands firmly among the global top tier. As the supply chain service provider behind renowned fruit brands such as Zespri, Driscoll's, Envy Apples, and Rockit, VX Logistics' core competitive edge lies in its technology-driven supply chain services.

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• Up to 120% financing under a single facility for home purchase and renovation
• Up to 90% financing for the property purchase, with an additional up to 30% for renovation works, Mortgage Reducing Term Assurance or Takaful (MRTA/MRTT), and legal and documentation fees
• Financing tenure of up to 35 years, or until the borrower reaches the age of 70, whichever comes first
• Full Flexi features, allowing customers to make additional repayments and redraw funds based on their financial needs
• Progressive disbursement of renovation financing according to contractor milestones throughout the renovation process and is suitable for both homeowners and property investors

"Every month, we meet homeowners who are excited to receive the keys to their new homes, only to realise that renovation requires another significant financial commitment. A typical renovation can cost anywhere between RM50,000 and RM150,000, depending on the property type, and many buyers simply are not prepared for that additional expense immediately after purchasing their home," said Gavin Liew, Founder & CEO of The Makeover Guys

We have seen customers delay moving in, renovate room by room over several years or compromise on what they originally wanted because the renovation budget was not available upfront. The Makeover Flexi Loan changes that by allowing homeowners to plan both their property purchase and renovation together from day one. It gives them greater financial certainty and makes it easier to create a home that reflects the way they want to live," Gavin added.

"As homeownership needs evolve, financing solutions must evolve as well. Traditionally, property financing and renovation financing have been treated as separate decisions, even though both are fundamental to creating a home. We saw an opportunity to bridge that gap by bringing these financing needs together under a single solution," said Sien Vee Loc, Head of Consumer Finance, Group Community Banking, RHB Bank Berhad.

Partnering with The Makeover Guys allows us to combine RHB's financing expertise with trusted renovation capabilities to address a growing market need. Together, we are making it easier for eligible customers to move from purchasing a property to creating a home that meets their lifestyle and investment goals," Vee Loc added.

As Malaysia's housing market continues to evolve and more buyers enter the market, expectations are shifting beyond financing the purchase of a property to supporting the homeownership journey as a whole. The residential segment remained the largest contributor to Malaysia's property market in the first quarter of 2026, accounting for 58.8% of all property transactions, with nearly 53,000 residential transactions worth more than RM22 billion.

The collaboration connects customers with The Makeover Guys' end-to-end renovation expertise, providing a complete renovation experience spanning consultation, curated interior design, project management and construction, allowing customers to move from financing their property to completing their home through a single, connected journey.Rather than managing financing, renovation and project delivery separately, customers can now plan every stage together, providing greater certainty over costs, timelines and the overall renovation experience.

The partnership further strengthens its commitment to making quality renovations more accessible by combining trusted renovation expertise with financing solutions that support customers from the moment they purchase a property through to the completion of their home. Through this collaboration, The Makeover Guys and RHB Bank are bringing financing and renovation closer together, giving homeowners and property investors a more connected way to plan, finance and complete one of life's most important investments.

For more information regarding the Makeover Flexi Loan, Powered by RHB Bank, kindly visit https://www.themakeover.my/contact to drop your enquiry.

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The company also announced several new hires amid this growth phase, with Shekhar Thakurdesai joining Semperis as AVP of India and SAARC business, and Ridwan Basri as Channel Director in Asia. Nick Lowther and Daniel O'Mara have joined Semperis in key sales roles to bolster growth across the region.

Organisations across Asia Pacific look to bolster cyber resilience amid the rapid adoption of AI agents, with threat actors increasingly targeting identity systems such as Active Directory, Entra ID, Okta and Ping Identity. According to Semperis' newest study, State of Identity Security in the AI Era, only 21% of the organisations in Singapore and Australia are confident they could fully regain control of their identity infrastructure if an AI agent exposes admin credentials to an attacker, while 93% already use or plan to use AI agents for sensitive security tasks such as password resets and VPN access.

"Asia Pacific is one of the fastest-growing global digital economies, and organisations in the region are embracing AI agents and integrating it into their identity systems. However, Semperis' study highlights that many haven't to date adopted safeguards to manage them," said Gerry Sillars, Vice President, Asia Pacific and Japan, Semperis.

"Unfortunately, cybercriminals are moving just as quickly. Businesses are recognising that cyber resilience starts with protecting the identity systems that every user, application and AI agent depends upon. Our exceptional growth across APJ reflects this shift in mindset. We're investing aggressively in local talent, expanding our regional presence and strengthening our partner ecosystem so we can help more organisations prevent, respond to, and recover from identity-based cyberattacks with confidence."

Singapore continues to play a pivotal role in Semperis' regional growth strategy, as governments and enterprises accelerate AI adoption.

Edwin Low, Director, Enterprise & Ecosystem Development, IMDA said, "Identity systems are a key target for cyberattacks, with AI adding new complexity to an evolving threat landscape. With IMDA's accreditation, we look forward to Semperis bringing its resilience and recovery capabilities to help organisations better safeguard their critical identity infrastructure."

With continued investment in regional talent, strategic partnerships and innovation, Semperis is well-positioned to support organisations across Asia Pacific and Japan as they strengthen identity resilience against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats in the AI era.

https://www.semperis.com/

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