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

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

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

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

Andrew Lam, Founder of am PLUS DESIGNS, was officially appointed Vice Chairman of the CIID Hong Kong Center

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

State major Vietcombank continued to lead the entire banking system with a coverage ratio of 279 per cent, followed by Agribank at 150 per cent. Banks with NPL coverage ratios above 100 per cent also encompassed VietinBank (134 per cent), Techcombank (125.5 per cent), and ACB (105 per cent).

Some banks that had NPL coverage ratios above 100 per cent at the end of 2025 have had to accept a thinner provisioning buffer as NPL growth outpaced the growth in their risk provisioning.

Photo: baodautu.vn

Specifically, BIDV’s NPL coverage ratio stood at 109 per cent at the end of 2025 but had fallen to just 76 per cent as of June 30.

ABBank’s NPL coverage ratio also declined to 87 per cent from 120 per cent at the end of last year. This was because BIDV’s NPLs increased by 31 per cent, while its risk provisions rose by only 6 per cent. Similarly, ABBank’s NPLs surged by 62 per cent, while its risk provisions increased by just 17 per cent.

Apart from the banks mentioned above, the average NPL coverage ratio was only around 50-60 per cent. Except for Vietcombank, which recorded a sharp increase in its NPL coverage ratio, most banks either saw the ratio decline or remain broadly flat.

According to the Q2/2026 business performance update by Rong Viet Securities Corporation, on-balance-sheet NPLs at listed banks, excluding Agribank, reached approximately $12.4 billion at the end of Q2. The NPL ratio edged up from 1.99 per cent at the end of Q1 to 2.01 per cent.

Net NPL formation alone reached nearly $2 billion in Q2, while credit risk provisioning expenses at banks amounted to just over $1.72 billion.

The total volume of newly formed NPLs exceeded new credit risk provisioning expenses, meaning that the system-wide NPL coverage ratio would continue to decline in Q2 from more than 80 per cent at the end of Q1.

Of particular concern, the NPL ratio is at risk of rising sharply in the second half of the year, meaning that NPL coverage ratios will continue to be eroded unless banks step up risk provisioning accordingly.

As of the end of Q2/2026, outstanding special-mention loans, or Group 2 loans, had risen to more than $8.48 billion. Net formation of Group 2 loans alone reached nearly $3.24 billion during the quarter, the highest level since Q1/2023.

This pressure has emerged as recoveries from loans previously written off as risk losses have begun to slow, amid signs of cooling liquidity in the real estate market – one of the key channels for the disposal of collateral – as interest rates remain high.

Therefore, although an increase in Group 2 loans does not necessarily mean that NPLs will rise, the risk is very high given current market conditions.

If NPLs continue to rise in the second half of the year, banks will face significant pressure to increase risk provisioning.

In particular, banks with low NPL coverage ratios will have to grapple with balancing their profit targets against the need to strengthen their provisioning buffers.

According to analysts, the sharp increase in NPLs and special-mention loans in Q2/2026 resulted from a rapid rise in lending rates, which in turn affected customers’ debt payment capacity, particularly in the retail segment.

Nevertheless, cutting lending rates is not easy when credit growth is running ahead of deposit growth and banks’ funding costs are becoming increasingly expensive.

VPBank’s separate Q1/2026 financial statements show that the bank’s credit growth reached nearly 25 per cent in the first half of this year, while deposits increased by only 15.8 per cent.

Its current account savings account (CASA) ratio – the proportion of non-term deposits in total customer deposits – fell to just 12.5 per cent from 14.6 per cent at the end of last year.

Similarly, at LPBank, credit had grown by 9.8 per cent as of the end of June 2026, while customer deposits increased by only 4.7 per cent. Its CASA ratio also declined from 8.45 per cent at the end of last year to 6.3 per cent as of June 30.

At ABBank, loan balances increased by more than 15 per cent in Q2/2026 alone compared with Q1, while deposits actually fell by 3 per cent, leaving the bank heavily dependent on the interbank market for funding.

Looking beyond VPBank, LPBank and ABBank, the financial statements of 28 commercial banks show that nearly all banks recorded slower deposit growth and a sharp decline in CASA ratios.

The proportion of short-term deposits, with maturities of one to six months, also fell sharply, while long-term deposits increased. The shift of funds from short to longer maturities in pursuit of higher interest rates is leaving banks increasingly short of low-cost funding.

Alongside higher deposit rates, the shift in the maturity structure of deposits is also pushing up lending rates, negatively affecting NPLs. Therefore, reducing lending rates is currently the most urgent solution to ease pressure from bad debts.

At the conclusion of the government’s regular July meeting on August 3, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung asked the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) to focus on measures to stabilise interest rates, ensure liquidity, strive to lower lending rates, reduce costs for the economy, and stabilise the monetary and foreign exchange markets.

The PM also instructed the SBV to strictly deal with unhealthy interest rate competition; manage credit growth in line with macroeconomic developments and the economy’s absorption capacity; facilitate access to capital for key national projects; tighten credit controls over potentially risky sectors; step up the resolution of bad debts; and accelerate the restructuring of credit institutions.

Banks see NPL relief as credit rebounds and Resolution 42 takes effect The banking sector is seeing signs of relief in non-performing loans (NPLs), with expectations of further improvement by year-end thanks to stronger credit growth and the formal legalisation of Resolution 42 to aid debt recovery.

Banks boost provisions as bad debt eases towards year-end The banking system is reinforcing risk buffers as bad debt trends downwards and credit accelerates, signalling a more stable phase marked by stronger asset quality and improving profitability.

Banks step up debt recovery to support earnings Banks are accelerating debt recovery and collateral liquidation efforts, helping stabilise non-performing loans and support profit growth amid narrowing net interest margins and improving credit conditions.

Banks strengthen provisions as bad debt risks re-emerge Vietnamese banks are strengthening risk management and provisioning buffers as rising bad debt signals prompt the sector to focus more closely on asset quality and long-term financial resilience.

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

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

Under the agreement, VinSpace’s satellites will launch aboard a Transporter rideshare mission in 2027 as part of SpaceX’s rideshare programme, which enables multiple customers to share a single launch.

VinSpace is responsible for the research, development, manufacturing and on-orbit operation of its satellites. The satellites will support the on-orbit demonstration of in-house developed technologies, strengthen VinSpace’s satellite engineering capabilities, and pave the way for future commercial space applications.

The agreement provides an important foundation for VinSpace’s first satellite missions. In April 2026, the company announced its plan to develop and launch its first satellites into orbit in 2027.

The agreement represents another important step in VinSpace’s long-term vision to become a full-stack aerospace company, developing capabilities across the entire space value chain – from satellite design and manufacturing to Assembly, Integration and Testing, launch mission management, satellite operations, and downstream space data products and services.

Selecting SpaceX as its launch service provider reflects VinSpace’s strategy of working with the world’s leading technology companies to realise its first space missions.

Thu Vu, CEO of VinSpace said, “Reliable access to space is fundamental to turning satellite innovation into operational missions. This contract with SpaceX is an important milestone in VinSpace’s long-term strategy to help build Vietnam’s space ecosystem and strengthen the country’s position within the global space economy.”

VinSpace’s upcoming satellite missions are expected to provide an important platform for in-orbit technology validation, accelerate the development of Vietnam’s aerospace talent, deepen international collaboration, and support the commercialisation of space technologies.

As satellites, low Earth orbit constellations and other space technologies become increasingly important to economic growth, infrastructure resilience and national technological competitiveness, VinSpace is committed to strengthening Vietnam’s sovereign space capabilities while delivering commercially solutions for customers across Vietnam, Southeast Asia and international markets.

VinSpace plans first nano-satellite launch in 2027 VinSpace, part of Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup, plans to launch its first nano-satellites into orbit in 2027.

SpaceX to launch 100 per cent foreign-invested business in Vietnam SpaceX is completing procedures to establish a 100 per cent foreign-invested business in Vietnam.

SpaceX appoints Vietnamese CEO to lead Starlink Vietnam operations SpaceX's Starlink has appointed Do Ba Thich as CEO of its Vietnam entity, placing a young Vietnamese executive at the helm of its local operations for the first time.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this press release does not constitute an offer or invitation to sell or the solicitation of an offer or invitation to purchase or subscribe for units in Sunlight REIT in Hong Kong or any other jurisdiction.

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

Under the agreement, V-Green Indonesia will lease an 8,747-square-meter site owned by PT HK Realtindo (HKR) to develop the EV Charging Hub in Kemayoran. The model is particularly well suited for large land parcels, enabling landowners to optimize underutilized real estate assets and generate sustainable long-term revenue while allowing V-Green to rapidly expand its charging infrastructure network at strategic locations.

The EV Charging Hub is a large-scale charging infrastructure model that integrates multiple services within a single location to simultaneously serve the needs of individual EV owners, commercial fleet operators, and ride-hailing drivers. Scheduled to commence operations in October this year, VinFast's EV Charging Hub in Kemayoran will feature 36 EV chargers and 20 battery swapping stations for electric motorcycles, with the capacity to serve up to 56 electric cars and 220 electric motorcycles simultaneously.

In addition to fast-charging facilities for electric cars and battery swapping stations for electric motorcycles, the project will include dedicated parking areas for commercial fleets, rooftop solar panels to supplement on-site renewable energy generation, and a range of customer amenities such as rest areas, food and beverage outlets, and cafés.

The agreement with HKR represents the first major milestone following the Memorandum of Understanding signed between V-Green Indonesia and Hutama Karya Group in April 2026. Under the MoU, the two parties agreed to jointly explore the development of EV Charging Hubs on Hutama Karya's strategic land assets, while also collaborating to develop EV charging infrastructure across 29 rest areas along the Trans-Sumatra Toll Road.

In the next phase, V-Green plans to deploy EV chargers across these 29 rest areas, creating a large-scale charging network along one of Indonesia's key highway corridors and making long-distance EV travel more convenient for users.

Ekwan Hadyanto, President Director of PT HK Realtindo, said: "Our partnership with V-Green opens up new opportunities to maximize the value of HK Realtindo's land assets while demonstrating our commitment to supporting the Indonesian Government's efforts to accelerate sustainable transportation infrastructure. We expect the Kemayoran project to become the foundation for expanding our collaboration across many other strategic locations nationwide."

Mai Truong Giang, CEO of V-Green Indonesia, said: "Signing this agreement with PT HK Realtindo marks an important milestone in realizing V-Green's strategy to develop EV infrastructure throughout Indonesia. We believe the EV Charging Hub model will not only meet the country's rapidly growing demand for EV charging but also create sustainable value for V-Green's partners while contributing to Indonesia's green transition."

The Kemayoran project is expected to serve as a flagship integrated EV Charging Hub model in Indonesia, laying the foundation for V-Green to gradually replicate the concept across other strategic HK Group locations. Beyond enhancing the EV ownership experience, the model also creates new opportunities to unlock the value of strategically located land assets while establishing modern infrastructure hubs that support Indonesia's transport electrification.

The partnership with Hutama Karya, one of Indonesia's largest infrastructure groups, further reinforces V-Green's strategy of collaborating with leading local partners to build a modern, integrated, and accessible EV charging network across the country.

Globally, V-Green is rapidly expanding its electric vehicle charging network, which now comprises more than 150,000 charging ports, alongside battery swapping stations for electric motorcycles. In Indonesia, the Company has introduced a range of attractive incentives for users, including free charging for all VinFast electric car owners and a complimentary battery swapping program for VinFast electric motorcycles for one year, with up to 20 battery swaps per vehicle per month. Through these initiatives, V-Green aims to accelerate the adoption of electric mobility while contributing to regional and global decarbonization efforts and sustainable development.

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Prof. Dr Nguyen Huu Huan, vice chairman of the VIFC, discusses investor opportunities. Photo: Bich Ngoc

Prof. Dr Nguyen Huu Huan, vice chairman of the Vietnam International Financial Centre in Ho Chi Minh City said that Vietnam is entering a new phase of development, with substantial demand for long-term capital for infrastructure, urban development, energy, green transition, and digital transformation. In the first half of 2026, Vietnam’s GDP grew by 8.18 per cent, while Ho Chi Minh City’s economy expanded by 8.55 per cent.

“Against this backdrop, the VIFC faces a very specific challenge – how to make it easier and more cost-competitive for international capital to flow into Vietnam, through a wider range of financial products and within an environment that international investors can genuinely trust and use,” Huan said.

This is also an important condition for supporting the target of achieving double-digit economic growth in Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam as a whole.

"We are not seeking to build a second Singapore or Hong Kong. The VIFC needs to establish its own position within the regional financial network, based on Vietnam's unique advantages," he said.

"Our advantage lies in becoming a financial gateway to an economy of more than 100 million people, characterised by strong growth, substantial investment demand, and increasingly deep integration into global value chains – particularly financial value chains," added Huan.

Pham Quang Nhat, director of the Investment and Trade Promotion Centre of Ho Chi Minh City, said that the city’s appeal to international investors has been reflected in concrete figures.

As of July, total foreign direct investment (FDI) in the city had reached more than $9.8 billion, up 144.5 per cent on-year. Notably, the city recorded 1,119 cases of capital contribution, share purchases, and purchases of contributed capital, with total registered capital of nearly $2.74 billion.

“These figures clearly demonstrate international investors’ confidence in and interest in the city’s development prospects. However, while attracting large volumes of capital is important, it is not enough. The key issue is not only the scale of registered capital, but also the quality of capital flows, the economy’s capacity to absorb them, and their spillover effects on production capacity, technological capabilities, human resources, and the competitiveness of domestic enterprises,” Nhat said.

“Going forward, investment promotion for VIFC will focus on identifying clear investment, business, and translating opportunities into concrete propositions, and creating the conditions needed to turn investor interest into action,” Nhat said.

Talking about the demand of office for VIFC, Le Trong Hieu, senior director of Office and Industrial Services at CBRE Vietnam, said that Ho Chi Minh City’s office market has undergone a significant qualitative shift in supply over the past decade.

“Total office space has increased from around one million square metres of net leasable area in 2015 to more than 1.7 million sq.m so far, accompanied by a notable increase in Grade A buildings meeting international standards. At the same time, Ho Chi Minh City has continued to cement its position as the country’s largest economic hub, attracting FDI inflows and an expanding presence of multinational corporations,” Hieu said.

The establishment of VIFC in Ho Chi Minh City is expected to become a new growth driver for the city’s office market over the medium to long term.

“The attraction of international financial institutions, investment funds, fintech companies, and professional services firms will create a new wave of corporate and high-quality talent migration to Ho Chi Minh City, driving growing demand for internationally standardised office space, particularly within the VIFC area,” he said.

During 2026-2028, approximately 76 per cent of future office supply is expected to be located close to the VIFC, all of which will be in the Grade A segment, reflecting market expectations for the emergence of a modern financial ecosystem in Ho Chi Minh City.

CBRE Vietnam's Le Trong Hieu discusses a decade of Ho Chi Minh City's office market. Photo: Bich Ngoc

VIFC shouldn't try to be Dubai, says VinaCapital chief economist Michael Kokalari, chief economist at VinaCapital and one of the seven founding members of Vietnam International Financial Center (VIFC), analyses what needs to be done to establish the centre.

Vietnam invites Swiss investors to join international financial centre Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Van Thang has chaired a business dialogue in Zurich to promote Vietnam's investment opportunities in finance and high technology.

Dutch businesses upbeat about Vietnam's reforms and IFC ambitions Dutch businesses have expressed confidence in Vietnam's economic prospects, institutional reform agenda, and plans to develop an international financial centre, while signalling interest in expanding cooperation in finance, logistics, high technology, and the green transition.

Photo: Amata

Construction and equipment installation are scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2027, with full operational status targeted for the third quarter of 2027.

Established in 2018 across nearly 687 hectares, Amata City Halong has established itself as one of Quang Ninh province’s premier destination for foreign investment.

Photo: Amata

To date, the industrial park has attracted 24 foreign-invested enterprises with total capital over $3.3 billion, primarily focused on high-tech manufacturing, electronics, and supporting industries.

TianJian Vietnam's investment is expected to strengthen the supply chain network at Song Khoai Industrial Park, reinforcing Amata City Halong's position as a strategic destination for high-tech investors in northern Vietnam and contributing to Quang Ninh's socioeconomic development.

Amata City Ha Long seeks investment opportunities with China and South Korea In the last months of 2024, Amata City Ha Long has been actively boosting cooperation opportunities with its Chinese and South Korean counterparts.

Construction begins on new ready-built factory at Amata City Halong Amata City Halong JSC, part of Thailand’s industrial park developer Amata Corporation, signed a Land Use Right Sublease Agreement with CapitaLand SEA Logistics Fund (CSLF) on May 28, marking the launch of Avatar Vietnam – the first ready-built factory development within Song Khoai Industrial Park (Amata City Halong).

Amata City Ha Long develops Vietnam-Japan local-level cooperation Amata City Ha Long took part in the Vietnam-Japan Local Cooperation Conference and related events from November 24-25, organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in coordination with the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam and Quang Ninh People's Committee.

Amata City Ha Long welcomes $15 million undertaking On April 15, Amata City Ha Long and Vietnam Mingfang Automobile Parts Industry signed a sublease agreement at Song Khoai Industrial Park, reinforcing investment momentum in Quang Ninh province in the north of the country.

Released on August 10, the Decision Lab Bank Satisfaction Rankings 2026 is an annual benchmark of how Vietnam's banks perform through the eyes of their customers. This year, 25 banks meet the inclusion criteria and are ranked accordingly, providing a comprehensive view of customer satisfaction across Vietnam's banking sector.

According to the rankings, Vietcombank takes the top spot with a net satisfaction score of 86.8. Techcombank follows closely on 85.9 and MB on 85.6, with MB adding 4.1 points over the year. VietinBank holds fourth on 82.3. The four highest scoring banks are separated by fewer than five points, reflecting a close competition for the top spots in this year's rankings.

Le Hoang Tung, deputy general director of Vietcombank, said, “Ranking first in the Decision Lab Bank Satisfaction Rankings 2026 recognises Vietcombank's continued efforts to improve the customer experience and raise the quality of our products and services under a customer-centred philosophy. This recognition from our customers is a powerful motivation for Vietcombank to hold firm to a direction of safe, effective and sustainable growth, and to keep transforming and innovating in order to deliver ever greater value to our customers.”

Several banks also record notable movements within the top 10. HSBC rises four places to join the five highest-ranked banks for customer satisfaction. Timo and Bac A Bank record the largest rank movements in the group, while BIDV, ACB and HD Bank remain among the top 10 banks for customer satisfaction. The top ten comprises state-owned, private and international banks, showing that high customer satisfaction is no longer concentrated in any one group of banks. With fewer than 10 points separating first and tenth place, even modest gains in customer satisfaction can reshape the top 10.

Manpreet Singh, head of customer propositions & marketing for International Wealth & Premier Banking at HSBC Vietnam, said, “Customers are at the heart of everything we do at HSBC. Being recognised in the Top 5 for customer satisfaction across all banks in Vietnam is a strong endorsement of the trust our customers place in us, and it reflects the care our teams bring to every interaction."

"This achievement strengthens our ambition to be the most trusted bank globally. We’ll keep thinking customer in every decision and delivering value through simpler, safer and more seamless journeys so customers feel supported and confident in the moments that matter most.”

Every bank in this year's top 10 records a net satisfaction score above 77, while fewer than 10 points separate first and tenth place. With the field this tightly grouped, Timo and Bac A Bank show the effect most clearly, climbing 10 and nine places respectively into the top 10 on the strength of a single year's improvement. Rank now turns on the pace of improvement as much as the level of satisfaction achieved.

The Top Improver Rankings rank banks by the size of their on-year gain rather than their absolute score, so they surface a different set of names from the overall ranking. SeA Bank leads with a gain of 13.7 points, the largest movement in the entire ranking, lifting its score to 76.2. Timo follows with a gain of 8.4 points to 80.6, and Vikki completes the top three with a gain of 7.4 points to 73.3.

Banks ramp up plans to establish VIFC subsidiaries Banks are accelerating plans to set up subsidiary banks at the Vietnam International Financial Centre to expand the ecosystem and enhance international competitiveness.

Vietnam’s top 100 brands leap 11 per cent in value to $43 billion Vietnam's top 100 brands have a combined value of $43 billion in 2026, an 11 per cent increase from the previous year, according to Brand Finance.

Vietnam’s consumer finance market shifts from expansion to sustainable quality Vietnam's consumer finance market is entering a new phase, with the focus shifting from scale to the quality of growth. Oanh Tran, senior manager of Market Research & Consulting Services at FiinGroup, spoked with VIR’s Thanh Van about the changes in the competitive landscape.

According to Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), Vietnam’s seafood exports totalled nearly $6.86 billion in the first seven months of 2026, an increase of 11.5 per cent on-year. In July, seafood exports reached $1.1 billion, up 4.8 per cent compared to the same period in 2025.

China and Hong Kong remained Vietnam’s largest seafood market in July, importing more than $267 million, up 24.7 per cent on-year. During the first seven months, exports reached nearly $1.74 billion, an increase of 34.5 per cent.

Exports to the United States exceeded $159 million in July, up 6.3 per cent, while cumulative exports reached more than $1.05 billion, increasing just 0.3 per cent.

Exports to Japan totalled more than $144 million in July, rising 3.8 per cent, while cumulative exports increased 2.6 per cent. Exports to CPTPP markets reached more than $1.783 billion during the first seven months, up 8.1 per cent, making the bloc one of Vietnam’s most stable export destinations.

In contrast, exports to the EU declined 10.9 per cent in July and 2.7 per cent over the first seven months. South Korea fell 10.8 per cent in July, ASEAN declined 6 per cent, and the Middle East dropped 16 per cent.

VASEP noted that the scenario of seafood exports exceeding $12 billion in 2026 remains achievable following the $6.86 billion recorded during the first seven months. However, export growth in the remaining months of the year is expected to slow considerably from the current 11.5 per cent pace. The most immediate challenge comes from the US Section 301 tariff. The 12.5 per cent tariff imposed on Vietnam creates three concrete consequences.

First, new contracts with US buyers are likely to be renegotiated. Importers may request lower free on board prices, tariff-sharing arrangements, or shorter-term agreements.

Second, Vietnam is placed at a competitive disadvantage compared with Ecuador, India, and Indonesia, which face a 10 per cent tariff. This difference is particularly important for whiteleg shrimp, canned tuna, and standard frozen seafood products.

Third, the new tariff is applied on top of MFN duties, anti-dumping duties, and countervailing duties where applicable. Consequently, purchasing decisions will increasingly be made based on individual exporters and specific product lines rather than simple country-to-country comparisons.

"On the positive side, Vietnam has introduced regulations prohibiting the import of goods produced with forced labour, effective from early September 2026. This provides a basis for continued dialogue with the US. However, in the short term, there has been no official indication that the 12.5 per cent Section 301 tariff will be revised in the near future,” VASEP added.

Vietnam's seafood exports approach $5.8 billion in first half of 2026 Vietnam's seafood exports reached nearly $5.8 billion in the first half of 2026, up 12.8 per cent on-year, driven by stronger demand, market diversification, and improved product restructuring.

China imports $1.4 billion of Vietnamese seafood in first half of 2026 Stronger demand from China – Vietnam's largest shrimp export destination – is creating fresh momentum for the industry's growth amid continuing uncertainty in the US market.

Seafood Expo Asia draws exhibitors from four continents Seafood Expo Asia drew first-time exhibitors from four continents, with new national pavilions spanning wild-capture fisheries to smart aquaculture technology reflecting Asia's growing seafood demand.

According to the announcement on August 6, Gong cha, which is known around the world of its high quality, freshly brewed whole leaf tea made with premium ingredients, operates nearly 2,200 stores across 33 markets, with leading positions in key markets across Asia-Pacific including Japan, South Korea and Australia, alongside a growing presence across the Americas and Europe.

The company deploys a capital-light franchise model, underpinned by its Gong cha 2.0 “Digital Kitchen” – its flexible store blueprint centred around its innovative drinks dispensing technology, and serves more than 150 million beverages annually to customers.

Bain Capital will work closely with Gong cha’s highly experienced management team to support the company’s next phase of growth while keeping operational excellence, and customer experience that have underpinned the brand's success.

This will focus on continuing the company’s disciplined store expansion programme in Japan and Korea, where the brand has built a highly loyal customer base and established strong brand recognition, while accelerating its growth in the US, where Gong cha’s direct franchising model and contracted pipeline provide a multi-year runway for unit growth. Alongside this, the company will focus on deepening customer engagement through product innovation, digital marketing, and loyalty initiatives.

Bain Capital brings extensive experience in the global consumer, retail, and restaurant sectors to the partnership, including investments in Domino’s Pizza Japan, Skylark, York Holdings, Fogo de Chão, Sizzling Platter, Gail’s and Retail Zoo. The firm’s hands-on operational approach has supported franchise businesses across store development, franchisee recruitment, marketing, and supply chain efficiency.

“Gong cha has built a distinctive and globally recognised brand with a loyal customer base and franchisee economics that are among the strongest in the sector. The management team’s disciplined approach to store expansion has created a strong platform with significant room to grow across Asia-Pacific, including in Japan, and the Americas. We look forward to partnering with the team to support the next phase of the Group’s growth and continuing to develop its operations and marketing, which has been fundamental to its success to date,” said Naofumi Nishi, a partner at Bain Capital.

“We are grateful to TA for its partnership and shared commitment to Gong cha’s long-term success” said Paul Reynish, Global CEO of Gong cha. “TA’s investment has been instrumental in supporting our global expansion and the continued development of our business model. As we begin this next chapter with Bain Capital, we look forward to building on this momentum and bringing more high-quality whole leaf tea to consumers around the world.”

Edward Sippel, managing director at TA, said, “Gong cha is an excellent business with a talented leadership team and strong foundation for continued growth. We’re proud of what the team has accomplished and look forward to watching the company’s next chapter unfold,”

The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions.

Vietnam's M&A market enters more selective phase Vietnam's M&A market is entering a more selective phase as investors increasingly prioritise high-quality assets and long-term value creation over transaction size.

AllianzGI acquires UOB Asset Management, including its Vietnam operations Allianz Global Investors, one of the world’s leading active asset managers, has entered into an agreement to acquire UOB Asset Management, the asset management business of Singapore-headquartered UOB Group.

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

High-level conference sessions featuring leading Vietnamese and international speakers will discuss the outlook and future direction of Vietnam’s industrial property market.

There will also be recognition of organisations demonstrating leadership in green industrial development; an exhibition showcasing products, services, projects, and innovative eco-IP models; and investment networking activities and industrial site visits to exemplary developments.

Time: 1–8pm, August 26, 2026

Venue: The Reverie Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City

Organisers: Vietnam Investment Review in partnership with the Vietnam Industrial Real Estate Association

Please visit vipf.vir.com.vn for details

INSEE high-tech ecocycle factory in An Giang province, Photo: Le Toan

Speaking at a late July forum on developing smart and eco-industrial parks (eco-IPs) organised by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Dong Nai, Mickaël Driol, CEO of Mekong Partners, said that Vietnam’s competitive advantage in attracting foreign direct investment is entering a new phase of transformation.

“Vietnam can no longer rely solely on low labour costs, a strategic location, and incentives to attract investors. In the coming years, the ability to meet green standards, manage emissions, and develop industrial ecosystems will become the key competitive advantages,” Driol said.

He noted that green compliance and supply chain resilience have become prerequisites for joining global value chains rather than costs to manage.

“New EU regulations such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), the EU Deforestation Regulation, and stricter traceability requirements mean investors increasingly evaluate companies based on emissions data and Scope 3 emissions,” he added.

While Vietnam remains well positioned to benefit from global supply chain realignment thanks to strong trade growth and robust foreign investment inflows, Driol stressed that supply chain resilience and market access now matter as much as cost competitiveness in decisions.

“Against this backdrop, eco-IPs would become the new benchmark for industrial development. Eco-IP certification is a strategic tool to lower operating costs, comply with CBAM, and attract international financiers,” he added.

Driol proposed a next-generation IP model centred on decarbonisation, digitalisation, and connectivity by integrating renewable energy, smart grids, real-time emissions monitoring, industrial symbiosis, and green logistics into a unified ecosystem.

Talking with VIR, Hardy Diec, COO of KCN Vietnam, said sustainability criteria are playing an increasingly important role in site selection decisions.

“Green development is becoming a key component of the competitive advantage of both IPs and manufacturers,” Diec said. “As environmental, social, and governance requirements and emissions standards become more deeply embedded in global supply chains, choosing industrial projects with a strong sustainability focus will enable businesses to operate more efficiently while meeting the expectations of international customers.”

According to industry experts, major international investors are seeking a green industrial ecosystem in which factories are designed and operated to meet smart standards from the outset.

This view was echoed by Bui Tan Hung, head of Gas and Renewables at TotalEnergies. He said the mindset of investors has shifted markedly: rather than focusing primarily on land costs or logistics, their first question is now whether reliable access to clean energy is available.

“Despite growing demand, however, the rollout of rooftop solar systems in IPs continues to face significant obstacles. These include conflicts of interest among stakeholders and the lack of electricity operation licences held by some IP infrastructure developers,” Hung said at a Solar & Storage Live event in July in Ho Chi Minh City.

Hung added that ensuring access to clean electricity, together with implementing direct power purchase agreements for industrial customers, remains one of the sector’s most pressing challenges.

Nguyen Kim Long, Standing Vice Chairman of Dong Nai People’s Committee, said that green transformation and emissions reduction are urgent priorities that must be addressed today.

He noted that with its large industrial base, strategic location, abundant land resources, and well-developed infrastructure, Dong Nai is well positioned to become a national leader in the development of smart, eco, and high-tech IPs.

“However, these advantages will only translate into sustainable growth if they are matched by new thinking, new approaches, and close coordination among government authorities, IP developers, manufacturers, financial institutions, research organisations, and the wider community,” Long said.

In Vietnam, the transition towards eco-IP based on international standards began in 2014. So far, five IPs have been selected as pilot projects: DEEP C in Haiphong, Amata in Dong Nai, Hiep Phuoc in Ho Chi Minh City, Hoa Khanh in Danang, and Tra Noc 1 and 2 in Can Tho.

Gene King, CIO, BW Industrial Development We see Resolution No.10-NQ/TW as one of the most consequential policy shifts for industrial real estate since Vietnam’s original wave of foreign direct investment (FDI) liberalisation. This aligns closely with what we have already been seeing on the ground: FDI is increasingly flowing into higher-value sectors such as electronics, semiconductors, AI infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing. At BW Industrial Development, high-value-added industries already account for nearly half of our ready-built factory leased area. Moreover, demand from homegrown manufacture in global supply chains is also emerging. For industrial real estate specifically, we believe this changes what “investment-ready” means. We have long said that long-term competitiveness depends not just on infrastructure, but on reliable power, a strong supplier network, workforce availability, and the government’s ability to deliver infrastructure projects on schedule. Resolution 10 formalises this same logic at the national level, tying Vietnam’s FDI targets directly to infrastructure upgrades, green and digital economy development, and stronger domestic links. The new resolution is closely aligned with our existing strategy. We believe developers who have already invested in higher-spec, power-ready facilities will be best positioned to capture the more selective, higher-value FDI this policy is designed to attract. This resolution should strengthen Vietnam’s investment environment and accelerate the industrial real estate market’s transition towards more integrated and technology-enabled industrial ecosystems. Resolution 10’s push for higher localisation also mirrors what we’re already seeing among our tenants, as Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers increasingly follow major manufacturers into Vietnam and build more complete supply chains here, rather than relying solely on imports. BW still has a nearly 200-hectare industrial land bank ready for development in our nationwide pipeline, giving us room to rapidly respond to any demand shift, and we’re scaling up our war chest through partnerships like a recent $120 million joint venture to address the continuing inbound facility demand from electronics, automotive, and other high-value industries. We’re also watching land constraints closely in hubs like former Binh Duong and Dong Nai province, where development timelines tend to run longer than in some regional peers, which is exactly why staying ahead on land matters. At the product level, we will continue to develop high quality, universal-spec, flexible facilities with environmental, social, and governance embedded in the base design. This includes LEED-ready specifications, rooftop solar, and multi-storey design that improve land-use efficiency. We are also investing in infrastructure ahead of demand. Our MoUs with BV Power and VSSES, for example, are designed to provide scalable power infrastructure at BW Supply Chain City for future hyperscale data centres and advanced manufacturing users.

Owner of the first Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold8 in Vietnam. Photo: SamCenter

The event drew a lively crowd from 9am, with more than 1,000 visitors coming to the SamCenter store throughout the day to attend the event, interact with other tech enthusiasts and experience Samsung’s latest smartphones.

Nearly 100 pre-order customers completed the handover process at the event, receiving their new devices and joining on-site unboxing activities. Visitors also took part in minigames and instant photo sessions at the photobooth, while receiving gifts including Galaxy Buds Core earbuds, a 60W charger and vouchers from KATINAT and California Fitness & Yoga.

The Galaxy Z8 Series is Samsung’s latest premium foldable smartphone lineup, launched recently. The newly introduced Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra are priced at $1,800 and $2,000, respectively, for the standard versions with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The Galaxy Z Flip8 starts at $1,250 for the 256GB version.

Photo: SamCenter

The three new foldable models were the main attraction, offering different features and form factors. The Galaxy Z Fold8 features a 4:3 main-screen aspect ratio and weighs 201g, making it the lightest Fold model to date. It is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor and comes with a 4,800mAh battery and a dual-camera system with a 50MP main camera.

The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra features an 8-inch display and Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy processor, along with a 5,000mAh battery and a triple-camera system led by a 200MP main camera. It also includes upgraded AI features aimed at supporting productivity and multitasking.

The Galaxy Z Flip8 focuses on portability and personalisation, with deeper integration of Galaxy AI into everyday use.

The event also attracted several well-known figures, including actor Manh Truong, a long-time user of Samsung's foldable phones. Having upgraded from the Galaxy Z Fold7, he highlighted the Multi Window feature, which allows users to handle several tasks simultaneously.

Photo: SamCenter

Through its product experience spaces, customer services and accompanying benefits, SamCenter aims to provide customers with a comprehensive Samsung shopping and product experience from their first interaction with the brand.

According to market research firm Omdia, Samsung remained the world’s largest smartphone vendor in the second quarter of 2026, shipping 60.5 million units, up 5 per cent on-year, and accounting for 22 per cent of the global market.

In Vietnam, the South Korean technology giant led the market in the first quarter of this year with a 29 per cent share, ahead of Oppo at 21 per cent, Apple at 20 per cent and Xiaomi at 18 per cent.

Despite sluggish business activity across many sectors, demand for new-generation mobile devices remains strong even at relatively high price points, reflecting Vietnamese consumers’ continued interest in new technology products.

Globally, demand for smart mobile devices and new technologies has also rebounded in several markets. Against this backdrop, Vietnam’s exports of phones and components reached $5.32 billion in June 2026, up 4.62 per cent from the previous month and 18.61 per cent on-year.

Samsung Vietnam takes 28MWp rooftop solar system into operation Samsung Electronics HCMC CE Complex (SEHC), an electronics manufacturer based in Ho Chi Minh City, has brought a 28MWp rooftop solar power system into operation, marking a milestone in its sustainability strategy.

Samsung Biologics launches all-cash bid for PolyPeptide Samsung Biologics launched an all-cash public tender offer to acquire 100 per cent of PolyPeptide Group, accelerating its multi-modality strategy and expanding its global manufacturing network across the US, Europe and India.

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

The Turkish Civil Aviation Authority also expressed appreciation for the growing cooperation between the two countries, noting that Vietnam's strategic position in Southeast Asia gives it strong potential to become a regional passenger and cargo hub. Relations between Vietnam and Turkey are deepening, with a number of cooperation projects already signed and under way. Both sides agreed to continue expanding cooperation into other areas.

Photo: caa.gov.vn

Turkish Airlines operates direct flights connecting Istanbul with Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, making Turkey one of the important gateways connecting Vietnam with Europe, the Middle East, and many other regions of the world. In 2025, the airline operated more than 1,100 flights, transporting over 439,000 passengers and 31,600 tonnes of cargo.

In the first six months of 2026, Turkish Airlines continued to record impressive growth with a 37.6 per cent increase in flights, a 27.6 per cent increase in passenger volume, and a 93.9 per cent increase in cargo volume compared to the same period last year.

"Turkish Airlines and Vietnam Airlines have played a key role in strengthening air connectivity between our two countries, promoting cultural exchange, trade, investment, and people-to-people ties," said Dung.

Photo: caa.gov.vn

Both sides agreed to enhance passenger and cargo transportation between the two countries. The MoU includes unrestricted passenger transport rights, increased cargo capacity to meet growing market demand, and a commitment to expanding aviation cooperation into human resource training, aircraft maintenance, ground services, airport operations, and other areas of mutual interest.

They expressed confidence that effective implementation will create new momentum for the aviation market, improve connectivity, promote trade and tourism, and open up new cooperation opportunities between airlines and businesses of the two countries.

Hanoi region to get second airport under revised aviation plan The government has formally incorporated a second international airport for the Hanoi region into Vietnam's national aviation master plan, while introducing dedicated air logistics and maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) hubs to support long-term aviation-led economic growth.

SmartKargo signs partnership with Sun PhuQuoc Airways to digitise cargo operations US-based SmartKargo, the leading provider of cloud-native air cargo management solutions, on July 21 announced the signing of a strategic agreement with Sun PhuQuoc Airways.

US firm to explore Gia Lai airport upgrades with FLC Group A US company has partnered with FLC Group to explore public-private partnerships investment in upgrading Gia Lai's two airports, supporting Vietnam's broader push to modernise aviation infrastructure and attract international capital.

Future aviation needs to rethink engineering Mohsen Bahmani, inventor of the Floating Shoes and the propeller-free Bahmani Propulsion System, discussed with VIR the thinking behind his inventions and why future aviation may require rethinking long-established engineering principles.

Following the transaction, AEON will fully withdraw from the supermarket business in Thailand. Central Food Retail operates the Tops supermarket chain, as well as convenience stores and premium supermarkets, mainly in Thailand.

AEON entered the Thai market in 1984. The Japanese group currently operates 30 supermarkets in the country under the MaxValu and smaller format MaxValu Tanjai brands.

Around 1,300 AEON employees in Thailand are expected to retain their jobs following the transfer of the supermarkets to Central Group. Despite exiting the supermarket business, AEON will continue to operate in other sectors in the country, including the Tsuruha pharmacy chain, entertainment facilities, and financial services.

At its peak in 2016, AEON operated around 80 stores in Thailand. However, increasingly polarised consumer preferences have driven stronger demand for both premium and discount retailers, making it more difficult for AEON to differentiate itself and compete with local rivals.

AEON is stepping up efforts to improve capital efficiency and profitability. Going forward, the group is expected to focus its growth on key markets, including Vietnam, where its shopping centres have been performing well. It will also concentrate resources on markets such as Malaysia, Cambodia, and Indonesia.

Photo: AEON Vietnam

In mid-July, AEON Vietnam general director Tezuka Daisuke said there remains significant room for growth in Vietnam’s retail sector. According to the company, modern retail currently accounts for only around 15 per cent of the total retail market, well below approximately 50 per cent in Malaysia, highlighting the substantial potential for further development and modernisation.

In Vietnam, the Japanese retail group currently operates eight shopping malls, 15 general merchandise stores and supermarkets, including compact formats, 45 mid-sized supermarkets, and hundreds of convenience stores.

Under AEON Group’s medium-term strategy for 2026–2030, Vietnam has been identified as the group’s top-priority market for investment in Southeast Asia. AEON plans to allocate up to 60 per cent of its total ASEAN investment budget to Vietnam, with the aim of tripling the scale of its operations in the country.

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Photo: VNR

The draft proposes special mechanisms for the railway industrial complex project; management, maintenance, repair, renovation, and upgrading of national railway infrastructure assets; construction of commercial and office buildings at railway stations; and investment credit incentives.

The investment preparation process for the railway industrial complex project is subject to several specific policies as follows: Vietnam Rail (VNR) is allowed to consult domestic and foreign contractors and organisations regarding technology, reference prices, and potential risks during the project preparation process; this consultation must be transparent and must not provide an unfair advantage to any supplier.

VNR is allowed to decide on the use of foreign contractors for consulting and pre-implementation activities for the project.

Regarding the performance of tasks and orders for railway industrial services and railway industrial goods of the railway industrial complex, VNR is assigned and orders enterprises in which VNR has 100 per cent invested capital to perform all or part of railway industrial services and railway industrial goods in accordance with the law.

The draft clearly states that VNR is assigned the task of commissioning its dependent and independent accounting units, and commissioning its subsidiaries to carry out repairs, renovations, upgrades, and functional enhancements to national railway infrastructure assets using the company's own capital.

In cases where the state entrusts VNR with the management, maintenance, operation of national railway infrastructure, VNR shall implement initiatives to construct commercial service and office buildings within railway stations and on land designated for railways associated with stations through the selection of investors as stipulated in the 2025 Investment Law.

The MoF also proposes adding investment projects for the production, assembly, and procurement of various types of railway locomotives and carriages; specialised vehicles operating on railways; machinery and equipment for railway infrastructure maintenance; and mechanical components, systems, and parts for the production and assembly of locomotives, carriages, and railway transport vehicles to Section III – the list of investment credit loan projects issued with the government’s Decree No.78/2023/ND-CP from 2023, amending and supplementing a number of articles of Decree No.32/2017/ND-CP from 2017, on state investment credit.

At present, the draft is currently open for public comment on the MoF’s online portal.

Vietnam Railways restructuring plans approved With the approval of the restructuring plan for 2026-2030, Vietnam Railways will develop into a group model, aiming to create a driving force for the industry development and attract more investment.

More opportunities for French businesses in Vietnam’s railways Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Tuong Van on May 7 worked with a delegation of French businesses on railway investment and business opportunities.

Railway administrative procedures amended to support investment New railway industry regulations are expected to streamline administrative procedures and boost business and investment activities in the sector.

In the first seven months of 2026, exports totalled approximately $4.76 billion, representing a 23 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.

The sector’s growth was driven primarily by a recovery in durian exports, which account for more than half of the industry’s total export value.

China remained the largest export market, accounting for around 55 per cent of total export value, while the United States and South Korea continued to post positive growth.

Other Vietnamese products, including coconuts, mangoes, bananas, passion fruit, and processed fruit and vegetables, also recorded strong growth.

The sector is expanding in scale while undergoing a notable shift in its export structure, with processed products accounting for an increasingly significant share, particularly in distant and highly demanding markets such as the EU.

Data from the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (Vinafruit) showed that fruit and vegetable exports to the EU reached approximately $214.4 million in the first six months of the year, up 32 per cent on-year. In June alone, export turnover to the market increased by 38 per cent.

Notably, processed products account for a significantly larger share of exports to the EU than the industry average. While processed products currently make up around 31 per cent of Vietnam’s total fruit and vegetable export value, the proportion in the EU market is close to two-thirds.

Within the EU, the Netherlands was Vietnam’s largest fruit and vegetable import market, with export turnover reaching $117 million, up 46.8 per cent year-on-year and accounting for 54.6 per cent of Vietnam’s total exports to the bloc. Germany followed with $58.4 million, up 47 per cent, while France accounted for 14.7 per cent.

Vinafruit said deep processing is becoming an important avenue for Vietnamese agricultural products to overcome the disadvantages posed by geographical distance.

Fresh fruit and vegetables exported to distant markets often face challenges due to high air freight costs, while sea transport requires stringent preservation and storage technologies.

In fact, several processed products are recording strong growth. Exports of processed passion fruit reached $123.2 million, up 37.5 per cent, while potato exports surged 100.7 per cent and processed dragon fruit exports increased 50 per cent.

In Germany, one of the EU’s major markets, the value of processed fruit and vegetable imports from Vietnam reached $32.6 million in the first five months of the year, up 126 per cent.

Dang Phuc Nguyen, secretary general of Vinafruit, said deep processing also helps address the issue of post-harvest losses.

“Post-harvest losses of fruit and vegetables in Vietnam remain high at 30–40 per cent, significantly above the approximately 10-15 per cent recorded in Thailand,” he said.

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The proposal follows the Politburo's policy and the prime ministerial direction set out in Notice No.368/TB-VPCP dated July 11 issued by the Government Office.

The Ministry of Finance has submitted reports to the Government Party Committee and the Government Standing Committee on the plan to consolidate the four NTPs into a single overarching programme.

Photo: baodautu.vn

The four programmes comprise the NTPs on new-style rural development, sustainable poverty reduction, and socioeconomic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas; on modernising and improving the quality of education and training; on cultural development; and on healthcare, population, and development.

Under the proposal, the MoF will report to the government for submission to the National Assembly a resolution maintaining the overall objectives and total resources for implementing the programmes, while authorising the government to prescribe in detail its contents, resource structure, and implementation mechanisms.

The consolidation plan is based on the principle of maintaining the objectives and tasks already approved by the National Assembly.

The programmes' contents will be reviewed and reorganised into groups based on the issues to be addressed, in line with the nature of the policies and objectives of each programme. At the same time, the plan must provide appropriate transitional solutions to ensure that approved tasks are not disrupted.

Another notable element is the restructuring of the state budget towards a target ratio of 75 per cent for public investment capital and 25 per cent for recurrent expenditure.

Management focal points will also be streamlined, with responsibilities assigned to the respective ministries in charge of sectors and fields for formulating objectives, tasks and criteria to assess implementation results based on required outputs. The MoF will perform its state budget management role in accordance with current regulations on state budget management.

On August 4, after receiving comments from government members and the Ministry of Justice, as well as consolidating proposals from ministries, central-level agencies and local authorities, the MoF submitted Proposal No.591/TTr-BTC to the government on completing the dossier for submission to the National Assembly regarding solutions to consolidate the NTPs.

Alongside research into the new management model, ministries and sectors continue to finalise policies for implementing individual programmes.

To date, the NTP on drug prevention and control and the integrated NTP covering new-style rural development, sustainable poverty reduction, and socioeconomic development have completed the full system of mechanisms, policies and implementation guidance documents.

For the NTP on cultural development, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism has basically completed the basis for resource allocation and most management and implementation guidance documents.

Meanwhile, the NTP on healthcare, population and development and the NTP on modernising and improving the quality of education and training have completed the basis for resource allocation but are continuing to finalise implementation guidance documents.

Regarding the 2026–2030 medium-term public investment plan, the Prime Minister has assigned the first tranche of central budget capital to the integrated NTP and the NTP on drug prevention and control.

For the 2026 central budget estimate, the National Assembly has approved an allocation of $1.4 billion for implementation of the NTPs.

As of July 31, the Prime Minister had allocated more than $866.2 million to three programmes: the NTP on drug prevention and control, the NTP on cultural development, and the integrated NTP. Localities are completing plans to allocate the capital for implementation.

The MoF said that right after receiving allocation plans from ministries that meet the relevant requirements, it shall submit them to the competent authorities for consideration and approval of the 2026–2030 medium-term public investment plan funded by the central budget and the 2026 public investment capital plans for the programmes.

According to the MoF, disbursement of central budget funds for the NTPs in the 2026–2030 period remains low because most programmes are still completing procedures for assigning plans, allocating capital and issuing implementation guidance.

As of July 31, public investment capital for the 2026–2030 period had recorded disbursement of only about $3.76 million, equivalent to around 0.5 per cent of the plan. Recurrent expenditure disbursement stood at close to $1.1 million, equivalent to approximately 2.8 per cent of the estimate.

Regarding state budget funds from 2025 that the National Assembly allowed to be carried forward into 2026, the MoF is monitoring approximately $730 million in funds carried forward for implementation, including nearly $280 million in public investment capital and around $450 million in recurrent expenditure.

By the end of July, public investment capital under the programmes carried forward had reached approximately 30 per cent of the plan in disbursement, while recurrent expenditure had reached around 20 per cent of the estimate.

The MoF assessed this as a more upbeat result compared with the first months of the year, but said disbursement still needs to be accelerated to ensure completion in 2026.

Going forward, the MoF has proposed that the government continue directing ministries, sectors and localities to synchronously implement key tasks.

First, relevant ministries in charge of the NTPs should coordinate with the MoF to complete the plan for developing the overarching NTP, ensuring that the objectives and tasks of each programme are fully carried forward while improving the efficiency of resource management.

The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Industry and Trade have been asked to urgently finalise implementation guidance documents and plans for allocating the medium-term public investment plan and the 2026 central budget estimate, so that the MoF can submit them to the competent authorities for consideration and decision.

Ministries, central-level agencies, and localities also need to urgently complete the allocation and assignment of budget estimates and ensure sufficient provision of local counterpart funding; accelerate the disbursement of 2026 funds and funds carried forward from 2025.

At the same time, they should strengthen inspections, address problems, ensure the effective use of resources, and fulfil the objectives of the NTPs.

Vietnam to host conference on national target programmes The national conference on the implementation of national target programmes for rural development and sustainable proverty reduction will be held on April 21.

Localities striving to build smart new-style rural areas Many localities are working hard to build smart rural areas, as part of a national target programme on building new-style rural areas.

VBSP expands policy lending to empower marginalised communities Vietnam Bank for Social Policies (VBSP) recorded strong credit growth and disbursement in the first five months of the year, laying the groundwork to fulfill its 2025 goal of expanding inclusive lending and supporting national development goals.

Vietnam streamlines funding for national programmes The Ministry of Finance is stepping up efforts to disburse national target programme funds, ensuring efficient use of public investment to support local development and livelihoods.

Sharma brings more than 15 years of experience building and scaling product organizations across SaaS, AI, machine learning, and platform businesses. He joins Teletrac Navman from Platform Science (Trimble Telematics), where he served as Vice President of Product Management and led the launch of AI-powered analytics and safety solutions, expanded ELD offerings, and oversaw product integration following acquisitions. He has also held senior product leadership roles at Verra Mobility, Michelin Connected Fleet, and Verizon Connect.

"Pankaj is a highly accomplished product and technology leader with a track record of driving meaningful revenue growth and bringing innovative, customer-focused solutions to market," said Alain Samaha, President & CEO, Teletrac Navman. "His experience developing growth-oriented product strategies will be a tremendous asset as we continue evolving our products and delivering value to our customers."

Sharma's appointment comes as Teletrac Navman continues to expand its product portfolio. The company recently launched Energy Hub, a new solution within its all-in-one fleet management platform TN360 that gives businesses a unified view of energy usage across mixed-energy fleets, combining EV charging visibility with traditional fuel data in a single platform. The launch follows the introduction of an Electronic Braking Performance Monitoring System, part of the company's portfolio of automated compliance products that provides a regulatory-approved alternative to traditional roller brake testing. Both releases build on Teletrac Navman's position as a standalone company following its acquisition by Respida Capital earlier this year.

"I'm excited to join Teletrac Navman at such a pivotal moment for the industry," said Sharma. "I look forward to working with the team to build products that solve real-world challenges for our customers and drive the next phase of innovation for the business."

Sharma will be based in Atlanta.

For more information visit www.teletracnavman.com.

Landis+Gyr's Edge App Ecosystem is an open, scalable platform that brings the simplicity and speed of an app-driven model to utilities, enabling real-time optimisation at the grid edge.

As distributed energy resources (DER) adoption accelerates, utilities face unprecedented grid complexity and require real-time visibility to make faster, more informed operational decisions while maintaining reliability.

Landis+Gyr's platform addresses this challenge by providing a shared foundation for edge intelligence, enabling utilities to extend operational capabilities through best-of-breed applications and analytics.

The ecosystem enables developers to deliver advanced analytics, operational optimisation and customer engagement applications within a secure, utility-grade environment, supporting predictive, data-driven decision-making.

Applications developed within Landis+Gyr's Edge App ecosystem can be deployed across utilities using the company's industry-leading Revelo^® grid sensing platform, accelerating innovation and expanding intelligent grid capabilities at scale.

Landis+Gyr, Senior Vice President David Maclean, APAC said, "This is intelligent energy, delivered, empowering utilities to unlock greater value from data and build more resilient, future-ready networks.

Innovation at the edge should be simple, scalable, and impactful. Today, our Edge Apps Ecosystem enables utilities to rapidly adopt new applications and unlock AI-driven insights.

We are excited to welcome Future Grid and OTS to our global ecosystem, bringing a growing portfolio of applications to utilities and enabling real-time intelligence and innovation at the edge."

New Partners Unlocking Next Generation Intelligent Insights

Future Grid is the leading SaaS platform that enables LV distribution networks to be managed seamlessly in real time - powered by advanced grid intelligence technology and AI-optimized analytics that transform massive quantities of data into a clear risk matrix of actions, used across globally by grid operators and utilities from compliance, field crews, grid planning to control rooms.

Operational Technology Solutions (OTS) brings deep expertise in data analytics, edge sensors, and real-time systems, enabling utilities to harness large-scale data, automate insights, and accelerate digital transformation. The company works with leading utilities to deliver advanced analytics capabilities that support the next generation of intelligent grid operations.

Future Grid and OTS join Landis+Gyr's global ecosystem of application partners, including Sense, Mitsubishi Electric and more, bringing a growing portfolio of proven applications to utilities, ready to deploy and scale at the edge.

As the energy transition accelerates, Landis+Gyr continues to expand its intelligent ecosystem by working closely with utilities and partners to co-create edge solutions that are open and deliver real impact.

David Maclean added "The future of energy is collaborative, built on shared innovation, open platforms, and a collective commitment to shaping a more intelligent, connected, and resilient grid."

For more information, please visit our website www.landisgyr.com