The 'Joyful Education' event took place on July 12, organised by Tokio Marine Insurance Vietnam (TMIV) in collaboration with social enterprise Tohe. The visual art training project, which ran for nearly eight months, opened a space for connection between children with special needs, their families, and the community.

The highlight was an exhibition of paintings and crafts created by autistic children. Rather than focusing on technique or aesthetic value, the programme viewed each artwork as a milestone in the child's developmental journey – from strokes and colour choices to the ability to express emotions and interact with the world. For many children with special needs, art serves as a natural and safe channel for expressing feelings.

Besides the exhibition area, the event offered an art experience journey, helping attendees understand more about the project's context, the stories behind each group of artworks, and basic information about autism spectrum disorder.

Two painting workshops, led by autistic children and Tohe teachers, allowed attendees to interact directly with the young artists. Designed on a small scale, the workshops encouraged close interaction and respected each child's pace. Rather than placing children in a one-way observation role, the activity empowered them to take an active role, sharing their interests, creative styles, and imaginative worlds. This reversal of roles made the programme special – children were not just recipients of support, but also capable of inspiring others.

Alongside the art activities, the event also featured a career experience zone where counsellors and autistic individuals shared information about jobs suitable for children with special needs. Activities such as flower arranging and basic crafts gave attendees insight into the skill development and career potential of children with special needs when approached with the right methods. Inclusion, organisers noted, is not just about creating a fun day – it is about aiming for long-term development opportunities.

A representative from TMIV said, "Our social responsibility is a long-term commitment to partnering with groups that need more attention in society. Through our programmes, we hope to contribute to positive, lasting, and meaningful change for the community."

"Joyful Education is part of that journey, where art serves as a bridge for children with special needs to express themselves, for families to gain confidence, and for the community to better understand diversity and inclusion."

TMIV and Tohe created a special art event for children and opened a space for dialogue among children, families, schools, businesses, and the community. From paintings and crafts to sensory experiences and career guidance, the programme sent a clear message: diversity is not something to be hidden or avoided, but a natural part of society that needs to be understood, respected, and given the opportunity to thrive.

Maternal job loss may affect children’s mental health, research shows Job losses affect more than workers themselves, with new research showing that children can suffer emotional and behavioural challenges when mothers lose employment.

Stakeholders mobilised before new child safety rules take effect Government bodies, civil society, and international partners seek to strengthen coordination and public readiness for the new child road safety regulations in Vietnam.

World's children exposed to at least three overlapping climate threats Nearly half of the world’s children – or 1.1 billion – are now exposed to at least three overlapping climate hazards, threatening their health, education, and survival, according to a new UNICEF report launched on June 16.

Prudential, South East CDC launch programme targeting 3,000 Singapore children Prudential Singapore and South East Community Development Council have launched the Get Fit! Get Lit! programme, targeting 3,000 children with financial literacy, climate resilience, and dengue health awareness education.

iClever's Q950 becomes world's first TÜV Rheinland hearing-certified headphones for children iClever launched the Q950, the first children's headphones to earn TÜV Rheinland Hearing Care certification, combining hybrid active noise cancellation and SafeSound technology in a 2026 Red Dot Award-winning design.

OPEC Fund president Abdulhamid Alkhalifa said, "Small businesses are central to Vietnam's economy and an important source of jobs and growth. This financing will help more companies access the capital they need to invest and expand, while supporting practical climate solutions that can strengthen competitiveness and resilience."

The new loan agreement strengthens the partnership between SeABank and the OPEC Fund that began in 2022 with a first loan in support of local small- and medium-sized enterprises, including women-owned businesses, as well as climate projects.

Le Thu Thuy, SeABank's vice chairwoman of the Board of Directors, said, "This financing marks an important milestone in our partnership with the OPEC Fund, reinforcing SeABank's commitment to inclusive and sustainable growth. It also advances our role as a financial intermediary in mobilising and channelling international capital to support Vietnam's sustainable development priorities."

IFC considers $86 million senior loan investment in SeABank The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is proposing a five-year unsecured senior loan of up to $86 million in Southeast Asia Commercial Joint Stock Bank (SeABank).

SeABank secures $80m from Proparco and FMO for inclusive, green growth SeABank has received $80 million in funding from Proparco and FMO to expand support for SMEs, women-led businesses, and green finance initiatives.

France's Proparco and Netherlands' FMO invest $80 million in SeABank The French Development Finance Institution (Proparco) and the Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank (FMO) have signed a loan agreement worth $80 million with SeABank.

Representatives of Tay Ninh Department of Education and Training, the leadership and students of Long An College, together with representatives of Coca-Cola Vietnam, attended the Graduation Ceremony of the first cohort of the Coke Connect Programme

Born from a strategic partnership between Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam and Tay Ninh Department of Education and Training, Coke Connect bridges the gap between classroom theory and modern manufacturing practices. It acts as a direct pipeline connecting local young talent with a world-class manufacturing operation environment.

As a leading public vocational institution, Long An College is crucial to supplying technical talent to local industrial zones.

However, students often face limited access to hands-on training within multinational corporations.

Without this exposure, many struggle to grasp complex operational workflows, corporate cultures, and the fast-evolving demands of the modern job market, ultimately making career planning and meeting employer expectations a challenge.

Coke Connect addresses this head-on. The curriculum gave Long An College students an all-access look at the end-to-end supply chain ecosystem, including demand planning, production, quality control, and operational excellence.

Under the mentorship of industry experts, participants paired rigorous technical training with professional development, sharpening the skills needed to thrive in a global corporate setting.

For its inaugural 2026 cohort, the programme generated high engagement, drawing over 60 competitive applications within a tight three-week window. The final 20 spots were awarded to standout students majoring in engineering, mechatronics, industrial electricity, and related technical disciplines.

Students received scholarships from Tay Ninh Department of Education and Training and Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam

To ensure a seamless experience, participants received practical support, including travel stipends, comprehensive accident insurance, a welcome package, and daily meals alongside factory staff. Furthermore, graduates receive fast-tracked consideration for the Coca-Cola StemX programme, talented intern tracks, and future career openings.

During the closing ceremony, Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam and Tay Ninh Department of Education and Training awarded nearly $4,000 in scholarships. These grants honour the students' exceptional performance and serve as a catalyst for their continued academic and professional journeys.

With the continuation of Coke Connect, Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam solidifies its role as a key local partner who drives workforce development, empowers the next generation, and contributes to the sustainable economic future of Tay Ninh province.

Coca-Cola expands recycling drive to Hanoi Coca-Cola Vietnam has expanded its flagship recycling initiative to the capital as part of its push for more sustainable packaging and cleaner communities.

NBA and Coca-Cola announce multiyear global partnership The basketball league and beverage company formed an international sponsorship agreement replacing previous soft drink category arrangements.

Coca-Cola Museum achieves Gold Prize at VMARK Vietnam Design Award 2026 The award recognises the museum’s distinctive approach to brand experience design, where creativity, sustainability, and community values converge to create an engaging public space.

Green hydrogen is a crucial feedstock in the production of synthetic fuels such as e-sustainable aviation fuel (e-SAF) and e-methanol. Under their partnership, BSR and the German Development Agency (GIZ) will jointly research and develop a project for producing synthetic fuels like e-SAF or e-methanol to meet the rising demand of new fuels in the future.

e-SAF is a sustainable aviation fuel used in the aviation sector. As countries strengthen efforts to decarbonise air transport, demand for such aviation fuel is expected to increase significantly. Vietnam is also drafting a roadmap for the adoption of sustainable aviation fuel in commercial aviation.

Meanwhile, e-methanol is emerging as an alternative marine fuel. In marine vessels, new engines are being developed that can operate on both conventional fuel oil and methanol, allowing shipping companies to gradually reduce carbon emissions. Given the much larger global shipping fleet compared to the aviation sector, demand for e-methanol is expected to grow rapidly.

For e-methanol, two technology pathways are currently attracting the attention of major global investors. The first is the Power-to-Liquids (PtL) pathway, which utilises renewable electricity to produce green hydrogen before synthesising it into e-fuels. The second relies on biomass as the primary feedstock.

Tran Hai Ninh, general director of BSR Innovation Centre, said, "Vietnam has significant biomass potential, with abundant raw materials including rice straw, husks, and wood waste. This creates opportunities to combine agriculture and energy to develop a new value chain while supporting the production of low-carbon fuels."

"The wider application of these fuels in the aviation and maritime sectors would help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to Vietnam’s long-term decarbonisation efforts," he added.

The project by BSR and GIZ is currently at the pilot stage, with a focus on research and technology demonstration. The two sides will assess technology based on its potential for practical application and scalability, rather than immediate commercial deployment.

According to preliminary calculations and findings from international researchers and major investors, the production cost of green fuels remains higher than that of conventional fuels. Therefore, achieving commercialisation and large-scale production will depend on several decisive factors.

Ninh pointed out the first factor being a stable supply of renewable energy. For the PtL pathway, this requires large-scale wind power projects. With a long coastline and strong wind power potential, Vietnam can tap into this technology.

The second factor is consistent product quality, and the third is competitive production costs. These three factors will determine whether these new fuels can be commercialised and produced at scale, he said.

BSR’s research and assessments also show that while there is demand for green hydrogen in Vietnam, its commercial adoption is primarily constrained by cost. The production cost of green hydrogen remains significantly higher than that of grey or brown hydrogen produced from conventional sources, making it the biggest barrier to widespread deployment.

From a chemical perspective, green, grey and brown hydrogen are essentially identical. However, from a technical standpoint, if hydrogen is produced at a centralised facility, its storage and transportation become major challenges, according to Ninh.

“While hydrogen production technologies are advancing, standards and infrastructure for storage and transportation remain underdeveloped. As a result, the lack of technical standards, together with high costs, remains one of the key barriers to the large-scale deployment of green hydrogen,” Ninh said.

To support the development of new fuels, Vietnamese ministries and government agencies are drafting policy mechanisms covering both investment incentives and raw material supply. BSR expects a roadmap for these policies is expected to be put forward by the end of this year or next year.

While a national roadmap has yet to be finalised, BSR has already developed its own strategic roadmap. However, the company is seeking stronger government support to ensure its strategy is commercially viable and can be successfully implemented.

At the same time, end users are also seeking supportive policies. For example, airlines such as Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet have proposed sector-specific mechanisms to support the adoption of sustainable aviation fuel.

BSR secures three months of crude supply for Dung Quat refinery Binh Son Refining and Petrochemical has secured enough crude oil to operate its Dung Quat refinery for the next three months amid Middle East supply disruptions.

NextChem to upgrade BSR's Dung Quat hydrogen unit Italian engineering group Maire announced that its subsidiary NextChem, through its subsidiary KT Tech, has been awarded the licencing and process design package for a new hydrogen production unit by Binh Son Refining and Petrochemical JSC.

Fiscal health underpins BSR’s rating ascent Binh Son Refining and Petrochemical JSC is establishing itself as a transparent and globally appealing player in Vietnam’s refining industry and energy sector.

According to the data, interest in domestic travel rose 12% during the holiday period, with urban destinations such as Yokohama, Nagoya, and Osaka emerging as the fastest-growing destinations. Meanwhile, interest in overseas travel increased by 13%, especially for popular Asian cities and resort destinations that are easily accessible from Japan, such as Pattaya, Seoul, and Bangkok.

This data is based on accommodation searches conducted by travelers from Japan between March and May 2026, comparing check-ins during the 2026 Obon period (August 8–16, 2026) with check-ins during the 2025 Obon period (August 9–17, 2025).

■ Yokohama Emerges as a Rising Star for Obon Domestic Travel

Among domestic travel destinations, Yokohama recorded the highest growth in travel interest, with a 17% increase compared to last year's Obon period. In addition to tourist spots such as Minato Mirai and Chinatown, its popularity is considered to be driven by the diverse appeal of the city, including shopping, dining, and waterfront stay experiences.

Nagoya and Osaka also recorded an increase in travel interest of 15% each, while Kobe increased by 13%. Tokyo, Fukuoka, and Sendai each recorded a 10% increase, showing rising interest in domestic travel centered around major cities.

Fastest-growing Domestic Travel Destinations for Obon（Year-on-Year Increase in Searches）

• Yokohama：+17％
• Nagoya ：+15％
• Osaka ：+15％
• Kobe ：+13％
• Tokyo ：+10％
• Fukuoka ：+10％
• Sendai ：+10％

These cities are attracting strong interest as Obon travel destinations due to their convenient access and the ability to enjoy dining, shopping, cultural experiences, and other activities even during a short stay.

■ Short-Haul Asian Destinations Such as Pattaya and Seoul Popular for Overseas Travel

Among overseas travel destinations, Pattaya in Thailand recorded the highest growth, with an 18% year-on-year increase. In addition to its beautiful beaches and resort stays, Pattaya's convenient access from Bangkok is also an attractive point, drawing interest from Japanese travelers looking to refresh themselves during the Obon period.

Pattaya was followed by Seoul, South Korea, with a 17% increase in travel interest. In addition to shopping and dining, Seoul is also popular as a destination for beauty-related experiences, making it a classic and attractive destination for Japanese travelers.

Bangkok, Thailand; Da Nang, Vietnam; and Cebu Island, the Philippines each recorded a 13% increase in searches, while Taipei, Taiwan recorded a 12% increase. As all of these destinations are relatively easy to access from Japan within a short amount of time, they are attracting strong interest as travel destinations that can be enjoyed even during a limited holiday period.

Fastest-growing Overseas Travel Destinations for Obon（Year-on-Year Increase in Searches）

• Pattaya（Thailand） ：+18％
• Seoul（South Korea） ：+17％
• Bangkok（Thailand） ：+13％
• Da Nang（Vietnam） ：+13％
• Cebu Island（the Philippines）：+13％
• Taipei（Taiwan） ：+12％

The data suggests that short-haul overseas travel continues to be highly popular among Japanese travelers during the Obon period.

Tadashi Ikai, Senior Country Director, Agoda International Japan, shared, "Obon is one of the most anticipated travel periods of the year for Japanese travelers. This year's search data shows strong interest in domestic city breaks such as Yokohama, Osaka, and Nagoya, alongside growing demand for easy-to-reach destinations in Asia like Pattaya, Seoul, and Da Nang. As people look to make the most of limited time off, convenience and the quality of the experience matter more than ever. Obon is also no longer just about traveling with family and friends. More travelers are choosing trips that reflect their own interests and personal travel style. At Agoda, we remain committed to offering a wide variety of stays and travel options in Japan and abroad, helping travelers enjoy a summer getaway that feels just right for them."

Through Agoda's platform, travelers can seamlessly search and book more than 6 million holiday properties, over 130,000 flight routes, and more than 300,000 activities. Travelers can also easily discover great-value accommodation deals through the Agoda mobile app and official website, Agoda.com.

The Celent Model Insurer Awards are among the insurance industry's most respected accolades, recognizing insurers that demonstrate outstanding innovation, measurable business impact, and excellence in technology implementation. UA's recognition reflects its commitment to transforming every stage of the customer lifecycle, from policy discovery and onboarding to underwriting, claims, servicing, and ongoing wellness engagement.

insureMO is proud to have supported Union Assurance in its digital transformation journey by providing an AI-ready and ecosystem-friendly insurance middleware platform with rich atomic APIs that enables rapid ecosystem integration, seamless connectivity between core systems and digital channels, and the agility required to deliver innovative customer experiences. insureMO has empowered UA to accelerate innovation while maintaining operational flexibility and scalability.

"Congratulations to the entire Union Assurance team on this remarkable achievement," said Woody Mo, CEO of insureMO. "Winning a Celent Model Insurer Award is a testament to UA's bold vision and relentless focus on customer-centric innovation. We are honored that insureMO's platform has played a role in enabling this transformation. Together, we have demonstrated how open and AI-readable insurance infrastructure can help insurers innovate faster, collaborate across ecosystems, and deliver exceptional digital experiences in the AI age."

Harsha Senanayake, Chief Information Officer of Union Assurance, said: "At Union Assurance, our vision has always been to simplify and enrich the life insurance experience through technology. The Connected Life Initiative is about creating a seamless, connected ecosystem that empowers customers throughout their life insurance journey while enabling faster, smarter, and more transparent services. Working with technology partners such as insureMO has enabled us to rapidly integrate new capabilities, connect our digital ecosystem with our core insurance platform, and accelerate innovation while maintaining the flexibility needed to meet evolving customer expectations."

According to Celent's case study, UA's Connected Life Initiative has produced impressive business outcomes, including more than 100,000 app downloads, 69% straight-through underwriting, mobile claims submission in under two minutes with zero paperwork, and an over 80% reduction in claims processing effort. The initiative also integrates AI-enabled wellness services, digital medical data exchange, automated underwriting, and real-time claims tracking, creating a continuous and engaging customer relationship rather than isolated policy interactions.

The award further highlights the growing importance of open and AI-ready architecture and ecosystem connectivity in enabling insurers to respond quickly to evolving customer expectations. As insurers across Asia and around the world continue to modernize their operations, partnerships between forward-looking insurers like Union Assurance and technology platforms like insureMO are helping establish new benchmarks for digital excellence.

Visit www.insuremo.com.

Since July, UAE immigration authorities have extended their pre-approved new visit entry permit (14 Days) for Emirates customers travelling to Dubai (UAE) for six more nationalities. The new initiative is available to eligible passport holders from South Africa, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Kenya and Vietnam travelling to the UAE on Emirates with a confirmed onward or return ticket, further enhancing ease of access for short-term visitors and reinforcing the country’s position as a global tourism and business hub.

VFS Global, the official visa service provider for Emirates Airline passengers since 2002, will facilitate a streamlined and seamless visa application journey through its Dubai Visa Processing Centre (DVPC) platform. Eligible travellers can apply through a user-friendly online portal, ensuring an efficient and convenient experience.

Jiten Vyas, chief commercial officer at VFS Global said, “This initiative marks a significant step forward in enhancing the travel experience for visitors to the UAE. By leveraging our long-standing partnership with Emirates and our digital capabilities, we are enabling a faster, more seamless visa application process that supports the UAE’s vision of being one of the most accessible and attractive destinations globally.”

To qualify, applicants must meet specific travel criteria, including a stay in the UAE of more than 48 hours and up to a maximum of 14 days. The intended date of entry must also fall within 30 days from the date of application. The permit is exclusively available to passengers travelling on Emirates, reinforcing the airline’s role in supporting smooth international travel into the UAE.

Applicants must additionally hold a valid residence permit from select countries, with a minimum validity of six months. These include Australia, Canada, European Union member states, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States. US applicants must hold a valid permanent residency (Green Card); student visas are not eligible under this scheme.

These residency visa criteria apply to nationals of South Africa, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Kenya and Vietnam.

This new permit underscores the UAE’s continued commitment to simplifying entry procedures, improving customer experience, and facilitating secure and efficient travel. By collaborating with Emirates Airline and VFS Global, the UAE is making it easier than ever for eligible travellers to visit for short stays, whether for tourism, business, or transit.

VFS Global has maintained a longstanding partnership with Emirates Airline for over 24 years, during which it has processed more than three million UAE visa applications. Through DVPC, VFS Global currently operates 27 Visa Application Centres across 15 countries and offers online visa services to travellers from over 180 nations. The partnership has consistently supported Dubai’s tourism growth through proactive promotional campaigns and customer-centric initiatives.

Headquartered in Zurich and Dubai, VFS Global manages non-judgmental and administrative tasks related to applications for visa, passport, and consular services for its client governments, increasing productivity and enabling them to focus entirely on the critical task of assessment.

With a responsible approach to technology development, adoption and integration, the company prioritises ethical practices and sustainability while serving as the trusted partner to 71 client governments. Operating over 4,100 application centres in 168 countries, VFS Global has efficiently processed more than 552 million transactions since 2001.

Jemmia Diamond hosts Vietnam-UAE trade dialogue with ambassador The diamond company convened bilateral discussions to explore commercial opportunities between the two nations, with diplomatic representation from the UAE.

UAE retail giant steps up procurement of Vietnamese produce LuLu Group International is continuing to expand its procurement of Vietnamese goods and has launched a second charter flight to transport agricultural produce to the UAE.

Slovak Embassy directs applicants to VFS after alternate provider suspension The Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Hanoi has instructed VFS Global to accept visa applicants holding appointments with another outsourced visa service provider after that provider’s operations were suspended from June 24 until further notice, according to an Embassy communication reviewed by this publication.

According to the latest sales data released by the Vietnam Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (VAMM) on July 10, combined domestic sales of its five members – Honda, Yamaha, Piaggio, SYM, and Suzuki – reached 638,431 units in the second quarter, up 4.4 per cent on-year.

The figures suggest that demand for conventional motorcycles remains resilient even as Vietnam strengthens policies aimed at reducing transport emissions and encouraging cleaner mobility in major cities.

Industry analysts attribute the sales increase partly to seasonal purchasing ahead of the third quarter, improving consumer sentiment, and continued promotional campaigns, including price incentives and low-interest financing programmes offered by manufacturers.

Supply has also remained robust. According to the National Statistics Office under the Ministry of Finance, domestic motorcycle production maintained a strong pace throughout June, lifting total industry output in the first half of 2026 to nearly 2.1 million units, providing manufacturers with sufficient inventories and a broad product offering.

VAMM noted that its reported sales figures cover only domestic deliveries by member companies and exclude production volumes and exports. The data nevertheless indicate that consumer demand remains stronger than previously anticipated despite growing competition from electric motorcycles.

The latest performance highlights the gradual nature of Vietnam's transition towards cleaner mobility. While electric motorcycle brands have continued expanding their market presence through new model launches and investment in charging infrastructure, internal combustion engine motorcycles continue to dominate sales volumes.

Industry observers say purchasing decisions continue to be influenced by affordability, convenience, and the extensive nationwide network of fuel stations, repair shops, and spare parts suppliers. These advantages remain particularly important for consumers in suburban and rural areas, where public charging infrastructure is still developing.

At the same time, established manufacturers are accelerating their electrification strategies rather than relying solely on conventional models.

Honda Vietnam has added electric models such as the ICON e:, CUV e:, and UC3 urban scooter to its domestic portfolio alongside its best-selling Vision, Lead, and SH models. Yamaha Motor Vietnam continues to market its NEO'S electric scooter as part of its broader electrification strategy.

The inclusion of electric models in manufacturers' official product portfolios suggests that competition in Vietnam's electric two-wheeler market is entering a new phase, with established manufacturers leveraging their extensive dealer networks, financial resources, and brand recognition to compete alongside dedicated electric vehicle producers.

Manufacturers are also repositioning their conventional motorcycle portfolios towards higher-value segments.

Honda has expanded its range of premium motorcycles with models including the CB1000 Hornet, NX500, and XL750 Transalp, targeting consumers seeking recreational and lifestyle-oriented products. Yamaha has similarly strengthened its premium offering with models such as the YZF-R9, MT-09, PG-1, and LEXi 155.

Piaggio continues to focus on the premium scooter segment through its Vespa range, while SYM has reinforced its presence in the 50cc category, targeting students and first-time buyers with an expanded product line-up.

The broader diversification strategy has enabled manufacturers to encourage replacement demand while maintaining profitability in an increasingly mature market.

Looking ahead, competition in Vietnam's motorcycle market is expected to intensify during the second half of 2026 as manufacturers continue balancing investment in electric mobility with efforts to sustain sales of conventional models.

Although petrol-powered motorcycles continue to dominate the market, tightening emissions regulations and expanding electrification policies are expected to accelerate the industry's transformation over the coming years. For established manufacturers, revenues generated from conventional motorcycles are likely to remain an important source of funding for research, product development, and the gradual expansion of their electric mobility businesses.

The TMR1228D integrates high-sensitivity TMR sensing elements with CMOS signal-conditioning circuitry to convert changing magnetic fields into accurate digital output signals. Unlike conventional Hall-effect switches that rely on duty-cycled operation to reduce power consumption, the TMR1228D leverages TMR's inherent low-power characteristics to achieve continuous magnetic field detection while consuming as little as 1.5μA per axis. This eliminates missed detection events caused by intermittent sampling, delivering faster response and higher reliability for always-on sensing applications.

The TMR1228D incorporates independent X- and Y-axis sensing channels with separate outputs, supporting industry-standard quadrature A/B signals for rotary and linear position, speed, and direction detection. This simplifies the design of motion sensing systems while providing greater flexibility for multi-axis magnetic detection.

With ±5 Gauss operating and release points, the TMR1228D enables the use of smaller magnets, wider air-gaps, and greater mechanical design flexibility. For applications requiring stronger magnetic fields or different magnet configurations, MDT also offers the TMR1222D, featuring ±17 Gauss operating thresholds in the same package and pinout to support a broader range of mechanical structures and magnetic circuit designs.

The TMR1228D is ideal for electronic water, gas, and heat meters, quadrature encoder systems, rotary and linear position and speed sensing, and other battery-powered or always-on sensing applications.

Key Features

• Dual-axis X/Y magnetic sensing with independent outputs.
• ±5 Gauss operating and release points for smaller magnets and wider air-gaps.
• Continuous (always-on) magnetic field detection without duty-cycling.
• Ultra-low current consumption of 1.5μA per axis.
• High-frequency response in DC to 1kHz.
• Industry-standard quadrature A/B outputs for rotary and linear position, speed, and direction sensing.
• Wide 1.8V to 5.5V operating voltage.
• Industrial operating temperature range of -40°C to +125°C.
• Compact DFN8L package (3×3×0.75mm).

For more information about MDT please visit http://www.multidimensiontech.com.

The company secured the honor with its proprietary global payout platform, LGPS (Lianlian Global Payout Service). The award program is a premier annual event in Hong Kong that celebrates outstanding innovation across industries, with this particular category dedicated to fintech projects that are actively transforming financial services through technology.

Lianlian DigiTech distinguished itself among a highly competitive field of entrants. The win not only validates the company's technological expertise and real-world application value, but also underscores the growing global influence and competitiveness of Chinese fintech solutions in the cross-border payment space.

Data-Driven Cross-Border Payments: How LGPS Bridges China and Global Markets

As artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and other emerging technologies reshape global commerce, the global payments landscape is undergoing a fundamental shift. Traditional bank wire transfers — with their manual processes, layered intermediary banks, opaque fees, and slow review cycles — are increasingly ill-suited for today's high-volume, low-value, and fragmented trade flows.

Lianlian DigiTech's LGPS directly addresses these pain points. Through a unified, standardized API, the platform integrates global payment networks with localized clearing systems, creating a new payment corridor between China and international markets. This enables overseas payment service providers (PSPs), banks, and other financial institutions to seamlessly access payment infrastructure both within China and across multiple jurisdictions — delivering end-to-end transparency, regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and full traceability for every transaction.

To tackle these long-standing industry challenges, LGPS delivers breakthroughs across four critical areas—use-case coverage, settlement speed, regulatory safety, and operational transparency—fundamentally redefining the cross-border payment experience.

Versatile use-case coverage. LGPS supports a broad range of payment scenarios within a single integrated platform, including B2B trade settlements, cross-border e-commerce merchant collections, foreign trade supplier payouts, personal remittances, and marketplace fund disbursements. This makes it a one-stop solution for virtually any type of China-linked commercial or financial flow.

Speed and cost efficiency. Powered by a global network of localized clearing capabilities, LGPS dramatically reduces the number of intermediary banks in the transaction chain. The result: real-time settlement in many cases, direct RMB deposits ready for immediate use, and significantly lower multi-tier fees—delivering both speed and cost-effectiveness without compromise.

Regulatory-grade compliance and security. Backed by Lianlian DigiTech's portfolio of 68 payment licenses worldwide, and reinforced by proprietary AI-driven anti-money laundering (AML) and fraud-detection systems, LGPS ensures full-chain regulatory compliance. Every transaction is monitored and secured, giving businesses confidence that funds move safely within legal frameworks.

End-to-end transparency. LGPS provides fully accessible tools including real-time balance inquiries, automated standard report downloads, and complete visibility into transaction initiation and status. Every payment is traceable from start to finish, with a clear digital audit trail. This level of transparency gives financial institutions and merchants robust support for fund management, reconciliation, and auditing—eliminating the guesswork that has long plagued cross-border payments.

LGPS is rapidly expanding its global ecosystem. Leading international players—including Thunes, a global B2B payments infrastructure platform, and 12 Victory, a well-known cross-border remittance service—have already integrated with the platform. Through real-world commercial deployments, LGPS has consistently demonstrated its reliability and technological edge, with its performance now fully validated across diverse global markets and use cases.

Driving "AI Native + Global": Building Next-Generation Intelligent Financial Infrastructure

As a leading Chinese provider of digital and intelligent cross-border payment solutions, Lianlian DigiTech remains firmly committed to its "AI Native + Global" vision. With AI-native innovation at the heart of its business, the company is embedding AI, blockchain, and other advanced technologies into every stage of cross-border fund flows. By collaborating closely with major global banks, card networks, e-commerce platforms, and a broad range of service providers, Lianlian DigiTech is building an open, collaborative, and globally integrated digital payment ecosystem. Together, these efforts are laying the foundation for a trusted, intelligent financial infrastructure that enables Chinese businesses to connect seamlessly with commercial opportunities worldwide.

To date, Lianlian DigiTech holds a global portfolio of 68 payment licenses and regulatory authorizations. Its operations span more than 100 countries and regions, supporting settlement in over 140 currencies. With more than 10.4 million merchants and businesses served, the company delivers secure, efficient, and fully compliant cross-border collection and payment solutions for a diverse client base — including cross-border e-commerce sellers, foreign trade companies, and multinationals expanding into global markets.

The launch of LGPS represents a critical milestone in Lianlian DigiTech's "AI Native + Global" initiative—expanding the reach of global payment services and delivering a truly seamless payment experience. Winning this prestigious HKMA fintech award is not only an industry validation of LGPS's technological innovation and global service value, but also a strong endorsement of Lianlian DigiTech's combination of AI-native technology and its worldwide payment network.

Looking ahead, Lianlian DigiTech will continue expanding its AI-native capabilities and global payment network while strengthening partnerships with banks and financial institutions worldwide. Drawing on its expertise in AI-native technologies and globally compliant payment infrastructure, the company is developing an end-to-end, fully intelligent payment platform designed to streamline payment flows, boost cross-border efficiency, and help accelerate the digital economy. Together, these efforts will create new opportunities and lasting value for international payments and global cross-border trade.

Since delivering its first vehicle to a customer, GAC's development has marched in lockstep with the mobility lives of users worldwide. This year, a constant stream of new users have joined the GAC community, together earning the trust of 30 million users worldwide.

In H1 2026, exports of GAC's own brands hit 121,500 units, jumping 132% year-on-year, proving global consumers' recognition of product quality. All five core overseas regions — the Americas, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Africa and Europe — recorded robust growth.

GAC's international business covers 110 countries/regions across five major zones, with 746 sales and service outlets, six overseas manufacturing plants, and nine overseas parts warehouses. It has built localized full-value-chain operations covering R&D, production, supply and sales. In the Americas, multiple core models rank high in local markets, with monthly sales multiplying several times in Brazil, Colombia and others. In Asia-Pacific, GAC held 11% of Hong Kong's NEV market in Jan-May, while Thailand's June sales surged 207% month-on-month. In Europe, GAC has built a complete system from local manufacturing to retail, steadily rolling out NEVs in key markets. Every regional sales increase reflects local users' recognition and preference, together forming GAC's 30-million-user trust community.

The milestone of 30 million vehicles produced by GAC embodies the trust and commitment of users all over the world. GAC Group will deepen reforms under the "Panyu action", stay committed to the user-centric development philosophy, and translate the trust of its 30 million global users into driving force for progress. The Group will deliver higher-quality products, more advanced technologies and more comprehensive services to reciprocate every customer's support, and march forward hand in hand with its global 30-million-user community to embrace a brand-new development journey.

For more information about GAC, please visit https://www.gacgroup.com/en or follow us on social media.

The former players reported higher levels of depression and anxiety and had subjective difficulties with thinking and decision-making skills. MRI scans identified differences in brain structure between some former players and a comparison group of healthy people with no history of contact sports or head injuries. The findings add to a growing body of research, including additional studies reported at AAIC 2026, exploring how soccer play may influence brain health over time.

"These findings suggest there may be measurable effects on brain health in former elite soccer players even in mid-life, before clinically apparent neurodegenerative disease would typically emerge," said Caleigh Grace Lynch, M.Sc., lead author of the study and a research technician at Imperial College London and the UK Dementia Research Institute Centre for Care Research & Technology. "While we did not find significant differences in objective cognitive testing between the groups, we did observe important differences in symptoms and brain structure."

"Research like this helps us better understand brain health factors across the lifespan and reinforces the importance of injury prevention and monitoring," said Maria C. Carrillo, Ph.D., Alzheimer's Association chief science officer and medical affairs lead. "These findings can help players, physicians and sports organizations better understand the risks of contact sports and how to participate safely."

The study included 142 former professional soccer players, ages 30-60: 126 males who held a full-time professional contract for a minimum of three years, and 16 females who competed at the top two tiers of the women's professional game in the UK. They were compared to a control group of 56 healthy people (43 male) of the same age who have not played contact sports, served in the military and had no history of repetitive head impacts, concussion or other neurological issues.

Interim analyses of this dataset revealed that former elite professional soccer players reported significantly higher symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as worse self-rated ability to plan, focus on and solve problems and manage daily tasks, compared to the control group. Nearly one-third of former players (31%) scored in the range indicating clinically significant depression symptoms, compared with 9% of controls, while 42% scored in the range indicating clinically significant anxiety symptoms, compared with 25% of controls.

Brain imaging of 124 former players revealed lower gray matter volume in several brain regions, including frontal, cingulate and thalamic areas that play important roles in memory, attention, decision-making and emotional regulation, compared to controls. At the group level, there was evidence of reduced brain volume in footballers compared with controls. Researchers report clinical review of the scans by a neuroradiologist found that a small proportion of the scans (~2%) had clinically significant atrophy suggestive of neurodegeneration. Further investigation is required to fully understand this result.

Researchers said the combination of elevated symptoms and altered brain volume patterns may suggest trauma-related neurodegeneration, but more research is needed to definitively prove this. Future work is planned to further investigate these findings, including the use of an expanded dataset, integration of additional biomarkers such as advanced diffusion imaging and blood-based biomarkers of neurodegeneration, and longitudinal follow-up.

"By following participants over time, we hope to better understand how repetitive head impacts may influence long-term brain health and neurodegenerative disease, and help inform strategies to make sports safer for future generations," said Thomas D. Parker, B.M., B.M.Ch., M.R.C.P., Ph.D., senior author of the study and clinical lecturer and consultant neurologist at Imperial College London and the UK Dementia Research Institute Centre for Care Research & Technology.

The study is part of the Advanced BRAIN Health Clinic Research Programme based at the Institute of Sport, Exercise & Health, an integrated clinical care and research initiative investigating the long-term effects of repetitive head impacts in retired elite soccer and rugby players.

The Alzheimer's Association offers guidance on brain health and brain injury risk reduction. One of its 10 Healthy Habits for Your Brain is "Protect your head: Help prevent an injury to your head. Wear a helmet for activities like biking and wear a seatbelt. Protect yourself while playing sports. Do what you can to prevent falls, especially for older adults."

As a U.S. Centers for Disease Control Public Health Center of Excellence on Dementia Risk Reduction, the Alzheimer's Association is committed to making brain health a central part of public health. The Alzheimer's Association leads the way in raising awareness about brain health through initiatives that cover the entire spectrum of public health engagement, including the recently launched Brain Health Advancement Institute, a destination for researchers, health care professionals, public health practitioners and policymakers working to reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia across all communities.

Additional research on this topic at AAIC 2026 includes:

• Real-life amateur soccer heading and acute elevations in blood-based p-tau217 and S100B. #13279 (Wednesday, July 15 poster). Marloes Ilse Hoppen, Ph.D. student, Emma Children's Hospital and Alzheimer Center of Amsterdam University Medical Center. m.i.hoppen@amsterdamumc.nl
• Early tau and amyloid pathology following repetitive head impacts in former collegiate athletes: a care consortium study. #13523 (Sunday, July 12 poster). Yomna Takieldeen, MBBCH, Indiana University. yotaki@iu.edu
• Duration of soccer play and chronic traumatic encephalopathy. #9837 (Wednesday, July 15 poster). Bobak Abdolmohammadi, B.A., Boston University. babdolmo@bu.edu

According to the collaboration agreement, the two parties will jointly advance the co-development of the R&D program by combining Insilico Medicine's validated AI platform and AI-enabled innovative drug discovery and development capabilities with CMS's experienced R&D team and deep therapeutic expertise. Insilico Medicine is eligible to receive up to approximately 1.2 billion RMB in milestone payments plus royalties. This partnership marks a deepening collaboration that leverages both parties' complementary strengths across the full value chain—from drug discovery and clinical development to commercialization.

Lam Kong, the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Executive Director of CMS said: "CMS is deeply impressed by Insilico Medicine's capability and productivity in AI drug discovery. We are happy to deepen our collaboration with Insilico Medicine. Insilico Medicine's leadership in AI drug discovery platforms and data-driven R&D is strategically complementary to CMS's capabilities in innovative R&D and clinical translation. In addition, CMS has built solid strengths in clinical development systems and efficiency, regulatory submission expertise, and commercialization network coverage. Our goal never changes: to accelerate the delivery of more clinically meaningful innovations to patients with greater speed and quality, better meeting the growing clinical needs."

"We are delighted to establish another collaboration with China Medical System just three months after our initial announcement," said Feng Ren, PhD, Co-CEO and Chief Scientific Officer of Insilico Medicine. "Our existing partnership, announced earlier this year, has been seamless and productive since its inception. In this new program, we value the input from the CMS commercialization team and are proud of the innovative Mechanism of Action (MoA) identified by PandaOmics, which streamlines the development of high-potential drugs, enhancing translational efficiency, and accelerating the transition of molecules from 'proof of concept' to life-changing patient therapies. We will continue to deepen our multi-dimensional collaboration in pipeline and clinical strategy and global partnerships to provide patients with more differentiated and accessible treatment options."

For more information, please visit www.insilico.com

Because the lesion was very small, doctors recommended a follow-up CT scan three months later. At the follow-up examination, the nodule had doubled in size, measuring approximately 15mm. Concerned by the rapid growth, Cheng’s daughter brought her from Cambodia to FV Hospital for further evaluation and treatment.

At FV Hospital, doctors performed a CT-guided transthoracic needle biopsy to obtain tissue samples from the lung nodule without surgery. The pathology results confirmed non-small cell lung cancer.

Dr. Luong Ngoc Trung examined the patient from Cambodia. Photo: FV Hospital

According to Dr. Luong Ngoc Trung, robotic thoracic surgeon and head of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery at FV Hospital, Cheng is a typical example of early-stage lung cancer.

"She is a non-smoker, has no family history of the disease, and experienced no symptoms at all. Without low-dose CT screening, detecting tumours at a stage when they can be completely treated is extremely difficult,” Dr. Trung said.

Following a comprehensive evaluation, Dr. Trung confirmed that the tumour remained confined to the lung, with no evidence of metastasis.

Her case was subsequently reviewed by FV Hospital’s Tumour Board, where thoracic surgeons, medical oncologists, radiologists, and other specialists unanimously recommended robot-assisted surgery using the da Vinci Xi system as the optimal treatment approach.

Early surgery

On June 2, the robot-assisted lung cancer surgery was successfully performed using the da Vinci Xi surgical system. Dr. Trung and his team completed the lobectomy and lymph node dissection in approximately 120 minutes.

With its high-definition magnified 3D vision and highly articulated robotic instruments, the da Vinci Xi system enables surgeons to operate with exceptional precision within the confined space of the chest. This helps minimise damage to healthy tissues, reduce postoperative pain, and support faster recovery.

Robot-assisted lung cancer surgery using the da Vinci Xi surgical system. Photo: FV Hospital

Just one day after surgery, Cheng was able to walk independently, eat normally, and resume most daily activities. She was discharged in stable condition after three nights of postoperative monitoring.

“I am deeply grateful to all the doctors and nurses at FV Hospital. Everyone was incredibly caring and encouraging, which gave me great confidence throughout my treatment,” Cheng shared.

The final pathology report brought welcome news to the family. The tumour was confirmed as stage IA non-small cell lung cancer and had been completely removed.

According to Dr. Trung, patients diagnosed at stage IA who undergo complete surgical resection generally require only regular follow-up and do not need adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

“The greatest relief for our family is that my mother did not have to undergo prolonged chemotherapy or radiation treatment. After just one surgery, she was able to return to her normal life,” said Kim Sovannavy, the patient’s daughter.

Cheng had fully recovered and looked healthy at her follow-up appointment. Photo: FV Hospital

Why low-dose CT screening matters

According to Dr. Trung, most lung cancer cases today are diagnosed only after symptoms such as persistent cough, weight loss, chest pain, or metastatic disease have developed. By then, the role of surgery becomes much more limited, and patients often require a combination of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, or other systemic treatments that are more costly and generally less effective.

“When lung cancer is detected early, the five-year survival rate can reach as high as 95 per cent. This falls to around 65 per cent in Stage II, approximately 30 per cent in Stage III, and below 15 per cent in Stage IV,” Dr. Trung said.

For this reason, many countries now recommend low-dose CT screening for lung cancer in people aged 50 and older, including non-smokers and individuals without obvious risk factors.

Low-dose CT scan uses only about 1-1.5 mSv of radiation, equivalent to roughly half of the average annual background radiation exposure and approximately one-fifth of the radiation dose of a conventional chest CT scan.

Despite the lower radiation exposure, it is capable of detecting lung nodules measuring only a few millimetres. In contrast, chest X-rays may miss small lesions and are therefore no longer recommended for lung cancer screening.

FV Hospital offers flexible financial support by allowing eligible patients to combine Vietnam’s public and private health insurance, and interest-free instalment payment plans for cancer treatment and many other medical conditions.

For consultation on lung cancer screening and treatment at FV Hospital:
6 Nguyen Luong Bang street
Tan My Ward, Ho Chi Minh City ; Tel: (028) 3511 3333

Roche Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City Oncological Hospital continue to improve cancer diagnosis and treatment capacity in Vietnam On March 25, Roche Pharma Vietnam and the Ho Chi Minh City Oncological Hospital (UB) signed an MoU to improve the professional capacity of the medical staff at the hospital and strengthen cooperation with domestic and foreign oncology organisations and experts for the benefit of patients and the community.

Robotic surgery treats high-risk pulmonary mycosis After six months of unsuccessful high-dose antifungal treatment in Cambodia and Thailand, a 58-year-old Cambodian patient underwent da Vinci Xi robotic surgery at FV Hospital, preventing life-threatening massive hemoptysis and enabling rapid recovery within just three days.

Personalised lung cancer treatment: From genetic technology to robotic surgery The era of personalised medicine is transforming the way lung cancer is treated. By analysing the molecular characteristics of each tumour, doctors at FV Hospital can tailor treatment strategies to individual patients instead of relying on the one-size-fits-all approaches used in the past.

FV doctors remove 5cm kidney tumour in time-critical robotic surgery In a four-hour robotic surgery, FV Hospital doctors successfully removed a 5cm kidney tumour, navigating a challenging tumour position and a narrow timeframe critical to preserving the patient’s kidney.

The project marks a pioneering retrofit deployment of autonomous haulage technology on Komatsu HD1500 haul trucks and the first autonomous haulage deployment in an active mining production environment in the Kalgoorlie Goldfields region of Australia.

This milestone follows an extensive period of drive-by-wire system design and validation, system integration, localised autonomy feature validation, and safety tests undertaken to support deployment under Australian mining conditions at the Mulgarrie operation. Ahead of the commencement of autonomous operations at the Havana Pit, a range of infrastructure and operational readiness activities were completed to prepare the site for live production.

The fleet comprises trucks drawn from existing operations, each converted for autonomous operation through EACON's OEM-agnostic autonomy solution, including drive-by-wire retrofit. By leveraging in-service assets and existing haul road infrastructure, the project demonstrates a practical pathway for introducing autonomous haulage while minimising capital expenditure and disruption to ongoing production.

Operational and safety performance of the fleet will continue to be evaluated as the project progresses. The transition from a test environment to live production represents an achievement for the teams involved and highlights the growing maturity of retrofit autonomous haulage solutions in Australia.

Elaine Jin, Chief Growth Officer at EACON Australia, said: "Transitioning autonomous haulage into a live production environment raises the bar for on-site support across AHS operations, technical support and training. Through the NGF project, EACON is building a strong local support team and the operational experience required to support future autonomous haulage projects in Australia."

This extends beyond investment in cybersecurity and protection technologies to the building of clear strategies and coordinated cross‑functional crisis response plans. Companies can also unlock significant value from cyber insurance to strengthen their incident response preparedness.

According to Risk Based Security analysis by Aon, a leading global professional services firm, by Q4/2025, the frequency of ransomware attacks had increased 650 per cent compared with 2019. This reflects both the widespread nature of ransomware risk and its clear shift from a latent danger to an active and present threat.

Across Asia, around 660 organisations have been named on ransomware leak sites, highlighting an increasingly organised trend of attacks that are clearly focused on financial gain. In Vietnam alone, 10 ransomware attacks targeting large organisations have been officially recorded in the past two years, alongside many other cyberattacks that may not have been publicly recorded.

Even companies that have invested significantly in system security and cybersecurity cannot fully avoid cyberattacks arising from employee errors or vulnerabilities from one of the many third-party technology platform providers with whom they need to work. As a result, having a well-defined incident response plan is critical.

Gaps in coordination, information‑sharing and decision‑making between functions such as IT, finance, legal and executive management can emerge even under normal operating conditions. Without clear processes and defined responsibilities, organisations risk delayed or inconsistent responses, leading to increased losses, prolonged business interruption and reputational damage.

The Ransomware Tabletop Exercise for Executives organised by Aon on May 26 (Ho Chi Minh City) and May 28 (Hanoi) reinforced several priorities for organisations. In this exercise, business leaders were placed in a simulated ransomware attack scenario and asked to directly discuss and propose response options in the roles of CEO, CISO, CFO, CRO or Legal Counsel. From this, several key insights emerged for companies to consider.

First, responding to a cyber incident, especially a ransomware attack, is not solely the responsibility of the IT function. While IT provides critical inputs on technical response strategies and information about the scope of impact, expected downtime and recovery costs that guide the organisation’s overall response, critical decisions require broader leadership involvement.

Decisions such as whether to pay a ransom, how and which parties must be notified to comply with legal and contractual obligations, the appropriate communication strategy, and which external experts to engage require insights and advice from other functions within the leadership team.

The role of senior leadership is decisive, as they must balance operational continuity, financial pressure and reputational considerations. At the same time, all relevant functions must understand their roles and be prepared should an incident occur.

Second, cyber insurance is not just a solution for recovering financial losses; it also enables access to specialist resources during an incident, including forensic investigations, legal advisory, communications support and system recovery services. These resources can be critical in helping companies make informed decisions, contain the impact and accelerate recovery time. When incorporating cyber insurance into risk management, companies should proactively understand what resources are available and integrate these into their incident response plans.

The cyber insurance market has now entered a more mature phase, with many new insurers joining, expanded capacity, and competitive terms that are generally favourable for buyers.

Third, incident response plans must be updated and tested regularly, as the cyber risk landscape continues to evolve. Emerging threats arise not only from vulnerabilities in rapidly advancing technologies, but also from the widespread adoption of AI and the rise of state‑linked or geopolitical cyberattacks targeting critical national infrastructure and facilities. In addition, new regulations on data protection, personal data, cybersecurity and AI require close attention from companies.

Preventing, responding to and recovering from cyber incidents requires increasing investment from companies. Organisations that build robust and sustainable cyber resilience will be better positioned to minimise disruption and loss, strengthen competitiveness, and enhance their reputation and brand to drive long-term growth.

Aon’s Ransomware Tabletop Exercise placed executives in a simulated ransomware scenario to enhance preparedness and response planning

Aon opened its first office in Vietnam in 1993. With over 150 professionals in its Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City offices, Aon Vietnam is a leading and long‑established provider of insurance and reinsurance brokerage, corporate risk and employee benefits consulting in Vietnam, leveraging Aon Group’s global reach, specialist expertise and analytics‑enabled operating model. As one of the world’s leading insurance brokers, Aon's 60,000 colleagues partner with clients in more than 120 countries and sovereignties to shape decisions for the better.

FPT and Aon join forces with enterprises to build strong digital shield In today's digital age, cyberattacks are becoming an increasingly serious threat to businesses and organisations worldwide.

Aon names Winnie Loh as SE Asia real estate, data centre leader Aon, the global professional services firm, appointed Winnie Loh to lead its real estate and data centre practice for Southeast Asia, targeting increased demand for risk management in these sectors.

Digital boom raises stakes for data protection as cyber risks grow Data breaches are becoming increasingly common for businesses in Vietnam, where accelerating digitalisation has often outpaced the ability to safeguard sensitive information.

This year's Summit examined AI, innovation and technology, low-carbon development, sustainable supply chains, and building decarbonisation from multiple perspectives, promoting cross-sector exchange and collaboration. The Summit was honored to have officiating guests Prof. SUN Dong, JP, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry; Jeffrey LAM, GBM, GBS, JP, Executive Council Member, HKSAR, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Hung Shui Kiu Industry Park Company Limited; Dr. Hoey Simon LEE, MH, JP, Member of the Committee for the Basic Law of HKSAR, Legislative Council of the HKSAR; Bryan PENG, Executive Director, Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises; and Sai Wo SIU, General Manager (Business Operations), Television Broadcasts Limited. The Summit also introduced the Environmental, Social and Governance Awards 2026 (TVB ESG Awards 2026) and the judging panel.

Prof. SUN Dong, JP, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, stated in his keynote speech, "The Government is actively enhancing Hong Kong's innovation and technology (I&T) ecosystem, promoting the development of a comprehensive I&T ecological chain encompassing the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors. The Government is providing more favourable conditions for development of green technology. The Innovation and Technology Fund has supported approximately 160 green technology-related R&D projects. The newly established third InnoHK research cluster, 'SEAM@InnoHK', focuses on advanced manufacturing, materials, energy, and sustainable development. These initiatives provide support to nurturing of world-class green technology R&D outcomes in Hong Kong, while responding to the nation's strategic direction in developing emerging industries including new energy and energy conservation."

Industry Leaders Share Sustainability Practices, Driving Green Transition with Innovative Thinking
Following the opening, industry leaders took to the stage at the Leadership Insights Sessions and the Green Innovation Forum to share how innovative thinking and practical experience drive sustainable development, offering forward-looking inspiration for enterprises. The three Leadership Insights Sessions featured James TAM, Co-Chairman of EcoCeres; and Ms. Brenda HOU, CFA, Senior Head of Asia-Pacific Global Partnerships and Client Solutions at CFA Institute, as respective speakers. James TAM shared the application of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and the building of a regional circular supply chain based in the GBA to drive the aviation industry's green transition; Ms. Brenda HOU elaborated that AI is a key driver of green transformation — helping to identify transition risks and optimise capital allocation. Hong Kong can leverage its strengths as an international financial centre to support green and transition finance across the Asia-Pacific region.

Jeffrey LAM, GBM, GBS, JP, Executive Council Member, HKSAR, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Hung Shui Kiu Industry Park Company Limited, presented at the Leadership Insights Session titled "Qianhai and Northern Metropolis Interconnection: Building a New Pattern for Green and Low-Carbon Development", noted that Hung Shui Kiu Industry Park will leverage the deep interconnectivity between Qianhai and the Northern Metropolis to forge a new green and low-carbon development model for the GBA. By setting ESG targets, developing high value-added green industries, building green infrastructure and offering one-stop, high value-added support services, the Park will drive low-carbon transition and cross-boundary collaboration — achieving a win-win of economic prosperity and sustainability, and contributing to GBA's high-quality development.

Furthermore, the Green Innovation Forum, themed "From Hong Kong to the World: Building a Global Future through AI and GreenTech", featured Bryan PENG, Executive Director, Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises, as the keynote speaker. He noted that OASES has successfully attracted 124 strategic enterprises to Hong Kong, including Tencent Cloud and Tianqi Lithium, both of which also participated as speakers at the forum. These enterprises will collectively invest a total of $73 billion and create 25,000 job opportunities in Hong Kong, further advancing the city's development into an International Innovation and Technology Centre. OASES will soon announce its seventh batch of strategic enterprises and continue to attract more leading green energy and green technology companies to Hong Kong. This was followed by a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Hoey Simon LEE, MH, JP, Member of the Committee for the Basic Law of HKSAR, Legislative Council of the HKSAR. Focusing on how enterprises can seize low-carbon development opportunities across the GBA and global markets, Mark WANG, Vice President of Tencent Cloud; and Ms. Doris KWOK, Deputy General Manager of Tianqi Lithium Corporation, sharing how enterprises can leverage green data centres and smart energy to balance AI computing demands with carbon reduction, while advancing battery recycling and the utilisation of new energy materials.

In the Industry Insights Session, themed "Guide to Sustainability: The Sustainable Transition of the Textile Industry", YEUNG Fan, BBS, Chairman, HK General Chamber of Textiles, introduced that the textile and apparel industry faces shifting market dynamics and evolving consumer shopping habits, enterprises should embrace the philosophy of "governing the enterprise for the greater good". This drives sustainable development through stronger governance, supply chains and carbon footprint analysis. Howard LEE, Associate Director, Green Tech, HKSTP, then moderated a discussion with Ms. Anne CHOW, Marketing & Business Development Manager, Consinee Group Co. Limited, exploring new directions and opportunities for sustainability in the textile industry, such as low-carbon cashmere, green technology applications and smart factories.

Spotlighting GBA Innovation, Property Decarbonisation, and ESG Women's Empowerment — Diverse Perspectives to Unlock Green Opportunities
Joseph CHAN, JP, Under Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury, stated in his keynote speech, "Hong Kong's green debt market has grown at a remarkable pace. Total green and sustainable debt instruments issued in Hong Kong exceeded USD76 billion in 2025, with bonds arranged locally reaching approximately USD38 billion, representing over half of Asia's market share. As of end-June 2026, the Pilot Green and Sustainable Finance Capacity Building Support Scheme has approved subsidies for over 700 green and sustainable debt instruments issued in Hong Kong, which involves debt issuance amount of over HKD1.5 trillion. We will support the exploration with the Mainland and international multilateral financial institutions of the establishment of a Hong Kong-based Green Technology Projects Accelerator. The Accelerator will provide incubation, acceleration, and empowerment services for green technology projects in the Belt and Road Regions."

The afternoon session featured a GBA Green Innovation Roundtable, themed "Qianhai Shenzhen–Hong Kong Hub – Accelerating Cross‑Border Collaboration with AI‑Enabled Green Technologies", moderated by Ivan LAU, General Manager of Operations (Shenzhen-Hong Kong Nexus). The session engaged Yee LOCKE, General Manager, South China Region, 51WORLD, in an in-depth exchange on low-carbon transition, AI, and the application of green technology. The discussion explored how enterprises can leverage institutional advantages including flow of capital, data, personnel, and goods, showcasing the immense potential of synergistic development between Qianhai and Hong Kong in advancing green innovation and new quality productive forces.

Thematic Session I, "Advancing ESG Women's Empowerment for a Sustainable Economy", was moderated by Ms. Loretta FONG, Sustainability Assurance Leader, PwC Hong Kong. She engaged with Ms. Jennifer TAN, Partner, 01F Group, Senior Advisor, Ant Digital Technologies; and Ms. Yvonne YEUNG, Chief Executive, HKYWCA, in exploring how digital transformation, business collaboration and corporate governance can empower women, sharing relevant success stories and translating ESG vision into concrete action to advance women's participation in socio-economic development.

At the closing session "SME Transformation in the Supply Chain: Advancing Green and Technology in Parallel", Dr. Keith CHOY, General Manager of the Green Living and Innovation Division of HKPC, served as moderator, delivering a conclusion on insights across the Summit's sessions and leading a panel with four guests, namely Henry HO, Senior Manager - Sustainability, China State Construction Engineering (Hong Kong) Limited; Prof. Edwin TSO, Associate Dean (Internationalisation and Outreach), Chair Professor of Energy and Sustainability, School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong; Ms. Oliver SUM, Network Representative for Greater China and the ASEAN, amfori; and David LO, Head of Environmental Intelligence and Excellence, Green Living and Innovation Division, HKPC, in a discussion on how SMEs with relatively limited resources can leverage AI and data-driven management to achieve carbon reduction in the most cost-effective way, enhance supply chain transparency, and seize market opportunities arising from green building development and international ESG requirements.

Thematic Session II, "How the real estate industry can use technology to reduce carbon emissions", was moderated by Alkan AU, Head of Value and Risk Advisory, JLL. Three speakers includes Elvis LI, CEO, isBIM Limited; Ms. Melanie KWOK, Deputy General Manager, Sustainability and Innovation, Sino Group; and Marvin WU, Director, Value and Risk Advisory, JLL. They discussed how the construction and real estate industries can adopt the ESG framework to drive low-carbon operations, introducing solutions such as high-quality data utilisation, automated valuation tools and smart monitoring systems, to strengthen risk management and audit tracking, while capitalising on sustainable planning opportunities arising from new development zones.

TVB ESG Awards 2026 Recognises Outstanding Practices of Enterprises in Hong Kong and Macau
The Summit also introduced the landmark "TVB ESG Awards 2026" and its judging panel. The Awards encompass categories including the "Outstanding ESG Award", "Best in ESG Practices", "Best in ESG Report", "ESG Environmental Innovative Technology Award", and "ESG Social Innovative Technology Award", recognising the achievements of enterprises of all sizes across multiple dimensions including ESG practices, reporting, and innovative development.

To further advance TVB ESG's mission as a local platform for sustainable development exchange, TVB has once again partnered with the Hong Kong Productivity Council's "ESG One" to launch the "SME ESG Excellence Award", covering five categories: "Business Decarbonisation", "Employee Care", "Supply Chain Partnership", "Sustainable Governance" and "ESG Tech Enhancement Excellence". — aiming to comprehensively recognise SMEs that demonstrate outstanding performance in sustainable development. Registration for the TVB ESG Awards 2026 is now open, with the submission deadline of 5pm on 7 August 2026. For further details about the TVB ESG Awards, please visit: https://www.tvbesg.com.hk/latest-awards/esg-awards-2026

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

The seminar, titled 'Restructuring Capital Channels', will take place on July 15 and will feature leaders from the Ministry of Finance (MoF), the State Securities Commission, listed companies, securities firms, fund managers, economists, and other market participants.

In light of Vietnam’s high growth targets, it is more urgent than ever for the country to mobilise resources for development effectively. The seminar will serve as a forum for regulatory bodies, experts, and the business community to exchange views on the current state of capital channels, unresolved bottlenecks, and solutions to improve the efficiency of resource allocation across the economy.

A leader of the MoF will deliver the opening remarks, followed by two thematic presentations with both macro and practical perspectives.

Dang Nguyet Minh, head of Research at Dragon Capital, will share the resources for Vietnam's new growth cycle amidst the changing global capital landscape. Bui Thanh Trung, deputy general director of Thien Viet Securities, will analyse the trend of capital flows into the private sector, which is expected to become a key driver of the economy in the coming period.

The highlight of the seminar is two panel discussions with the participation of numerous leading leaders from regulatory bodies, businesses, and financial institutions.

In the first panel discussion, titled 'Restructuring the Capital Flow System - Unlocking Resources for a New Growth Era', speakers will analyse the shortcomings in the capital resource structure, from the heavy reliance on bank credit, the difficulties of the corporate bond market, the liquidity of the stock market, the shifting trends of foreign capital flows, to the need to improve the legal framework, develop new products, and enhance market infrastructure.

The panel discussion will feature Bui Hoang Hai, vice chairman of the State Securities Commission, Nguyen Son, chairman of the Vietnam Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation, Trinh Hoai Giang, CEO of Ho Chi Minh City Securities Corporation, Nguyen Duy Linh, CEO of Saigon-Hanoi Securities, and Dang Thanh Tam, chairman of Kinh Bac City Development Holding Corporation

In addition to identifying key issues, the panellists will discuss policy reforms, amendments to the Law on Securities, the development of new investment products, the expanded role of institutional investors, and solutions to strengthen companies’ capital-raising capacity through the capital market.

Another panel discussion titled 'Seizing Opportunities in a New Era of Growth', will feature Trinh Quynh Giao, general director at PVI Asset Management, Duong Kim Anh, chief investment officer at Vietcombank Fund Management, Nguyen Thi Trieu, CEO of Blue Bridge Investment Partners, and Nguyen Anh Khoa, head of Research at Agribank Securities.

At the seminar, professional investors will also analyse the shift of capital inflows in the coming period, identify sectors benefiting from the new growth cycle, as well as prospects of professional investment products such as open-ended funds, bond funds, and pension funds. They also share the changes in investment strategies as the Vietnamese stock market enters a new phase of development.

Notably, as FTSE Russell will upgrade Vietnam to emerging market status from frontier status, speakers will also analyse the impact of the market upgrade on the international capital flows, institutional investor attraction, and improvements to enhance the attractiveness of the Vietnamese capital market.

The event is part of a series of thematic seminars on the capital market held annually by VIR since 2020. Beyond a policy dialogue, the seminar aims to connect viewpoints from regulatory bodies, businesses, and investors to propose recommendations to improve the efficiency of mobilising and allocating resources for the economy while contributing to shaping new growth drivers for the capital market.

VEIL concludes oversubscribed tender offer amid broad net foreign outflows Vietnam Enterprise Investments Limited (VEIL), the flagship fund managed by Dragon Capital, announced the results of its recent tender offer on July 7, drawing significant interest and resulting in a massive oversubscription.

Techcombank co-organises Vietnam Financial Forum 2026 The Vietnam Financial Forum 2026, a national-level financial forum, opened at the Ariyana International Convention Centre in Danang on July 9.

DatVietVAC set for IPO to unlock growth capital DatVietVAC, the producer of Anh Trai Say Hi, has announced its market debut with an offering of 11.15 million shares at VND54,800 ($2.11) each.

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

For additional information, visit www.cushmanwakefield.com.hk

Of these, 58 are already operational, with an average occupancy rate of 80 per cent, while the remaining nine parks have been approved but have yet to commence operations.

“Under the city's master plan to 2030, with a vision to 2050, Ho Chi Minh City will develop 105 IPs covering a total area of around 50,000ha, including 38 new parks spanning approximately 23,000ha. We are currently preparing detailed zoning plans to serve as the basis for calling for investment,” Phong said at a consultation workshop on governance models and financing mechanisms for emissions reduction projects in IPs, jointly organised by the Climateworks Centre at Monash University and the Ho Chi Minh City Institute for Development Studies (HIDS) on July 10.

Under the plan, the central area will focus on high-tech industrial development; the former Binh Duong area will serve as the city's industrial hub by leveraging its existing industrial land to support high-tech industries and innovation and science parks in the northern part of the city; while the former Ba Ria–Vung Tau area will be developed into a marine economic zone and free trade zone.

"With the expansion of industrial space, the transition towards eco-IP models has been identified as one of the city's key development priorities," Phong said.

Since 2020, HEPZA has collaborated with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, the Japan International Cooperation Agency, and the World Bank piloted eco-IP models at Hiep Phuoc IP in Ho Chi Minh City, Bau Bang Expansion IP and Cay Truong IP in Binh Duong, as well as Phu My 3 Specialised IP in Ba Ria–Vung Tau.

“We are very encouraged that these IPs have now largely met the criteria for eco-IPs,” he said.

In particular, Phu My 3 Specialised Industrial Park, which spans 999ha, has fulfilled the required eco-industrial park criteria. The project has completed consultations with central ministries and agencies and is currently being finalised for submission to the city authorities for approval very soon.

“This will certainly become Vietnam’s first officially recognised eco-industrial park, creating an important foundation for the future development and transformation of IPs nationwide,” said Phong.

Despite the encouraging results from the pilot projects, HEPZA said that scaling up the transition across the broader IP network will require overcoming a number of significant challenges.

The first is the high upfront investment cost. To meet eco-IP standards, developers and tenants must make substantial investments in environmental infrastructure, clean energy systems, wastewater treatment facilities, and integrated management platforms. However, existing incentives related to land, taxation, and green finance remain insufficient to encourage widespread participation.

Another major obstacle is that most existing industrial parks have already completed their core infrastructure. Retrofitting these parks to meet eco-industrial standards is costly and can disrupt the ongoing operations of manufacturers.

According to HEPZA, there is also a shortage of skilled personnel capable of operating eco-IPs. At the same time, the regulatory framework governing industrial symbiosis, a core principle of the eco-IP model – remains fragmented. Businesses continue to face legal and regulatory barriers when seeking to use another company's by-products or waste materials as production inputs.

Beyond transforming IP development models, the energy transition has also emerged as a key priority in the city's green industrial transformation agenda.

Phong noted that the government's decision to raise the proportion of rooftop solar power allowed to be exported to the national grid from 20 per cent to 50 per cent is a positive policy signal that will encourage greater investment in renewable energy.

“However, in practice, rooftop solar systems installed in export processing zones and IPs are still largely unable to sell electricity to the national grid. Most projects continue to operate under a self-generation, self-consumption model,” he said.

According to Tran Van Bich, former head of the Economic Development Division at HIDS, Ho Chi Minh City currently accounts for more than 20 per cent of Vietnam's industrial output and oversees 116 IP projects covering a combined area of more than 48,400ha. The city's industrial development strategy is centred on high-tech industries, electronics, and food processing.

“During the 2030–2045 period, Ho Chi Minh City plans to restructure its industrial sector towards green, high-tech, and high value-added industries, while gradually phasing down resource-intensive and high-emission sectors. Priority will instead be given to strategic industries such as semiconductors, AI, biotechnology, and advanced materials,” said Bich.

At the same time, he added, existing IPs will be transformed into eco-IPs and smart IPs, supported by greenhouse gas inventories and the development of a carbon credit market.

Photo: Le Toan

Enterprises ready for ESG Eco and Environmental, Social, and Governance are essential requirements for Vietnamese enterprises to integrate into global value chains, experts revealed at the seminar “Economic Outlook 2026: FDI Businesses and the Roadmap for Vietnam’s Rise” held in Ho Chi Minh City on April 2.

Eco-industrial parks offer solution for foreign-led businesses amidst global volatility Against the backdrop of evolving global geopolitical shifts and stricter ESG standards, the eco-industrial park model is emerging as a pivotal solution for foreign companies to ensure self-reliance and maintain their position in the global supply chain.

Industrial parks to underpin Vietnam's next industrial breakthrough Modernising industrial parks into innovation-led, sustainable industrial ecosystems will be critical for attracting high-quality investment, strengthening competitiveness and helping Vietnam achieve its next-generation industrial growth ambitions.

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

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

INSEE's integrated cement plant in Hon Chong, An Giang province

Siam City Cement (INSEE) Vietnam was among the first companies to successfully complete transactions on the opening day of Vietnam's carbon exchange, marking an early milestone in the country's newly launched carbon market.

The exchange officially commenced operations on June 29 at the Hanoi Stock Exchange, providing a transparent platform for trading emissions allowances and carbon credits while supporting Vietnam's commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

During the inaugural trading session, 1,210 emissions allowances were exchanged. INSEE accounted for 510 allowances through both purchase and sale transactions, equivalent to 510 tonnes of CO₂e, highlighting the company's proactive approach to regulatory compliance and participation in Vietnam's emerging carbon market.

The transaction reflects INSEE's broader sustainability strategy, under which reducing greenhouse gas emissions has become a core business priority. Over recent years, the company has invested in energy-efficient production technologies, expanded the use of alternative fuels and raw materials, strengthened circular economy initiatives, and introduced measures to reduce carbon emissions across its value chain.

All INSEE cement products are designed with lower embodied carbon. Its INSEE Power-S cement records a 33 per cent reduction in carbon emissions compared with conventional ordinary Portland cement, based on life cycle assessment methodology.

In 2025, the company's average CO₂ emissions stood at approximately 337 kilograms per tonne of cement, significantly below the industry average referenced during the same period. According to INSEE, the improvement has been driven by clinker optimisation, greater use of alternative energy sources, and wider adoption of circular economy practices.

Beyond decarbonisation, the company is also pursuing biodiversity conservation. Under its biodiversity action plan, INSEE aims to achieve a net positive impact by 2030. During 2024-2025, the company planted and handed over more than 48,000 trees around the Phu My Species and Habitat Conservation Area and the Hon Chong Landscape Protection Area, contributing to habitat restoration for the endangered eastern sarus crane.

Dao Nguyen Khanh, head of Sustainability Development and Communications at INSEE Vietnam, said the company's participation represented both a corporate milestone and a valuable experience for the wider INSEE Group.

"Vietnam is the first country within the INSEE Group to operate a carbon market. We believe the carbon exchange will become an important driver of the country's green transition while reinforcing our long-term commitment to supporting Vietnam's low-carbon economy and net-zero ambitions," Khanh said.

Having operated in Vietnam for more than three decades, INSEE continues to expand its portfolio of sustainable cement and construction materials while investing in technologies and operational improvements that reduce environmental impacts. The company views participation in the carbon market as another step towards strengthening the competitiveness and sustainability of Vietnam's construction sector.

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

For more information, please visit dusit-international.com

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

For more information, visit www.sapunano.com.