According to an announcement on September 10, climate finance and women's access to finance are key priorities for Vietnam as it works towards more sustainable and inclusive growth. As the country targets carbon neutrality by 2050, climate finance is critical for renewable energy and other sustainable projects, while women-owned businesses – accounting for over 20 per cent of the business landscape – continue to face barriers to finance and growth.

EVF General Finance JSC has progressively strengthened its activities in both areas. Initially focused on financing the energy sector, particularly renewable energy, the institution has expanded its climate finance activities and strengthened its support for women-owned small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Building on an initial $10 million loan provided to EVF by Proparco in 2021 to support its climate finance activities, Proparco is renewing its support with a new $20 million senior loan. Under this new transaction, 50 per cent of Proparco’s loan will be dedicated to financing projects with climate co-benefits, while the remaining 50 per cent will finance women-led or women-owned SMEs. Through its commitment to women’s entrepreneurship, the project is eligible for the 2X Challenge, the international initiative aimed at advancing women’s economic empowerment.

The transaction also contributes to Team France’s commitment to Vietnam’s Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), signed in 2022 and aimed at mobilising $15.5 billion to support the country’s transition towards carbon neutrality by 2050.

Jean-Benoît du Chalard, Proparco’s regional director for North and Southeast Asia, said, “We are pleased to renew our support for EVF and, through this new transaction, to contribute to two key priorities for Vietnam: accelerating the financing of the climate transition and strengthening women entrepreneurs’ access to finance.”

Dinh Ngoc Bao, EVF’s head of International Markets Department and deputy head of Treasury Division, said, “This is an important milestone for EVF. We now hold a portfolio of over $280 million dedicated to green financing and more than $700 million in financing for women-led SMEs, reflecting our commitment to expanding responsible access to finance and supporting sustainable economic growth in Vietnam. We look forward to further developing innovative financing solutions that respond to the evolving needs of businesses and contribute to Vietnam’s long-term development.”

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.

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.

Nam A Bank and Proparco sign MoU strengthening green financial resources Southern lender Nam A Commercial Joint Stock Bank (Nam A Bank) and Proparco, the development finance institution of the French Development Agency, have signed an MoU to develop and mobilise green financial resources.

Heads of school and board chairs from leading international schools across Asia convened for the opening of the Governance as Leadership Training Institute (GALTI) 2026 at United Nations International School of Hanoi (UNIS Hanoi).

Hosted from September 10-12, the three-day Institute brought education leaders from cities including Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Singapore, and Taipei to Hanoi. Together, they explored how school boards and senior leaders can govern responsibly, strengthen institutional leadership and prepare their schools for a rapidly changing future.

This year’s Institute marks GALTI’s tenth anniversary and focuses on the theme “Future-ready governance: Governing with purpose and responsibility in an AI-shaped world.”

The participation of Vietnamese education leaders creates an important opportunity for dialogue between national and local education authorities and international school leaders from across the region. It also reflects Hanoi’s growing role as a centre for educational exchange, innovation and leadership.

“Education leaders from across the region will see in Hanoi what our community sees every day: Vietnam is not simply responding to the future of education; it is helping to shape it,” said Dr Liz Gale, head of school at UNIS Hanoi.

“Governance in an AI-shaped world is not a challenge that any one school can address alone. We are proud to bring boards and heads together at UNIS Hanoi to learn from one another and consider how schools can use emerging technologies responsibly, ethically and in the best interests of students.”

As part of the official opening, participants attended a keynote session examining the responsibilities of school leaders and governing boards in responding to artificial intelligence. The session considered how schools can embrace innovation while protecting student wellbeing, academic integrity, equity, and the human relationships at the centre of education.

Students also played an active role in welcoming delegates to UNIS Hanoi. Student representatives led campus tours and share their perspectives on how artificial intelligence is influencing their learning and their hopes for the future of education.

Ngo Thi Diep Lan, vice head of the Private and Foreign-Invested Education Department (middle) took a photo with Dr Liz Gale, head of school (left) & Maria Chung, board chair at UNIS Hanoi (Photo: UNIS Hanoi)

“Decisions made at the governance level shape the future of a school,” said Rami Madani, head of school at the International School of Kuala Lumpur and facilitator of GALTI 2026.

“Bringing boards and heads from across Asia together at UNIS Hanoi allows us to examine difficult questions openly, learn from one another and strengthen education across the region.”

GALTI is designed as a working institute rather than a traditional conference. Through keynote discussions, practical workshops, and scenario-based sessions, Board members and Heads of School examine areas including responsible AI governance, crisis leadership, head–board partnerships, strategic decision-making, and effective governance practices.

Participants will leave the Institute with practical resources that they can adapt for their own schools, such as governance frameworks, Board agendas, leadership dashboards, professional-development plans, and partnership agreements.

Beyond regional governance, since 2020, GALTI has directly supported local educational development through the UNIS Hanoi Learning Together Fund. Financial contributions generated from the Institute fund Learning Together Vietnam, an annual, not-for-profit education conference which brings together hundreds of Vietnamese and international educators working across Early Years to Grade 12 to learn from one another, exchange innovative classroom practices, and collaborate to advance education across Vietnam.

By hosting GALTI 2026, UNIS Hanoi continues its long-standing role as a bridge between Vietnam’s education community and international schools across Asia. The gathering supports the exchange of knowledge, strengthens professional relationships and reinforces Hanoi’s position as a place where regional education leaders come together to learn.

UNIS Hanoi empowers youth to drive Vietnam’s green transformation The Gaia Green Future Talk brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and young innovators to explore how Vietnam’s next generation can drive the green transition through innovation and collaboration.

UNIS Hanoi marks UN Day with 3,000-strong celebration The United Nations International School of Hanoi (UNIS Hanoi), one of only two UN-affiliated schools in the world, marked UN Day with a celebration reflecting peace, diversity, and partnerships.

Lighting the path: how education fuels Vietnam’s climate resilience Dr. Elizabeth Gale, head of school at UNIS Hanoi, discussed how education, which is considered a soft tool, is fuelling Vietnam's climate resilience.

The upgrade does not create Vietnam’s investment case. Vietnamese companies have attracted sophisticated domestic and international capital for years. What changes now is the market infrastructure around that opportunity: broader benchmark eligibility, scheduled index inclusion and greater alignment with the operating standards expected by international institutional investors.

For Vietnamese dealmakers, that makes 2026 less a story about whether capital will come, and more about whether issuers will be ready for it.

FTSE turns market momentum into a timetable

Vietnam’s transition from Frontier to Secondary Emerging Market status follows years of market reform. In its March 2026 review, FTSE Russell specifically recognised progress in removing prefunding requirements for foreign institutional investors and improving market infrastructure.

From September, eligible Vietnamese securities begin entering FTSE GEIS benchmarks. The implementation is deliberately phased: 10 per cent of investability weight in September 2026, followed by 20 per cent in March 2027, 35 per cent in June and the remaining 35 per cent in September.

That matters because index inclusion turns part of the international capital opportunity from a broad macroeconomic narrative into a mapped market event. Passive funds tracking affected benchmarks need to adjust their portfolios as Vietnam enters those indices, while inclusion also puts Vietnamese securities in front of a wider universe of active emerging-market investors.

The opportunity, however, will not be distributed equally. Greater international participation also brings greater expectations around governance, disclosure and the quality and accessibility of information available during a transaction.

Decree 245 raises the readiness bar

At the same time, Vietnam’s domestic regulatory framework is evolving.

Decree No.245/2025/ND-CP, which amends the implementation of Vietnam’s Securities Law, forms part of a broader push to modernise the market and improve its alignment with international standards.

For issuers and their advisers, the important consequence is not simply another set of compliance requirements. It is the increasing convergence between what Vietnam’s regulatory framework demands and what sophisticated international investors already expect.

That changes the definition of transaction readiness.

A company considering an IPO or other capital event can no longer think about disclosure preparation as something that begins once the formal transaction timetable starts. Financial information, material contracts, corporate records and due-diligence responses need to be organised, controlled and capable of scrutiny well before investors arrive.

For transactions involving international capital, bilingual readiness is increasingly part of that equation. Vietnamese and English materials need to remain synchronised as documents change, questions are answered and new information enters the diligence process.

The challenge is therefore not simply having the right documents. It is being able to demonstrate control over them.

The competitive advantage is institutional readiness

This is where the FTSE timetable and Vietnam’s regulatory reforms intersect.

For a Vietnamese company contemplating a listing, equitisation, capital raising or cross-border transaction, waiting for the market window to open before preparing creates avoidable execution risk.

Institutional readiness means being able to establish clear permissions around sensitive information; maintain a defensible record of document access and changes; coordinate management, advisers, auditors and investors; and run structured Q&A without losing control of the information flow. It also means being able to show investors that key information is complete, current, consistently translated and based on approved company records.

These capabilities rarely determine whether a company has an attractive equity story. But they can determine how effectively that story survives diligence.

As Vietnam becomes more integrated into global capital markets, this distinction will become increasingly important. International investors will continue to assess growth, valuation and strategy, but the transaction process itself also sends a signal about governance and institutional maturity.

For issuers, the question should therefore shift from “When should we open a data room?” to “Could we withstand institutional diligence if it started tomorrow?”

Local knowledge, global expectations

Technology is only one part of that preparation. Vietnam remains a market where local regulatory understanding, language and relationships matter alongside international transaction standards.

Ansarada has maintained an on-the-ground presence in Ho Chi Minh City, including a local product development presence, while supporting transactions through a platform used across global markets.

That combination provides an important vantage point on the change now taking place. Vietnamese issuers are not being asked to choose between local market requirements and international standards. Increasingly, they need to satisfy both at the same time.

For a virtual data room, that means capabilities such as permissioned document control, AI-translations, workflows, structured Q&A, version control and auditable reporting are becoming part of the infrastructure of transaction readiness rather than features introduced only once a deal is underway.

A window for Vietnam and a deadline for issuers

FTSE Russell’s decision is recognition of how far Vietnam’s capital markets have already come. It should also be viewed as a marker for what comes next.

The first FTSE inclusion takes effect on 21 September. Subsequent tranches continue through September 2027. Meanwhile, domestic market reforms are continuing to raise the standards expected of issuers and market participants.

For Vietnamese dealmakers, the opportunity is significant, but the more useful question now is not how much capital Vietnam may attract. It is which companies will be ready when that capital arrives.

For issuers preparing for an IPO, capital raising or cross-border transaction in Vietnam, now is the time to assess whether their disclosure, diligence and document-control processes are ready for institutional scrutiny. Speak with Ansarada’s team in Vietnam about building transaction readiness.

FTSE Russell confirms Vietnam market reclassification FTSE Russell, the global index provider, has confirmed the reclassification of Vietnam to secondary emerging market status, effective from September 21, 2026.

Stock market urged to take bigger role in financing next growth phase With investment demand expected to far exceed the capacity of the state budget and bank lending, restructuring capital channels and strengthening the stock market's financing role have become essential to sustaining Vietnam's next phase of economic growth.

FTSE upgrade puts Vietnam on global investors’ radar, now investability must follow FTSE Russell has added 27 Vietnamese stocks to the FTSE Global All Cap Index as part of its September semi-annual review. In an interview with VIR’s Hazy Tran, Thomas Nguyen, Chief Global Markets Officer at SSI Securities said that FTSE Russell’s inclusion could bring billions in passive inflows, but the bigger opportunity lies in Vietnam’s institutional transformation.

Vietnam reflects this broader regional trend. The country aims to rank among the world’s top 30 nations in data exploitation and AI development by 2045, yet adoption remains uneven. ITViec’s 2025 Survey found that 73 per cent of surveyed companies in Vietnam had integrated AI to some extent, while only 13.8 per cent had reached scaled or full adoption. At the same time, Amazon Web Services (AWS)’s 2025 Research found that 55 per cent of adopters cited lack of digital skills as the main barrier to expanding AI use.

These findings highlight that AI transformation is not just a technology deployment exercise. Organisations that thrive will be those that redesign work around effective human and AI collaboration, supported by the right skills, role clarity, governance and sustained change management.

AI changes tasks before it changes jobs

The key workforce question is not whether AI will replace jobs, but how it will reshape the tasks that make up those jobs, how it will be automated, augmented or kept deeply human. Most roles comprise multiple tasks, and AI will affect those tasks differently, and they will change at different speeds.

In Vietnam, the International Labour Organisation estimates that 20.8 per cent of employment, equivalent to 11.5 million jobs, is potentially exposed to generative AI. However, only 1.8 per cent of jobs fall into the highest exposure category, suggesting that AI is more likely to transform tasks within existing roles than drive widespread occupational displacement.

This distinction is important because workforce planning therefore needs to move from broad job titles to understand how individual tasks are changing and task-level analysis. In customer service, AI may support ticket routing, response drafting, knowledge retrieval and reporting, while enabling employees to focus more on complex problem-solving cases, relationships, judgment and service recovery. In software development, AI may reduce time spent on routine and repetitive coding while increasing the importance of architecture, quality assurance, validation, system integration and higher-value problem solving.

Workforce readiness is the ROI multiplier

AI value depends on how well organisations redesign the system around the tool. Too often, deployment is measured by activity: logins, prompts or tools rolled out. Yet activity alone is not impact.

The challenge is that technology evolves in months, while skills, job architecture, performance systems, learning infrastructure and culture can take years to adapt. When adoption outpaces readiness, return on investment can stall, usage can plateau and risk or resistance can increase.

Technology evolves in months, while skills, job architecture, performance systems, learning infrastructure and culture can take years to adapt. Photo: Aon

Leaders should therefore view AI readiness as an integrated people strategy built on four pillars: skills and learning, job design and job architecture, metrics and incentives, and governance and trust. Together, these pillars connect AI investment to business priorities, not just experimentation.

What leaders should do now

During the Aon’s Vietnam HR Insights Seminar in Hanoi on August 4 and in Ho Chi Minh City on August 8, people professionals and specialists from over 100 organisations across Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City got together and discussed ưhat a typical AI workforce transformation journey should look like.

Identify where AI can create the highest business value. Not every workflow needs AI, and not every use case deserves equal investment. Leaders should prioritise areas where AI can improve productivity, quality, customer experience or decision speed.

Quantify the workforce impact. Organisations need to map how AI will reshape roles and tasks, identify automation risk and pinpoint new value-creating activities.

Redesign work before scaling tools. Automating old workflows can create fragmentation and anxiety. Redesigning jobs, processes and operating models clarifies what AI should do, where human judgment matters and how to avoid bottlenecks or disruption across the value chain.

Build structured reskilling pathways. Training should not be generic. It should be role-based, practical and linked to future skills, career paths and redeployment opportunities.

Align governance and incentives. If employees are expected to use AI responsibly and productively, performance systems, leadership behaviours and governance guardrails must reinforce that expectation.

Create a credible transition path for people. AI workforce transformation will succeed only if employees understand how their roles will change, what support they will receive and how they can stay relevant. Employee communication and wellbeing should be prioritised throughout the journey.

People professionals and specialists across Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City got together at Aon’s Vietnam HR Insights Seminar 2026. Photo: Aon

Vietnam’s AI opportunity is real, but the next phase depends on whether organisations can turn national ambition into workforce readiness and business execution.

For Vietnam’s employers, the strategic question is no longer, “How fast can we adopt AI?” It is, “How ready is our workforce to use AI to create measurable business value?” The companies that answer with discipline will move beyond pilots, reduce risk and build a more adaptable workforce for the future.

APAC leads AI adoption but lags in workforce readiness, Aon study finds Aon's inaugural Human Capital Trends Study has revealed a critical gap in Asia-Pacific between organizations' rapid AI adoption and their workforce readiness to support it.

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Aon appoints Stephen as CEO for Indonesia Aon appointed Stephen as CEO for Indonesia, effective 3 August, subject to regulatory approval, the global professional services firm announced.

AEON Thanh Hoa. Photo: AEON

The expansion into new markets reflects AEON Group's long-term development strategy in Vietnam, with AEON Mall Vietnam and AEON Vietnam playing distinct roles across the group's retail network.

AEON Mall Vietnam has been expanding its shopping centre network since entering Vietnam in 2013, and the two new centres will further strengthen its presence. Isobe Daisuke, general director of AEON Mall Vietnam, said Vietnam is one of AEON Mall's key markets in Southeast Asia and the company is entering a new phase of growth, with its expansion focus shifting from major metropolitan areas to regional hub cities.

"We will continue to expand our shopping centre network in Vietnam, while focusing on developing each shopping centre in line with the characteristics and needs of its respective locality," Isobe said.

"We want AEON Mall to be more than just a place for shopping, but to become part of people's everyday lives, working with local communities to create new value and contribute to sustainable long-term development," he added.

At the group level, under its medium-term business plan for 2026-2030, AEON plans to allocate approximately 60 per cent of the group’s investment in ASEAN to Vietnam, aiming to triple its business scale by 2030 and achieve a network of 300 stores nationwide.

AEON Vietnam is expanding its retail network through a diverse range of formats tailored to the economic scale, population density, and characteristics of each locality. From large-scale shopping centres, general merchandise stores and supermarkets to mid-sized models and supermarkets, the retailer aims to expand its presence gradually across major metropolitan areas, regional hub cities, and suburban areas nationwide.

Following an initial phase focused on Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, AEON Vietnam is now stepping up expansion into dynamic regions with significant growth potential, including Haiphong, Danang, Thanh Hoa, Quang Ninh, and other provinces.

Tezuka Daisuke, executive officer and chief Vietnam Business Officer of AEON and general director of AEON Vietnam, said the opening of four new shopping centres in 2026 represents the fastest pace of expansion ever recorded in the AEON Group's business operations in Vietnam.

“Currently, against the backdrop of Vietnam’s strong development, AEON is continuing to expand into provinces and cities in other regions, where consumers are increasingly shifting towards a modern lifestyle,” Tezuka said.

Photo: AEON

Expected to open in October, AEON Mall Thanh Hoa has a total gross floor area of 120,000 square metres. The centre will house the AEON Thanh Hoa general merchandise store and supermarket (GMS), covering 10,300 sq.m. and representing AEON’s 13^th GMS in Vietnam. The shopping space is arranged across three floors, with a product and service portfolio designed to meet a wide range of customer needs.

Meanwhile, AEON Mall Halong, expected to open in November, has a total gross floor area of 130,000 sq.m. The centre is designed around a 'one-stop destination' concept, combining shopping, dining, entertainment, and services while catering to the economic, service, and tourism characteristics of Quang Ninh.

The AEON Halong GMS will be AEON Vietnam’s 14^th general merchandise store and supermarket in Vietnam. Besides serving the shopping needs of local residents, the store will also target tourists and customers from the hotel, restaurant, and food and beverage sectors.

Since entering the Vietnamese retail market with AEON Tan Phu Celadon in 2014, AEON Vietnam has gradually expanded its network and diversified its business models.

As of August, companies under the AEON Group in Vietnam operate nine shopping centres, 16 GMS, 40 supermarkets, 182 convenience stores, 71 speciality and service stores, and two drug stores.

AEON Vietnam officially opens its first supermarket in Haiphong

Retailers enduring mixed bag of results

AEON Mall Vietnam to open new centre in Bien Hoa

AEON Mall Vietnam to build trade centre in Hue

AEON Mall to invest in more projects in Hanoi

Japanese investors favour non-manufacturing sectors

AEON Mall injects additional $113 million into Vietnam unit

The $30 million in funding from Proparco will be allocated to priority sectors, including renewable energy ventures, energy efficiency, climate change response and adaptation, and green buildings.

Vo Hoang Hai, deputy CEO of Nam A Bank, and Rebecca Benhamou, senior investment officer at Proparco, signed the agreement in the presence of AFD country director Julien Seillan and leaders of the two sides. Photo courtesy of Nam A Bank

The move follows the signing of an MoU between two sides in Paris in March 2026. Since then, Proparco has completed the assessment, due diligence, and Know Your Customer procedures of Nam A Bank. This marks the first tangible outcome of the "Green Finance Community" initiative spearheaded by Nam A Bank at the Vietnam International Financial Center in Ho Chi Minh City.

Vo Hoang Hai, deputy CEO of Nam A Bank, said, “The $30 million loan underscores the trust of Europe’s leading development finance institution in the bank’s management capabilities. Nam A Bank remains steadfast in executing a strategy based on two pillars ‘Digitalisation and Green Transformation” to transform international financial resources into practical, cost-effective credit solutions. These solutions empower customers, especially SMEs, women-owned businesses, and sustainable agricultural ventures, to enhance competitiveness and achieve market breakthroughs.”

Jean-Benoit Du Chalard, regional director for North and South-East Asia at Proparco, expressed confidence in Nam A Bank’s commitment to sustainability. “We expect the partnership will generate a positive impact on Vietnam’s emission reduction goals. We are delighted to announce this high-impact partnership, signed today in Vietnam. This credit facility, dedicated 100 per cent to climate objectives, reflects our shared ambition to tackle climate change in a country that is particularly vulnerable to climate hazards,” he said.

The loan with a five-year term is an important leverage for Nam A Bank to expand its green credit portfolio. Photo courtesy of Nam A Bank

The signing ceremony took place within a series of activities from September 8 to 9, held by AFD and Proparco in collaboration with the international environmental management consultancy SLR Consulting.

The programme offers specialised training courses tailored for Vietnamese financial institutions, focusing on enhancing capacity for environmental & social (E&S) risk management and climate risks in line with the most rigorous standards, including the IFC Performance Standards and the World Bank's Environmental and Social Safeguard Policies.

The adoption of international E&S standards enables Nam A Bank to enhance its appraisal capabilities, ensure the rapid and secure disbursement of funds, and optimise the efficiency of customers' green projects.

Nam A Bank executives previously met Proparco representatives in Paris to advance the partnership. Photo courtesy of Nam A Bank.

With the partnership, Nam A Bank continues to affirm its role as one of the leading banks to receive international green finance while continuously expanding its global partner network to support green growth and sustainable development.

The resources will be allocated to target groups and objectives such as small and medium-sized enterprises, women-owned businesses, clean energy ventures, and green transformation, and digital transformation linked to greenhouse gas emissions reduction.

Proparco is France’s development finance institution dedicated to the private sector and part of the French Development Agency. For nearly 50 years, it has supported sustainable economic, social, and environmental development across Africa, Asia, Latin America, Eurasia, and the Middle East, by financing companies and financial institutions in more than 115 countries.

Nam A Bank adopts SIMO fraud monitoring system Nam A Bank has become one of the early adopters of the SIMO system, a new fraud monitoring service for payment accounts and e-wallets.

Nam A Bank partners with ADB to promote trade finance Nam A Bank has joined the Asian Development Bank's Trade and Supply Chain Finance Programme (TSCFP), strengthening its trade finance capabilities and expanding its international reach.

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

The project will be developed on a 1.9-hectare land plot with a total investment of $15 million, representing another significant milestone in Amata City Ha Long’s efforts to attract high-tech and advanced manufacturing investments. The facility will specialise in the production of high-value electronic components serving key industries, including industrial automation, automotive manufacturing, and medical technology.

The project is expected to achieve an annual production capacity of approximately 17 million units. Beyond expanding Quang Ninh’s growing electronics manufacturing ecosystem, the investment will create new employment opportunities, support technology transfer, and strengthen the province’s position within global supply chains.

Nguyen Van Nhan, general director of Amata City Ha Long, said, "This decision further reinforces the growing appeal of Quang Ninh City as an ideal investment destination and highlights the attractiveness of Amata City Ha Long to high-quality manufacturers."

He noted that the project demonstrated how Amata City Ha Long's world-class infrastructure, stable utility services, and well-planned industrial ecosystem successfully met the stringent requirements of advanced and high-tech manufacturing industries.

Photo courtesy of Amata

Amata City Ha Long remains committed to contributing to Quang Ninh's long-term development by fostering a technology-driven industrial ecosystem and building a strong supply chain network centred on innovation and advanced manufacturing.

Through these efforts, the company aims to create sustainable economic value, strengthen regional competitiveness, and support the growth of a dynamic new economic centre in northern Vietnam.

As of September 2026, Amata City Ha Long has attracted 26 investment projects with a total registered investment capital of approximately $3.3 billion, establishing itself as one of the leading industrial parks in Quang Ninh city.

Supported by world-class infrastructure, excellent connectivity to seaports, airports, and expressways, and a strong commitment to sustainable development, Amata City Ha Long continues to provide an efficient, reliable, and future-ready environment for business growth, and a strategic destination for global investors in advanced manufacturing and high-technology sectors.

Amata City Ha Long lands $8 million investment from TianJian Vietnam Amata City Halong, also known as Song Khoai Industrial Park, has signed a land lease agreement with TianJian Vietnam for a new factory manufacturing speaker enclosures, plastic components, and moulds.

Continuous supply chain expansion at Amata City Halong: Topping Industrial On August 18, Amata City Halong JSC signed a Land Use Right Sublease Agreement with Topping (Quang Ninh) Industrial Co., Ltd., marking the arrival of a new Chinese supporting manufacturing project in Amata City Halong Industrial Park (also referred to as Song Khoai Industrial Park).

Amata CEO champions high-tech growth and smart cities As global foreign direct investment shifts towards green and high-tech standards, Amata CEO and founder Vikrom Kromadit has concluded a tour of Vietnam alongside a delegation of Chinese technology investors.

More than three decades of development among Vietnamese private enterprises shows that as the business environment becomes increasingly transparent, the private sector gains greater room to build its internal capabilities, invest for the long term and gradually strengthen its competitiveness.

If fair rules in sport motivate athletes to continually push beyond their limits, a healthy competitive business environment similarly gives companies the confidence to invest in technology, innovation and long-term strategies.

Through policy recommendations submitted to the government over the years, Vietnam's private business community has shown that what it needs is not preferential treatment or privileges, but a transparent, stable and consistent business environment where every player can grow on the strength of its own capabilities.

“Businesses do not need preferential treatment; they need a stable, predictable, transparent and fair environment; they need their business and property rights to be protected; they need streamlined administrative procedures and a consistent policy implementation system from the central to local levels. Reform only truly matters when it delivers tangible results,” said Nguyen Duy Hung, member of the Board of Directors at Tan Hiep Phat Beverage Group, one of the leading fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) businesses in the country.

Established in 1994, just a few years after the Law on Enterprises expanded the space for the private sector, Tan Hiep Phat was among the businesses that came of age alongside the country's reform drive. More than three decades later, Tan Hiep Phat has become the only Vietnamese firm among the top five leading beverage companies in Vietnam.

The journey of companies such as Tan Hiep Phat, therefore, serves as a reflection of the relationship between the business environment and the process of building internal capabilities within the private sector.

Hung uses the metaphor of “where the soil is fertile, birds will come to nest”: when confidence is strengthened, “flows of knowledge, talent, technology and legitimate aspirations for prosperity will naturally find their way in.”

Nguyen Duy Hung, member of the Board of Directors at Tan Hiep Phat. Photos: Tan Hiep Phat Beverage Group

But reform only creates the space for development. Opportunities become competitive advantages only when businesses have the determination to invest in capabilities that form a lasting foundation.

Building internal strength through manufacturing and technology

According to the Vietnam Private Economy Report and Provincial Competitiveness Index 2025, Vietnam's private economic sector currently provides jobs for approximately 26 million people, equivalent to 50.2 per cent of total employment nationwide.

Behind this scale lies the production capacity accumulated over many years by millions of businesses, with leading companies playing an important role in shaping supply chains, creating jobs and generating spillover effects across other parts of the economy.

According to Nguyen Van Viet, chairman of the Vietnam Beer – Alcohol – Beverage Association (VBA), persistent investment in modern production technologies and quality control in line with international standards not only enables businesses to provide consumers with quality products at reasonable prices, but also helps raise standards across the beverage industry and strengthen the competitiveness of domestic companies.

When a manufacturing company makes long-term investments, the value it creates extends beyond the company itself, spreading throughout the wider ecosystem

Tan Hiep Phat is an example of this process of accumulation. Nearly two decades ago, when most of the market was still using conventional filling technology, the company chose to invest in an Aseptic filling system from Germany – a technology requiring substantial investment and stringent operating standards.

Aseptic technology enables the product and packaging to be sterilised separately before filling in a sterile environment, helping control product quality and safety without the use of preservatives to extend shelf life.

Aseptic filling technology requires stringent technical operation and a long payback period

This was not simply a technology decision, but a decision to invest in long-term capabilities. The substantial investment required, stringent technical operating requirements and longer payback period made it far from an easy choice.

In return, Aseptic technology has become one of the key foundations that have enabled Tan Hiep Phat to build its manufacturing capabilities and develop its core products over the years.

More importantly, the company did not stop at adopting the technology. Through continuous operation and improvement, Tan Hiep Phat has gradually built up its capabilities, mastered the technology and worked with international partners to develop solutions better suited to Vietnam's climate, raw materials and consumer needs.

Over more than 30 years, the company has continuously reinvested in its production capabilities, gradually building a system of four manufacturing clusters in the country's key economic regions – Ninh Binh, Danang, Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho – with 12 Aseptic filling lines and total investment exceeding $300 million.

The company has also brought its products to demanding markets such as France, the Netherlands, Australia and Canada by meeting globally-recognised standards including the Food and Drug Administration, Halal, ISO and HACCP.

These figures reflect more than the scale of investment. More importantly, they represent a decades-long process of building capabilities – a process that is still ongoing at Tan Hiep Phat.

In 2025, the company decided to invest an additional $100 million in next-generation production lines to enhance its manufacturing capacity and meet growing market demand. As the company has expanded, so have tens of thousands of partners across its supply chain matured and grown alongside it.

Seen through this lens, Tan Hiep Phat is more than simply a beverage company. Behind every bottle of Zero Degree Green Tea, Dr Thanh Herbal Tea or Number 1 Energy Drink lies an extensive economic ecosystem spanning farmers in raw-material growing regions, packaging companies, logistics providers and technology partners, through to distributors and retailers across the country.

This is also how the capabilities of individual businesses are transformed into the capabilities of an entire industry. And as more Vietnamese companies choose to invest in capabilities rather than pursue short-term growth alone, today's private-sector investments will become part of Vietnam's comprehensive productive capacity and economic competitiveness in the future.

Tan Hiep Phat joins efforts to care for children In the course of its business, southern beverage major Tan Hiep Phat is also diligently caring for children, striving to be always of good service to society.

Tan Hiep Phat: a 30-year journey of sustainable development In early October, Tan Hiep Phat, Vietnam's leading beverage manufacturer, in collaboration with the Red Cross Society of Hau Giang Province, awarded 200 scholarships, each worth VND1 million ($39.54) to disadvantaged students.

Tan Hiep Phat awards 200 scholarships to disadvantaged students in Binh Duong On October 28, Tan Hiep Phat, Vietnam's leading beverage manufacturer, joined forces with Binh Duong Youth Union to award 200 scholarships to underprivileged students.

Tan Hiep Phat - 30 years of perseverance and breakthroughs Overcoming challenges, many beverage businesses have affirmed their breakthrough with synergy coming from a chain of links that have been persistently built over decades.

After being examined at several major hospitals in Canada and the United States, doctors determined that she had L4-L5 spondylolisthesis, causing spinal stenosis and nerve root compression.

Her case was considered complex because she still had an old spinal fixation system in place. With conventional treatment, the doctors would have had to remove the entire existing system and replace it with a new one.

After doctors explained the significant risks associated with such major surgery while the likelihood of success remained uncertain, M.C. hesitated to undergo the procedure. She continued searching for hope and eventually decided to travel halfway around the world to Vietnam, seeking treatment at FV Hospital.

After directly examining the patient, Dr Tran Luong Anh, specialist level II, head of Neuro-Surgery and Spine Surgery, said “After more than 30 years, the bone has healed and covers almost the entire plate-and-screw system. If we wanted to remove it, we would have to break through the healed bone, making the surgery extremely complex and risky.”

The situation was further complicated by a screw in the right side of the L4 vertebra that had broken long ago, with the fractured portion embedded deep within the vertebral body, leaving no room for placement of a new screw.

Before deciding on surgery, the FV team collaborated with the Pain Clinic to perform a nerve block to accurately identify the source of the pain.

The results showed that her symptoms were actually caused by spondylolisthesis and nerve compression. Because the pain relief provided by the nerve block lasted less than a month, surgery was considered the only optimal solution to preserve the patient’s mobility.

A novel treatment strategy from the FV team of experts

Recognising this as a rare case involving a unique anatomical structure, the FV medical team agreed on a novel treatment strategy: retaining the entire existing plate-and-screw system and adding a new fixation system only to the lower section, thereby minimising tissue damage to the patient. To carry out this plan, the hospital ordered specialised connecting components from overseas because they were not yet available on the domestic market.

The surgery was performed with the assistance of a navigation system. Photo: FV Hospital

To place new screws while avoiding the fractured screw lodged deep within the vertebral body, the surgical team used a navigation system.

Based on data from computed tomography images, the system reconstructed the spinal anatomy in 3D in real time, allowing the surgeons to accurately visualise and track the trajectory of the surgical instruments down to the millimetre throughout the procedure.

“Navigation helps us choose a safe trajectory for screw placement and avoid the fractured screw remaining inside the vertebral body. If the screw deviates by just a few millimetres, the patient may require revision surgery or experience impaired mobility,” Dr. Luong Anh said.

A typical surgery for spondylolisthesis takes approximately two hours. However, due to the rare complexity of this case, the procedure lasted longer than expected.

After more than three hours of surgery, the doctors successfully placed four new screws, replaced the artificial disc at the L4-L5 level, and decompressed the compressed nerve root.

Experts urge caution about persistent back pain

After surgery, the patient remained in the hospital for about a week and underwent physical therapy. Her pain gradually improved, and her mobility recovered well. One month after surgery, she was discharged from the hospital and returned to Canada.

The patient’s letter to Dr. Tran Luong Anh sent before returning home. Photo: FV Hospital

According to Dr. Luong Anh, people should not ignore persistent back pain, pain radiating down the legs, or difficulty walking or standing for extended periods.

These symptoms may be warning signs of serious conditions such as spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, or nerve compression. In patients with a history of spinal surgery, anatomical changes over time can make subsequent treatment much more complex. Early diagnosis and timely intervention at reputable healthcare facilities are key to protecting mobility and quality of life.

FV and Metfone launch Vietnam-Cambodia health corridor to ease cross-border care The collaboration between FV Hospital and Viettel Cambodia (Metfone) is expected to streamline cross-border healthcare for Cambodian patients, making access to high-quality services more convenient, transparent, and seamless.

Robotic surgery at FV Hospital removes stage 3A lung tumour A 42-year-old pharmacist diagnosed with stage 3A lung cancer involving major blood vessels made a rapid recovery after doctors at FV Hospital successfully removed the tumour using the Da Vinci Xi robotic surgery system.

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.

Non-smoker diagnosed with early-stage lung cancer during routine health check-up Chev Cheng, a 54-year-old Cambodian, was diagnosed with early-stage lung cancer during a routine health check-up and successfully treated with robot-assisted surgery using the da Vinci Xi surgical system at FV Hospital, avoiding chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Reaching those people is the easy part. Getting them to choose a foreign brand over a familiar local one is harder, and that gap is what separates a digital marketing agency in Vietnam that runs campaigns from one that builds a market position.

Competition is intensifying at the same time. The e-Conomy SEA 2025 report from Google, Temasek and Bain & Company estimated Vietnam's digital economy at $39 billion in 2025, up 17 per cent on-year, with e-commerce accounting for roughly two-thirds of that value. Every point of growth pulls in more local, regional and international players bidding for the same attention.

What everyone is seeing now is a market that is highly reachable and difficult to localise well, making it all the harder to coordinate across the channels where decisions actually happen.

Vietnamese purchase journeys now span social media, search, marketplaces and messaging platforms. Image: Evato

Vietnamese buyers rarely decide on one channel

A single platform rarely does it for an average Vietnamese consumer. The typical path runs from a TikTok video to a Google search, then to Facebook comments or a marketplace listing to check price and reviews, and finally to a Zalo message, a Messenger chat or a website form. The last step in that sequence is often the one foreign marketing stacks are least equipped to measure.

That makes a single translated landing page and a few paid campaigns an incomplete answer. A working strategy has to specify how Vietnamese users search, what they treat as proof, which platforms carry weight in the category, and what kind of content moves someone from interest to enquiry.

As Vincent On, founder and CEO of On Digitals – a Vietnam-focused digital marketing agency that helps international brands connect with Vietnamese consumers, explains, “Foreign brands usually do not fail in Vietnam because they lack marketing assets, but because their global brand voice does not always match how Vietnamese customers find, compare and trust a brand.”

To support that journey, a local agency should be able to coordinate search engine optimisation, content, pay-per-click, social outreach and website development across Google, Meta, TikTok, Zalo and LinkedIn. Running those channels under one plan is what keeps messaging consistent and reporting readable.

Foreign brands need local insight, not only translated campaigns, to compete in Vietnam. Image: Evato

AI adoption is accelerating, speed not the constraint

AI is now part of routine business operations in Vietnam. AWS research published in September 2025 – the Unlocking Vietnam's AI Potential study, conducted with Strand Partners – found that 18 per cent of Vietnamese businesses had adopted AI, up from 13 per cent a year earlier, a 39 per cent increase on-year. The same study found that 74 per cent of adopters still use AI for basic efficiency work.

For marketing teams, that second number matters more than the first. The tools are widely available and cheap, which means speed of production has stopped being a differentiator. What a team does with the output is.

AI is accelerating marketing production, while local teams remain responsible for interpretation and decision-making. Image: Evato

AI finds the patterns, local teams decide what they mean

AI can cluster keywords, draft ad variations and summarise a competitive set in minutes. What it cannot reliably do is read local context. A product category searched in English in Vietnam often signals a procurement officer at a foreign-invested factory; the same category searched in Vietnamese more often signals a domestic reseller comparing price.

That single distinction changes the keyword list, the landing page and the follow-up channel – and it comes from people working the market, not from a model.

Search behaviour, platform preference, language nuance and buying triggers all vary by industry and by region. AI can surface the pattern. Someone still has to judge which keywords carry real purchase intent, which messages will land with a Vietnamese audience, and which channels deserve the next increment of budget.

On Digitals combines AI-supported workflows with local market knowledge, so foreign companies adapt global strategy to Vietnamese customer behaviour rather than shipping generic AI-generated campaigns.

Most foreign brands do not arrive in Vietnam short of marketing assets. They arrive with brand guidelines, approved messaging, product pages and campaign frameworks – all built for another market.

What is missing is the layer underneath: localised keywords, culturally relevant examples, the right platform mix, and content that answers what a Vietnamese buyer actually weighs before committing.

On Digitals works on that layer, turning global direction into local execution across search, content, paid media and digital infrastructure. The goal is a Vietnam growth system that can be measured and improved over time, not a campaign calendar.

For companies entering or scaling in Vietnam, the practical starting point is a review of current search visibility, paid media opportunities, local content gaps and the conversion path. That review usually shows quickly where local execution will move the number fastest.

Unilever Vietnam embraces machine learning and AI in marketing Applying machine learning and AI to digital marketing and distribution channels is one of the key focuses of Unilever Vietnam in promoting digital transformation at businesses.

Meta VP discusses AI’s role in Vietnam’s digital economy Speaking at the Meta Marketing Summit Vietnam in Hanoi on May 8, Benjamin Joe, vice president of Meta, Southeast Asia, sat down with VIR to discuss how AI can offer local businesses greater capabilities to unlock their growth potential in today’s digital economy.

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The agreement provides a platform for the parties to exchange expertise, experience and capabilities, while exploring integrated urban development models that bring together public transport, residential, commercial, service and public spaces.

Gamuda Land signed an MoU with MTR Corporation (MTR) and SonKim Land. Photo: Gamuda Land

Importantly, this is not the first collaboration between Gamuda and MTR. The two groups have already established a track record of working together in Australia, particularly in urban rail infrastructure and the integrated development of spaces around railway stations.

Under Sydney Metro West, the Riverside Link Consortium, formed by Gamuda companies and MTR Corporation (Australia) Pty Ltd, was awarded a A$880 million ($630 million) contract to deliver the underground Parramatta Metro Station and associated infrastructure.

The project also includes development rights for commercial, retail and residential buildings above and adjacent to the station, demonstrating an integrated approach that brings transport infrastructure and urban development together within a connected ecosystem.

This experience provides a strong foundation for Gamuda and MTR to explore further opportunities in Vietnam, where urban rail networks are gradually expanding and becoming an increasingly important component of the development strategies of major cities.

The collaboration between Gamuda Land and MTR is underpinned by the complementary strengths of the parties across transport infrastructure, urban rail, TOD and integrated urban development.

With more than 50 years of experience, Gamuda Berhad brings deep expertise in transport infrastructure, urban rail and tunnelling technology, alongside extensive experience in delivering major infrastructure projects across international markets.

MTR, meanwhile, contributes decades of experience in urban rail operations and property development integrated with public transport, underpinned by its renowned “Rail plus Property” model, which combines transport infrastructure with commercial, residential and service functions to create highly connected urban environments.

In Vietnam, Gamuda Land has developed a portfolio of townships and residential developments across Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai and Haiphong. Many of these developments have been planned with a focus on connectivity to existing and emerging transport infrastructure, including Artisan Park, Eaton Park and The Meadow in Ho Chi Minh City, as well as Springville in Dong Nai.

These experiences provide a foundation for Gamuda Land to further explore and develop integrated urban models aligned with TOD principles, in response to the expansion of public transport networks and the rapid urbanisation of Vietnam.

The combination of Gamuda Berhad’s transport infrastructure and urban rail capabilities, MTR’s TOD expertise and Gamuda Land’s integrated urban development experience creates a strong platform for the parties to explore integrated station models that are responsive to Vietnam’s planning context, infrastructure needs and urban development priorities.

Through this collaboration, public transport can serve not only as a means of connectivity, but also as a catalyst for creating modern, sustainable, and vibrant urban environments.

Eaton Park sells 90 per cent of units within hours of launch Eaton Park has once again demonstrated its strong appeal in Ho Chi Minh City's luxury residential market, selling 90 per cent of units within hours at the exclusive launch of its Cove & Lagoon towers.

Gamuda Land commit long-term investment On the sidelines of the Vietnam Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) Forum 2025 held in Ho Chi Minh City on December 9, VIR’s Bich Ngoc spoke with Khanh Nguyen, general director of Gamuda Land Vietnam, about the company’s outlook for the Vietnamese market.

The list will focus on AI, edge computing, next-generation telecommunications, sensors, the Internet of Things (IoT), power electronics, and hardware security.

Tuan noted that, amid increasingly fierce global technology competition, Vietnam had identified the semiconductor industry as not only a high-value-added economic sector but also a foundation for ensuring technological self-reliance, national security, and economic competitiveness.

The Vietnam Semiconductor Industry Development Strategy to 2030, with a vision to 2050, issued under Decision No.1018/QD-TTg, adopts the formula C = SET + 1, in which “S” stands for specialised chips.

Specialised chips are designed to solve specific problems and can be used in AI cameras, IoT devices, robots, UAVs, telecommunications equipment, power electronics, smart grids, and security systems.

“This is considered a suitable direction for Vietnam, given that the country already has a chip design workforce, a developed electronics industry, and a large market in areas such as telecommunications, AI, electric vehicles, energy, and digital transformation,” Tuan said. “If successful, Vietnamese companies can gradually master high-value-added stages such as chip design, verification, testing, and integration.”

A list of around 20 groups of specialised semiconductor chips for priority state procurement. Photo: Ha Vy

Tuan noted that the gap between a chip design and a commercial product remains substantial. Companies need access to electronic design automation tools and licensed intellectual property (IP) libraries, which come at a high cost. In particular, each tape-out can cost millions of USD and always carries the risk of technical failure. Meanwhile, Vietnam has yet to develop a complete ecosystem covering design, fabrication, packaging, testing, and quality certification.

“For companies with small orders, accessing international packaging and testing services is both costly and time-consuming. Even when they have a chip prototype, companies still need to further develop the software and circuit boards, assess reliability, and integrate the chip into the final product,” Tuan said.

“But the biggest challenge may lie in the market. This is the ‘chicken-and-egg’ problem: companies are reluctant to make large investments without customers, while customers do not want to purchase a chip that has not yet been proven in real-world applications. This vicious cycle means that many new chip projects remain at the research stage and fail to move on to commercialisation.”

Tuan said one notable solution was to use public investment projects, national digital transformation programmes, and major infrastructure projects as the first customers for Vietnamese-designed chips. This could be the key to breaking the current vicious cycle.

“Once the first order is secured, companies will have an incentive to invest; when the chip is deployed in real-world trials, the product has an opportunity to be validated; and once companies have operational data and a track record, they will have a stronger basis for approaching larger customers,” he said. “At the same time, Vietnam needs to develop standards, testing laboratories, certification mechanisms, and reliability assessment systems so that domestically developed chips can compete effectively.”

Photo: Ha Vy

An Chen, vice president of Engineering at Qualcomm, said the group is expanding its R&D centres in Vietnam to address the intersection of four areas: AI, semiconductors, software, and systems engineering.

“Our goal is not simply to open another engineering office. We want to build teams that can take on increasingly complex technical challenges, contribute to global products, create intellectual property, and develop the next generation of engineering leaders. Vietnam has talented people, strong universities, a growing technology industry, and a clear national strategy for semiconductors and AI. Our shared task is to turn this strong foundation into long-term engineering capabilities,” Chen said. “We want engineers in Vietnam to develop deep expertise in their respective fields while also understanding the broader system. Over time, this broader perspective will enable them to shape system architecture and lead increasingly complex technical programmes.”

Meanwhile, Geleximco Group revealed that they are advancing investment procedures for a chip manufacturing plant in Hung Yen, with construction expected to begin in November and commercial products expected to reach the market in early 2028.

The company has committed to prioritising the testing and integration of control ICs, sensors, and power chips designed by Vietnamese engineers into its electric vehicle models and industrial ecosystem. The move addresses the “first customer” challenge facing the domestic integrated circuit industry at its core.

LG Innotek selects DEEP C Haiphong 2 for $1 billion semiconductor project LG Innotek, a leading South Korean electronic components manufacturer, has selected DEEP C Haiphong 2 Industrial Park for the development of a semiconductor substrate manufacturing complex with a total investment reaching $1 billion. This will be LG Innotek’s first semiconductor manufacturing facility established outside South Korea.

Danang and Laos seek deeper cooperation in semiconductors, AI and digital technology Vietnamese and Lao officials explored Danang’s experience in digital transformation, semiconductor technology and AI during a visit from August 26-28.

Hi-Tech Vietnam 2026 takes flight Held from September 9-11 at the Vietnam Exposition Centre in Hanoi, Hi-Tech Vietnam 2026 brings together a wide range of businesses operating in high technology, AI, semiconductors, robotics, unmanned aerial vehicles and the digital economy.

The way Vietnamese travellers purchase train tickets is changing as more passengers turn to digital channels to plan and pay for journeys. Alongside this shift, the reliability of the booking channel is becoming increasingly important, particularly when passengers need to exchange or refund tickets.

Vexere, a multi-modal booking platform covering coach, train, air and bike rental services, is an authorised agent of Vietnam Railways. According to Vexere data, roughly 20 per cent of ticket transactions generate a need for an exchange or refund, making the post-purchase process an important part of the overall booking experience.

Digital rail booking attracts a new generation of passengers

Vexere's transaction data for the Lunar New Year 2026 travel season, covering departure dates from February 9 to 25, points to continued growth in online rail ticket demand.

Vietnam Railways ticket volume on Vexere increased 33.6 per cent period over period during the period. At the same time, the platform recorded a high proportion of first-time users: 78 per cent of buyers were first-time train ticket customers on Vexere, while 51.1 per cent were entirely new to the platform.

Vexere data shows rising Vietnam Railways ticket demand alongside a large influx of first-time digital buyers during Tet 2026. Photo: Vexere

"The Lunar New Year 2026 numbers show a clear shift towards online channels for Vietnam Railways tickets," a Vexere spokesperson said. "As more first-time buyers enter the market, the quality and transparency of the booking channel become increasingly important."

Route-level data also points to changing travel patterns. Haiphong-Hanoi ticket volume rose 27.7 per cent, while Phu Yen-Khanh Hoa increased 76.3 per cent. Meanwhile, some traditional long-distance Lunar New Year routes recorded slight declines.

The transaction structure also reflects the family-oriented nature of Lunar New Year travel. On average, passengers purchased 2.2 tickets per transaction, suggesting that a significant share of online bookings involves family or group travel rather than individual journeys.

Genuine ticket does not eliminate transaction risks

As digital booking expands, passengers may focus primarily on whether they receive a valid ticket code. However, the transaction channel can also determine how easily passengers manage their booking afterwards.

When a third party purchases a ticket using its own payment account, the original paying account may remain associated with the transaction. If an exchange or refund is subsequently requested, the transaction is handled under Vietnam Railways' applicable rules and the refund is processed through the original payment account used for the booking.

For passengers, this distinction can become particularly important when booking multiple tickets for a family or group.

"A valid Vietnam Railways ticket is only part of the equation. Passengers should also make sure the booking is made with their own traveller information and through Vietnam Railways or an authorised channel, so they can directly manage exchanges, refunds and post-purchase support," the spokesperson said.

For authorised agents such as Vexere, passengers receive an e-ticket after payment with their traveller information. Exchanges and refunds are then handled through the applicable Vietnam Railways process and the original payment channel, subject to the relevant rules.

This becomes particularly relevant during peak travel periods, when a booking may involve several passengers and any refund or change can affect an entire family itinerary.

Digital channels compete on price, convenience and support

The expansion of online booking is also increasing the importance of the overall value proposition offered by digital distribution platforms.

For passengers, the decision is not based solely on the listed fare. Service fees, available promotions, payment offers and post-purchase support can all influence the final booking experience.

Vexere keeps its service fee low for Vietnam Railways ticket bookings, helping keep the total price close to the fare listed by Vietnam Railways itself.

Passengers can also benefit from applicable Vietnam Railways promotions alongside selected offers from Vexere and its payment partners. Depending on the route, fare and promotions available at the time of booking, the combined offers can result in savings of up to 20 per cent.

Comparison between official Vietnam Railways agents and intermediary channels. Photo: Vexere

Beyond pricing, digital platforms are also competing on convenience and customer support. Vexere said its customer care team supports passengers with Vietnam Railways exchanges, refunds and other booking-related issues.

The channel mix itself is changing as well. Vexere's Lunar New Year 2026 data shows Web Mobile bookings increased 31.3 per cent period over period, making it a notable growth channel as more first-time users use mobile browsers to search and purchase tickets.

However, the growth of browser-based booking also creates an opportunity for lookalike websites and unofficial resellers to reach consumers searching online. Checking the domain and seller information before payment therefore remains an important step.

Trust becomes part of the digital booking experience

For the wider digital travel market, the shift towards online rail ticket purchases highlights a broader consumer expectation: convenience needs to be accompanied by transparency and reliable after-sales support.

Vexere recommends that passengers complete three basic checks before paying for a Vietnam Railways ticket: confirm that the website belongs to Vietnam Railways’ official system or an authorised agent; verify the legal entity, support policies and payment method before providing personal information or making payment; and save the ticket code and transaction confirmation in case an exchange, refund or other support is needed.

"Passengers should treat the choice of ticket channel as part of the trip itself, not an afterthought," the spokesperson said.

Passengers can purchase Vietnam Railways tickets through the railway's official channels, at stations, or through authorised agents such as Vexere.

Specific financial mechanism proposed for Vietnam Railways The Ministry of Finance is drafting a decree on the operational and financial management mechanism for Vietnam Railways to create a legal basis for state capital investment and management.

Awaiting a revolution in rail and property for Vietnam Vietnam is entering a decisive phase in its economic journey. The government has set an ambitious plan for 2026–2030, targeting $1.4 trillion in total investment.

State corporations poised to drive 2026 growth Vietnam is targeting average GDP growth of 10 per cent during 2026-2030, with state-owned corporations expected to spearhead investment, infrastructure development and productivity gains.

Minister Tuan expressed his appreciation to Bertrand Walckenaer and AFD officials for their warm welcome to the Vietnamese delegation. Looking back on the history of cooperation, he stressed that AFD has always held a special position in Vietnam-France bilateral relations.

Reviewing 2021-2025, Tuan acknowledged that Vietnam faced some challenges in mobilising, managing and using official development assistance (ODA) and foreign concessional loans due to both objective and subjective factors. These challenges affected the preparation, appraisal, approval and negotiation of foreign loan agreements. Despite these difficulties, AFD has remained a reliable and stable partner of Vietnam.

During the period, the Vietnamese government signed seven loan agreements with AFD out of a total of 42 foreign loan treaties and agreements. This result reflects the strong alignment between France's development support priorities and Vietnam's actual development needs.

Regarding Vietnam's economic development, Minister Tuan said that amid a challenging global environment, Vietnam is seeking a stronger breakthrough to achieve its long-term development objectives, including its ambition to sustain double-digit economic growth in the coming years.

To realise this goal, Vietnam will require substantial resources for key infrastructure and nationally important projects. The government remains committed to comprehensive institutional reforms, stronger public-sector management and the development of new growth drivers, including digital transformation, green transition and innovation.

Against this backdrop, Vietnam asked AFD to continue its support by providing highly concessional loans combined with grants to enhance the overall concession for financing. Priority should be given to infrastructure projects with broad spillover effects, climate change adaptation and the green transition.

“Vietnam's Ministry of Finance is committed to remaining a reliable partner, acting transparently and maintaining financial discipline as we work with AFD to deliver successful projects,” the minister said.

AFD deputy director general Bertrand Walckenaer. Photo: Nguyen Yen

AFD deputy director general Bertrand Walckenaer praised Vietnam's institutional reform efforts and macroeconomic financial management, affirming that AFD considers Vietnam a key strategic partner in France's development cooperation policy in Asia.

AFD pledged to work closely with Vietnamese technical agencies to review and optimise internal procedures, ensuring greater flexibility and creating better conditions possible for the approval and disbursement of financing.

In particular, AFD will continue to prioritise resources to support Vietnam's sustainable development objectives, especially in green finance, climate change response and a just energy transition.

Regarding the Agreement on Strengthening Capacity for Green Finance Policy Development signed on May 26, 2025, Minister Tuan thanked AFD for providing technical assistance to the Ministry of Finance in four key areas: green tax policy, green bond issuance, development of the carbon market, and integration of carbon pricing into Vietnam's long-term Net Zero pathway.

The two sides agreed to maintain close coordination, accelerate implementation of the agreement and initiate procedures to extend the MoU when necessary to better meet practical requirements.

Photo: Nguyen Yen

At the meeting, Vietnam's Ministry of Finance and AFD also signed an MoU on cooperation. The seven-article document sets out the objectives, areas and methods of cooperation, implementation principles, dispute settlement mechanisms and the validity of the document.

The MoU provides a formal foundation for strengthening and elevating development cooperation between Vietnam's Ministry of Finance and AFD in the new phase.

EU and AFD help North-central Vietnam strengthen resilience to climate threats On May 15, the "Climate Resilient Urban Infrastructure in North-central Vietnam" project concluded its Technical Assistance phase, marking a shift from planning to lasting community empowerment.

The Ministry of Finance and AFD map out ODA priorities for 2026-2030 The Ministry of Finance and the French Development Agency have held a meeting in Hanoi to assess cooperation programmes and projects for 2026, with a focus on green transition, transport infrastructure, and climate change adaptation.

Petrovietnam and AFD advance cooperation on energy transition projects Petrovietnam and the French Development Agency have signed an MoU to foster collaboration on energy transition ventures in Vietnam.

Minister Tuan highlighted the long-standing traditional friendship between Vietnam and France, noting that bilateral ties have developed across various fields since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1973.

"The elevation of bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership in 2013 and a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2024 has provided a solid foundation for increasingly substantive and in-depth cooperation," he said.

Minister Tuan said cooperation between the two countries had progressed across three key pillars: trade, investment and development finance. In the first eight months of 2026, two-way trade exceeded $5 billion, with Vietnam's exports to France reaching $3.1 billion and imports from France totalling $1.9 billion.

France currently has 749 valid investment projects in Vietnam with the total registered capital of $4.01 billion, ranking 16^th among 154 countries and territories investing in the country. Meanwhile, Vietnamese investors have 20 projects in France with the total registered investment of $39.18 million.

France has also maintained its position as Vietnam's leading European bilateral ODA provider through the French Treasury Directorate General (DGT) and the French Development Agency (AFD), with average annual funding of more than €100 million ($116 million).

On tax cooperation, Minister Tuan shared Vietnam's efforts to improve its legal framework and implement international standards on information transparency. He asked France to recognise and support these reforms during international assessments.

Tuan proposed that the two sides continue to make effective use of the Vietnam-France High-Level Economic Dialogue mechanism, co-chaired by the two finance ministries, in preparation for its 10^th session, scheduled for early December 2026.

Given Vietnam's growing demand for strategic infrastructure development, he expressed hope that France would provide highly concessional loans, technical assistance and technology transfer.

In trade and investment, the Vietnamese minister called on France to complete ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement at an early date. He also encouraged French corporations to invest in infrastructure, aerospace and renewable energy, as well as form joint ventures with Vietnamese companies to capitalise on ongoing supply chain shifts.

MoU between the Tax Department Vietnam and France's Directorate General of Public Finances. Photo: Nguyen Yen

Minister Roland Lescure, for his part, discussed several key cooperation projects, including Hanoi's Nhon-Hanoi Station Urban Railway Line 3, the VNREDSat-2 satellite project and regional railway connectivity projects.

"France is ready to support Vietnam in discussions with the European Union on the list of countries cooperating on tax matters, while pledging close coordination to resolve difficulties and accelerate the implementation of joint projects," he said.

Minister Lescure also proposed exploring bilateral cooperation on regional railway connectivity projects.

During the meeting, Ministers Tuan and Lescure witnessed the signing of an MoU between the Tax Department of Vietnam and France's Directorate General of Public Finances.

The MoU aims to establish a framework for bilateral cooperation and support the Vietnamese tax authority in reviewing its organisational structure and improving working procedures towards greater alignment with OECD standards. It will also seek to strengthen the professional capacity of tax officials and gradually establish a network of experts between the two agencies.

Photo: Nguyen Yen

The two sides identified several priority areas for cooperation, including exchange of information upon request and automatic exchange of information; IT infrastructure, data platforms and the application of AI in tax administration; tax inspection; and international assistance in tax debt recovery.

In addition to technical cooperation, the two agencies will work together through a range of activities, including high-level visits and working sessions, training programmes, conferences and thematic seminars, expert exchanges, and joint development of annual action plans.

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The agreements cover the project “Integrated Water Resources Management for Livelihoods, Climate Change Adaptation and Socioeconomic Development in Tuan Giao District, Dien Bien Province.”

The project is being implemented in Tuan Giao, with Dien Bien People's Committee serving as the project owner and the Department of Agriculture and Environment acting as the implementing agency.

The project proposal was approved under Decision No.836/QD-TTg dated August 15, 2024. Dien Bien People's Council approved the investment policy under Resolution No.215/NQ-HDND dated December 10, 2024, while Dien Bien People's Committee approved the project under Decision No.1139/QD-UBND dated June 6, 2025.

The project will be financed through an AFD loan and a grant from the Water and Natural Resources Management Fund, which is entrusted to AFD for management.

Under the approved project plan, total investment is estimated at nearly VND1.39 trillion ($54 million), comprising an AFD loan of $45 million, a $1.7 million non-refundable grant and nearly $12 million in counterpart funding.

The loan has maturity of 18 years, including a seven-year grace period, and is denominated in euros, with an interest rate of six-month EURIBOR plus 0.97 per cent per year.

The project aims to improve the management and efficient use of water resources, regulate water supplies between river basins, address drought, prevent erosion and flooding, and strengthen climate change resilience.

It will provide a stable water supply, regulate water flows and reduce disaster risks, while increasing crop productivity and facilitating the development and expansion of long-term industrial crops such as macadamia. This is expected to increase the economic value of local agriculture and encourage farmers to shift from traditional crops towards more sustainable, higher-value farming models.

The project will also provide domestic water supplies for 35,000 people and irrigation for 21,000 hectares of agricultural land. It will gradually complete the local irrigation infrastructure and connect water regulation networks across sub-regions, facilitating water resource exploitation, management and operation.

The project is also expected to strengthen climate change adaptation in Tuan Giao and Dien Bien province, green degraded hills, protect the environment and contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Agribank and AFD sign climate finance deal to boost green growth Agribank and the French Development Agency have signed a climate finance credit facility, marking a new step in international financial cooperation to promote green growth in Vietnam.

The Ministry of Finance and AFD map out ODA priorities for 2026-2030 The Ministry of Finance and the French Development Agency have held a meeting in Hanoi to assess cooperation programmes and projects for 2026, with a focus on green transition, transport infrastructure, and climate change adaptation.

Petrovietnam and AFD advance cooperation on energy transition projects Petrovietnam and the French Development Agency have signed an MoU to foster collaboration on energy transition ventures in Vietnam.

To this end, Daesang acquired AMINO GmbH, a German company specializing in pharmaceutical-grade amino acids, earlier this year, marking a major push into the global biopharmaceutical market. Founded in 2006, AMINO produces high-purity amino acids used in medical infusion solutions, clinical nutrition, and the manufacture of cell culture media and excipients for biopharmaceuticals. The company operates an R&D center and a 6,000 m² production facility in Frellstedt, northern Germany, and maintains established business relationships with global biopharmaceutical and clinical nutrition companies.

Through the acquisition, Daesang has gained AMINO's amino acid purification technology, production facilities, European regulatory expertise, and global customer network. Daesang has established a global supply chain in which raw materials for pharmaceutical-grade amino acids are produced using existing facilities at its Korean plant, with final purification carried out at AMINO's production facility in Germany. Building on this framework, the company plans to maintain its established presence in Europe while gradually expanding into North American and Asian markets.

Since becoming the first Korean company to develop MIWON, a sugarcane-based fermented seasoning, Daesang has strengthened the competitiveness of its biotechnology business through continuous technological innovation. The company currently exports products under the MIWON brand to more than 80 countries and supplies a range of amino acids, including feed-grade lysine and L-Histidine, to global markets. Going forward, Daesang plans to improve production efficiency across its commodity portfolio while focusing its resources on premium, high-purity amino acids used in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries.

Jung-bae Lim, CEO of Daesang Corporation, said, "We are now leveraging the fermentation technology that began with MIWON and our capabilities in the amino acid business to expand into the high-value biopharmaceutical sector. We will continue to establish new operations overseas and pursue technology exchange and business partnerships with international companies as we work to emerge as a global leader."

For more information, visit www.daesang.com/en.

Reveillon Creations pairs professional livestreaming facilities with talent management, operational support and commercial representation. Through its affiliation with V Gallant Sdn Bhd, the company will also draw on the V Gallant GPU Lounge's AI infrastructure, powered by high-performance GPUs including NVIDIA Blackwell, to support content development, data analysis and workflow automation. This combination brings talent, technology and market access together while creating room for creators to expand into brand collaborations, music production, film and the wider entertainment industry.

Connecting Malaysian Talent with the Douyin Ecosystem

As part of the launch, Reveillon Creations also formalised a Douyin licensing partnership with 3Z LIVE. Douyin is ByteDance's short-video platform for mainland China and operates separately from TikTok, which serves markets outside mainland China.

The scale of the opportunity with Douyin is significant as according to the data in March 2026, Douyin itself has over 750 million daily active users, which is exponentially large. Through the partnership, Reveillon Creations aims to help Malaysian talent understand the platform, develop relevant content and explore suitable opportunities within the China market.

"Malaysia has a vibrant pool of creative talent, but turning an audience into a lasting career takes more than visibility. Reveillon Creations brings together professional support, AI capabilities and industry connections to help creators take that next step. Our partnership with 3Z LIVE adds a route into China, while our wider ambition is to help talent move beyond livestreaming into branded content, music, film and entertainment," said Alvin Wong, Chief Executive Officer of Reveillon Creations.

The launch comes as content, commerce and entertainment become increasingly interconnected. Based on findings released in March 2026, in less than four years, social commerce's share of Southeast Asia's e-commerce gross merchandise value has grown from under 5% to between 20% and 25%. In Malaysia itself, TikTok's March 2026 report has also indicated that nearly 35% of content creators surveyed identified as full-time creators, while 45% reported earning revenue above the national minimum wage.

"China offers enormous reach, but creators also need local market knowledge and the right operational support. Together with Reveillon Creations, we aim to help Malaysian talent better understand the Douyin ecosystem and identify appropriate ways to build their presence," said Leo Zhou, Founder of 3Z LIVE.

Building Pathways Beyond Livestreaming

Registration is now open to livestreamers and emerging creators. Talents signed with Reveillon Creations will gain access to dedicated livestreaming spaces with professional equipment at KL Eco City, together with practical guidance in content development, livestream operations and personal branding.

Beyond the facilities, the company will connect talent with potential opportunities across brand partnerships, music production, film and entertainment, helping them broaden their capabilities and avoid relying on a single platform or content format.

With its studios ready, talent registration underway and a China-facing partnership in place, Reveillon Creations enters the market with a clear goal: to give Malaysian creators the tools, guidance and industry reach to take their talent further.

For more information, visit https://reveillon-group.com/.

The centerpiece is the Baseus PicoGo Air AM72 Qi2 Magnetic Power Bank (5K, 25W), designed as a true 1:1 match for iPhone Duo—from its precisely tailored dimensions and camera-safe magnetic layout to its refined finish. AM72 also features an Apple-matched aluminum-alloy body that echoes the phone's premium design language, allowing it to blend naturally with the device rather than look like a separate accessory.

Whether commuting, working between meetings, filming on the move, or using the unfolded display for longer sessions, AM72 keeps power close without disrupting the experience. Its 5,000mAh capacity supports Qi2 15W magnetic wireless charging and up to 25W USB-C wired charging, while a 12N magnetic hold keeps it securely aligned. Besides, AM72 sets itself apart from conventional magnetic power banks with a raised platform design that creates a cooling gap between the power bank and iPhone Duo. Together with Glacier Cooling Structure 2.0 and AI adaptive temperature management, it helps dissipate heat more effectively for a cooler, more comfortable charging experience. Despite this enhanced thermal design, AM72 measures just 7.9mm at its slimmest point, maintaining a card-slim profile that feels natural in hand. PowerSense NFC also gives users easy access to battery health and key cell-status information through the app.

For users who want iPhone Duo to be ready before they leave home, the Baseus AH22 100W Digital Display Fast Charger delivers high-output performance in a compact, travel-friendly design. Intelligent power allocation, smart device recognition, and AI temperature control help make everyday charging efficient and dependable, while the customizable digital display keeps charging status clearly in view.

The Baseus HoopRing Phone Case completes the ecosystem with tailored protection and an integrated 360-degree rotating magnetic stand. Its soft-edged design offers a comfortable grip, while the stand enables flexible hands-free viewing in portrait or landscape—whether iPhone Duo is folded, unfolded, or paired with Baseus magnetic accessories.

Together, AM72, AH22, and the HoopRing phone case turn charging from an interruption into a natural part of the foldable experience. The collection for iPhone Duo will be officially available in November. Stay tuned for more details.

PNOC035 is conducted by the Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Consortium (PNOC), an open-label, multi-center platform study. In Arm A, patients receive oral, once-daily paxalisib in combination with intravenous gemcitabine on Days 1, 8 and 15 of each 28-day treatment cycle.

The combination increased median survival nearly four-fold (22 to 82.5 days; p<0.0001) in an orthotopic AT/RT preclinical model and demonstrated complementary anti-tumor activity across multiple AT/RT cell lines. These preclinical findings provided the rationale for advancement into the multicenter PNOC035 clinical study evaluating paxalisib plus gemcitabine in children and young adults with recurrent or progressive AT/RT. These findings, previously presented at ISPNO, AACR and Neuro-Oncology meetings, provided the scientific rationale for PNOC035 and extend paxalisib's pediatric neuro-oncology development beyond diffuse midline glioma into another area of significant unmet need.

Paxalisib has been granted both Orphan Drug Designation and Rare Pediatric Disease Designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for AT/RT. These designations do not constitute FDA approval or endorsement of any therapeutic claim. If paxalisib were to receive marketing approval for this indication, which would require successful completion of clinical development and FDA regulatory approval, Kazia could become eligible to receive a pediatric priority review voucher from the FDA.

"AT/RT typically affects infants and very young children, and families facing this devastating diagnosis have limited treatment options," said Dr. John Friend II, Chief Executive Officer of Kazia Therapeutics. "Despite decades of research, there are still no approved therapies for recurrent or progressive AT/RT, underscoring the urgent need for new treatment options. We've remained committed to pediatric brain cancer because this is an area where the need is especially great and the options are often fewest. Reaching this milestone with the PNOC035 team is a meaningful step forward, and we look forward to working closely with PNOC as enrollment progresses."

About PNOC035

PNOC035 is a Phase 2 platform trial conducted by the Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Consortium (PNOC) for patients ages 1 to 39 with recurrent or progressive AT/RT. The platform design allows multiple treatment arms to be evaluated within a shared trial infrastructure, with patients enrolling in an arm based on availability and arm-specific eligibility criteria. Arm A evaluates paxalisib in combination with gemcitabine. Additional information about the study is available on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT07447076).

For more information, please visit http://www.kaziatx.com/

HiCB platform integrates intensified continuous perfusion upstream processing with hybrid continuous downstream purification, enabling a step-change in productivity, achieving significant increase in productivity compared with conventional fed-batch processes, while maintaining superior product quality through shorter residence time and optimized culture conditions. HiCB can significantly reduce cost of goods, lower capital investment, and enable agile and just-in-time production. It also provides a solution for improving recovering yield and product quality for complex biologics.

This collaboration is part of Transcenta's continued efforts to advance partnerships for its HiCB technology platform and broaden its application to address CMC challenges for complex biologic molecules. It also offers a flexible approach to rapidly expand production capacity. Transcenta plans to further unlock the commercial value of the HiCB platform through external licensing and industry partnerships.

For more information, please visit www.transcenta.com

• Base Service: Covers loss, damage, and delays. Compensation is based on the actual order amount, capped at USD 2500 per single package, alongside fixed-amount compensations for logistics timeouts.
• Extended Benefits: A growing lineup of everyday perks that will be rolled out gradually, featuring popular items like video/music streaming subscriptions, free AI tool credits, and options to support tips.
• Seller-Customized Perks: Features like worry-free exchanges, VIP customer service and repurchase vouchers—all fully configurable and price-adjustable by the seller.

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

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

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

Please visit https://www.enterpriseasia.org/ for more information.

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

Please visit https://www.enterpriseasia.org/ for more information.