AGP Executive Report

FDI Overhaul: Vietnam’s politburo has issued a resolution to reshape foreign investment, moving from broad attraction to selective, higher-quality projects tied to science-technology, digital transformation, green transition and stronger national competitiveness. Digital Push: Under a 2026-2030 program, Vietnam expects its digital economy to reach about 30% of GDP by 2030, backing 500,000 SMEs for digital transformation and rolling out e-ID accounts for all citizens aged 14+ plus basic digital skills for 10 million workers. Trade Talks: China’s Premier Li Qiang told Vietnam’s PM Le Minh Hung that Beijing is ready to expand and upgrade bilateral trade, including cooperation in energy, minerals, the digital economy, AI and finance. Economy & Exports: Vietnam exported about 4.5 million tons of rice in the first five months, earning $2.09 billion; clinker and cement exports rose in May to 3.11 million tons, despite a monthly dip. Business Appointments: UOB Vietnam named Pham Hong Hai as deputy country CEO. Energy Services: PV Power Services and South Korea’s Soosan will cooperate on technical maintenance, repair and overhaul services for power plants in Vietnam.

Port Performance: Vietnam’s Cai Mep–Thị Vải and Hải Phòng ports both landed in the world’s top 20 for container handling in the 2025 Container Port Performance Index, with Hải Phòng also among the biggest improvers since 2020—highlighting Vietnam’s push to modernize operations and logistics links. Energy & Investment: Vietnamese firm ROX Energy Global helped launch the first phase of Kyrgyzstan’s “ROX Issyk-Kul” solar plant (175MW), a project Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov called a milestone for energy security and Vietnam–Kyrgyz cooperation, with full capacity (1,900MW) targeted by end-2028. Sports (Regional Volleyball): South Korea swept the AVC Women’s Cup title, while Philippines’ Alas Pilipinas finished eighth; debutant Niña Ytang said she’s proud of the experience despite the result. Tech & Research: Vietnam is urging faster progress on “strategic technologies” with strong spillover effects, with VAST pointing to growing student interest in programming and robotics and a broader push to turn research into practical outcomes.

ASEAN-Russia Bridge Role: Vietnam’s PM Le Minh Hung will attend the ASEAN–Russia Commemorative Summit in Kazan on June 17–18, with officials saying the trip is meant to reaffirm Vietnam as a “bridge” and spur fresh ASEAN–Russia cooperation. Women in International Law: Vietnam hosted a UN seminar pushing for women’s equal and inclusive participation in international legal bodies, highlighting persistent underrepresentation at the ICJ, ITLOS and UN ILC. Nuclear Energy Ties: Vietnam wants to deepen nuclear cooperation with Bulgaria, focusing on training, research and sharing operational know-how as Vietnam builds its nuclear power programme under strict safety and non-proliferation standards. Trade and Investment Outlook: A QNB note says global trade growth is improving despite headwinds, with Asian exporters including Vietnam showing resilient performance. Local Economy and Tourism: Ho Chi Minh City launched a Waterway Tourism Society to link operators and standardise services, aiming to better develop Saigon River tourism. Culture Spotlight: Hue International Music Week 2026 opened with international acts and a mix of traditional and modern performances, positioning it as a key highlight of the Hue Festival.

Strategic Tech Push: Vietnam is urging faster, more decisive development of “strategic technologies” with spillover benefits for competitiveness, defence, and sustainable growth, as VAST highlights research and innovation projects aimed at turning policy into tangible results. AVC Women’s Cup Shock: Vietnam’s three-year reign in the AVC Women’s Cup ended as South Korea swept the defending champions to reach the final, setting up a title clash against Chinese Taipei after the latter stunned Kazakhstan. M&A Momentum: Vietnam’s M&A market is entering a new phase, driven by stronger domestic capital, tech innovation, and a maturing startup ecosystem, with Venture Forum 2026 spotlighting how deals are shifting toward growth and commercialization. Da Nang FTZ Drive: Nearly 500 policymakers and investors met in Da Nang to shape Vietnam’s first free trade zone, stressing institutional reforms, modern infrastructure, and digital tools like AI and digital customs to speed logistics and boost investor confidence. Vietnam Targets Developed-Economy FDI: A Politburo resolution sets goals to attract more high-tech investment from developed economies, including major tech firms and R&D centers, aiming for a stronger foreign-invested sector by 2030.

Vietnam Growth Push: Prime Minister Le Minh Hung launched a nationwide emulation drive targeting sustainable double-digit growth from 2026-2030, urging ministries, firms and citizens to back reforms and cut red tape to reach long-term income goals. Tech & Industry: Intel marked 20 years at its Vietnam factory in Saigon High-Tech Park, saying it has invested $4.1 billion and helped build STEM talent through public-private education partnerships. Energy & Investment Links: Phu Tho promoted investment opportunities in Sweden, pitching innovation, digital transformation, advanced tech and green growth, while also highlighting Vietnam’s growing tech cooperation with partners. Consumer Protection Online: Vietnam’s competition watchdog data points to e-commerce as the top source of consumer complaints, with risks ranging from counterfeit goods to data misuse and online fraud. Social Finance: VBSP reported lending to 1.1 million poor households in the first five months of 2026, expanding local-government entrusted capital for policy credit. Regional Sports: Vietnam’s women’s volleyball team faces a tough road after a shock loss, setting up key semis and classification matches in the AVC Women’s Cup.

U.S. Courtroom Drama: A federal judge rejected a bid to stop President Donald Trump’s UFC “Freedom 250” event on the White House South Lawn, saying plaintiffs lacked legal standing and sued too late; the ruling keeps the weekend fights on track for Trump’s 80th birthday. Vietnam-Linked Crime Crackdown: Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security said police in Phu Tho dismantled a suspected transnational online scam network planning a major fraud hub tied to Cambodia, with investigations continuing to identify more suspects. Energy & Industry: EVN met Thailand’s Gulf Energy to discuss wind and LNG power projects in Vietnam, as demand rises. Capital Markets: Vietnam’s State Securities Commission said Vietnam has reached consensus to allow large foreign-invested enterprises to conduct IPOs and list domestically, alongside plans for new trading markets including carbon credits and digital assets. Health Infrastructure: Bach Mai Hospital’s second facility is pushing toward end-June 2026 operations after licensing and procurement steps. Sports: Kazakhstan ended Vietnam’s 23-match winning streak in the AVC Women’s Cup, handing the defending champions their first loss.

Ho Chi Minh City Development Push: The Politburo’s Resolution No. 09 (May 19, 2026) lays out priorities to speed up Ho Chi Minh City’s growth, building on earlier city-focused resolutions from 1982, 2002, 2012 and 2022. Vietnam Military Modernisation: Vietnam’s army has set up a new Unmanned Vehicle Department to boost training, tech innovation and coordination for high-tech warfare readiness. Transport & Housing: Vietnam’s auto market rose 20% in the first five months of 2026, with hybrid sales up sharply; meanwhile Dong Nai broke ground on its first large-scale social housing rental project for workers and low-income residents. Digital Rights Crackdown: Vietnam and Korea jointly shut down a Korean webtoon piracy network, taking down three major illegal sites and arresting two operators. Regional Diplomacy: At the ASEAN Future Forum 2026 in Hanoi, PM Lê Minh Hưng urged ASEAN to shape global trends through innovation and a people-centred community. Sports: Kazakhstan handed Vietnam its first AVC Women’s Cup loss, ending a long winning streak.

Strategic Tech Push: Vietnam is urging faster, more decisive development of “strategic technologies” with spillover benefits for competitiveness, defence, and sustainable growth, with VAST highlighting research and implementation steps to turn policy into results. Private Sector Momentum: A VNA report says Vietnam’s private economy is seeing “stable beginnings” and breakthroughs after Resolution 68, citing stronger confidence, wider market access, and more capital, technology and talent flowing to private firms. Energy Investment: Foxconn and Brookfield signed a deal to develop up to 1GW of renewables plus battery storage in Vietnam, backed by a long-term power purchase agreement, aimed at supporting Foxconn’s expansion. Business & Trade Watch: Vietnam’s customs revenue is reported on track to meet its annual target, while VN-Index movement and regional M&A data point to uneven deal activity across Southeast Asia. Sports (Vietnam in Focus): Vietnam advanced in AVC Women’s Cup action, with volleyball coverage also spotlighting Vietnam’s semifinal path.

ASEAN Diplomacy: Deputy PM Le Tien Chau told the Future of Asia Forum in Tokyo that Vietnam wants deeper regional trust-building after hosting AFF 2026, urging resilience, cooperation and reform as Asia tackles digital and green shifts. Energy & Prices: Vietnam cut retail fuel prices for a third straight week from 3pm June 11, using the petrol and oil stabilisation fund; E5RON92, diesel and mazut were adjusted downward, while E10RON95 remains linked to ethanol/base petrol costs. Cybersecurity: ESET says Vietnam-aligned APT OceanLotus has shifted toward more selective external operations and heavier domestic espionage, using the SPECTRALVIPER backdoor and targeting Vietnamese infrastructure and investors. Maritime Security: Natuna authorities and the Indonesian Navy stepped up coordination after reports of suspected foreign fishing near waters bordering Malaysia and Vietnam, with boundary education for fishermen. Business & Investment: Khanh Hoa promoted its logistics, transit and energy potential to Malaysian investors, highlighting deep-water ports and Cam Ranh airport. Culture & Media: Vietnam’s National Press Award on Buddhism honored 35 journalistic works in Hanoi, spanning print, online, broadcast and photojournalism.

Strategic Tech Push: Vietnam’s Academy of Science and Technology is urging faster, more decisive action to develop “strategic technologies” with spillover benefits for national competitiveness, defence, and sustainable growth. Regional Diplomacy: A Lao official praised Vietnam’s hosting of ASEAN Future Forum 2026, saying Vietnam’s central role and strong economic momentum are helping shape ASEAN’s peace-and-development agenda. ASEAN Youth Links: Cambodia’s PM Hun Manet met Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union leaders, backing regular youth exchanges and joint activities in border provinces ahead of the 60th anniversary of Cambodia–Vietnam diplomatic ties in 2027. Vietnam–Cambodia Defence Watch: Thailand is monitoring Cambodia’s receipt of 39 refurbished Chinese-made T59D tanks but says there’s no sign they’ve been deployed near the border, while Cambodia and China frame the move around long-running drills. Policy/Implementation Focus: Vietnam’s rainy-season outlook and farming risks are under scrutiny as farmers report patchy rainfall and late planting could collide with peak typhoon vulnerability.

ASEAN diplomacy: Vietnam and Laos keep deepening their special ties as Laos PM Sonexay Siphandone paid a courtesy call on President To Lam in Hanoi, reviewing bilateral cooperation and pledging to expand defense, education and human-resource links. Regional tech push: Vietnam’s strategic-technology drive is gaining momentum, with VAST highlighting programming, robotics and high-tech competition participation as the country moves to master spillover technologies for defense, competitiveness and sustainable growth. Trade and logistics: Hainan’s Yangpu Port has opened a new container route to India, with Vietnam’s Haiphong, as part of a wider land-sea corridor—an update that matters for Vietnam’s export and shipping ecosystem. Business climate: The Vietnam Private Sector Forum in Hai Phong urged stronger public-private cooperation, saying local business feedback should translate into national reforms on institutions, infrastructure and digital/green transformation. Economy watch: Vietnam’s vehicle market grew 6.5% in May to 24,136 units (VAMA wholesale data), while first-five-month sales rose 20% to 125,405. Cross-border rules: Experts warned that e-commerce and cross-border platforms are raising new legal risks, calling for tighter consumer protection and better customs, logistics and taxation policies.

Strategic Tech Push: Vietnam is urging faster, more decisive work on “strategic technologies” to boost self-reliance, competitiveness, and defence capacity, with the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology highlighting practical research and implementation steps. Digital Identity Cooperation: Vietnam is partnering with Estonia to strengthen secure e-identity and unified data systems, aiming to move VNeID from basic authentication toward a multi-service digital gateway using Estonia’s “once-only” data approach. ASEAN Economic Momentum: Thailand and Vietnam have set a target to lift bilateral trade to US$25 billion this year, with leaders in Hanoi pledging to accelerate their comprehensive strategic partnership and “Three Connects” cooperation. Mekong Delta Investment: Can Tho is inviting Singaporean firms into innovation, green economy, logistics, ports, and smart urban development, pointing to the VSIP Can Tho industrial park as a key magnet for investors. Trade and Markets Watch: Vietnam’s push for growth and connectivity sits alongside broader regional trade signals, including updates on export performance and shifting trade balances. Security and Regional Ties: Vietnam’s diplomatic and security engagement continues to feature in regional forums and cooperation talks, reflecting a wider push to shape shared rules and stability.

ASEAN Future Forum in Hanoi: Prime Minister Le Minh Hung set out three priorities for ASEAN by 2045—help shape new global norms, move from technology consumer to creator, and build a people-centered digital community—while the opening session stressed peace as the base for development. ASEAN fintech push: Deputy PM Nguyen Van Thang urged an open, secure, transparent and inclusive fintech ecosystem, saying ASEAN must connect national fintech systems to boost cross-border trust and growth. Vietnam–Timor-Leste ties: PM Le Minh Hung welcomed Timor-Leste’s Xanana Gusmão, highlighting deeper cooperation as the country integrates into ASEAN. Vietnam–Cambodia legislative cooperation: Cambodia’s Hun Manet met Vietnam’s NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man, pledging stronger implementation of top-leader agreements and closer parliamentary links. Green transition and tech: Vietnam’s aviation regulator warned airports about drone and kite risks; CAAV said summer could bring more incidents. Separately, FPT and Amata signed an MOU to drive AI transformation across industrial parks in Vietnam and Thailand. Local life and safety: A viral Hanoi playground video shows a toddler shoved off a slide; doctors say she is stable after a traumatic brain injury. Jobs outlook: ManpowerGroup reports Vietnam’s Q3 hiring remains positive but employers are more cautious, focusing on critical roles and skills.

Sports: Vietnam kept their AVC Women’s Cup title hopes alive, surviving a tough five-set scare against Indonesia before Kazakhstan beat Iran to stay on track for the semis. Energy & climate: A new Ember analysis says gas is losing market share globally for a fifth straight year, with Vietnam among the biggest drop-offs, as renewables keep closing the gap. Labor & migration: Kuwait updated its domestic worker recruitment rules, adding Vietnam to the approved list while banning hiring from 27 other countries. Regional diplomacy: Thai PM Anutin Charnvirakul arrived in Hanoi to push trade, investment and supply-chain links with Vietnam ahead of the ASEAN Future Forum. Vietnam in the world: Vietnam’s prosecutor general signed a cooperation program with Azerbaijan covering areas like asset recovery and environmental protection. Business & trade: Vietnam’s role in global supply chains also surfaced in coverage of Thai-Vietnam business meetings and new cooperation plans.

ASEAN Diplomacy: Cambodian PM Hun Manet arrived in Hanoi for an official visit and the 3rd ASEAN Future Forum, holding talks with Vietnam’s PM Le Minh Hung and meeting senior Vietnamese leaders as both sides look to deepen ties ahead of next year’s 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Regional Cooperation: Laos PM Sonexay Siphandone also visited Vietnam, with both governments pledging tighter coordination across politics, defense, trade, education and technology, and pushing preparations for the Laos–Vietnam Friendship and Solidarity Year 2027. Vietnam–Laos Trade Push: Vietnam and Laos moved to concretise strategic cooperation, including efforts to strengthen connectivity and implementation of high-level agreements. Economy & Industry: Vietnam’s industrial output posted its fastest five-month growth in four years, while Vietnam targets cashless payments worth 30 times GDP by 2030—signals of a push toward faster growth and digital finance. Business & Supply Chains: Sung Il Tex Vietnam said it has completed a fully Vietnam-made lining supply chain for FTA partner countries to help global fashion brands secure certified Vietnam-origin materials faster.

ASEAN-Russia Diplomacy: Russia’s FM Sergey Lavrov says Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is expected to meet Vladimir Putin at the ASEAN-Russia summit in Kazan on June 17–18, though Manila has not yet confirmed attendance. Regional Security & Trade Agenda: Lavrov frames the Kazan talks as a “centerpiece” for the 35th anniversary of ASEAN-Russia ties, with cooperation planned across trade, investment, energy, agriculture, digitalization, science, education, tourism and culture. Vietnam Business Spotlight: Vietnam’s electronics retailer DMX (Dien May Xanh) is pushing its Indonesia expansion via EraBlue, aiming to build a second store network “in half the time” it took in Vietnam, after scaling to 3,000+ outlets domestically. Public Sentiment on War: Separate coverage highlights growing US public opposition to the Iran conflict, with multiple polls showing majorities viewing the war as a mistake and wanting a deal sooner.