A robotic dog, equipped with advanced cameras and sensors, autonomously inspects railcars – streaming live data over private 5G for instant AI-driven defect detection. Complementing this, wayside automated visual inspection systems scan trains at full speed, analysing wheels, axles, and structural integrity in real time.

In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, governments and critical industries face growing demands for secure, reliable, and intelligent communications. Sectors like public safety, defence, utilities, rail, and digital airspace today need infrastructure that supports real-time video feeds, AI-enhanced analytics, and mobile collaboration without sacrificing reliability.

Governments and critical industry organisations are expected to further incorporate advanced technologies like AI, machine learning, and data analytics to improve predictive policing, resource allocation, and response times. Emerging tools such as drones and autonomous vehicles are anticipated to play increasingly significant roles in surveillance and emergency response efforts.

Rita Mokbel, president, Ericsson Vietnam

We envision a future where public sector organisations have access to standardised, broadband -based communications that are not only secure and interoperable, but also intelligent and responsive.

As governments and critical sectors accelerate their digital transformation, communications service providers (CSPs) are uniquely positioned to offer next-generation mission-critical communication services on top of 4G and 5G networks. Mission-critical networks are specifically designed to meet the stringent requirements of public safety, defence, utilities, rail, and digital airspace sectors where secure, reliable, and high-performance connectivity is essential.

These networks are built upon 3GPP standards and leverage leading 4G and 5G technologies to deliver broadband capabilities for mission-critical services such as push-to-talk, real-time video, and data for professional users whose work directly impact the safety, security, and operational efficiency of critical services and organisations. These can include first responders, defence personnel, railway staff, utility workers, and government officials. The networks provide reliability, availability, and security that standard commercial networks might not be able to offer.

Let me deep dive into the example of railways. We are entering the era of highly connected railways. From connected passengers to digitalised operations, the rail transport sector is exploring digitalisation to enhance user experience, increase efficiency in their day-to-day operations, and maintain network security.

The future of digital railway depends on reliable critical mobile broadband connectivity powered by innovative 5G network solutions for faster, safer, and greener travel.

3GPP is the modern standard for mission-critical mobile communications. 4G and 5G will enable a much broader ecosystem of communication devices and sensors to be utilised, and will therefore reduce total cost of ownership. The advantage of building an open framework is that it gives the urban metro and mainline rail operators the tools they need to keep trains competitive with other emerging forms of transportation, such as self-driving cars.

Upgrading to 5G mobile technology means that networks can handle large volumes of data with much faster response times. This change will bolster operations by allowing for network slicing on a single network, supporting various use cases, including the remote control of trains travelling at speeds of up to 500km/h.

As part of the service provider Swisscom’s initiative to unleash the next wave of 5G enterprise across Switzerland, Europe, and the world, Swisscom, Ericsson, and Swiss Federal Railways collaborated in multiple connectivity projects for railway track coverage, including to test and achieve world-first 5G throughput speeds of 1.2 Gbps and latency as low as eight milliseconds – on a moving train.

Stronger communications infrastructure means rail operators are equipped with a more capable set of eyes and ears, so passengers can travel safely and punctually, while operational efficiency is improved across the board.

Security video surveillance is vital for any rail operator’s security measures. With a suite of highly networked cameras located both in train stations and the trains themselves, rail operators can respond to potential threats and can gain greater insight into certain events with increased readiness and clarity.

As reliance on digital infrastructure grows, cybersecurity will become a paramount concern, necessitating robust measures to protect critical infrastructure like energy grids and communication networks, alongside ensuring the security of personal and sensitive data.

Ericsson’s mission-critical networks portfolio empowers CSPs to meet this demand by offering 3GPP-compliant 4G and 5G solutions that are scalable, interoperable, and tailored for the unique needs of such operations. CSPs can deliver resilient connectivity that enhances situational awareness, operational efficiency, and cross-agency collaboration, either through dedicated private networks or hybrid models leveraging existing infrastructure.

Whether it is enabling autonomous drones in emergency response, safeguarding national infrastructure with advanced cybersecurity, or supporting high-speed rail and smart power grids, Ericsson is helping governments and critical industries bring their digital ambitions to life.

According to its third-quarter financial report, Hang Xanh Automobile Service JSC (Haxaco, stock code: HAX) recorded revenue of approximately VND1.15 trillion ($46 million), a 25 per cent decrease compared to the same period last year. After expenses, the company reported a loss of nearly VND26 billion ($1 million), whereas in the third quarter last year it posted a profit of over VND90 billion ($3.6 million).

This is the company’s first reported loss in four years, a period previously described by leadership as unprecedented during the COVID-19 outbreak, which forced multiple branches to close for months.

Explaining the poor performance in the third quarter, Haxaco’s financial report cited continued weakness in the luxury car segment due to tightened consumer spending. Meanwhile, competitive pressure from other premium brands has increased, with rivals constantly launching new models accompanied by incentives and financial support. Discounts are no longer limited to luxury vehicles but have spread to mass-market segments as well. In addition, operating costs rose as the company is in the process of expanding its operations.

For the first nine months of 2025, Haxaco posted revenue of approximately VND3.14 trillion ($125 million), a 15 per cent drop on-year. Almost 90 per cent of its revenue came from car sales, with the rest from spare parts and repair services. During this period, the company made a profit of just VND1 billion ($40,000), a fraction of the VND 144 billion ($5.7 million) posted in the same period last year. This is far below the company’s pre-tax profit target of VND260 billion ($10 million) set at the beginning of the year.

As of the end of September, Haxaco’s total assets stood at over VND 2.36 trillion ($94 million), with liabilities exceeding VND1 trillion ($40 million).

According to Mirae Asset Vietnam Securities, Haxaco was the first official Mercedes-Benz distributor in Vietnam and held about 40 per cent of the brand’s market share as of mid-2025. In addition to Mercedes-Benz, the company also distributes MG vehicles (originally a British car brand, now owned by a Chinese company).

The securities company forecast that Haxaco’s revenue and post-tax profit this year will reach VND6.38 trillion ($255 million) and VND271 billion ($10.8 million), respectively, increases of 16 and 33 per cent on-year. However, Mercedes-Benz sales volume are likely to decline by 12 per cent, while MG sales will grow by 66 per cent.

Discount paradise for auto buyers As part of a new package to help the automobile market stay afloat after this year’s global woes, locally-manufactured vehicles will benefit from a massive cut in registration fees, but imported vehicles will not miss out in the price war as makers throw potential customers huge savings.

Mercedes-Benz Vietnam set to open a new showroom in OfficeHaus German luxury automotive brand Mercedes-Benz is set to open a new showroom in OfficeHaus in Ho Chi Minh City by the end of 2022.

Liberty Insurance Vietnam and Mercedes-Benz Vietnam sign insurance deal Liberty Insurance Vietnam and Mercedes-Benz Vietnam on March 11 signed an agreement regarding the Mercedes-Benz Car Insurance program to help customers access a comprehensive auto insurance solution.

German court rules against Mercedes in emissions case A German court ruled Thursday that auto giant Mercedes-Benz knowingly installed emissions-cheating devices in some diesel vehicles, opened the door for owners to seek compensation.

Vietnam’s timber industry is targeting $16.9 billion in export value in 2025. Photo: Le Toan

The Vietnam Timber and Forest Products Association (VIFOREST) ​​has petitioned the Ministry of Finance and relevant agencies to eliminate VAT on primary wood products and recognise them as agricultural outputs exempt from VAT. It has also called for consistent application of Decree 209/2013/ND-CP, which clearly stipulates that ordinarily processed plantation timber should not be subject to VAT.

According to the association, this proposal would allow processing and exporting firms to avoid burdensome deductions and refund procedures, reducing compliance costs and freeing up working capital. “Our goal is to ease administrative bottlenecks, mitigate legal risks, and prevent losses to the state budget from invoice fraud,” VIFOREST stated in its report. The move, it argued, would also protect the incomes of millions of rural household engaged in afforestation.

The sector’s achievements underscore what is at stake. Vietnam today maintains more than 4.6 million hectares of planted forests, producing an annual harvest of 35-40 million cubic meters of timber, sufficient to meet 75–80 per cent of processing demand. Export turnover of wood and wooden products is forecast to reach $16.9 billion in 2025, ranking sixth among Vietnam’s export categories. The industry provides direct jobs for over 500,000 workers and sustains millions of smallholder tree growers.

These numbers point to an acute liquidity challenge. Preliminary figures from VIFOREST indicate that timber enterprises are still waiting for VAT refunds worth around VND6.1 trillion ($250 million). The delay is linked to current procedures that require refunds to be processed only after thorough review.

On paper, the system is meant to secure the state budget. In practice, it has stalled refund approvals for compliant businesses. “Many companies have complete and legitimate dossiers, yet they are still asked to provide additional clarifications over and over again,” noted Cao Xuan Thanh, chief of office at VIFOREST. He stressed that refund processing often exceeded the statutory deadline, causing serious cash flow disruption.

Thanh pointed out that the requirement to trace raw material origins back to individual households is especially unrealistic. “A single export shipment may be sourced from dozens of growers across multiple provinces,” he explained. “The verification process becomes unworkable, and that is where enterprises get stuck.”

The consequences are immediate. Exporters are forced to advance 10 per cent VAT on input materials while awaiting refunds, eroding their capacity to rotate capital. This hits small- and medium-sized firms the hardest. With industry-wide profit margins averaging only 5-7 per cent, the sector loses an estimated VND500-600 billion ($20-25 million) annually due to refund delays, equivalent to 2-3 per cent of total profit.

Delayed refunds also damage Vietnam’s standing abroad. Foreign clients experience late deliveries and deferred payments, eroding confidence. More dangerously, exporters risk sanctions under the EU’s regulation on deforestation-free products (EUDR). “If traceability obligations are not properly met, the EU could issue yellow or red cards, which would severely hurt our market access,” VIFOREST warned.

Nguyen Liem, vice chairman of VIFOREST, added that product classification is another barrier. He observed that plantation timber after harvest, such aslogs, sawn timber, peeled veneer, or woodchips, has not been clearly recognised as “primary processed” goods. “Because of this ambiguity, exporters accumulate large VAT credits that cannot be refunded in time,” he said.

Liem further noted that both enterprises and small traders are still obliged to declare and pay VAT even on minimally processed timber, increasing costs and paperwork. In his words, “These procedures consume enormous time and resources, but the refunds remain out of reach. This has paralysed business cash flows and put many companies at risk.”

The risks extend beyond liquidity. Several exporters waiting on refund larges have been accused of enjoying state subsidies in trade defence investigations overseas. Domestically, extended refund disputes can push legitimate businesses into legal jeopardy. Meanwhile, the “request-and-grant” nature of the current system leaves room for arbitrary delays and even corruption.

These obstacles are driving a troubling shift: some companies now prefer to import timber rather than purchase from domestic plantations, simply to avoid VAT refund complications. This undermines demand for local wood, stripping millions of farmers of stable buyers and disincentivising reforestation. Thanh cautioned that the government might ultimately face the paradox of bailing out commercial plantation forests, a scenario entirely at odds with Vietnam’s sustainable forestry goals.

VIFOREST’s message is clear: resolving VAT refund issues is not merely about tax administration. It is about preserving national reputation, protecting farmers’ livelihoods, and securing the industry’s competitiveness in a global market increasingly focused on sustainability. “If these obstructions are not lifted, we risk losing both domestic and international trust,” Thanh emphasized.

In its petition, the association stresses that timely VAT reform will immediately free up liquidity, reduce exposure to legal risks, and enhance compliance with international traceability standards. More broadly, it would help solidify Vietnam’s position as a reliable, responsible supplier of timber products. “Unlocking these refunds is not a privilege, it is a necessity,” Liem underlined. “Without it, the industry cannot play its intended role as a pillar of the green, circular economy.”