Coherent inaugurates $127mln semiconductor plant in Dong Nai

The new facility will manufacture silicon carbide semiconductors, optical glass, and high-tech equipment.

Technology company Coherent from the United States officially inaugurated its Coherent Nhon Trach plant in southern Dong Nai province on July 28, with an investment capital of $127 million.

Located in Nhon Trach 1 Industrial Park, the new facility will manufacture silicon carbide semiconductors, optical glass, and high-tech equipment.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung hailed the opening as a pivotal milestone in Vietnam’s integration into the global high-tech value chain.

The plant represents a success story in Vietnam’s efforts to attract strategic investments in cutting-edge industries, especially semiconductors, he said.

The Deputy PM noted that Vietnam is emerging as a strategic base for leading global technology firms including NVIDIA, Apple, Google, Qualcomm, Amkor, Marvell, Intel, Meta — and now Coherent.

He encouraged the company to deepen its investment in Vietnam, particularly in areas with higher value-added processes in the semiconductor supply chain.

Mr. Gan YC, Director of the Coherent Nhon Trach plant, said the facility will play a key role in advancing the company’s capabilities in silicon carbide and optical technologies — essential components for powering industrial systems, high-speed communications, and data center infrastructure.

Outfitted with smart manufacturing systems and a skilled local workforce, the plant is expected to enhance supply chain resilience, shorten delivery times, and expand market access across Asia, he added.

Coherent Executive Vice President Garay Kapusta highlighted the company’s growing footprint in Vietnam, which began more than a decade ago with a facility in the VSIP1 Industrial Park in former Binh Duong province. Coherent now operates a service center in Hanoi and employs more than 2,000 workers across the country.

 

Construction of $190 mln road to start in 2025 following provincial merger in Hung Yen

The investment capital for the 25-km route will be funded by the local budget, the central government budget, and other legal capital sources.

A 25 km road project, with an investment capital estimated at almost VND5 trillion (over $190 million), is set to connect Thai Binh ward (in the former Thai Binh City) to the administrative center of the new province of Hung Yen and is scheduled for completion by 2028.

Its starting point will be the interchange between the road to TBS Song Tra Industrial Park and National Highway 10 (in Thai Binh ward), and it will end at the start of the Luoc River overpass (Ngu Thien commune). 

Of the total investment capital of nearly VND5 trillion, over VND1 trillion ($38 million) will be used for compensation, support, and resettlement, and over VND3.2 trillion (over $124 million) for construction costs.

According to the plan, the project is scheduled to begin in 2025 and be completed in 2028. It will be funded by the local budget, the central government budget, and other legal capital sources.

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Khanh, Director of Hung Yen Province’s Investment and Construction Project Management Unit No. 2, stated: “This is a key transport project of strategic significance. It will complete our transport connectivity infrastructure, promote socio-economic development, and expand regional linkages.”

Hue City welcomes over 4 million visitors in first 7 months of 2025

In July 2025 alone, the central city welcomed nearly 709,000 visitors, an increase of over 80% compared to July 2024.

The number of tourist arrivals in Hue City during the first seven months of 2025 is estimated at over 4 million, an increase of more than 71% compared to the same period in 2024, according to the central city’s Department of Tourism.

Of these, international visitors accounted for over 1.2 million (up by 41%), while overnight visitors reached nearly 1.5 million (up by 23%). Tourism revenue totaled nearly VND7.5 trillion (over $284 million), a year-on-year increase of nearly 56%.

In July 2025 alone, the city welcomed nearly 709,000 visitors, an increase of over 80% compared to July 2024. International arrivals during the month reached nearly 100,000, up by nearly 52%.

These strong growth figures reflect the rapid recovery and development momentum of the local tourism industry, driven by a series of large-scale and unique events as part of the ongoing National Tourism Year 2025.

Hue is fully leveraging its role as the host of the National Tourism Year 2025 to create new momentum for its tourism sector. A wide array of events—from traditional festivals, art programs, and specialized seminars to experiential activities focused on the city’s unique culture, cuisine, and ecology—are being organized professionally and at a large scale. These efforts are helping to diversify tourism products and attract a broader audience, particularly young and international travelers.

A strong focus has been placed on developing new tourism products aimed at prolonging visitor stays and increasing spending. Night tours of the Imperial Citadel, virtual reality experiences for exploring the royal tombs, Perfume River dinner cruises featuring royal cuisine, and visits to traditional craft villages are becoming popular choices warmly embraced by visitors.

Ms. Tran Thi Hoai Tram, Director of the Department of Tourism, said Hue aims to build a friendly and attractive tourism image centered on experiential value and sustainable development.

Vietnam unveils NDAChain to drive national blockchain infrastructure

Vietnam unveils NDAChain to drive national blockchain infrastructure

Developed by the National Data Association and operated by the Data Innovation and Exploitation Centre (under the National Data Centre, Ministry of Public Security), NDAChain is positioned as the foundational layer of data verification for government and private sector systems.

NDAChain addresses long-standing challenges of centralised data models such as vulnerability to cyberattacks, poor scalability, and limited global integration by offering a decentralised layer of trust for critical national systems, including e-government, finance, healthcare, logistics, and education.

“Vietnam has chosen a hybrid data architecture that blends centralised and decentralised components. NDAChain acts as a protective layer for the nation’s live data, critical to our digital society and economy,” said Nguyen Huy, head of technology at the National Data Association.

With a population of over 100 million and rapidly accelerating digital transformation, Vietnam is generating data at exponential rates. The National Data Centre is designed to be the central repository for citizen and national data. However, protecting this data from forgery, leakage, and misuse demands a next-generation layer of verification.

Blockchain, known for its immutability, transparency, and decentralised nature, provides an ideal mechanism for authenticating and tracing data origin, especially in high-stakes, cross-sectoral interactions.

NDAChain is a Layer 1 permissioned blockchain featuring a consortium of 49 public-private validator nodes, operated by state agencies and major enterprises such as the National Data Centre, Ministry of Public Security, SunGroup, Zalo, Masan, MISA, Sovico, and VNVC.

Each validator node includes a distributed ledger for transparent transaction records, smart contracts for automating processes, Identity verification modules integrated with Vietnam’s VNeID, and other national identity systems.

The entire platform runs on a Proof-of-Authority consensus protocol, enhanced with Zero-Knowledge Proof for security and capable of processing up to 3,600 transactions per second, with low latency and high scalability.

Beyond its use in digital government, NDAChain also powers NDA DID, a decentralised identity solution that enables citizens to verify the identity of counterparties during transactions, service access, or digital contract signing. Through the NDAKey application, users can verify identities in seconds, helping prevent scams and impersonation.

In addition, NDAChain is integrated with NDATrace, Vietnam’s national platform for product identification, authentication, and traceability. Each product is issued a unique identifier, compliant with GS1 standards and compatible with the EU’s EBSI system. This enables Vietnamese businesses to join global supply chains and build consumer trust with verified product origin.

By the end of 2025, NDAChain will be fully integrated into the National Data Centre and gradually expanded to local governments and universities by 2026. The next phase will focus on workforce development, international collaboration, and building Layer 2 applications tailored for various sectors.

Thanks to its open architecture and pro-integration policies, NDAChain is a launchpad for startups, tech firms, and private organisations to develop digital services. These may include identity wallets, anti-counterfeiting solutions, traceability platforms, and digital notarisation services across verticals.

Blockchain tech increasingly mastered Blockchain tech increasingly mastered

The development of blockchain networks designed and implemented by Vietnam marks a significant transition in mastering core technology and driving digital economic development.
Potential new crypto exchange aims to boost blockchain exports Potential new crypto exchange aims to boost blockchain exports

The establishment of a regulated virtual asset exchange could support Vietnam’s digital technology exports by providing a platform for domestic blockchain projects to access international markets, potentially increasing foreign currency earnings.
Vietnam’s legislative breakthrough on digital assets Vietnam’s legislative breakthrough on digital assets

With legal clarity on digital assets now in place, Vietnam is poised to draw in global capital. Tran Huyen Dinh, chairman of the Fintech Application Committee under the Vietnam Blockchain Association (VBA) discussed with VIR’s Hoang Oanh how the new law could reshape fintech, blockchain, and investor confidence.

Biometric identification and digital authentication check-in scheduled at airports nationwide from September

Facial recognition scanners placed at security checkpoints now allow passengers to proceed through the airport in a matter of seconds.

Biometric identification and digital authentication system integrated with the VNeID application is scheduled to be applied at airports nationwide from September, 2025, gradually replacing traditional paper-based procedures.

The move aims not only to enhance the passenger experience but also to improve aviation security and accelerate national digital transformation.

The system officially began operation at Terminal T3 of Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City from July 26, laying foundation for a broader plan to fully implement digital technologies in Vietnam’s civil aviation sector.

Under this system, passengers are guided by police and airline staff to complete online check-in via the VNeID app. They are then verified using facial recognition scanners. Once authenticated, they can bypass traditional security, ticket, and document checks. Facial recognition scanners placed at security checkpoints now allow passengers to proceed through the airport in a matter of seconds.

 

Vietnam celebrates 25th anniversary of stock market

From just two companies and a market capitalization of only 0.2% of GDP at inception, the capital market now accounts for nearly 100% of GDP.

The Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange (HoSE) celebrated its 25th anniversary on July 28.

At its inaugural trading session on July 28, 2000, the Vietnamese stock market featured only two stocks and a market capitalization of only 0.2% of GDP.

Twenty-five years later, the market has seen significant growth, featuring 1,600 listed companies, with a combined stock and bond market capitalization reaching nearly 100% of the national GDP.

The number of securities companies has grown from six in 2000 to 78 in 2025.

Speaking at the anniversary ceremony in HCM City, Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang emphasized the market’s vital role in the nation’s economic fabric. 

From just two companies and 0.2% of GDP at inception, our capital markets now account for nearly 100% of GDP, becoming an important capital mobilization channel of the economy, he said.

Vietnam ranks second in Southeast Asia for data center investment returns

Research and Markets forecasts the Vietnamese data center market could reach $1.6 billion by 2030, with its Compound Annual Growth Rate at 15–18%.

Vietnam now ranks second in Southeast Asia for data center investment returns, with a yield on cost (YoC) of 17.5–18.8%, just behind Singapore’s 21–23%, the Vietnam News Agency quoted Cushman & Wakefield’s latest Asia-Pacific Data Centre Investment Landscape report as reporting.

Vietnam is experiencing a data center investment boom, with the first half of 2025 seeing a surge in large-scale and hyperscale projects across the country.

Driven by competitive costs, strong government support, and rapid digital infrastructure demand, Vietnam is positioning itself as a rising data hub in Southeast Asia.

Major projects underway

Several major data center projects have been launched in 2025. In Ho Chi Minh City, tech firm CMC Group secured approval to build its CMC Hyperscale DC in the Saigon Hi-Tech Park, with an initial capacity of 30 MW and scalability up to 120 MW. The $250 million facility is slated to begin construction in 2026.

Also in HCM City, the Viettel Military Industry and Telecoms Group (Viettel) broke ground in April on a 140 MW data center in Tan Phu Trung Industrial Park. Spanning nearly 4 hectares, the facility will house up to 10,000 racks and is expected to partially open in Q1 2026.

Previously, the Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) opened its eighth data center, spanning 23,000 square meters at Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park in Hanoi. The Tier III Uptime-certified facility contains around 2,000 racks.

Tech firm VNG has launched a 12,400-square-metre center in Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone, also in HCM City, offering 410 racks with plans to expand to 1,600.

FPT Telecom and MobiFone are also rapidly expanding their internationally certified data infrastructure.

Viettel Chairman and General Director Tao Duc Thang said the group is shifting from traditional data centers to hyperscale facilities, aimed at serving national-level AI applications, big data analytics, and cloud platforms.

CMC Chairman Nguyen Trung Chinh added that their investment targets attracting global AI firms and transforming HCM City into a regional digital hub.

Competitive edge and challenges

Vietnam offers some of the region’s lowest development costs of $7.1 million per MW compared to the Asia-Pacific average of $10.1 million and Japan’s $16.1 million. Capitalization rates in Vietnam also stand higher than regional averages at 7–8%.

Pritesh Swamy, Head of Research and Insights at Cushman & Wakefield’s Asia-Pacific Data Centre Group, highlighted the significance of Vietnam’s allowing full foreign ownership of land and data center operations. Coupled with the revised Law on Telecommunications effective from July 1, 2024, which permits 100% foreign investment in data center services, Vietnam is opening up to global players.

Research and Markets forecasts the Vietnamese data center market could reach $1.6 billion by 2030, with its Compound Annual Growth Rate at 15–18%.

The global shift toward AI, IoT, 5G, blockchain, and new cloud computing models is fueling Vietnam’s data center growth.

AI servers now account for over 72% of global server investment – up from 46% in 2024 – according to Viettel IDC Director Le Ba Tan. He noted the rising trend of leasing infrastructure, with tech giants like Meta spending over 14 billion USD on third-party capacity to manage soaring AI demands.

Vu The Binh, Secretary General of the Vietnam Internet Association, said Vietnam’s data centers are well-positioned to capture foreign demand and global content localization trends. With a neutral geopolitical stance, competitive costs, and booming domestic demand, Vietnam could rival Thailand and Indonesia, and potentially replace Singapore in the mid-tier market segment.

Strategically located near international subsea cables, the cities of Hanoi, HCM City, and Da Nang, and Bac Ninh province are becoming prime data center destinations due to high bandwidth connectivity.

However, challenges remain. Hyperscale centers require robust power supply and skilled data center professionals. The country’s digital infrastructure also lags behind regional peers, with only five existing undersea cable routes and two more under construction.

Experts say that with improved connectivity, stable power, and enabling policies, Vietnam could become Southeast Asia’s new data hub within 5 to 10 years. In the AI and data-driven era, the country has the potential not only to export digital services but also to reshape the global data center landscape.

Anyang Welcomes SCO Guests with History and Hospitality

ANYANG, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 July 2025 – From July 23 to 27, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Media and Think Tank Summit was held in Henan Province. During this event, guests from multiple countries visited Anyang, Henan, one of China’s Eight Ancient Capitals, to gain profound insights into this ancient city’s historical legacy and modern vitality.
Anyang is home to Yinxu (the Yin Ruins), a UNESCO World Heritage site, the hometown of Oracle Bone Inscriptions and the birthplace of the Book of Changes (I Ching). Along the banks of the Huan River stands the Yinxu Museum, its form echoing a monumental bronze Ding, radiating solemn grandeur. In the Oracle Bone Inscription exhibition hall, characters carved onto tortoise shells and animal bones seemed to grow more mysterious under dramatic lighting, as guests clustered around displays, intently deciphering each stroke’s meaning.
“China’s enduring civilization is a cornerstone of its global standing,” said Robinder Nath Sachdev, President of Imagindia Institute, New Delhi, India, visiting China for the first time. Deeply impressed by China’s profound culture, he added, “This visit has aroused a curiosity and I’ll delve further into Anyang’s history and culture upon my return.”
At the Red Flag Canal Museum in Linzhou, Anyang, Olga Migunova, Scientific Director of the Center for the Study of China, St. Petersburg State University of Economics, lingered before the large photograph Celebration of the Red Flag Canal’s Water Flow.
As the guide narrated, scenes from over 60 years ago came alive. Under extreme hardship, local people leveled 1,250 hills, excavated 211 tunnels, and carved a 1,500-kilometer “river of life” into cliff faces. This feat ended Linzhou’s history of “nine droughts in ten years,” a time when water was “as precious as oil”.
“We’ve read much about Anyang, but experiencing it firsthand is entirely different. This, I believe, is the ‘cradle of Chinese civilization’,” Migunova said. She noted that Red Flag Canal embodies the Chinese people’s tenacious spirit toward life and nature, reflecting their cultural tradition of uniting to overcome adversity. “Similarly, if SCO countries stand together, we too can surmount countless challenges.”
Aman Mambetaliyev, Deputy Director of the Central Communications Service under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, remarked: “The Red Flag Canal spirit offers inspiration to other countries. Coming from Kazakhstan where water scarcity and global warming challenge us, we might adopt this approach. The Canal demonstrates that shared conviction and purpose can achieve the impossible.”
Guests also visited Henan Guangyuan New Material Co., Ltd. in Linzhou. In its electronic fabric workshop, automated production lines drew them to pause and take photos. “We’ve read about this in journals, but witnessing cutting-edge materials being made is truly awe-inspiring,” said Nikolay Migunov, Chief Editor of “Daotong Eastern Literature Press” Company Limited. “I realize now: the hum of precision machines and the rhythm of assembly lines foster a social bond, igniting collective pride in ‘Made in China’.”
This journey, bridging history, illuminates the future. Walking through Central China, guests absorbed the splendor of Chinese civilization, heard tales of tenacious endeavor, and perceived the pulse of economic development. Meanwhile, the sincere fellowship of the “SCO Family” grew ever stronger.

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

Chan May – Lang Co EZ envisioned to become economic, industrial and tourism hub

The EZ, located in central Hue city, has gone through 15 years of development.

The Chan May – Lang Co Economic Zone is envisioned to become an economic, urban, industrial and tourism center of central Hue city by 2050 following a comprehensive master plan revision.

The Management Board of Economic and Industrial Zones and the People’s Committee of Lang Co commune held a ceremony on July 23 to announce the Prime Minister’s decision approving the adjustments to the general construction master plan for the zone by 2045.

Vice Chairman of the Hue city People’s Committee Hoang Hai Minh said that the revised master plan aims to address infrastructure bottlenecks, improve land use efficiency and establish a solid legal framework for implementing major urban and socio-technical development initiatives and attracting large-scale investment.
As early as April, the city released a list of 15 priority projects for investment in its economic and industrial zones for the 2025–26 period, with expected total capital amounting to tens of trillions of VND (Vietnamese currency). The projects span key sectors such as seaports, industry, urban development and eco-tourism.
Among the highlights is Wharf 6 at Chan May Port, covering 13.3 hectares, with an investment capital estimated at VND850 billion ($32.5 million), designed to accommodate vessels up to 70,000 DWT, significantly enhancing the region’s logistics capabilities.

 

Khanh Hoa province ‘s 2025 Investor Meeting yelds massive financial commitments

Provincial leaders awarded investment approval decisions for eight large and diverse projects across various sectors as urban development, industry and energy, healthcare and education, and tourism and resorts.

 A series of strategic cooperation agreements, large-scale credit commitments, and investment approval decisions were signed and awarded on July 25 at the 2025 Business and Investor Conference of Khanh Hoa province in the central region. 

The event witnessed strong commitments from leading banks and corporations, demonstrating their confidence in the province’s potential and investment environment, following its official transition to a new operational model on July 1, 2025, after the merger of administrative units.

A centerpiece of the event was the signing ceremony for credit agreements totaling tens of trillions of  VND (Vietnamese currency). The most significant of these was a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a VND50 trillion (approx. $1.9 billion) credit line between the Provincial People’s Committee and the Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam (Vietcombank) to finance key projects in the region.

The conference also marked a milestone for long-term strategic partnerships. The Provincial People’s Committee and the national carrier, Vietnam Airlines, signed a cooperation agreement for the 2026-2030 period.

Also at the conference, provincial leaders awarded investment approval decisions for eight large and diverse projects across various sectors as urban development, industry and energy, healthcare and education, and tourism and resorts.

These projects include: the Cam Lam New Urban Area Project and the Nha Trang City Mixed-Use Urban Area Project; the Hieu Thien Industrial Cluster Project and the Van Ninh 220kV Substation and Connecting Power Lines Project; the Nha Trang International General Hospital Project and the ILA Training Center Project; and the Vuon San Ho (Coral Garden) Resort Project and the Top Resort Ninh Thuan High-End Resort Complex Project.

The signing of these agreements and the approval of numerous large-scale projects serve as clear evidence of the provincial government’s determination to achieve its strategic objectives. These goals include reaching double-digit GRDP growth by 2030 and turning Khanh Hoa province into a centrally-governed city.