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.

Strong scope for added agro-exports

Strong scope for added agro-exports
Vietnam has priorities to further open up markets for products and encouraging agricultural cooperation, Le Toan

During a business trip to Brazil in early July to attend the expanded BRICS Summit and conduct bilateral engagements, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Brazilian Minister of Agriculture Carlos Favaro to discuss measures to boost agricultural trade between the two countries.

PM Chinh proposed that the two countries’ agriculture ministries establish a joint working group to implement high-level commitments effectively.

“Key priorities include opening up markets further for each other’s major agricultural products, encouraging on-site agricultural cooperation, developing a joint Vietnam-Brazil coffee brand to deepen collaboration in production and consumption, and establishing a food security partnership, with Vietnam supplying rice to help meet Brazil’s needs,” said PM Chinh.

Minister Favaro expressed his willingness to exchange lists of priority agricultural products and work with Vietnam to develop a roadmap for mutual market access.

Separately, during a working visit to Beijing in May, leaders of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MoAE) held talks with Sun Mai Jun, director general of the China’s General Administration of Customs.

The meeting focused on removing barriers to the export of Vietnamese agro-forestry-fishery goods to China. A Chinese inspection delegation is expected to visit Vietnam shortly to assess pomelo and lemon cultivation sites – a prerequisite for signing an export protocol.

Protocols for harvested and live fishery products are also being finalised. Several expired protocols are under review for renewal to better reflect current trade realities. Notably, both sides agreed to establish a “green channel” for agricultural goods, prioritising expedited customs clearance at border gates for fresh fruits during peak harvest periods. Border gate working hours will be extended, including weekends and outside regular hours, to accommodate rising clearance demand.

Vietnam and China are also exploring the establishment of an annual ministerial-level meeting mechanism on a rotating basis, aimed at strengthening cooperation and addressing trade challenges in agro-forestry-fishery products in a timely manner.

These developments, along with the current export growth momentum, are expected to form a solid foundation for reaching this year’s export target.

In the first six months of 2025, the export value of agro-forestry-fishery products reached $33.84 billion, up 15.5 per cent on-year. The trade surplus rose to $9.83 billion, a 16.5 per cent increase, reflecting the growing competitiveness of Vietnamese agricultural goods on the global market.

Within the export structure, agricultural products accounted for $18.3 billion, up 16.8 per cent; fishery products reached $5 billion, up 14.5 per cent; forestry products earned $8.7 billion, an increase of 8.8 per cent; and livestock products hit $264 million, up 10.1 per cent.

Importantly, nine out of 11 key product groups maintained growth, including coffee, rubber, pepper, and wood products.

The MoAE has issued a plan to promote exports of agro-forestry-fishery goods, targeting an annual turnover of $65 billion by the end of this year.

To reach this goal, the ministry has proposed a series of measures, including market expansion, product diversification, and leveraging the advantages of bilateral and multilateral free trade agreements. It also called on relevant agencies to work closely with local authorities in northern border provinces to monitor, update, and forecast goods flow, ensuring efficient vehicle management, minimising congestion, and safeguarding year-end export progress.

At the same time, urgent action is required to maintain momentum in traditional markets while also diversifying export lines and developing products suitable for emerging markets. The ministry’s projections suggest export turnover in the second half of the year will reach $31.6 billion – down 4.8 per cent year-on-year, or approximately $1.6 billion – if current reciprocal tariff rates remain unchanged. In the first half, the country’s export value was estimated at $33.5 billion, with imports at $23.5 billion, up 14.3 per cent and 23.5 per cent respectively over the same period last year.

The MoAE has outlined a roadmap under which the second quarter is expected to exceed $17 billion in exports, the third quarter is forecast to reach between $14–15 billion, and the fourth quarter is projected to surpass $16 billion.

To support these objectives, the ministry has identified three key solution groups. “Firstly, the ministry will continue to stabilise supply chains and strongly develop industries with competitive advantages and growth potential. Secondly, it should take full advantage of tax relief measures and rebalance trade with the United States,” the MoAE noted. “The third group of solutions focuses on accelerating exports from Q3 to drive growth through the remainder of the year.”

Seafood exporters making tariff-ready adjustments Seafood exporters making tariff-ready adjustments

Vietnam’s seafood industry is navigating a challenging export landscape thanks to tariff-related uncertainties in key markets.

 State economic development to be further accelerated

A committee, headed by the Prime Minister and tasked with drafting a proposal on State economic development has been established.

Under Prime Ministerial Decision No.1588/QD-TTg, dated July 24, 2025,  a committee, headed by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and tasked with drafting a proposal on State economic development, with a focus on improving the effectiveness of the State sector, has been established.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc and Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang serve as deputy heads of the committee, with the former acting as standing deputy head and directly overseeing the development of the proposal.

The committee is responsible for drafting a proposal to develop the State economic sector and improve its efficacy. This proposal will be submitted to the Politburo for the issuance of a resolution on State economy policy.

Two housing projects worth over $168 mln in Thanh Hoa province approved

Investors for both projects,  in Hac Thanh Ward, will be selected through an auction of land use rights.

The  People’s Committee of Thanh Hoa province in the central region has granted in-principle approval for investment policy in two residential and mixed-use apartment projects, with a total capital estimated at nearly VND4.5 trillion (over $170 million). 

Investors for both projects,  in Hac Thanh Ward, will be selected through an auction of land use rights.

The first project, the B-HH Mixed-Use Residential Area, has a preliminary total investment of nearly VNĐ1.8 trillion (over $68 million). This figure will not be used as the basis for calculating land use fees or the investor’s other financial obligations.

The project will cover a total land area of over 46,323 sq.m and is expected to house a population of around 2,268 residents.

Its objective is to develop a new residential area with integrated technical infrastructure. The main products will include 675 apartment units and 81 townhouses, along with supporting amenities.

The second project, the E-HH Mixed-Use Apartment Building, has a preliminary implementation cost of approximately VNĐ2.66 trillion (nearly $101.7 million). This project will be developed on an 11,858 sq.m site.

This project aims to develop a modern, integrated residential area that contributes to completing the local infrastructure.

It is projected to have a population of around 3,360 residents, with its primary offering being 1,120 apartment units.

Both projects are granted a 50-year term, with a maximum completion timeline of five years from the date of land handover by the state.

HCMC plans EV battery recycling plant with 95% metal recovery rate

The proposal is tied to the city’s plan to transition 400,000 gasoline-powered vehicles to electric ones.

HCM City has proposed construction of an electric vehicle (EV) battery recycling center with an annual capacity of 3,000 tons.

The initiative is part of a broader plan to transition to electric vehicles, utilizing modern technology that can recover up to 95% of valuable metals.

Mr. Le Thanh Hai, Director of the Center for Economic Application and Consultation, under the HCMC Institute for Development Studies, was quoted by Radio the Voice of Vietnam as saying that this proposal is tied to the city’s plan to transition 400,000 gasoline-powered vehicles to electric ones.

According to him, EV batteries contain many valuable and rare-earth metals, such as lithium, cobalt, and manganese. With today’s advanced recycling technologies, the recovery rate for these metals can reach 90–95%. Recycling is not just an environmental protection solution, but it also helps conserve national resources, lower the cost of new battery production, and establish a sustainable circular economy model.

In addition to recycling, Mr. Hai noted that batteries no longer powerful enough for EVs can still embark on a useful “second life”. They can be repurposed as large-scale energy storage systems for solar power plants or to supply electricity to rural areas—a solution considered highly feasible.

To bring this proposal to fruition, the city will develop support mechanisms for investors who meet the required standards, such as offering preferential loans or using the Environmental Protection Fund for financing.

Under the 2020 Law on Environmental Protection, effective January 1, 2024, battery manufacturers are responsible for the collection and processing of their end-of-life products. Companies can either build their own recycling plants or pay an environmental fee to the state, which will then support certified recycling facilities.

Mr. Hai expressed his hope that within the next 10 years, Vietnam will establish a green industrial ecosystem complete with recycling centers that meet international standards.