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Da Nang Investment Forum 2025 Showcases Vietnam’s Rise as a Financial Hub
Strengthening Vietnam-Singapore Financial Ties: Unlocking New Investment Opportunities in Banking, Fintech, and Green Finance
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 March 2025 – The Da Nang Investment Forum 2025, held on 3 March 2025 at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, underscored Vietnam’s strategic ambition to position itself as a key financial hub in Southeast Asia and commitment to regulatory innovation and international collaboration. Organised by the People’s Committee of Da Nang City in collaboration with Terne Holdings, the forum brought together close to 200 government leaders, global investors, and financial experts to explore the city’s transformation into a dynamic financial center and the opportunities it presents for Singapore international investors.
The forum, a key highlight of Da Nang’s high-level delegation visit to Singapore, was officiated by H.E. Mr. Nguyen Van Quang, Secretary of the Da Nang Municipal Party Committee and Head of the National Assembly Delegation of Da Nang City, alongside H.E. Tran Phuoc Anh, Ambassador of Vietnam to Singapore. Ambassador Tran Phuoc Anh delivered the opening remarks, setting the stage for discussions on Da Nang’s economic development, investment-friendly policies, and its role in Vietnam’s broader financial growth strategy. Moderated by Dr. Chua Hak Bin, Co-Head of Macro Research at Maybank, the forum featured an interactive dialogue with Da Nang’s leadership, offering firsthand insights into the city’s dynamic investment climate and ambitious future.
Positioning Da Nang as Vietnam’s Next Economic Powerhouse
As one of Vietnam’s six centrally governed cities, Da Nang is emerging as a key regional growth hub, driven by world-class infrastructure, innovation-driven industries, and progressive economic policies. The city has identified two key drivers for future development: the Da Nang International Financial Centre and the Da Nang Free Trade Zone. Strategically positioned at the crossroads of major ASEAN economies, Da Nang plays a vital role in the economic, political, and national defense landscape of both the Central region and Vietnam. With a strong regulatory framework and significant infrastructure investments, the city aims to attract financial institutions, asset managers, and fintech firms looking to expand into the ASEAN market.
“Da Nang is rapidly developing and actively embracing scientific advancements to drive its growth. As Vietnam pursues its ambition of becoming an international financial center in Southeast Asia, Da Nang plays a crucial role in realizing this vision by creating value-driven opportunities in the financial sector. shared in the welcome remarks of H.E. Tran Phuoc Anh, Ambassador of Vietnam to Singapore. “Singapore, already one of Vietnam’s largest investors, is poised to strengthen its economic ties further. With a commitment to increasing bilateral trade by 10% annually, both nations are working towards reaching a trade volume of over $31 billion, solidifying their strategic economic partnership.”
Several key advantages bolster Da Nang’s investment appeal:
- Strategic Connectivity: With direct air links to over 15 countries, a modern international airport, and the upcoming Lien Chieu Port—Vietnam’s future global transshipment hub—Da Nang offers seamless access to regional and international markets.
- Thriving Innovation & high Technology Hub: The city is a leader in high-tech manufacturing, artificial intelligence, blockchain, and semiconductor industries, boasting one of Vietnam’s three national high-tech parks.
- A World-Class Destination for Investment & Living: Recognized by Forbes as one of the world’s top beach destinations, Da Nang combines a high-quality urban environment with investor-friendly policies, making it an attractive choice for both businesses and residents.
Da Nang International Financial Center (DNIFC): A Regional Financial Hub in the Making
Following Politburo approval in November 2024, Da Nang is advancing plans to establish Vietnam’s first regional financial center, positioning itself as a key player in the global financial landscape. DNIFC will serve as a strategic hub for:
- International Trade & Green Finance – Facilitating cross-border investment, sustainable finance, and capital markets to support Vietnam’s commitment to responsible economic growth.
- FinTech & Digital Economy – Providing a regulatory sandbox for blockchain innovations, AI-driven financial services, and digital payments, fostering a dynamic financial technology ecosystem.
- Commodity Trading Hub – Establishing a structured exchange for agriculture, minerals, and metals, seamlessly integrating with Da Nang’s expanding logistics network.
Strategically located on a 6.17-hectare prime site, DNIFC will feature luxury office spaces, fintech hubs, and investment support services, with future expansion planned across 62 hectares. This initiative aims to position Da Nang as a premier financial gateway, attracting global investors and reinforcing its role in Vietnam’s rapidly evolving financial sector.
Mr. Andy Khoo, General Director of Terne Holdings, stated, “Da Nang’s strategic location near key trade routes of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), along with its proximity to Tien Sa and Lien Chieu ports, positions it as a natural hub for trade finance. SMEs in ASEAN, one of the most underserved markets, face an annual unmet trade finance demand of $200 billion. DNIFC can bridge this gap by introducing innovative trade finance solutions and enabling seamless cross-border capital movement. Today’s event marks a significant opportunity for Da Nang to capitalise on this potential.”
Da Nang Free Trade Zone (DNFTZ): A Game-Changer for Vietnam’s Trade & Logistics
As Vietnam’s first pilot Free Trade Zone, DNFTZ is set to accelerate high-value exports, smart logistics, and next-generation manufacturing. The development will feature:
- Advanced Manufacturing & Supply Chain Hubs: Focused on semiconductors, biotech, medical devices, and renewable energy, positioning Da Nang as a key player in high-value industries.
- Multimodal Logistics & Global Trade: Seamless integration with Lien Chieu Port and Da Nang Airport, enhancing Vietnam’s regional trade links and strengthening supply chain efficiency.
- Digital Economy & Smart Industries: A specialised ecosystem for AI, cloud computing, e-commerce, and blockchain technologies, driving innovation and economic transformation.
With strong government backing and investor-friendly policies, DNIFC and DNFTZ will cement Da Nang’s status as a strategic investment gateway, reinforcing its role in the Asia-Pacific economy and solidifying its position as a financial and technological powerhouse in the region.
Strengthening Vietnam-Singapore Financial Collaboration
The forum also highlighted the growing financial and economic ties between Vietnam and Singapore, reinforced by the recent in-principal agreement to establish a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. With Singapore serving as a key financial gateway for ASEAN, investors and financial institutions are well-positioned to explore new opportunities in Vietnam’s banking, fintech, and green finance sectors.
“Vietnam and Singapore share a strong and dynamic financial partnership, built on mutual trust and a shared vision for sustainable economic growth. As Singapore continues to serve as a key financial gateway for ASEAN, enhanced collaboration in banking, fintech, and green finance will unlock new investment opportunities and drive innovation across our financial sectors,” H.E. Tran Phuoc Anh further adds. “By deepening our cooperation, we can accelerate Vietnam’s financial integration into global markets, strengthen regulatory frameworks, and create a resilient, future-ready financial ecosystem that benefits businesses and investors in both nations.”
The event successfully reinforced Da Nang’s position as a rising financial center and showcased Vietnam’s readiness to collaborate with global investors in shaping the next phase of ASEAN’s financial evolution. With strong government support and a clear vision for financial sector development, Da Nang is poised to become a strategic investment destination in Asia.Hashtag: #DaNangInvestmentForum
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About The Da Nang City
Da Nang, the largest city in Central Vietnam, is one of six centrally governed cities. Da Nang is emerging as a new growth pole in the Central area, serving as the core urban area in the dynamic urban chain of the North Central and Central Coastal regions with a population of 1.3 million people (2024) covering an area of 1,285 km2.
Nestled at the crossroads of major economies in the ASEAN region, Da Nang holds a strategically vital position in the economic, political, and national defense landscape of both the Central region and Vietnam as a whole.
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SkinLab The Medical Spa Recognised at the 2026 Singapore Retailers Association Awards (SRA) for Excellence in Beauty and Cosmetics
For SkinLab, this reflects two decades of building a holistic beauty ecosystem spanning medical aesthetics, skin health, and wellness, under Dr Kelvin Chua, Senior Medical Director and Founder of SL Aesthetic Group. Treatments are personally developed by Dr Chua to address different skin concerns, such as acne, pigmentation, sensitivity, rosacea, dryness, and ageing. The medical spa also offers a range of skincare products formulated for Singapore’s humid climate and to support long-term skin health.
With 10 outlets islandwide, SkinLab has cared for more than 100,000 customers through this model of doctor-designed care. As no two skin conditions present the same way, each treatment can be customised to individual needs and preferences.
SkinLab has also been recognised by Harper’s BAZAAR, HerWorld, and Singapore Women’s Weekly for treatments targeting deep hydration, rejuvenation, and complexion correction. Behind these treatment outcomes are medical-grade technologies, including the LDM Triple, a triple-frequency ultrasound that targets multiple skin depths simultaneously; FDA-approved Lumenis M22 IPL system for photorejuvenation and pigmentation; Onda Pro with Coolwaves™ technology for body contouring; and the globally-recognised HydraFacial.
The medical spa continuously invests in technology that improves the customer experience, including using AI-assisted skin analysis to support consultations alongside chatbot-based scheduling to reduce waiting time and streamline appointment bookings.
SkinLab’s commitment to holistic care extends beyond treatment sessions, promoting skin health literacy educational content and workshops with doctors from sister brand SL Aesthetic Clinic.
“This award is a valuable milestone that reflects how far SkinLab The Medical Spa has grown as a brand,” says Dr Chua. “From the very start, our brand was designed with the customer at the centre, and that principle continues to guide every treatment developed and every experience delivered moving forward. The brand remains committed to advancing medical-led facial treatments that address a wide range of skin concerns more effectively.”
Looking ahead, SkinLab The Medical Spa remains committed to advancing its medical-led approach to skin health, continuing to explore and adopt clinically validated technologies to deliver more individualised care while reinforcing its commitment to clinical excellence across all its outlets.
To learn more, visit: www.skinlabmedspa.com
Hashtag: #SkinLabTheMedicalSpa #SLAestheticGroup #SingaporeRetailersAssociation
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About SkinLab The Medical Spa
SkinLab The Medical Spa brings together the attentive, understated service of a world-class spa with medically grounded aesthetic science. As the dedicated medical spa brand of SL Aesthetic Group, SkinLab focuses on non-invasive facial treatments for acne, pigmentation, sensitive skin, and overall skin rejuvenation, delivering evidence-based care that supports long-term skin health.
Founded in the 2000s, SL Aesthetic Group is a healthcare and aesthetics group specialising in skin and hair health, women’s wellness, and holistic medicine. Its portfolio includes SL Aesthetic Clinic, a doctor-led medical aesthetics practice; SkinLab The Medical Spa; TrichoLab, a specialist hair and scalp centre; PROLOGUE, a women’s wellness and lifestyle medical clinic; and Euphie Skin Solutions in Malaysia. Across its network of clinics and outlets, the Group offers a comprehensive range of FDA-approved aesthetic and medical treatments, all supervised by trained and certified healthcare professionals holding Certificates of Competency (COC) recognised by the Aesthetic Practice Oversight Committee (APOC).
SkinLab The Medical Spa operates 10 locations across Singapore, including its flagship medical spa at Wheelock Place, while SL Aesthetic Group has a network of more than 20 clinics and outlets across Singapore and Malaysia.
The launch ceremony was attended by Mr. Do Quang Thai, First Secretary of the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in the Kingdom of Denmark, together with representatives from leading Danish organizations, including 3F, Dansk Erhverv, DPT and Carnegie Investment Bank, alongside strategic partners and industry stakeholders from the transport, technology, energy, finance and infrastructure sectors.
As one of the world’s leading cities in sustainable urban mobility, Copenhagen was chosen as Green SM’s first European market. Here, the company aims to complement the city’s existing transport network by offering another reliable, fully electric mobility option for residents and visitors alike.
In Denmark, the company operates a fully electric fleet of VinFast VF 6 and VF 8 vehicles, serving a wide range of everyday urban travel needs. Unlike many ride-hailing platforms that primarily connect passengers with independent drivers, Green SM directly owns and manages its fleet and oversees driver operations to help ensure consistent service quality and customer experience. During the initial phase of operations, Green SM will focus on establishing a reliable local operation, ensuring full compliance with Danish regulations, and continuously improving its service based on feedback from customers, drivers, and other stakeholders.
Delivering a safe, professional, and consistent customer experience begins with Green SM’s drivers. Before serving customers, every driver completes comprehensive training in road safety, customer service, operating procedures, and electric vehicle operation. Together with ongoing training and a robust local operations system, this helps ensure every journey reflects the high standards Green SM is committed to delivering.
Customers can book rides through the Green SM app, available on the App Store and Google Play. Fares are displayed before each trip is confirmed, and electronic receipts are issued automatically at the end of every journey. To mark its launch in Copenhagen, Green SM is offering new customers five (5) vouchers worth 25% off each trip, up to a maximum discount of 100 DKK per ride throughout the Grand Launch period from July 30 to September 30, 2026.
Richard Nabil Chahine, CEO of Green SM Europe, said: “Cities shape the future of mobility long before companies do. Copenhagen is one of those cities. That is why beginning our European journey here carries special meaning for Green SM. We come with deep respect for the standards already established here, drawing on what we have learned from serving millions of journeys across Asia. Our ambition is simple: to become a trusted mobility partner by delivering safe, professional and fully electric journeys that people can rely on every day. If we earn that trust, growth will naturally follow.”
Green SM’s expansion into Europe reflects the company’s long-term approach to international growth. Rather than prioritising rapid expansion, Green SM focuses on building well-structured local operations, adapting its services to local market needs, and earning trust through consistently reliable service.
With its fully electric fleet and low-emission operating model, Green SM hopes to contribute to Denmark’s long-standing ambitions for more sustainable mobility while providing another practical transport choice for everyday journeys.
Founded in Vietnam in 2023, Green SM currently operates in Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia, the Philippines, India and Kazakhstan. Through its fully electric fleet, technology platform and consistent operating standards, the company is steadily expanding internationally while adapting its services to local market needs.
Hashtag: #GreenSM
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The collaboration marks a significant moment for Taiwan’s international media presence, as the completion of Gaudí’s vision draws global attention to one of the world’s most visited cultural landmarks. NHK has documented the construction of the Sagrada Família for decades, building a relationship of trust with the basilica’s team that enabled joint coverage.
TVBS crews filmed in areas rarely accessible to media, including the crypt where Gaudí is buried, architectural workshops, and key structural sections of the basilica. The team conducted interviews with architects and experts involved in the project during preparations for the inauguration ceremony. Construction on the church began in 1882, one year before Gaudí took over as chief architect.
Taiwanese actress Lin Chi-ling joined the reporting team in Barcelona as a cultural ambassador for the project. Lin met with architects and experts to explore the basilica through the perspectives of architecture, aesthetics, and cultural heritage. Her involvement added a cultural dimension to the coverage beyond conventional architectural reporting.
The coverage brought together partners from Taiwan’s technology and financial sectors. HTC, through its VIVE Arts initiative, contributed its immersive experience “Gaudí, the Atelier of the Divine.” The virtual reality program allows audiences to explore Gaudí’s architectural world in new ways, transcending geographical and physical boundaries.
TS Financial Holding Co., Ltd., which has long supported arts and cultural exchange, sponsored the live broadcast. The company cited values of integrity, innovation, and sustainability in joining the project. The cross-sector collaboration extended Taiwan’s cultural advocacy onto the international stage, connecting the 144-year architectural endeavor to audiences in Taiwan and Chinese-speaking communities worldwide.
TVBS integrated AI-powered real-time translation technology throughout the live coverage, facilitating multilingual communication across international production teams. The project showcased Taiwan’s ability to connect industries and communities across borders. TVBS, NHK, HTC, and TS Financial Holding Co., Ltd., together documented a defining milestone in the Sagrada Família’s history.
Hashtag: #TVBS
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