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The Autumn Economic Forum 2025: Vietnam affirms its leading role in the region, driving global investment into the pillars of green and digital transformation
The Forum attracted 70 delegations from innovation centers and large corporations, 5 government delegations (Kuwait, Japan, Oman, Qatar, China), 4 delegations from international ministries and agencies (Cambodia, Malaysia, Laos, Australia), 8 delegations from international localities, 7 delegations from major international organizations such as the United Nations (UN), International Monetary Fund (IMF), and Asian Development Bank (ADB), and representatives from 10 global Centers for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IRs). This diversity in participation underscores the Forum’s credibility and reputation, establishing a comprehensive and high-level strategic dialogue platform that fosters multinational cooperation in green economy, digital transformation, and innovation. Notably, Mr. Stephan Mergenthaler – Managing Director of the World Economic Forum (WEF) – together with leaders of several WEF departments and centers, attended in person. Their deep engagement demonstrates WEF’s strong interest and commitment to advancing its strategic partnership with Viet Nam in general and Ho Chi Minh City in particular in the time ahead.
At the Forum, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính delivered a strong commitment to prioritizing green–digital twin transformation, positioning Viet Nam not only as a promising market but also as a reliable partner and strategic destination for global sustainable development and technology initiatives. The event recorded an unprecedented attendance of over 1,800 delegates, including 500 CEOs, leaders of multinational organizations, and policymakers from over 30 countries, reaffirming Viet Nam’s growing importance within global value chains and in shaping global solutions.
During the special dialogue program “60 Minutes with the Prime Minister of Viet Nam”, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính exchanged directly with Mr. Stephan Mergenthaler to clarify Viet Nam’s new development orientation amid profound global economic transformation.
The Prime Minister emphasized that Viet Nam’s development path is built on independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation, and future-oriented thinking. After decades of war, blockade, and sanctions, Viet Nam chose to set aside the past, find common ground in differences, and focus on socio-economic development. From a poor agricultural country, Viet Nam has advanced industrialization, reaching an economic scale of around USD 510 billion and per-capita income exceeding USD 5,000. In the coming period, science–technology, innovation, and the twin engines of digital and green transformation will be the foundation for Viet Nam to realize its goal of becoming a developed, high-income nation by 2045.
Presenting the new development vision, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chính identified green transition and digital transition as the two pillars of Viet Nam’s next growth model. Viet Nam will prioritize completing institutional frameworks for emerging sectors such as renewable energy, data, green finance, and carbon markets; developing strategic infrastructure including clean energy, smart grids, high-quality telecommunications and data systems, and digital governance platforms; mobilizing international resources in finance, technology, expertise, and high-quality human capital training.
On this foundation, Viet Nam maintains three consistent development principles: (i) Putting people and businesses at the center of all policies; (ii) Upholding an external policy of peace, cooperation, and responsibility; (iii) Considering innovation, science–technology, and the collective strength of the people as key drivers.
Regionally, the Prime Minister affirmed that Viet Nam aligns its development future with ASEAN – one of the world’s fastest-growing regions. Viet Nam proposes: Strengthening interregional infrastructure connectivity in transport, logistics, and energy; Building shared digital infrastructure and data exchange frameworks; Coordinating to implement the ASEAN Power Grid Initiative to enhance energy security; Promoting intra-regional trade, investment, and innovation.
The Prime Minister also emphasized the central role of dialogue amid rising geopolitical uncertainties. Viet Nam pursues an independent, balanced, multilateral, and diversified foreign policy, and stands ready to serve as a bridge to foster dialogue, narrow differences, build trust, and contribute to regional and global peace and stability. Viet Nam also reaffirmed its readiness to coordinate with WEF and international partners to promote new cooperation initiatives.
National Strategy: Delivering the Twin Transformation through Five Breakthrough Solutions
Regarding global commitments, Viet Nam reaffirmed its target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and is actively implementing the National Green Growth Strategy and the Just Energy Transition Program (JETP) by mobilizing international finance for renewable energy and low-carbon infrastructure. Simultaneously, Viet Nam is accelerating digital transformation, aiming to become a regional leader in digital government, digital economy, and digital society.
This development strategy is operationalized through five breakthrough solutions:
- Institutional reform as the leading step
Improve legal and policy frameworks for emerging sectors such as renewable energy, green finance, data economy, and innovation.
- Green and digital infrastructure as strategic investment priorities
Strongly invest in green infrastructure and digital infrastructure projects.
- High-quality human capital development
Train a highly skilled workforce capable of mastering advanced technologies such as AI, semiconductors, and Industry 4.0 technologies.
- Promoting the role of public–private partnerships (PPP)
PPP is a key mechanism to unlock all societal resources, mobilizing both domestic capacities and international capital into Viet Nam.
- Smart governance to optimize resources
Efficiently manage national resources—natural, financial, and human—through analytical, forecasting, and smart decision-making tools, thereby improving investment efficiency, increasing productivity, and building a foundation for long-term sustainable development.
Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính affirmed that the domestic and international business community is the decisive force behind the success of the country’s dual transformation. Viet Nam is committed to maintaining a transparent, stable institutional environment; building synchronized infrastructure systems; and improving human-capital training to support sustainable business development and deeper integration into global value chains. He underscored three essential conditions for enabling businesses: transparent, streamlined, and stable institutional environment; high-quality strategic infrastructure that reduces input costs; well-trained, appropriately skilled workforce that supports business growth. As businesses grow, their managerial thinking and capabilities must also advance.
At the Forum, major organizations and corporations announced concrete investment and cooperation commitments:
● World Economic Forum (WEF):
In addition to cooperation areas related to smart manufacturing and responsible industrial transformation for Ho Chi Minh City in particular and Viet Nam in general, Mr. Stephan Mergenthaler, WEF Managing Director, also committed to expanding support programs for businesses and youth in Viet Nam and Ho Chi Minh City. These programs will focus on key themes such as net-zero, artificial intelligence (AI), and green finance.
● Global Government Technology Center (C4IR Berlin):
Mr. Manuel Kilian, Director of the Center, assessed that “Ho Chi Minh City’s reform momentum and digital transformation drive are truly distinctive”. On this basis, the Center will soon collaborate with Ho Chi Minh City on three major areas: developing a technology startup ecosystem; applying IoT in traffic management, data systems, and business operations; and piloting a digital government model aligned with international standards. In December, both sides are expected to finalize a detailed project portfolio to ensure rapid progress and clear results.
● MassRobotics:
Mr. Daniel Theobald – Co-founder of MassRobotics – noted that Ho Chi Minh City shares many similarities with Silicon Valley in its early stages and emphasized that the City “is moving fast and is prioritizing supporting founders in building real businesses.” He expressed readiness to deploy resources to help develop startups in industrial production, smart agriculture, digital healthcare, and to support technology startups in overcoming the early-stage development gap and expanding access to global markets.
● Foxconn Industrial Internet (Fii):
A strategic link in smart manufacturing. Mr. Brand Cheng, Chairman of Foxconn Industrial Internet, affirmed that expanding investment in Viet Nam stems from a proactive and consistent policy environment. He emphasized that Viet Nam has become an important link in the global supply chain.
● Ant International:
Mr. Yang Peng, Chief Executive Officer of Ant International, stated that Ho Chi Minh City possesses three “golden advantages” to break through and become a new-generation International Financial Centre, namely: (i) Digital readiness; (ii) A strategic gateway position at the heart of Southeast Asia – the world’s fastest-growing region; (iii) A vibrant SME ecosystem.
Currently, the Group operates in more than 70 countries and users, with more than 1,000 partners that are financial institutions and banks. The Group plans to invest in and expand its presence in Ho Chi Minh City, transforming the City into a hub for technology, operations, and a “launchpad” for the Group within its globalisation strategy. Ant International commits to accompanying the Government of Viet Nam and Ho Chi Minh City through concrete actions: (i) Enhancing competitiveness and promoting global connectivity for SMEs using advanced technological solutions from Alipay+, Antom, WorldFirst, and Bettr; (ii) Bringing globally proven core technologies in financial infrastructure (AI, Blockchain, Data Privacy Computing) to Ho Chi Minh City; (iii) Developing and providing new-generation digital financial tools to facilitate international capital mobilisation; (iv) Sharing experience to support the development of policies that attract foreign businesses and advance progressive innovation frameworks; (v) Developing next-generation talent and fostering domestic innovation.
● Global On-chain Economy Alliance (GOE Alliance) and Ho Chi Minh City International Financial Centre (IFC HCM):
GOE Alliance – with the participation of Viettel Digital, Dragon Capital, Tether, Ava Labs, Sky Mavis, Republic, and On-chain Academy – committed to three key areas: (i) Developing high-quality talent and high-quality projects; (ii) Connecting global on-chain infrastructure with Ho Chi Minh City as the hub; and (iii) Contributing substantial economic value to the Ho Chi Minh City International Financial Centre (IFC HCM).
● Amazon Global Selling:
Recognizes Viet Nam as a key growth driver for Southeast Asia’s digital commerce; officially launched Amazon Global Logistics (AGL) operations in Viet Nam, enabling goods to be shipped directly from Viet Nam to Amazon FBA warehouses in the United States.
● TikTok:
Proposed supporting the establishment of three legal entities in Ho Chi Minh City that would provide e-commerce, digital payment, and digital logistics services to serve more than 40 million Vietnamese customers.
Aspirations of a Mega-City: Ho Chi Minh City’s Leading Role
As the host of the first Autumn Economic Forum, Ho Chi Minh City is demonstrating its aspiration to become an international mega-city and a regional hub for economy, finance, science, and technology. Mr. Trần Lưu Quang, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, affirmed the City’s development vision based on five strategic pillars: (i) High-tech industry; (ii) Logistics and free trade; (iii) Ho Chi Minh City International Financial Centre (IFC HCM); (iv) Tourism and cultural industries; (v) International-standard education, healthcare, and science–technology. With its GRDP accounting for approximately 23.5% of Viet Nam’s national GDP and per-capita GRDP approaching USD 9,000 (2025), Ho Chi Minh City continues to serve as the nation’s economic locomotive and is committed to ensuring the best possible conditions for investors.
The Autumn Economic Forum 2025 reaffirms Viet Nam’s readiness to work alongside businesses, experts, and investors under the principle of “A facilitating State – pioneering enterprises – public–private partnership – and shared benefits for the people and businesses.” Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính reiterated Viet Nam’s consistent foreign policy approach: “We remain steadfast in the view that all disputes and differences must be resolved through dialogue and peaceful means. On that basis, Viet Nam is ready to work with the World Economic Forum and partners to promote dialogue, reduce tensions, and contribute to peace, stability, and development worldwide.”
The Joint Statement between Ho Chi Minh City and the World Economic Forum (WEF) on smart manufacturing and responsible industrial transformation marks an important milestone, underscoring the City’s and Viet Nam’s role as the “co-creator” in global initiatives led by WEF. This reflects the new position of Viet Nam and Ho Chi Minh City within international cooperation networks. Through this milestone, Ho Chi Minh City joins the global innovation and manufacturing network as an active contributor, helping shape advanced industrial models that support the country’s green and sustainable development in the new era.
With 14 cooperation agreements signed and one alliance announced at the Forum—across green and digital sectors such as energy, logistics, artificial intelligence, and finance—alongside a series of sideline meetings and numerous bilateral and multilateral engagements, the Forum underscores its essential role in translating ideas into real-world solutions. Through the Forum, the bridge between enterprises and government, and between domestic and international resources, is strengthened—creating opportunities for all sides to exchange, collaborate, and jointly pursue integrated development solutions that connect the green economy with the digital economy.
The Forum also reaffirmed the strong commitment of Viet Nam and Ho Chi Minh City to offering the best possible support and a highly conducive environment for businesses, investors, scientists, and international organizations in applying science–technology and fostering innovation. This demonstrates the City’s vision and ambition to become a leading innovation hub in Southeast Asia—a green, smart, and livable mega-city making meaningful contributions to national and regional development. The Forum represents a major milestone in Ho Chi Minh City’s journey to become a premier destination within the innovation ecosystem—a place where new ideas are nurtured, expanded, and transformed into forces that shape development in the era of the digital economy.
Media gallery: https://hef.gov.vn/media-hef
Hashtag: #HCMCC4IR
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The Taiwan-born pet mobility brand opens its first SoHo pop-up inside Flying Solo, bringing its Nordic-designed pet stroller collection to the heart of New York City.
NEW YORK, USA – Media OutReach Newswire – 02 April 2026 – FikaGO, the design-led pet mobility brand recognized across Asia and Europe, has opened its first New York City pop-up store inside Flying Solo in SoHo. The opening marks a deliberate move for a pet brand into one of the world’s most competitive retail districts.
Since entering the online American market in 2025, FikaGO has built a growing community of pet parents who see their animals as a central part of everyday life. Positioned as lifestyle essentials rather than conventional pet gear, FikaGO’s range of products is designed for people who want the best for their fur babies.
“We’ve always believed that pet products should not only be functional, but also beautifully integrated into everyday life.” — Eric Guu, Co-founder, FikaGO
SoHo was a considered choice: Flying Solo, with locations in New York and Paris, is known for championing independent design with a distinctly global sensibility.
The pop-up showcases FikaGO’s auto-folding Free To Go 2 in Sandy Beige, the brand’s bestselling product. All FikaGO’s products are manufactured using eco-friendly fabrics made from recycled materials, reflecting a commitment to sustainability. This includes their large-capacity Agile 2 pet strollers to their airline-approved Truffle carriers and the heavy-duty Kross pet wagon.
“Launching in SoHo is a meaningful milestone for us; it allows customers to truly experience the quality, design, and intention behind every FikaGO product.” — Eric Guu, Co-founder, FikaGO
As pet ownership rises globally, particularly among urban millennials and Gen Zs, demand for products that combine functionality, design, and lifestyle integration continues to grow. FikaGO was built for precisely this moment, and SoHo is precisely where that moment lives.
Visit the FikaGO pop-up at Flying Solo, 419 Broome Street, New York, or explore the full collection at https://us.fikago.com/.
Hashtag: #FikaGO #petmobilitybrand #petstroller #petcarrier #petwagon #petkennel #petbiketrailer
https://us.fikago.com/
https://www.facebook.com/FikaGO.US
https://www.instagram.com/fikago_us/
YouTube: 
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About FikaGO
FikaGO is a pet mobility brand founded in Taiwan, dedicated to crafting products that blend functionality, comfort, and modern aesthetics. With a presence across Asia and growing reach in Europe and the U.S, FikaGO is redefining everyday experiences between pets and their humans.
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Lee Kum Kee Celebrates Culinary Excellence at the Historic Hong Kong Debut of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026
From 23-25 March, Lee Kum Kee brought together top chefs, diverse cultures and industry communities through a range of thoughtfully curated experiences, bringing authentic Asian flavours to the global stage. As well as reaffirming the brand’s Asian roots and international perspective, its involvement reflected an enduring commitment to preserving culinary heritage and driving gastronomic innovation.
“Asian Flavour Duet“: A Culinary Journey Through Heritage and Innovation
Helping to build momentums for this year’s awards, Lee Kum Kee collaborated with Vicky Cheng, the acclaimed Executive Chef and owner of WING, to co-create the “Asian Flavour Duet”, a Hong Kong-style late-night supper party on 24 March. Hosted at two Hong Kong culinary landmarks, the experience unfolded in two chapters – “Paying Tribute to Heritage” and “Innovative Fusion” – and invited guests to explore the limitless possibilities of Asian flavour.
The evening began at the century-old Lin Heung Lau teahouse, a space filled with nostalgia and memories for generations of Hong Kongers. Chef Vicky reinterpreted classic Hong Kong late-night dishes using signature Lee Kum Kee sauces, while guests were immersed in the warmth of the historic venue.
The celebration then moved to Medora, Chef Vicky’s Western dining space, where an “Innovative Fusion” was revealed. He showcased his modern culinary philosophy by incorporating Lee Kum Kee sauces with contemporary techniques to create bold, unexpected dishes. Guests also enjoyed specially crafted cocktails infused with Lee Kum Kee sauces, alongside a delightful yet refined sauce-inspired gelato, demonstrating a harmonious interweaving of savoury, umami, sweetness and spice.
The multisensory journey seamlessly blended tradition with innovation, exploring the future of cuisine while highlighting Lee Kum Kee’s role as a global gateway to Asian culinary culture.
At the event, Dodie Hung, Executive Vice President – Corporate Affairs at Lee Kum Kee, commented, “Tonight, we are honoured to celebrate Hong Kong’s late‑night food culture with Chef Vicky and the global culinary community. From the legacy of Lin Heung Lau to the forward‑looking spirit of Medora, we are proud to be part of the creative journey and help showcase the depth of Asian flavours on the world stage.”
Celebrating a Gastronomic Brilliance with the Highest Climber Award Sponsored by Lee Kum Kee
During the awards ceremony on 25 March, Lee Kum Kee’s booth showcased a range of the brand’s acclaimed classic sauces and innovative products. Guests sampled specially crafted bites featuring Lee Kum Kee sauces, engaging directly with the flavours and techniques that have made the brand a trusted partner in both home and professional kitchens worldwide.
As part of the evening’s celebration of the region’s most exceptional culinary talents, the Highest Climber Award sponsored by Lee Kum Kee was presented to Lamdre in Beijing by Chef Park from Atomix (No.1 in North America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025). Lambre was applauded for its pioneering plant-based dining space that promotes healthy, sustainable living while honouring Chinese biodiversity in its menus.
In addition, WING, led by Chef Vicky, achieved an impressive second place in 2026 Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list. The restaurant had also previously ranked No. 11 on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2025, underscoring its continued international acclaim.
Building the Future Together: Deepening Global Partnerships
With the success of this prestigious awards ceremony in Hong Kong, China, Lee Kum Kee looks forward to deepening its collaboration with leading talents in the global culinary community. By continuing to champion Asian flavours and foster meaningful dialogue and exchange, the brand will continue to bring the spirit of Asian cuisine to kitchens and dining tables around the world.
Hashtag: #LeeKumKee #LKK
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Lee Kum Kee
Lee Kum Kee is the global gateway to Asian culinary culture, dedicated to promoting Chinese culinary culture worldwide. Since 1888, it has brought people together over joyful reunions, shared traditions and memorable meals. Beloved by consumers and chefs alike, Lee Kum Kee’s range of more than 300 sauces and condiments sparks creativity in kitchens everywhere, inspiring professional and home chefs to experiment, create and delight. Headquartered in Hong Kong, China and serving over 100 countries and regions, Lee Kum Kee’s rich heritage, unwavering commitment to quality, sustainable practices and “Constant Entrepreneurship” combine to enable superior experiences through Asian cuisine for people worldwide. For more information, please visit www.LKK.com.
About Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants
Launched in 2013, Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants aims to showcase the outstanding achievements and diverse culinary landscape of the region. The list is determined by the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, a panel of over 350 culinary experts from across Asia who vote independently based on their specialised knowledge of the local dining scene. The Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants series includes the awards ceremony and list announcement, creating a premier networking platform for restaurateurs, media, seasoned travelers and culinary connoisseurs to celebrate the exceptional service, passion and talent in the dining industry.
- Herbert Vongpusanachai takes on the role of Senior Vice President for Commercial for the region, effective April 1, 2026
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 April 2026 – DHL Express, the world’s leading international express service provider, has appointed Herbert Vongpusanachai as Senior Vice President, Commercial for Asia Pacific, effective April 1, 2026. Herbert, who currently serves as Managing Director for DHL Express Thailand & Indochina, will be based in Singapore for his new role.
Herbert brings more than two decades of leadership experience within DHL Express, having successfully helmed multiple key markets across the region. He first joined the company in 2003 as Managing Director for Thailand & Indochina, later taking on leadership of Singapore in 2008, followed by Hong Kong & Macau in 2016. Since returning to lead Thailand & Indochina in 2020, he has driven sustained year‑on‑year profitable growth, transforming the cluster into one of the region’s key engines of expansion.
“Herbert has an exceptional track record of delivering strong business results while nurturing highly engaged teams across diverse markets. His deep understanding of our customers, collaborative leadership style, and ability to unearth opportunities in complex environments make him the ideal leader to drive our commercial agenda for Asia Pacific. I am confident that under his guidance, we will continue to accelerate sustainable growth across the region,” said Ken Lee, CEO for Asia Pacific, DHL Express.
In his new regional role, Herbert will shape and accelerate the commercial strategy for DHL Express across Asia Pacific by working with other functions to assess new sectors, routes and trade lanes with high potential for growth. He will focus on deepening customer engagement and supporting their expansion, while driving sustainable volume growth and advancing the adoption of new technologies to enhance commercial execution across markets. With his extensive country expertise and people‑first leadership style, Herbert is well‑positioned to support both regional and country teams in raising commercial performance to new levels.
“Asia Pacific remains an important anchor in global trade as seen in the latest DHL Global Connectedness Report, and this indicates the unwavering role of logistics to facilitate the flow of goods. With the newly introduced Heavyweight Express solution, which enables customers to ship heavyweight shipments with speed, certainty and reliability, I look forward to working alongside our talented teams to contribute to shaping the next chapter of DHL Express’s commercial success,” said Herbert Vongpusanachai, Senior Vice President – Commercial for Asia Pacific, DHL Express.
The latest DHL Global Connectedness Report shows that the region remains a major anchor of global commerce, with multiple economies rising in global connectedness rankings and Southeast Asia firmly establishing itself as a fast‑growing trade corridor. This also mirrors one of DHL Group’s strategies to better support 20 markets globally to accelerate growth; eight of them rest in Asia Pacific – underscoring the region’s critical role in DHL’s global network. As trade flows diversify and intra‑Asia integration deepens, this leadership appointment further strengthens DHL Express’s position in Asia Pacific.
Hashtag: #DHL
https://group.dhl.com/en.html
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dhlexpress/
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
DHL – The logistics company for the world
DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. Our DHL divisions offer an unrivalled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With approximately 389,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global sustainable trade flows. With specialized solutions for growth markets and industries including technology, life sciences and healthcare, engineering, manufacturing & energy, auto-mobility and retail, DHL is decisively positioned as “The logistics company for the world”.
DHL is part of DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of approximately 82.9 billion euros in 2025. With sustainable business practices and a commitment to society and the environment, the Group makes a positive contribution to the world. DHL Group aims to achieve net-zero emissions logistics by 2050.
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