Vinh Hoan Corporation recently released its first-quarter financial results, reporting consolidated revenue of approximately $118.2 million, up 12 per cent on-year, while net profit rose sharply by 38 per cent to about $10.6 million.

The company’s core basa fish segment recorded revenue growth of more than 14 per cent and accounted for 55 per cent of total revenue, serving as the primary driver behind their strong start to the year.

Also benefiting from robust global demand was Nam Viet Corporation, which posted a 66 per cent increase in net revenue to approximately $73.8 million, while net profit surged 48 per cent to around $7.8 million.

Seafood companies continue to face significant risks in 2026 despite improving business performance

Beyond basa fish, Nam Viet has gained attention for expanding exports of tilapia, a whitefish species that is increasingly favoured as a substitute for more expensive whitefish products amid ongoing pressures on the global economy.

The positive picture was also reflected in the financial performance of shrimp exporters. For instance, Sao Ta Foods JSC reported Q1/2026 net profit of approximately $2.03 million, up 34.6 per cent on-year, despite a nearly 30 per cent decline in revenue to around $56 million.

According to PAN Group, Sao Ta’s parent company, the sharp revenue decline resulted from the company’s deliberate decision to limit exports to its key market, the United States, while awaiting the outcome of anti-dumping proceedings. At the same time, disease outbreaks affecting shrimp farming reduced the supply of raw shrimp, further weighing on revenue.

Nevertheless, Sao Ta was able to optimise costs thanks to its self-sufficiency in raw material supply. According to the company, the sharp increase in earnings stemmed largely from favourable results from the settlement of its late-2025 shrimp farming season.

Meanwhile, Minh Phu Seafood Corporation reported a twelvefold increase in after-tax profit during the period, reaching nearly $8.6 million, while the company’s revenue climbed more than 98 per cent to approximately $228 million.

The comeback of the company was driven by improved cash-flow management and a strategic focus on value-added products, which significantly enhanced profit margins.

The performances of Sao Ta and Minh Phu underscore the resilience and adaptability of Vietnam’s shrimp producers at a time when competition in international markets is intensifying and the United States – one of the industry’s most important export destinations – continues to pose challenges through trade remedies and protectionist measures.

In the first five months of 2026, Vietnam’s seafood export value reached $4.67 billion, up 11 per cent on-year.

Combined with the strong financial results reported by leading industry players, the figures point to a promising recovery trend for the seafood sector.

However, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), underlying market conditions are not entirely favourable, as buyers have become more cautious and divergences among export markets are becoming increasingly apparent.

Notably, tightening standards and growing trade protectionism are creating headwinds for the industry.

This was reflected in a 10 per cent decline in seafood exports to the United States and a 2.2 per cent drop in exports to EU during the first five months of the year.

These two markets have been among the most proactive in introducing trade defence measures, traceability requirements, sustainability standards and policies aimed at combating illegal fishing.

For the shrimp industry, the most significant challenge stems from anti-dumping litigation involving warm-water shrimp exports to the United States.

Although preliminary tariff rates have been reduced substantially compared with earlier findings, they continue to place considerable pressure on corporate profit margins.

For the basa fish sector, challenges arise from rising costs of fingerlings, production, feed and transportation, all of which have continued to increase since 2025. As a result, many farming areas remain cautious about expanding cultivation acreage.

In 2025, Vietnamese basa fish exporters shipping to the United States benefited from a zero per cent anti-dumping duty, creating better conditions for business. Nevertheless, VASEP cautioned that future trade defence measures in the US market remain highly uncertain.

VASEP forecasts that Vietnam’s seafood exports could grow by 8-10 per cent in 2026, surpassing $12 billion if market conditions remain favourable and trade remedy obstacles are effectively addressed.

Conversely, if compliance costs, transportation expenses, logistics costs and trade barriers continue to persist, growth in the seafood industry is likely to slow significantly in the latter part of the year, particularly for shrimp exporters and fishing companies.

Seafood exporters urged to prepare for expected downturn in 2026 After a bright year with export revenue on track to reach $10 billion in 2025, Vietnam’s seafood industry is forecast to face multiple headwinds from 2026 onwards.

Seafood exports to Japan surge towards new annual record Vietnam’s seafood exports to Japan have gained strong momentum, reaching nearly $1.6 billion since the start of the year and positioning the sector to set a new annual record.

Middle East tensions drive cost pressures for seafood exporters Seafood companies are facing mounting cost pressures and rising cold chain risks as the Middle East conflict escalates, posing urgent questions about market restructuring.

GStar Summit 2026: AI & Humanity took place on May 29, co-organised by the New Turing Institute (NTI) and Pacific Gateway Partners. The event brought together global AI leaders and experts to share innovations, practical applications, and talent development initiatives.

Bui Hoang Phuong, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology

Speaking at the forum, Bui Hoang Phuong, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, said that Vietnam identifies sci-tech, innovation, and digital transformation as key drivers to enhance labour productivity, improve growth quality, and strengthen national competitiveness to achieve rapid and sustainable development.

“In this process, digital technologies, particularly AI and big data, have truly become remarkable breakthroughs and play an especially important role. AI has been identified as one of the strategic technologies that Vietnam must master and promote for widespread application across all aspects of socioeconomic life,” he said.

To effectively advance AI, according to Phuong, Vietnam has identified several core priorities, including research and development aimed at achieving technological self-reliance; promoting AI adoption with the key objective of transforming mindsets and improving AI literacy among citizens, businesses, and organisations; strengthening governance and addressing social impacts with a human-centric approach while supporting workforce reskilling and career transition training; and enhancing international cooperation, research sharing, and the development of a common global AI ecosystem.

Thang Luong, principal scientist and director of Research at Google DeepMind and co-founder of NTI, shared his long-standing concerns over the past decade regarding the development of a high-quality AI workforce for Vietnam.

“My biggest aspiration is that by 2030, Vietnam will have 100,000 highly skilled AI engineers. This workforce will become the driving force enabling Vietnam to deploy any technological solution in the world and emerge as a deeptech hub,” Luong told VIR.

“Having a large pool of talented people will help create a peer ecosystem, encouraging overseas Vietnamese talent to return and contribute to the country,” he added.

However, Luong explained that talent alone would not be sufficient to achieve this goal, noting that Vietnam must also prepare other critical foundations, including robust computing infrastructure and a vibrant startup environment.

Modern AI, particularly deep learning, requires enormous processing power from GPUs such as those developed by Nvidia or specialised chips like Tensor Processing Units, which are being utilised by Google. At the same time, Vietnam needs to foster a dynamic startup ecosystem inspired by Silicon Valley, capable of attracting international experts and investors to help build the country’s AI ecosystem.

To achieve the target of 100,000 AI engineers, Luong proposed several new approaches, including a ‘train-the-trainers’ model, under which trainers would be equipped with technological expertise along with the ability to inspire learners and foster human values, such as the joy of helping others.

Secondly, he highlighted the need to train lecturers to utilise AI in creating teaching materials and personalising education. AI can automatically adapt content by providing simpler explanations for beginners or more advanced knowledge for high-performing learners.

Finally, Luong stressed the importance of stronger collaboration from the business community, noting that partnerships with major corporations would help accelerate the realisation of shared goals.

Wendy Nguyen, co-founder and partner of Pacific Gateway Partners, shared insights on national strategy, economic development, and the integration of technology with human capabilities.

Nguyen noted that while Vietnam possesses enormous potential and resources, success will depend on two key factors: a clear national strategy and a strong execution team.

“Vietnam needs top-tier strategic experts to map out a clear roadmap and determine where to begin, rather than spreading resources too thinly across too many areas at once. At the same time, hardcore executors – a combination of strategic thinkers, decisive operators, and technology specialists – will help elevate Vietnam to a new level,” she said.

Nguyen also proposed a ‘special task force’ model, suggesting that instead of simply following the direction of major global players, Vietnam should focus on building small but highly capable teams, similar to how a group of just 50 people at Google was able to launch new and innovative products.

Pacific Gateway Partners aims to strengthen Vietnam’s global connectivity through initiatives such as building alliances among the United States, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam to leverage shared resources and mutual support. The firm is also seeking to capture ‘early-win’ opportunities by identifying sectors where other countries face supply shortages and positioning Vietnam as a provider, such as in bio-manufacturing to help reduce the dependence of the US, Japan, and South Korea on alternative supply sources.

Technology transfer is another critical objective, according to Nguyen. “Financial investment alone is not enough. Vietnam also needs the ‘fishing rod’, meaning the ability to master technology so that it does not become dependent on or controlled by investors,” she said.

As Asia accelerates its AI capabilities, supported by a young and dynamic workforce alongside rising cross-border investment flows, GStar 2026 seeked to strengthen collaboration between businesses and academia across the region.

The event featured speakers and distinguished guests from leading technology corporations, including Google, FPT, Qualcomm, Boryung, and MoMo; prestigious academic institutions such as Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) and Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI); as well as pioneering startups including LIFE AI, Calif, Tynapse, and Kotoba Technologies, alongside scientists, innovators, policymakers, and investors.

Beyond academic discussions, the forum focused on advancing practical AI applications and talent development for Vietnam and the Asia-Pacific region more broadly, serving as a strategic bridge connecting businesses, innovators, and investors. The event also featured live demonstrations of notable AI applications in healthcare, fintech, and generative AI.

GStar 2026 continues the series of annual AI events organised by New Turing Institute since 2018 to connect Vietnam’s AI community with global experts. Notable examples include GenAI 2024, which attracted more than 800 participants and featured over 17 prominent speakers, including Jeff Dean, chief scientist of Google, and AI Day 2023, which drew more than 1,300 attendees and over 27 renowned speakers, including Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, and Christopher Manning, director of the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory at Stanford University.

Vietnam maintains stable AI outlook in 2026 survey Vietnam’s AI adoption and public sentiment remained broadly stable in 2026, with the country scoring 58.4 points in the latest WIN World AI Index, compared to 58.5 points a year earlier.

Vietnam’s digital growth bet As Vietnam races towards an ambitious double-digit growth target, policymakers and tech leaders are pushing to turn digital transformation, AI and regulatory sandbox reforms from long-term strategy into immediate economic momentum.

Since 2018, the clinic has completed more than 4,000 implant cases and treated hundreds of international patients and overseas Vietnamese from markets including Australia, the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Canada, and France.

Most international patients initially arrive uncertain about receiving treatment abroad, but many leave with a different perspective, reflecting the growing role of Ho Chi Minh City in dental tourism for implant treatment.

Most dental clinics are general practices that also perform implants. Dr. Care operates differently by concentrating entirely on implant dentistry, particularly for patients with long-term tooth loss, severe bone resorption, systemic health conditions, or failed implant histories.

At Dr. Care, the clinic’s infrastructure, diagnostic systems, and clinical training are all dedicated to implant treatment, where complex cases are treated as the standard rather than the exception.

This philosophy is reflected in the clinic’s conservative treatment approach. In one case involving an Australian patient with multiple missing upper teeth, extensive bone loss, and deteriorating remaining teeth, Dr. Care preserved every tooth that could still be maintained instead of removing the full arch.

The patient received six implants with an FP1-type prosthesis, a technically demanding restoration designed to replicate the emergence of natural teeth from healthy gum tissue.

The clinic is led by Dr. Doan Vu, master of science, specialist level II – medical director and president of the Ho Chi Minh City Chapter of the International Team for Implantology Club. His research on peri-implant soft-tissue augmentation has been published in the international peer-reviewed journal Medicine and in the Vietnam Medical Journal.

His colleague, Dr. Vo Huyen Bao Tran, MSc – full-arch implant specialist, Dr. Care Implant Clinic and APAC representative, Straumann inspirED Global Full-Arch Educator Summit, Basel, Switzerland, where leading implant educators discussed digital full-arch rehabilitation protocols.

Many international patients arrive at Dr. Care with expectations shaped by clinics in their home countries. In Australia and several Western countries, implant patients often leave surgery without temporary teeth and wait three to six months during osseointegration before receiving restorations.

At Dr. Care, temporary full-arch prostheses are produced using digital scanning technology and are typically fitted on the day of surgery or within two to six days afterward.

Another point frequently mentioned by patients is the clinic’s English-language consultation process. Patients report that explanations about treatment plans, costs, timelines, and post-operative care are detailed and clear enough to help them make informed decisions. Clinical restraint is also a key reason many patients choose the clinic.

At Dr. Care Implant Clinic, full-arch All-on-4 restoration ranges from $4,360 to $5,960, while All-on-6 treatment ranges from $6,320 to $8,720 per jaw. Prices include VAT, implant fixtures, abutments, temporary prostheses, and all clinical appointments across both treatment phases, with no consultation fees charged.

For international patients, Dr. Care follows a structured four-phase treatment process: remote preparation before travel, including CT scan review, treatment planning, and detailed online cost estimates; a first visit of 7-14 days for implant placement and temporary prosthesis delivery; a 3-6 month osseointegration period at home with remote follow-up; and a second 7-14 day visit for final ceramic restoration.

The clinic also supports patients with inner-city transportation, accommodation guidance, and pre-arranged treatment schedules so patients can focus on treatment and recovery during their stay in Vietnam.

Vietnam’s healthcare sector is projected to reach $14.25 billion by 2029, according to Statista, with dental tourism forming an important part of that growth. One reason is cost: implant treatment in Vietnam is often one-third to one-quarter the price of equivalent treatment in Australia, the United States, and Western Europe, while clinical infrastructure increasingly meets international standards.

Ho Chi Minh City, home to around 40 per cent of Vietnam’s more than 2,000 dental facilities, has become a major centre for this development. For international patients considering implant treatment abroad, the key question is no longer whether Vietnam is an option, but which clinic has the systems, communication, and clinical discipline to manage complex multiphase treatment successfully.

Dr. Care Implant Clinic

Address: P3-0.SH08, Park 3, Vinhomes Central Park, 720A Dien Bien Phu, Binh Thanh, Ho Chi Minh City

Phone: 093 82 38910

Email: cskh@drcareimplant.com

Website: drcareimplant.com

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Following the official launch of its app in Vietnam in April, VOVO is gradually developing its e-commerce model in a direction that places greater emphasis on discovery experiences, the level of user participation, and flexible post-transaction options.

VOVO – a differentiated integrated e-commerce application

Unlike online shopping models that mainly focus on the steps of product selection, payment, and delivery, VOVO is developing its platform in a way that extends the consumer journey. In this model, the consignment mechanism is regarded as one of the notable features, giving users additional options for handling goods after completing a transaction for certain eligible products.

According to VOVO, in addition to standard shopping functions, the platform integrates a time-limited consignment mechanism for certain suitable products. This mechanism allows users, after completing a transaction and before delivery takes place, to choose either to receive the product or to use the consignment option in accordance with the platform’s regulations.

This approach makes the shopping experience more flexible while also increasing interactivity throughout the consumer journey. Instead of stopping at purchase and delivery, users have additional options after the transaction that better suit their personal needs, thereby reducing concerns during the purchase decision-making process.

VOVO is developed on a mobile application infrastructure combined with a real-time transaction data management system. This system supports the tracking of product status, transaction history, and user operation processes, thereby contributing to greater transparency in operations and helping optimise the user experience.

VOVO e-commerce team

Some experts in the digital economy sector believe that, as e-commerce enters a stage of deeper competition centred on experience, models that combine online shopping, user interaction, and goods circulation mechanisms are gradually attracting attention in many markets. The addition of a consignment mechanism not only provides consumers with more options, but also helps expand the usage value of goods in the context of digital consumption.

VOVO is demonstrating its effort to develop a more participatory e-commerce model, in which users are not only buyers, but can also play a more proactive role in the process of experiencing, choosing, and handling products after the transaction.

VOVO receives “The Best of Vietnam 2026” award in the “Innovation & Creativity” category

Going forward, the platform said it will continue to optimise the user experience, refine its operating processes, and expand its partnership ecosystem. This is considered the foundation for VOVO to continue developing its interest-based e-commerce model in Vietnam, while also contributing a new perspective to the innovation of the online shopping experience.

Southeast Asian e-commerce market hit $157 billion in 2025 Southeast Asia’s e-commerce gross merchandise value (GMV) grew 22.8 per cent on-year in 2025 to reach $157.6 billion, as leading platforms returned to growth while continuing to improve infrastructure, fulfilment, and customer experience, according to Momentum Works.

Vietnam enters next phase of e-commerce export growth Vietnam’s fast-growing e-commerce sector is increasingly viewed as a contributor to export growth.

Over 200,000 OCOP items listed on e-commerce platforms More than 200,000 One Commune, One Product items have been labelled through the ‘Vietnam Goods Rise Up’ initiative launched on TikTok Shop in 2025.

Since early May, natural rubber prices have climbed to their highest level in nine years, fluctuating at approximately $2,200-2,300 per tonne. The trend is creating better conditions for major rubber-exporting countries in Asia, including Vietnam.

In the first four months of 2026, Vietnam’s natural rubber exports continued to expand, while selling prices improved significantly. Rising prices and stronger consumption demand have quickly translated into positive business results for many companies in the sector.

Business operations at numerous natural rubber enterprises have also shown clear improvement. At Tan Bien Rubber JSC, first-quarter revenue exceeded $20.9 million, up 135 per cent on-year, while after-tax profit reached more than $9.1 million, up 209 per cent.

The natural rubber prices are hovering at high levels in recent months

Vietnam Rubber Group currently owns around 377,797 hectares of rubber plantations. In Q1, the group recorded revenue of $353.8 million, up 56 per cent on-year, while profit surged 89 per cent to nearly $118.4 million.

The main growth driver came from stronger global rubber demand, particularly from the automotive and tyre manufacturing industries in China, the world’s largest rubber-consuming market.

Phuoc Hoa Rubber JSC also posted strong momentum in Q1, with revenue reaching $18.7 million, up 50.3 per cent on-year. Vietcombank Securities (VCBS) forecasts that Phuoc Hoa Rubber’s rubber segment revenue could reach around $69.8 million in 2026.

For Phuoc Hoa Rubber specifically, VCBS believes plantation productivity will continue to improve after the company completed the replanting of all ageing rubber trees, while many newly planted areas are entering a stable harvesting phase.

In addition, the company’s approximately 7,664 ha of rubber plantations in Cambodia are moving into the peak-yield stage of the crop cycle.

The favourable movement in rubber prices, together with expectations of stronger profit growth, has quickly attracted investor attention in the stock market.

Recently, shares of diverse rubber companies such as TRC, PHR and HRC have recorded strong gains. Notably, HRC shares hit the daily ceiling for four consecutive sessions from May 7 to 12.

Investors believe rubber stocks are entering a favourable phase, supported simultaneously by the commodity price upcycle and expectations of improving core business performance.

This marks an important distinction from previous periods, when many companies in the sector were valued mainly for their ‘land bank story’.

Phuoc Hoa Rubber has drawn considerable market attention as one of Vietnam’s largest natural rubber producers, with its land bank concentrated primarily in Binh Duong area (now part of Ho Chi Minh City).

The company plans to convert more than 3,000 ha of rubber land into industrial park developments, while also expanding into supporting sectors such as residential property, renewable energy and high-tech agriculture.

Meanwhile, shares of Tay Ninh Rubber JSC are viewed by An Binh Securities (ABS) as having positive sales volume prospects thanks to the recovery of the automotive and tyre manufacturing industries in major markets such as China and India.

The expansion of Vietnam’s electric vehicle ecosystem, particularly through cooperation between Vingroup and Vinachem to develop a materials supply chain for VinFast, could indirectly support long-term domestic rubber demand through increased local tyre production.

Beyond benefiting from the upcycle in natural rubber prices, many companies also possess a “dual-growth story,” combining expansion potential in their core businesses with the prospect of strong profits from industrial land assets.

According to VCBS forecasts, Phuoc Hoa Rubber alone could record around $28 million in profit from compensation related to rubber land conversion in 2026. Notably, the Bac Tan Uyen Industrial Park is expected to generate approximately $80-120 million in land conversion compensation for the company.

Tay Ninh Rubber also has the potential to deliver exceptional profit growth in 2026. The company plans to convert around 495 ha of rubber land at the Go Dau plantation – mainly ageing or low-yield plantations – to support the development of the Hiep Thanh Industrial Park.

The venture broke ground in December 2025. Under the plan, the 2025-2026 will focus on infrastructure deployment and completion of land-use conversion procedures, paving the way for Tay Ninh Rubber to recognise extraordinary income of around $78.4 million from land compensation and plantation liquidation.

Against the backdrop of persistently high natural rubber prices, improving harvesting and export activities, and the industrial park segment continuing to generate substantial revenue, rubber companies are considered to possess multiple supportive factors for medium- and long-term profit growth.

This partly explains why capital flows in the stock market are returning to rubber stocks after a relatively subdued trading period.

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