AGP Executive Report

ASEAN Future Forum in Hanoi: Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng urged ASEAN to move from adapting to global change toward shaping it, pitching three horizons—steering global trends, becoming an innovation hub, and building a people-centred community—while analysts said AFF 2026 shows Vietnam’s shift from participant to agenda-setter. Vietnam–Japan energy ties: Industry and Trade officials met Idemitsu Kosan, pressing for closer cooperation on stable crude supplies and energy transition research. Cross-border tech and IP crackdown: Vietnam and Korea shut down a Korean webtoon piracy network, taking down three major illegal streaming sites and arresting two operators. Economy watch: UOB said Vietnam remains resilient but faces higher energy costs, easing manufacturing momentum, and rising inflation pressures. Finance and development: Vietnam signed Japanese ODA on-lending deals worth 39.256 billion JPY for disaster-resilient rural development and climate adaptation in eight northern provinces. Sports: Kazakhstan handed Vietnam its first AVC Women’s Cup loss, ending a long winning streak and setting up semis. Public safety: Police dismantled a planned online scam hub network, arresting four and seizing computers and phones.

Hanoi Growth Push: Prime Minister Le Minh Hung urged Hanoi to lift development targets and standards, fix stalled projects, and accelerate science, technology, innovation and digital transformation to better match its role in driving the country’s double-digit growth. Judicial Reform Quality: Party General Secretary and State President To Lam chaired a conference reviewing the Central Steering Committee for Judicial Reform, calling for stronger institutional development, law enforcement and smoother operation of judicial agencies. Green Transport in the Capital: Hanoi is speeding up the shift to cleaner mobility with metro expansion, more electric buses and supportive policies, aiming to cut emissions and ease congestion as public transport still covers only about a fifth of travel demand. EV Policy Signal: Vietnam extended the zero percent first-time registration fee for battery electric vehicles until end-2030, a move meant to boost long-term confidence for investors and the EV ecosystem. Local Economy & Trade Links: Vietnam and Germany discussed deeper cooperation across trade, investment, defence-security, science-tech, education and workforce development, while Vietnam–Switzerland talks focused on smart, sustainable and connected economic ties. People & Society: The 2026 Humanitarian Month raised nearly 762 billion VND to support over 578,800 vulnerable people nationwide.

Energy & Industry: Foxconn has signed a deal with Brookfield to develop up to 1GW of renewable power plus battery storage in Vietnam, backed by a long-term power purchase agreement—aimed at supporting Foxconn’s expansion and rising corporate clean-energy demand. Cybersecurity: ESET Research says Vietnam-aligned OceanLotus used its SPECTRALVIPER backdoor in a supply-chain attack on FireAnt MetaKit, targeting stock investors and also running a long espionage campaign against a Vietnamese infrastructure and transport firm. Finance & Markets: Vietnam’s VN-Index fell to about 1,798.6 points as trading value hit a 14-month low, with liquidity thinning and industrial park stocks among the few bright spots. Development Finance: Vietnam has asked JICA for next-generation ODA with better terms for semiconductors, AI, digital transformation and the green transition, and to speed up key projects including O Mon III. Tech Strategy: VNA reports Vietnam is pushing “strategic technologies” via policy and implementation, with growing student interest in programming and robotics. Regional Cooperation: Vietnam’s deputy PM Le Tien Chau urged deeper ASEAN trust-building and resilience, citing digital and green transitions as priorities.

Hanoi Infrastructure Push: Ho Chi Minh City is speeding up four urban railway lines, with the Thu Thiem–Long Thanh line starting June 30 and expected to finish by end-2030, alongside Metro Line 6 (Tan Son Nhat–Phu Huu) and plans for Metro Line 1 and Line 2. Tax Accountability: VEAM must repay an extra VND18.44 billion after incorrect corporate tax declarations dating back to 2010, with a 10-day deadline after the decision. E-commerce Shift: Vietnam’s online shopping race is moving beyond price promos toward data, AI, logistics and creator networks, as June mega-sales could push top platforms’ GMV above $260 million. Competition Law: BAF Vietnam and Thanh Xuan Clean Agriculture Development were fined nearly VND900 million for failing to notify an economic concentration deal. Education Milestone: Over 1.2 million students sat for the first day of Vietnam’s national high school graduation exam. Hanoi Financing Plan: Hanoi proposed a bond-issuance draft for 2026–2035 to fund transport, environment, digital transformation and smart city projects. Tech & Startups: Vietnam says it’s climbing in global startup rankings and is pushing strategic technologies, while Vietnam and Japan plan deeper cooperation on technology transfer and innovation. Business Watch: Vingroup is accelerating construction of its “world’s largest” 135,000-seat stadium in Hanoi, aiming for completion by July 2027.

Aviation & Trade Pressure: Vietnam has told major airlines to review and report progress on big Boeing and Pratt & Whitney contracts, and to propose ways to expand imports of U.S. materials as Washington steps up probes into trade practices. Strategic Tech Push: Vietnam is accelerating “strategic technologies” like programming, robotics and high-tech research, with VAST highlighting policy and implementation to build internationally recognized capacity. Climate & Environment Priority: Top leader To Lam says environmental protection and climate adaptation must be built into the new development model, linking it to competitiveness, public health and long-term growth. ASEAN Forward Momentum: The third ASEAN Future Forum in Hanoi wrapped up with record participation, launching new initiatives and urging faster rollout of ASEAN Vision 2045. Vietnam–Japan Cooperation: Deputy PM Le Tien Chau urged stronger political trust and cooperation mechanisms with Japan, including work toward the next local cooperation forum in Hue. Tourism Connectivity: Cambodia and Vietnam pledged to boost tourist flows and connectivity, including maritime links and Mekong cruise expansion. Hanoi Health Alert: Hong Kong-linked severe paediatric COVID-19 case prompts hygiene reminders and vaccination calls. Maritime Security: HCMC reports no foreign-water IUU fishing incidents in the first half of 2026 and highlights improved VMS compliance.

Sustainability in the spotlight: Mövenpick Hotel Hanoi Centre says its Coffee Briques program turns used coffee grounds into biofuel briquettes for cooking and heating, building on its January 2026 Green Globe certification. Trade & markets: Vietnam’s pepper exports jumped 21.7% in the first five months to 122,600 tonnes, with the US the top buyer; meanwhile the US dollar edged up against the dong near a two-month high amid Fed rate-hike speculation. Regional connectivity: ATR says Vietnam has dozens of viable short routes for turboprop service, pointing to demand and an expanding airport network. Vietnam–Canada ties: The two countries signed a 2026–2030 trade support initiative, citing strong bilateral trade momentum. Hanoi health push: The capital launched a hospital network to expand tissue and organ donor coordination, aiming to improve identification and management of potential donors. Legislative updates: The NA Standing Committee convened its third session to review court-related legal changes and key budget resolutions. ASEAN Future Forum: Vietnam urged ASEAN to shape global norms, while Indonesia stressed ASEAN centrality and unity.

ASEAN Future Forum: Cambodian PM Hun Manet wrapped up a two-day official visit to Viet Nam and used the 3rd ASEAN Future Forum in Hanoi to urge member states to protect economic integration, resist fragmentation, and keep people at the centre as global instability threatens development gains. EV Watch: Vietnam’s VinFast said Q1 revenues rose nearly 42% as deliveries jumped 61%, helped by demand in Vietnam and key overseas markets, even as the company continues to report large losses. Tech & Industry: LG Innotek plans to build its first semiconductor substrate plant in Hải Phòng, with construction starting next month and completion targeted for May 2027. Markets: VN-Index rebounded but sentiment stayed cautious, while VinaCapital flagged “crisis-level” valuations for many stocks despite a stronger earnings outlook. Public Safety: Hanoi’s viral playground incident left a toddler hospitalised after being shoved off a slide; officials say her condition is stable under close monitoring. Aviation Safety: Vietnam’s aviation authority warned airports face rising drone and kite risks, citing recent disruptions at Noi Bai and Cat Bi. Trade & Growth: Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports hit $2.67 billion in the first five months, up 16%, led by China.

ASEAN Future Forum in Hanoi: Prime Minister Le Minh Hung urged ASEAN to become an active rule-maker, as the 2026 forum opened with leaders from Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Timor-Leste. Border diplomacy: Thai PM Anutin and Cambodian PM Hun Manet called for stronger efforts to turn a fragile ceasefire into peaceful, lasting solutions, stressing sovereignty and good-faith dialogue. US trade pressure: Vietnam ordered major airlines to review Boeing and Pratt & Whitney deals and propose new US import plans amid Washington probes over capacity, IP and forced-labour concerns. Regional connectivity: Vietnam and Cambodia agreed to push cross-border economic integration, including faster expressway work and expanded air links, plus special economic zones and customs facilitation. Defence & industry: Vietnam’s T-1 amphibious light tank development drew attention, while India reportedly signed a deal to sell BrahMos missiles to Vietnam. Environment & culture: A rare green sea turtle was released in Quang Tri; Berlin renamed a tram stop to “Dong Xuan” to honour the Vietnamese community. Business & tech: ECS Group said it is expanding Asia air-cargo services with more offices and tech focus, and VinFast reported higher Q1 revenue but a wider net loss.

ASEAN Diplomacy in Hanoi: Cambodian PM Hun Manet met Vietnam’s NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man and held talks with PM Le Minh Hung, with both sides agreeing to facilitate customs clearance and goods movement, deepen practical cooperation, and plan commemorative events for the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2027. Regional Connectivity: Vietnam and Cambodia also pledged to advance expressway links and study expanded air routes, while trade and visitor flows keep rising. Legal Cooperation: Vietnam’s Prosecutor General signed a cooperation program with Azerbaijan covering asset recovery and environmental protection. Economy & Business: VinFast posted a nearly 42% jump in Q1 revenue on stronger demand in Southeast Asia, but losses widened as it ramps up production. Agriculture Push: Vietnam targets at least 5,000 new agricultural enterprises in 2026–2031 to build digital, market-linked value chains. Travel & Mobility: Vietnam Airlines plans nearly 5.5 million domestic seats for summer peak demand, with major promotional fares. Regional Safety: Vietnam’s embassy in the Philippines said it has no reports of Vietnamese casualties after the Mindanao earthquake and tsunami. South China Sea Watch: Satellite imagery points to Vietnam building new military and maritime infrastructure across disputed Spratly reefs.

ASEAN Future Forum in Hanoi: Cambodia’s PM Hun Manet arrives for an official visit and the 3rd ASEAN Future Forum, with Vietnam’s PM Le Minh Hung hosting an official welcome as both sides stress trade, investment and regional economic cooperation. Diplomacy in motion: Thailand’s PM Anutin Charnvirakul also lands in Hanoi for talks and attendance at the forum, aiming to turn diplomatic momentum into projects across trade, energy, tourism and logistics. Hanoi congress spotlight: The 9th National Congress of the Vietnam Farmers’ Union opens in Hanoi with nearly 600 delegates representing more than 10 million farmers, setting up leadership and charter discussions for 2026–31. Economy and markets: Vietnam’s central bank deputy governor says fiscal policy should lean expansionary to hit growth targets as monetary policy room narrows, while rice exports rise in volume but revenue slips on weaker prices. Business and finance: Masan Group secures a $750m loan facility at sharply lower pricing, and Vietnamese firms increasingly pursue mergers to strengthen value chains and competitiveness. Tech push: Eric Schmidt backs Vietnam’s AI ambitions, and VinDynamics and Skild AI sign an MoU to advance humanoid robotics and embodied AI. Public safety: A truck collision in central Vietnam kills two and injures another. Regional shock: A powerful quake off Mindanao triggers tsunami alerts across parts of the Pacific.

Vietnam–Laos Economic Push: Lao PM Sonexay Siphandone’s Hanoi visit (June 7–9) spotlights “strategic cohesion” and a results-first shift toward trade and investment, aiming for US$10 billion by 2030, with connectivity projects like the Hanoi–Vientiane expressway and Vung Ang–Vientiane railway in focus. ASEAN Future Forum Diplomacy: Vietnam also hosts regional leaders around the 3rd ASEAN Future Forum, including Cambodia’s Hun Manet (June 8–10) and Thailand’s party and government engagement, as countries seek tighter political and economic links. EV Charging Race: Vietnam’s EV growth is forcing faster rollout of charging infrastructure, with the Industry Ministry noting 18 related standards already issued and more legal work expected this year. Trade Friction Over Forced Labour: The US proposes new tariffs after USTR Section 301 findings, drawing international criticism and EU pushback over baseless claims. Airline Costs Warning: IATA forecasts 2026 airline profits could nearly halve as jet fuel prices jump 70% amid Middle East disruption. Sports & Culture: Vietnam’s beach rowing wins two golds in Thailand; Da Nang’s DIFF 2026 continues with a “Heritage” theme featuring Vietnam–France displays.

Gang Violence in Sydney: Sydney police launched a manhunt after shots were fired at a venue planned for the funeral of Vietnam-linked underworld figure Lorenzo Lemalu, with the service later held at a mosque under heavy security; authorities say no one was hurt and an abandoned car was found burned. Cambodia–Vietnam Ties: Cambodia’s PM Hun Manet will visit Viet Nam and attend the 3rd ASEAN Future Forum in Hanoi from June 8-10, with leaders expected to discuss deepening bilateral relations ahead of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties. ASEAN Future Forum Focus: Vietnam’s role in ASEAN cohesion is highlighted as leaders from Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Timor-Leste gather in Hanoi to shape a shared future on peace, prosperity and people-centred development. Hanoi Aviation Plan: Hanoi unveiled a century-long master plan built around a second international airport in Ung Hoa, aiming to ease Noi Bai pressure and power a “sky economy” via new corridors and logistics links. Education & Science: Four Vietnamese universities rose in global rankings, and Vietnam also saw multiple scientists recognized regionally, alongside a UNESCO biosphere reserve upgrade for Phong Nha–Ke Bang. North Korea Nuclear Stance: Kim Yo-jong reiterated Pyongyang’s nuclear status is “absolutely irreversible,” ahead of Xi Jinping’s visit to North Korea.

ASEAN & Diplomacy: Lao Deputy FM Phongsavan Sisoulat says Vietnam’s ASEAN Future Forum 2026 boosts ASEAN centrality and the bloc’s peace-and-stability voice, ahead of the Hanoi event on June 9-10. Bilateral Trade: Vietnam and Canada co-chaired JEC 3 in Ottawa, with two-way trade nearing $8.6bn in 2025 and Vietnam’s exports to Canada up 18.2% last year, plus further gains early this year. Sports & Youth: Vietnam opened its 2026 AVC Women’s Volleyball Cup title defense with a straight-sets win over Lebanon, while Vietnam also placed 7th at the Asia Pacific Mathematics Olympiad 2026, taking 1 gold, 2 silvers and 4 bronzes. Tourism & Culture: Phong Nha–Ke Bang was approved as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, and Sun Group debuted at Seoul International Travel Fair 2026 to promote Phu Quoc and other destinations. Science & Tech: Five Vietnamese researchers made Asia’s top 100 list for 2026, and Vietnam’s robotics diplomacy drew international participation in Austria. Environment: The Vietnam Fatherland Front launched a nationwide appeal urging practical actions to protect a green, clean, beautiful country.

Higher Education Push: Deputy PM Le Tien Chau approved a plan to upgrade several Southeast Vietnam universities—Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics, Medicine and Pharmacy, Vietnamese-German University and VNU-HCM—aiming for regional-standard status by 2035 and top-tier quality by 2050. Digital Assets Regulation: Vietnam’s State Securities Commission says it’s building a legal framework for the crypto market, with priorities including licensing, supervision and periodic reporting, while studying new products like margin lending and derivatives when conditions allow. Crypto Exchange Meets Government: Bybit pledged support for Vietnam’s “responsible” digital-asset development after talks with Deputy PM Nguyen Van Thang on the pilot framework, stressing investor protection and anti-fraud safeguards. Tech and Industry Investment: Samsung plans to invest up to $4 billion in a chip-testing plant north of Hanoi, with partial operations from Nov 2027 and a second phase starting in 2031. Mobility Expansion: VinGroup launched all-electric taxi service Green SM Limo in Delhi-NCR with 1,000 vehicles, using VinFast cars and a safety system with cameras and emergency support. Culture and People-to-People: A new Vajrayana Buddhist Dharma Centre opened in Hanoi, reinforcing India–Vietnam civilisational ties. Regional Tourism Watch: Cambodia’s international arrivals fell nearly 46% to 1.3 million in Jan–Apr 2026, with Vietnam among the biggest source markets.

Semiconductor Push: Samsung plans to invest up to $4 billion in a chip-testing plant north of Hanoi, with partial operations starting in November 2027 and full output later, aiming to meet AI-driven demand for legacy DRAM and NAND. EV Mobility Expansion: Vingroup-backed Green SM launched its all-electric Green SM Limo ride-hailing in Delhi-NCR, targeting a fleet of about 10,000 vehicles and betting on corporate and airport trips for steady demand. AI Ecosystem Drive: Party General Secretary To Lam met former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and AI experts, urging continued support to build Vietnam’s AI ecosystem and connect local talent with global resources. Regional Diplomacy: Vietnam is set to host the ASEAN Future Forum 2026 in Hanoi, with officials saying it will generate people-centred policy ideas for ASEAN community-building. Trade Pressure on IP: The U.S. launched a Section 301 investigation into Vietnam’s intellectual property practices, with public comments due by July 2. Tourism Snapshot: Vietnam welcomed a record 10.6 million international visitors in the first five months of 2026, and May arrivals rose 16.5% year-on-year.

US–Vietnam Trade Friction: Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry rejected U.S. claims that it failed to tackle forced-labour goods, saying Washington’s conclusions don’t match Vietnam’s laws and action plans, as the USTR threatens tariffs on 60 countries. Labour & Growth: PM Le Minh Hung told the 14th Vietnam Trade Union Congress that boosting labour productivity is urgent for fast, sustainable double-digit growth, with workers’ job security and skills in focus. Aviation & Tourism Links: ACV hosted a Vietnam–China connectivity programme in Shanghai, bringing airports, airlines and travel firms together to expand cooperation opportunities. Regional Diplomacy: Deputy PM Pham Gia Tuc outlined three cooperation priorities at Russia’s SPIEF, stressing stability, connectivity and a rules-based trade environment. Remains Recovery: Vietnam and Laos are accelerating a 500-day campaign to locate and identify Vietnamese volunteer soldiers’ remains. Hanoi Business & Culture: Hanoi Centre won Mall of the Year – Vietnam at the Retail Asia Awards, while Michelin’s 2026 guide in Vietnam hit a milestone with 11 One-Star restaurants, including ONVIT (Hanoi). Tech Spotlight: VinRobotics and VinDynamics showcased “Make in Vietnam” humanoid robots at ICRA 2026 in Vienna. Health Campaign: Australia’s National Bowel Cancer Screening Program appointed Think HQ for a nationwide engagement roadshow, including Vietnamese-language materials.