AGP Executive Report

Sports: Vietnam kept their AVC Women’s Cup title hopes alive, surviving a tough five-set scare against Indonesia before Kazakhstan beat Iran to stay on track for the semis. Energy & climate: A new Ember analysis says gas is losing market share globally for a fifth straight year, with Vietnam among the biggest drop-offs, as renewables keep closing the gap. Labor & migration: Kuwait updated its domestic worker recruitment rules, adding Vietnam to the approved list while banning hiring from 27 other countries. Regional diplomacy: Thai PM Anutin Charnvirakul arrived in Hanoi to push trade, investment and supply-chain links with Vietnam ahead of the ASEAN Future Forum. Vietnam in the world: Vietnam’s prosecutor general signed a cooperation program with Azerbaijan covering areas like asset recovery and environmental protection. Business & trade: Vietnam’s role in global supply chains also surfaced in coverage of Thai-Vietnam business meetings and new cooperation plans.

ASEAN Diplomacy: Cambodian PM Hun Manet arrived in Hanoi for an official visit and the 3rd ASEAN Future Forum, holding talks with Vietnam’s PM Le Minh Hung and meeting senior Vietnamese leaders as both sides look to deepen ties ahead of next year’s 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Regional Cooperation: Laos PM Sonexay Siphandone also visited Vietnam, with both governments pledging tighter coordination across politics, defense, trade, education and technology, and pushing preparations for the Laos–Vietnam Friendship and Solidarity Year 2027. Vietnam–Laos Trade Push: Vietnam and Laos moved to concretise strategic cooperation, including efforts to strengthen connectivity and implementation of high-level agreements. Economy & Industry: Vietnam’s industrial output posted its fastest five-month growth in four years, while Vietnam targets cashless payments worth 30 times GDP by 2030—signals of a push toward faster growth and digital finance. Business & Supply Chains: Sung Il Tex Vietnam said it has completed a fully Vietnam-made lining supply chain for FTA partner countries to help global fashion brands secure certified Vietnam-origin materials faster.

ASEAN-Russia Diplomacy: Russia’s FM Sergey Lavrov says Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is expected to meet Vladimir Putin at the ASEAN-Russia summit in Kazan on June 17–18, though Manila has not yet confirmed attendance. Regional Security & Trade Agenda: Lavrov frames the Kazan talks as a “centerpiece” for the 35th anniversary of ASEAN-Russia ties, with cooperation planned across trade, investment, energy, agriculture, digitalization, science, education, tourism and culture. Vietnam Business Spotlight: Vietnam’s electronics retailer DMX (Dien May Xanh) is pushing its Indonesia expansion via EraBlue, aiming to build a second store network “in half the time” it took in Vietnam, after scaling to 3,000+ outlets domestically. Public Sentiment on War: Separate coverage highlights growing US public opposition to the Iran conflict, with multiple polls showing majorities viewing the war as a mistake and wanting a deal sooner.

ASEAN Diplomacy: Cambodia’s PM Hun Manet will visit Vietnam on June 8–9, holding talks with PM Le Minh Hung and meeting top Vietnamese leaders, while delivering a keynote at the 3rd ASEAN Future Forum in Hanoi. Regional Visits: Laos PM Sonexay Siphandone has arrived in Hanoi for an official visit and the same ASEAN Future Forum, with both sides stressing “strategic cohesion” in Vietnam–Laos ties. International Cooperation: Vietnam and Canada agreed an action plan for 2026–2028 to deepen trade diversification and work together on critical minerals, digital transformation, clean energy and logistics. Culture & Heritage: Cambodian media spotlight Khmer cultural preservation efforts in Vietnam, including a Can Tho conference and local Khmer community initiatives. Environment & Tourism: UNESCO has designated Phong Nha–Ke Bang as a World Biosphere Reserve, boosting Vietnam’s conservation-based tourism profile. EV Transition: Vietnam is pushing for faster EV charging infrastructure as adoption rises, with new standards and a plan to complete the legal framework this year. Sports: Vietnam beat Hong Kong 3-0 in the AVC Women’s Volleyball Cup and will face Indonesia next. Public Safety: Sydney police launched a manhunt after shots were fired at a venue linked to the funeral of Vietnam-linked gangster Lorenzo Lemalu.

North Korea-U.S.-China: Kim Yo Jong says Pyongyang will never back down on its nuclear status as Xi Jinping prepares for a rare visit to North Korea, dismissing U.S. claims about denuclearization goals. Hanoi Growth Plan: Ho Chi Minh City’s night-time economy push gets attention, while Hanoi unveils a century-long aviation master plan built around a second international airport and a “sky economy” corridor to spur southern growth. Digital Governance: Vietnam’s 2025 Digital Transformation Law takes effect July 1, setting a unified legal framework for digital government, economy and society. Tech & Industry: Vietnam showcases homegrown humanoid robots in Austria and highlights rising research talent, as Samsung plans major chip-testing investment in Vietnam. Trade & Compliance: Vietnam’s export environment faces pressure as U.S. trade officials move on Section 301 actions tied to IP practices, while Vietnam’s leather sector flags stalled CETP progress hurting exports. Tourism & Mobility: Ho Chi Minh City seeks to unlock its night-time economy; Vietnam also expands aviation links and electric taxi services in India.

APEC 2027 Prep: Vietnam shares its vision and preparations for APEC 2027, signaling a push to deepen regional economic ties and policy coordination. E-commerce Exports: Vietnam is poised to become a regional e-commerce export leader, with Amazon Global Selling highlighting how manufacturing strength and logistics are helping Vietnamese firms sell globally. FDI Quality Worry: Vietnam’s Southeast risks losing the next wave of higher-quality FDI unless regional connectivity improves, with localities competing instead of coordinating. Coal Supply Update: Vietnam’s coal demand hit a peak in May as hot weather and storms disrupted mining, while TKV reported strong output and deliveries to power plants. Livestock Transition: A seminar on “Innovation and Sustainability” points to a new phase for Vietnam’s livestock sector, stressing technology, digitalisation and sustainability. Construction Materials Shift: Rising costs, carbon pressure and supply shortages are forcing Vietnam’s building materials industry to move beyond raw extraction toward greener, higher-value production. Digital/AI Push: Former Google chief Eric Schmidt backed Việt Nam’s AI ambitions during a Hà Nội dialogue, adding momentum to the country’s tech ecosystem plans.

Semiconductor Push: Samsung plans to invest up to $4 billion in a Vietnam chip-testing plant north of Hanoi, with partial operations targeted for Nov. 2027 and a second phase in 2031, aiming to meet AI-driven memory demand and creating about 3,750 jobs. Higher-Education Upgrade: Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister approved a scheme to lift major southern universities—UEH, UMP, VGU and VNUHCM—toward standards comparable with leading Asian schools by 2035. EV Ride-Hailing Enters India: VinGroup’s Green SM launched Green SM Limo, an all-electric taxi service in Delhi-NCR with 1,000 company-owned vehicles, using an app and a driver pay model that may shift to revenue sharing. Trade & Compliance Watch: The U.S. has launched/expanded forced-labor-related trade scrutiny that also names Vietnam-linked supply chains as exporters face new Section 301 and tariff risks. Regional Connectivity: China and Vietnam are deepening ties via infrastructure and trade, with the Cat Linh–Ha Dong metro line highlighted as a symbol of faster urban mobility and broader economic cooperation.

Jobs & Social Protection: Ho Chi Minh City targets 900,000 new jobs in 2026-2030 (180,000 in 2026), aiming to keep unemployment under 4% and raise trained-worker shares to 89% by 2030, while pushing health insurance to universal coverage by 2030. Green Mobility in India: Vingroup’s Green SM launched its company-run Green SM Limo electric cab service in Delhi-NCR, using VinFast Limo Green vehicles and aiming for phased expansion. Energy Storage Push: HiTHIUM unveiled an 8-hour long-duration energy storage system at SNEC 2026, betting longer battery duration will help grids handle higher renewable output. AI for Vietnam: FPT and NVIDIA released the Nemotron-Personas-Vietnam dataset for open, commercial use to build more locally grounded AI systems. Economy Watch: Vietnam’s economy kept strong momentum in Jan-May 2026, with industrial production and foreign investment inflows rising. Trade & Policy: Vietnam issued a circular detailing how its competitive wholesale electricity market will operate. Sports (Regional): Vietnam’s women’s volleyball team is set to defend its title in the AVC Women’s Nations Cup, grouped with Kazakhstan, Iran, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Lebanon.

BrahMos Missile Deal: India confirmed Vietnam has signed a $629 million procurement contract for BrahMos anti-ship cruise missiles, likely for coastal batteries, boosting Vietnam’s deterrence posture amid regional tensions. Maritime Diplomacy: China and Vietnam held new talks on maritime delimitation and joint development in the South China Sea, agreeing to push negotiations for early, substantive progress. Aviation Disruption Watch: Air Canada says there’s no jet-fuel shortage expected to disrupt summer travel, after earlier global concerns tied to the Iran conflict. Digital Safety: Meta removed 39 Facebook pages run from Vietnam that spread false claims about NHL players to farm engagement. Travel & Trade: Vietnam welcomed 10.6 million international visitors in the first five months of 2026, while economic updates point to continued momentum in retail sales and FDI inflows. Public Policy: Vietnam’s deputy PM urged tougher action against IP violations as the US presses new trade and forced-labour-related scrutiny.

U.S.-Vietnam Defence: The U.S. has cleared a possible C-130 sustainment sale for Vietnam, signaling potential next steps for a future Hercules buy. Trade & Labour: Vietnam’s foreign ministry pushed back on a U.S. forced-labour conclusion, saying it doesn’t reflect Hanoi’s mitigation efforts as Washington weighs new tariff pressure. Tourism Boom: Vietnam welcomed about 10.6 million international visitors in Jan–May 2026, up 14.9% year-on-year, with May arrivals rising 16.5%. Tech & Industry: LG Innotek plans to expand semiconductor substrate production in Hai Phong, aiming to scale package solutions. Economy Watch: Vietnam’s retail sales of goods and services rose 11.2% in five months, while FDI inflows climbed 34.9% in Jan–May. Climate Risk: Dry weather and an expected strong El Niño are disrupting crop planting across Asia, raising food-supply concerns.

U.S.-Vietnam Trade Tensions: The Trump administration is moving ahead with new Section 301 tariffs tied to forced-labor enforcement failures, with Vietnam named among 60 trading partners flagged by the U.S. Trade Representative; the proposed duties range from 10% to 12.5%, raising fresh compliance pressure for Vietnamese exporters. Aviation & Tourism: Vietjet confirmed a new direct Singapore–Nha Trang route from 11 December 2026 (four return flights weekly), and launched a major 12-million-ticket sale across its network. Philippines Connectivity: Vietjet also plans a Cebu–Ho Chi Minh City link in the fourth quarter of 2026, aiming to boost tourism and business travel between the two markets. Vietnam Economy Watch: AMRO kept Asean+3 growth at 4% for 2026-27 but cut Vietnam’s 2026 forecast to 7.2% as global risks linger. Energy Policy: Vietnam’s E10 biofuel rollout continues, with government messaging focused on quality and consumer protection. Sports: Vietnam’s presence in regional youth basketball remains in the spotlight after Gilas Pilipinas’ 51-point win over Vietnam in the FIBA U18 Asia Cup qualifiers.

US–Vietnam Trade: The U.S. Trade Representative has proposed new Section 301 duties of up to 12.5% on imports from Vietnam and other economies, saying they failed to effectively ban forced-labour goods—setting up another round of tariff pressure even as trade talks continue. Vietnam Economy Watch: AMRO cut its 2026 Vietnam GDP growth forecast to 7.2% and lifted its inflation outlook to 4.4%, warning stronger inflation pass-through could weigh on demand. Capital Markets & Policy: Vietnam is pushing capital market reforms to improve foreign investor access, while also moving to fast-track its international financial center and digitize systems like fuel station locating. Business & Investment: Hung Yen is strengthening its appeal to Japanese investors through deeper industrial integration, and BlockchainWork raised nearly $142,000 from Japanese backers to expand its blockchain talent network. Digital & Social Insurance: Vietnam requires social insurance for foreign workers with 12-month contracts, and is rolling out more digital tools to tighten supply chains and public services.

US-Vietnam Trade: The U.S. Trade Representative has launched a Section 301 investigation into Vietnam’s intellectual property protection and enforcement, with public comments due July 2 and possible tariff or non-tariff actions later. Vietnam Energy Policy: Vietnam is rolling out E10 biofuel nationwide, with new rules aimed at supply stability and consumer protection. Digital & Governance Updates: Vietnam is set to issue new complaint-resolution regulations from July 2026, and is also moving to complete a land database by end-2026. Regional Diplomacy: Vietnam and the Philippines are upgrading ties to an enhanced strategic partnership, with maritime security and economic cooperation high on the agenda. Business & Investment: Quanta is doubling investment in Vietnam, while HSBC is providing sustainability-linked trade facilities to Bach Hoa Xanh.

Philippines–Vietnam Upgrade: Presidents Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and To Lam elevated ties to an “Enhanced Strategic Partnership,” promising wider economic and deeper defense cooperation and people-to-people links—while a planned Senate meeting with Cayetano was canceled amid Senate leadership uncertainty. Vietnam Energy Push: Vietnam is accelerating onshore wind deployment to meet rising power demand and cut reliance on coal and gas, with experts pointing to offshore wind–hydrogen integration as a strategic option. US–Vietnam Trade Pressure: The U.S. opened a new probe into Vietnam’s intellectual property practices, adding to ongoing trade frictions. Vietnam Manufacturing Watch: S&P Global says Vietnam’s manufacturing PMI rebounded in May, with new orders returning to growth after April’s dip. Carbon Market Rules: Vietnam’s agriculture ministry is set as the sole authority for issuing and managing domestic greenhouse gas emission quotas and carbon credits on the national registry. Business & Mobility: Crystal expanded free vision screening for 38,000 workers across Vietnam, Bangladesh and Cambodia; Green GSM is also pushing all-electric ride-hailing expansion in the Philippines.

Philippines–Vietnam Upgrade: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vietnam’s President Tô Lâm elevated ties to an “Enhanced Strategic Partnership,” pledging wider cooperation in politics, defense, and people-to-people links, while also renewing a 2010 defense cooperation deal to boost maritime security, military education, and disaster risk management. South China Sea Focus: Marcos stressed that peace, stability, and freedom of navigation and overflight remain “non-negotiable,” pointing to UNCLOS and the 2016 South China Sea arbitral award as the basis for dispute resolution. Digital & Cyber Cooperation: The two sides also signed an MoU on information technology and digital transformation, aiming to coordinate against cross-border threats like internet fraud and trafficking. US Trade Pressure on IP: U.S. trade officials launched an investigation into Vietnam’s intellectual property practices, with concerns tied to how rights holders are protected. Trump Golf Resort Fallout: Reports say a Trump-branded $1.5 billion golf resort project near Hanoi has led to grave exhumations for affected households, sparking anger over compensation. Energy Policy Update: Vietnam rolled out E10 biofuel nationwide and is pushing public Q&A via a chatbot.

Philippines–Vietnam Upgrade: President To Lam’s Manila state visit lifted ties to an “enhanced strategic partnership,” with new pacts on defense, digital transformation, tourism and education, and a renewed focus on maritime security and law-enforcement cooperation. Vietnam–Philippines Defence Focus: The two sides also renewed a 2010 defense framework, aiming to boost information exchange and joint efforts against transnational crime, including online fraud and trafficking. E10 Biofuel Rollout: Vietnam begins nationwide E10 biofuel gasoline rollout on June 1, alongside efforts to keep fuel supply steady. US IP Probe: The U.S. launched a third investigation into Vietnam’s intellectual property protection and enforcement, with analysts linking it to broader trade pressures. Textile Green Digital Push: Vietnam urged TCF firms to accelerate digital and green transition, including circular economy steps, to stay competitive in export markets. Pangasius Prices Rise: Vietnam’s raw pangasius prices stayed high as export demand recovered, though fingerling costs are adding pressure for farmers. Vietnam Manufacturing Rebound: Vietnam’s PMI improved in May as new orders and output picked up, even as input costs kept rising. EV Charging Expansion: VinFast partners with ChargeZone to build a nationwide charging network in India, starting with co-branded stations.