M&A activity rises to 786 million USD in July

The revival of M&A activity can be attributed to several factors, including a positive macroeconomic environment that enhances the market's absorption capacity for real estate products.

A building developed by Vinaconex Group in Hanoi. (Photo: vinaconex.com.vn)
A building developed by Vinaconex Group in Hanoi. (Photo: vinaconex.com.vn)

Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - The mergers and acquisitions (M&A) landscape in Vietnam experienced a significant uptick in July, with 34 completed transactions amounting to an impressive total of nearly 786 million USD.

This surge, reported by independent CPA firm Grant Thornton, highlights a renewed vigour in the market, particularly across key sectors such as real estate, technology, energy, logistics and healthcare.

According to Grant Thornton's report, the revival of M&A activity in July and the first half of 2025 can be attributed to several factors, including a positive macroeconomic environment that enhances the market's absorption capacity for real estate products.

The implementation of the Land Law, effective from August 2024, has also contributed to increased transparency and growth potential in the sector.

In the real estate segment, notable transactions included Vinaconex Group's sale of a 70% stake in Vinaconex ITC to three domestic investors, including Hanoi An Pha Real Estate Transaction Company (23.1%), Imperia An Phu Company (24.1%) and Silver Field International Business JSC (22.5%).

This deal involved the development of the Cat Ba Amatina project, a significant urban tourism initiative in Hai Phong City.

The deal was executed through a private placement and the specific value was not disclosed.

However, based on the stock price of Vinaconex ITC at the time of valuation, the estimated worth of the 70% stake is approximately 250–300 million USD. After the transaction, Vinaconex will hold a 24.5% stake but plans to divest completely in the near future.

Another remarkable transaction was UOA Vietnam Pte. Ltd.'s acquisition of 100% of Ruby Strip Investment Company Ltd. for 68 million USD on July 16.

This strategic move allows UOA Vietnam to control prime real estate in HCM City, further expanding its portfolio in Vietnam.

The technology sector also saw dynamic activity, with three major deals reported. GS Microelectronics (GSME), a North American firm, acquired Sinble Technology Vietnam, enhancing its semiconductor design capabilities.

This deal allows GSME to strengthen its design capabilities for TSMC's advanced semiconductor technologies, especially in high-performance computing and AI applications. It also expands the company's technical presence in Asia, enhancing its capacity to serve customers worldwide.

Additionally, AI Hay, an AI-driven Q&A platform, secured 10 million USD in Series A funding to bolster its localised AI tools for the Vietnamese market.

The new funding will be allocated to expand the hyper-localised AI toolkit designed for Vietnam’s 100 million citizens, aiming to deliver a smarter, more locally relevant and user-friendly digital experience.

In a separate development, the motorcycle e-commerce platform OKXE Vietnam successfully raised 14.5 million USD from Kwangju Bank, JB Financial Group and The Invention Lab on July 28.

The funds will be used to expand the company's store network in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, as well as to implement AI-driven initiatives in pricing, vehicle inspection, after-sales service and insurance.

This is part of OKXE's strategy to establish itself as the leading digital platform for two-wheelers in Southeast Asia.

The logistics and infrastructure sectors are witnessing growth as well, with VETC, a leader in Vietnam’s electronic toll collection, securing a 19.2 million USD investment from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to expand its operations.

This funding will be used to expand the ETC network, enhance smart traffic infrastructure and develop a cashless payment platform. Currently, VETC, a subsidiary of Tasco Group, operates 133 toll stations, which represent about 75% of the national market share.

Healthcare and energy sectors continue to draw interest from both domestic and foreign investors.

Singapore-based Dale Investment Holdings, in partnership with Quadria Capital, acquired a majority stake in Tam Tri Medical JSC, a private hospital chain in Vietnam, while EnQuest PLC completed its purchase of Harbour Energy's Vietnamese business, securing significant offshore oil assets.

In the education sector, on July 9, Vietnam’s Galaxy Education, an edtech company, secured nearly 10 million USD in a funding round led by East Ventures, with contributions from other investors.

Galaxy operates popular platforms like HOCMAI and FUNiX, providing educational services to over eight million learners across Vietnam and 34 countries worldwide./.

VNA

See more

An overview of the International Coffee Conference 2026 (Photo: VNA)

Global Coffee Alliance launched to drive sustainable, inclusive growth

The Global Coffee Alliance is envisioned as a public–private partnership that bridges diplomatic efforts with business operations. Looking ahead to 2040, it aims to develop a global coffee ecosystem that is inclusive, technology-driven, and aligned with net-zero emissions goals.

At Dung Quat oil refinery (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam races to restart idle ethanol plants to meet surging demand

Do Van Tuan, Chairman of the Vietnam Biofuels Association, said that monthly ethanol demand for the E10 blend is projected at 92,000–100,000 cu.m. The country’s six ethanol plants have a combined design capacity of roughly 41,000 cu. m per month, but only three are now running, churning out about 25,000 cu.m, or just 25–27% of demand. Even if every plant hits full tilt, local supply would cover only around 41% of national needs.

At a supermarket in Ho Chi Minh City (Photo: VNA)

Ho Chi Minh City to pilot pork trading on Mercantile Exchange of Vietnam

Nguyen Nguyen Phuong, Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Industry and Trade, said listing pork on the MXV will finally give consumers and firms more stable prices, while slapping on stricter food safety rules and making it easier to track where the meat actually comes from. Farmers, meanwhile, stand to gain from more predictable margins and dodge fewer of the supply-demand imbalances that routinely distort prices.

Processing octopus for export to the Japanese market at Huy Nam Company in An Giang (Photo: VNA)

Squid, octopus exports pick up early in 2026

In terms of product structure, squid has emerged as the main growth driver. Export turnover of squid exceeded 64 million USD, rising nearly 30%, while octopus exports brought in more than 47 million USD, up over 16%. The development indicates that demand for squid products is recovering faster in the short term.

The world’s longest over-sea cable car to Hon Thom Island in the Phu Quoc special zone, An Giang province. (Photo: VNA)

An Giang steps up tourism development ahead of APEC 2027

Tourism in the province has recorded strong growth, affirming its position as one of the region’s leading destinations. Phu Quoc Island continues to attract the majority of international travellers, receiving more than 817,660 visitors, accounting for over 98.5% of total foreign arrivals to the province.

Import-export activities at Lach Huyen international port in Hai Phong (Photo: VNA)

Reducing risks, removing logistics bottlenecks amid Middle East volatility

According to Truong Xuan Trung, Trade Counsellor of Vietnam in the UAE, the Middle East serves not only as a consumption market but also as a key global transhipment hub, meaning instability in the region creates ripple effects across intercontinental transport networks. Shipping route adjustments and airspace restrictions have lengthened transit times, increased costs and disrupted delivery schedules, with some Vietnamese shipments forced to reroute or seek alternative markets.

Cargo is handled at container terminals No. 3 and No. 4 of Hai Phong International Gateway Port. (Photo: VNA)

Businesses seek “survival momentum” amid global geopolitical turbulence

This is an urgent move as the challenges of 2026 differ markedly from previous ones, shaped by overlapping external shocks ranging from geopolitical tensions disrupting supply chains to surging logistics and raw material costs, exchange-rate pressures, and increasingly complex tariff barriers in global markets.

At the 2025 trade connectivity week for mechanical, electrical and digital industries. (Photo: VNA)

Ho Chi Minh City gives boost to supporting industry firms

Supporting industry firms in Ho Chi Minh City are scrambling to embed themselves more deeply into both global and domestic supply chains, backed by a suite of local incentives that are speeding up their tech upgrades and market access.

Italy's national pavilion at the ongoing Food & Hospitality Vietnam 2026 exhibition at Ho Chi Minh City's Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre (SECC) draws visitors for hands-on experiences. (Photo: IVNA)

Italian food firms eye opportunities in Vietnam

Italy’s exports of food and beverages to Vietnam reached 105.1 million EUR in 2025, up 4% year-on-year, positioning the country among the leading EU suppliers to the Vietnamese market.

An overview of the working session (Photo: baoquangninh.vn)

Quang Ninh promotes all-round cooperation with Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region

Quang Ninh encourages Guangxi enterprises to invest in high-tech marine aquaculture and expand aquatic product exports in China. At the same time, the province aims to develop livestock farming in line with international standards and attract investment in deep-processing plants for agricultural products such as cinnamon, star anise and tea, linked with traceability systems at border gates.

Illustrative image (Source: VNA)

Vietnam becomes fastest growing market for Norwegian salmon in Southeast Asia

The Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) reported at the “Norwegian seafood industry in Vietnam market 2026” event held in Ho Chi Minh City on March 25 that fresh Norwegian salmon exports to Vietnam jumped 16% in volume in the first two months of 2026 compared with a year earlier, while frozen salmon shipments surged about 37%.

At a petrol station (Photo: VNA)

Energy giants work hard to roll out E10 RON95 sale ahead of schedule

Petrolimex and PVOIL, are in a strong position to accelerate the transition toward cleaner fuels. These companies have been actively preparing infrastructure, upgrading blending systems, and coordinating supply chains to ensure the availability of E10 RON95 across their nationwide retail systems.