On March 20, the company announced that 10 passenger buses – including both internal combustion and electric engine models – had been shipped as part of a contract for 300 vehicles to be exported to Thailand in 2026. The milestone underscores the manufacturer’s production capacity and the growing regional recognition of Vietnamese-made automobile products.

Researched and developed by Kim Long Motor’s engineering team, the buses are designed to meet Thailand’s terrain, transport infrastructure, and customer requirements. With a localisation rate exceeding 80 per cent at the company’s Hue factory, the vehicles qualify for tax exemptions when imported into Thailand and across ASEAN markets.

Among the vehicles being shipped, the 12m Kim Long 99-seat buses stand out with their contemporary design and upgraded amenities, catering to the high-quality passenger transport segment.

The buses are equipped with a new-generation YUCHAI K11 engine designed for strong and stable performance. Fuel consumption of just 19–21 litres per 100km helps keep operating costs competitive. The integrated body and chassis design is researched and optimised using modern design and simulation software to enhance load capacity, reduce vehicle weight, and adapt to diverse operating conditions in Thailand.

In contrast to products that rely on fragmented supply chains, the chassis and YUCHAI K11 engine of Kim Long’s seated buses are manufactured at the company’s Hue factory, offering a competitive advantage by ensuring consistent quality while strengthening supply chain control.

Alongside traditional internal combustion models, Kim Long Motor has also exported 12m electric buses to Thailand – a significant step in the development of green, environmentally friendly commercial vehicles.

The electric bus is equipped with a new BYD battery system, with average power consumption of just 0.8 kWh per km. The battery pack is produced at Kim Long Motor’s commercial electric vehicle battery plant in Hue.

With modern battery technology, the bus can travel more than 400km on a 90 per cent charge, supported by regenerative braking to optimise energy efficiency. The solution enables smooth and stable operation while significantly lowering operating costs compared with traditional vehicles.

The models’ energy efficiency and reduced emissions align with the green transportation trend and support Thailand’s push towards clean energy transition.

With this shipment, Kim Long Motor has taken a step towards establishing its manufacturing capabilities and product quality in international markets. The company aims to strengthen collaboration with strategic partners, advance development of environmentally friendly vehicles, and enhance competitiveness as it works towards becoming a recognised commercial vehicle brand in the region.

Beyond accelerating exports, Kim Long Motor is investing in a comprehensive factory system covering research and development, component manufacturing, vehicle frames, engines, and electric vehicle batteries.

By managing its value chain, the company aims to ensure consistent product quality, control costs, and tailor products to specific market requirements. This provides a foundation for increasing competitiveness, accelerating product rollout, and deepening integration into global supply chains.

With a clear focus on sustainable development, Kim Long Motor is positioning itself as a Vietnamese vehicle brand ready to integrate and compete internationally.

Kim Long Motor and BYD Battery start electric vehicle battery plant in Hue On January 27, Kim Long Motor, in collaboration with BYD Battery, held the groundbreaking ceremony for the BYD battery manufacturing plant at Kim Long’s manufacturing and assembly industrial park, with a total investment of $130 million.

Kim Long Motor and AOJ Suzhou enter strategic partnership Kim Long Motor and AOJ Suzhou signed a strategic cooperation agreement in Ho Chi Minh City on February 14.

Kim Long Motor pioneering fuel-efficient engines and green transition Recent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have continued to raise risks for the global energy market, with diesel prices rising sharply and unpredictably, placing pressure on fuel-intensive sectors such as long-distance passenger transport.

According to a legal alert by Ernst & Young Vietnam from March 18, Vietnam has already raised retail fuel prices twice within three days under emergency pricing rules, while the government issued Resolution No.36/NQ‑CP on March 6 to prioritise domestic energy security and enable rapid price adjustments and crude allocation.

Shipping lines and insurance markets have restricted gulf transits, with widespread rerouting and new emergency surcharges.

The alert highlights the impact of the Middle East conflict on key sectors in Vietnam, ranging from oil refining and petrochemicals to energy, power, manufacturing, and supply chains.

In regard to oil refining and petrochemicals, Vietnam’s fuel security relies heavily on imported feedstocks. Major refining facilities face critical supply chain pivots due to their historical reliance on Middle Eastern crude. For domestic refiners and their international sponsors, the immediate commercial challenge is securing and processing alternative feedstocks without breaching existing long-term supply agreements or compromising operational safety.

Another sector subject to disruption is liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) distribution. The disruption is already triggering legal mechanisms. With refrigerated vessels unable to safely transit conflict zones, major distributors have been forced to issue force majeure notices on imported LPG deliveries. Downstream industrial customers must urgently secure alternative energy sources while navigating sudden price spikes.

In terms of energy, power and infrastructure, major engineering, procurement and construction and supply contracts are highly vulnerable to critical path delays. The re-routing of vessels away from conflict zones is delaying the delivery of specialised equipment, such as components for renewable energy projects or equipment for LNG terminals. Project directors must immediately assess whether these logistical delays entitle contractors to a time extension and, crucially, whether they are entitled to claim prolonged costs.

Manufacturing and supply chains are also feeling the impact of tensions in the Middle East. Exporters and importers are facing war-risk insurance premiums and container surcharges. Margins are being instantly eroded, raising urgent questions about the ability to pass these costs upstream or downstream under existing supply agreements.

Furthermore, the Middle East crisis is also having a consequential impact on the broader economy. The energy shock is cascading into all sectors. Transport and logistics providers face spiked fuel costs and eroding margins that they will attempt to pass on to manufacturers and retailers, which then feed into broader inflation. Furthermore, energy-intensive industries such as fertiliser and plastics manufacturing are exposed to extreme input price volatility, threatening the financial viability of fixed-price supply contracts.

Against the backdrop, businesses with Vietnam‑facing contracts should act now to preserve rights and cash flow, using statutory force majeure, fundamental change of circumstances, and contractual time/price adjustment mechanisms where available.

Middle East conflict raises risks for global coffee market The US-Iran conflict could put pressure on the coffee market through higher production costs, a volatile dollar, skyrocketing fuel prices and growing logistical uncertainty, especially with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the risk of paralysis in the Suez Canal.

Middle East conflict disrupts supply chains, pressures logistics firms The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is placing significant pressure on logistics companies in Vietnam, disrupting supply chains and international transportation activities.

Domestic fundamentals hold firm as markets reprice global risk Domestic fundamentals remain solid as markets reassess global risk, with Middle East tensions causing volatility.

According to the company’s newly released fourth-quarter and full-year financial results in March, VinFast reported revenue of VND90.4 trillion ($3.6 billion) for 2025, up over 105 per cent on-year.

In the fourth quarter, the company delivered 86,557 electric vehicles (EVs) – an increase of 127 per cent on-quarter and 63 per cent on-year, marking its strongest quarterly performance since its establishment.

Driven by growing demand from the commercial transport and service vehicle segment, models under the Green brand and the EC Van accounted for approximately 49 per cent of total deliveries in the quarter. International markets also played an increasingly important role, representing about 18 per cent of total deliveries during the period.

For the full year, VinFast delivered 196,919 electric cars, up 102 per cent on-year. The figure exceeded the company’s target of at least doubling the previous year’s deliveries (97,399 units) and marked the highest annual delivery volume in the company’s history.

Beyond electric cars, VinFast’s e-motorcycle and e-bicycle segments also recorded strong growth. In the fourth quarter of 2025, the company delivered 171,962 two-wheel EVs, up 43 per cent on-quarter and 452 per cent on-year. For the full year, deliveries of e-motorcycles and e-bicycles reached 406,498 units, representing a 473 per cent on-year.

Another notable improvement was seen in gross margin. In the fourth quarter of 2025, gross margin stood at around negative 40 per cent, a significant improvement compared with negative 79 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2024 and negative 56 per cent in the third quarter of 2025.

Thanks to strong growth in deliveries, fourth-quarter revenue reached $1.57 billion, up almost 140 per cent on-year and 118 per cent on-quarter. For the full year 2025, gross margin improved to negative 42.5 per cent, compared with negative 57.4 per cent in 2024. By the end of 2025, VinFast had built a global network of 424 showrooms, supporting sales operations and strengthening brand recognition.

The fourth-quarter financial results marked the strongest performance in the company’s history, with several key metrics reaching new highs as early benefits from scale expansion began to materialise.

Nguyen Thi Lan Anh, CFO of VinFast said, “The company’s ability to exceed its 2025 targets while operating at around two-thirds of the capacity of its main production plant demonstrates VinFast’s capability to scale operations efficiently.”

Meanwhile, Le Thi Thu Thuy, chairwoman of VinFast, said 2025 marked a key milestone in the company’s development journey, aligned with its core mission of making EVs and the green transition more accessible to everyone.

“Every strategic decision we make, from investments in technology and manufacturing capacity to global expansion, revolves around that objective. In 2026 and the years ahead, scaling up production and optimising unit costs will remain critical drivers,” she said.

VinFast’s leadership also revealed plans for strategic investments to expand overseas manufacturing capacity, commercialise next-generation vehicle models, and strengthen cooperation with partners both inside and outside the Vingroup ecosystem to further integrate AI into its vehicles and factories.

In 2025, VinFast also stepped up its expansion strategy in key Asian markets while strengthening its global manufacturing footprint. In Vietnam, the company maintained its leading position in the car market, with an estimated 36 per cent market share in 2025, a sharp increase from around 22 per cent in 2024. The company also remained the number-one electric two-wheeler brand in the domestic market.

Internationally, VinFast has been steadily improving its market presence. In India, despite only starting vehicle sales in September 2025, the company rose from eighth place in October 2025 to fourth place by December 2025, maintaining this ranking into early 2026.

In Indonesia, VinFast ranked third among electric vehicle brands by the end of 2025. Meanwhile, in the Philippines, data from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. showed the company climbing to second place in the electric vehicle segment.

Alongside market expansion, VinFast also accelerated the development of its global manufacturing ecosystem. At the company’s main plant in Haiphong, total output reached 200,000 EVs in 2025, including nearly 26,000 units in December alone.

Throughout 2025, VinFast brought several new manufacturing facilities into operation. These included the VinFast Ha Tinh plant in Vung Ang Economic Zone, inaugurated last June after nearly seven months of construction; a factory in Tamil Nadu (India), which began operations the following August; and a plant in Subang (Indonesia), launched in December.

By the end of last year, VinFast was operating four factories worldwide with a combined maximum production capacity of around 600,000 EVs per year. This includes 300,000 units annually in Haiphong, 200,000 units in Ha Tinh, and two plants in Indonesia and India, each with a capacity of 50,000 units per year.

VinFast restructures portfolio into three brands, unveils luxury models The Vietnamese automaker reorganized its product lineup into distinct brand tiers and introduced two high-end vehicles targeting premium market segments.

VinFast partners with six Indonesian e-scooter dealers The electric vehicle manufacturer formed distribution agreements with half a dozen retailers to expand two-wheeler sales coverage across the archipelago nation.

VinFast targets Gulf region lifestyle market with EVs The Vietnamese automaker positioned its electric vehicles to align with emerging consumer preferences in Middle Eastern markets.

More than 150 businesspeople are racing for seats in the National Assembly and people’s councils

On March 15, elections will be held for the 16^th National Assembly (NA) and people’s councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 term. Nationwide, 864 candidates are running for the NA and 4,234 for local people’s councils. Of these, 35 businesspeople are seeking NA seats, while 118 leaders of companies and business associations are standing for provincial and city people’s councils – together accounting for 3 per cent of all candidates.

The group of 153 individuals includes chairmen of Boards of Directors, general directors, deputy general directors of companies and bank branches, and leaders of business associations. They operate across a range of sectors, including finance, banking, technology, real estate, construction, energy, and agriculture.

Among them are Vietcombank chairman Nguyen Thanh Tung, Viettel chairman and CEO Tao Duc Thang, Vietnam Airlines CEO Le Hong Ha, VNG chairman Le Hong Minh, Golf Long Thanh CEO Le Nu Thuy Duong, TNG chairman Nguyen Van Thoi, and BCons CEO Duong Kim Quan.

Among candidates for the NA, the number of businesspeople running has increased by five compared to the previous term, reaching 35. Male entrepreneurs outnumber their female counterparts 23 to 12, with an average age of approximately 51.

Eight candidates come from state-owned or state-controlled enterprises, while the number of leaders from listed companies has doubled to six, including representatives from Vietnam Airlines, Becamex, Vietcombank, Vietnam National Petroleum Group, Dabaco, and Camimex.

For local people’s councils, 118 candidates are business leaders, with more than half being Party members. Each locality has one or several business figures standing for election.

Most of the businesspeople running for election are from the country’s economic powerhouses. Ho Chi Minh City has 11 candidates for the National Assembly, and Hanoi has two; for the people’s council, the number in these two cities is 17 and 11, respectively. The majority of these candidates hold key positions in state-owned economic groups and large private enterprises. Among them is Tao Duc Thang, CEO of Viettel, the only Central Committee member among the businesspeople running for the 16^th National Assembly.

The increasing participation of entrepreneurs in elected bodies, at both the local and central levels, is expected to contribute to policymaking and oversight of enforcement significantly. Their voices in parliament can accurately reflect the desires of businesses and citizens, influencing changes and amendments to outdated policies.

Duong Kim Quan, general director of Bcons Construction Investment JSC, said, “The large participation of businesspeople in the National Assembly and people’s councils is a positive sign. They are directly involved in the economy, frequently facing issues related to investment, production, employment, and the lives of workers; they can propose practical policies that encourage a transparent, efficient, and sustainable investment environment.”

Finance Minister Nguyen Van Thang meets voters in Dien Bien ahead of NA elections Finance Minister Nguyen Van Thang and fellow National Assembly candidates met voters in Dien Bien to present their action programmes, pledging to support local development and better represent voter interests.

Hanoi police roll out comprehensive security for upcoming elections Hanoi police have put in place comprehensive security measures for the upcoming elections for the National Assembly and people’s councils.

Truong Sa voters cast early ballots for NA, local council elections Voters at 20 out of the 22 polling stations in Truong Sa (Spratly) special zone in the central province of Khanh Hoa cast their ballots on March 8 in early voting for deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026–2031 term, one week ahead of the nationwide election day on March 15.

Digital technology helps enhance transparency, trust in elections Ho Chi Minh City is taking the lead in applying digital technology to improve the quality and transparency of the electoral process.

Khanh Hoa gears up for elections, facilitates voting for tourists Preparations for the elections of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026–2031 term are in full swing across the central province of Khanh Hoa, as residents look ahead to polling day on March 15.

In February alone, 11,300 new businesses were registered nationwide, down 53.2 per cent from the previous month but up 11.6 per cent compared with the same period last year. Nearly 6,200 companies resumed operations, down 74.9 per cent on-month and 12.6 per cent on-year.

Meanwhile, 4,257 enterprises registered temporary suspension of operations for a fixed period, down 92.2 per cent from the previous month but up 19.8 per cent on-year. Another 3,492 companies suspended operations while awaiting dissolution procedures, decreasing 52.2 per cent on-month but increasing 17.5 per cent on-year. A further 3,290 enterprises completed dissolution procedures, down 28.6 per cent from January but surging 89.4 per cent compared with February last year.

Overall, during the first two months of 2026, about 32,200 businesses entered or re-entered the market each month.

The surge suggests a strong wave of business formation at the start of the year, reflecting the positive impact of policies aimed at encouraging the development of the private sector.

By locality, Vietnam’s three major economic hubs, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Dong Nai, continued to pull in the largest number of newly established businesses. Among them, Dong Nai stood out with an 82.3 per cent increase, highlighting the growing appeal of satellite industrial provinces.

However, the number of businesses exiting the market also reached 77,000, up 14.9 per cent on-year, equivalent to an average of 38,500 enterprises leaving the market each month.

At the same time, total additional registered capital injected into the economy during the first two months of 2026 reached nearly VND852 trillion ($34 billion), representing a 20.1 per cent increase compared with the same period in 2025.

A closer look suggests that the situation is not entirely negative. In fact, 75.9 per cent of businesses exiting the market chose temporary suspension rather than permanent closure, indicating that many companies are pausing operations to restructure and search for new opportunities rather than withdrawing entirely.

This pattern is also cyclical: businesses often reassess performance at the end of the previous year and register temporary suspension at the start of the new financial year. Most of the companies leaving the market are small-scale enterprises, reflecting the market’s natural process of selection and consolidation.

Vietnamese businesses diversify amid global trade shifts Domestic companies are increasing diversification across Southeast Asia while expanding into Latin America and other global markets, unlocking new growth opportunities amid a changing global trade landscape.

Food safety law issues addressed Vietnam is striving to solve issues in implementing Decree No. 46/2026/ND-CP, guiding the Law on Food Safety.

Businesses bouncing back after turbulent year After weathering a turbulent 2025, businesses across the board are entering 2026 with restored profitability, ambitious growth targets and strategic expansions, positioning themselves for a new five-year development cycle.