Vietnam’s Vingroup JSC is selling a 41.5% stake in its Vincom Retail unit, retaining an 18.8% stake post-transaction. The sale, confirmed by Vingroup, is expected to complete between March and the third quarter. Vincom Retail's shares surged 6.8% following the announcement, reflecting strong financial performance with a 59% increase in after-tax profit for 2023. Vingroup's divestment aligns with its strategic focus on high-growth areas like electric vehicle manufacturing through its VinFast unit, which is expanding operations in the U.S. and India.

The federal government plans to intervene in a labour dispute that halted operations of Canada's two largest railways, CN and CPKC. A senior Liberal source confirmed the government's intention to step in and resolve the stoppage.

Vietnam's deputy trade minister, Do Thang Hai, was detained on charges related to bribery in connection with Xuyen Viet Oil Travel and Transport Trading Company. This is part of an ongoing anti-corruption campaign that has targeted officials and industry leaders since 2021. The Communist Party's Central Inspection Commission recommended disciplinary action against Hai and others, including a former deputy prime minister, after identifying serious violations in the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Violations included mismanagement of gasoline and oil supply and price stabilization funds, as well as issues with solar and wind power policy. Former deputy prime minister Trinh Dinh Dung, politburo member and former trade minister Tran Tuan Anh, and Vietnam Oil and Gas Group Chairman Hoang Quoc Vuong were also named as responsible for violations.

Gene Solutions, backed by Mekong Capital Ltd., is seeking to raise up to $70 million in 2024 to fund its expansion in Southeast Asia and is considering a share sale by 2026. The company, headquartered in Ho Chi Minh City, has already raised $40 million from previous funding rounds and is reaching out to investors in the U.S., China, and Japan. Gene Solutions operates a network of labs in Vietnam, Indonesia, and Singapore, with plans to expand to the Philippines and Thailand. The funds will also support cancer treatment research and service enhancement. The company offers non-invasive prenatal testing, early cancer screening, and aims to provide treatments globally, with a project to commercialize cell therapy by 2028.

Vietnam's pursuit of inclusion in emerging market indexes faces significant challenges, particularly the requirement for upfront funding by equity investors. Despite its strong economic growth and stock market performance, foreign investors are hesitant due to the need for fully-funded accounts and caps on foreign holdings. The Vietnamese securities regulator is working to meet the criteria for an upgrade, with potential inclusion in FTSE Russell's indexes by 2025. However, the process has been slow, and even if achieved, the upgrade may not guarantee sustained capital inflows, as evidenced by Pakistan's experience. Local investors are optimistic, but global funds remain cautious.

Be Group, a Vietnamese ride-hailing company, raised 739.5 billion dong ($30 million) from VPBank Securities to compete with larger rivals like Grab Holdings Ltd. and GoTo Group. The funding will accelerate Be Group's efforts in the ride-hailing and delivery markets, which are growing due to increased smartphone usage in Vietnam.

Vietnamese electric-vehicle maker VinFast Auto Ltd. has signed an agreement to invest up to US$2 billion in Tamil Nadu, India, to establish an integrated electric-vehicle facility. The initial investment will be US$500 million, with construction starting this year and an annual capacity of 150,000 units. VinFast's founder Pham Nhat Vuong has been appointed as the new CEO, while current CEO Le Thi Thu Thuy will become head of the board of directors. The company is also constructing a US$2 billion manufacturing complex in North Carolina and planning a factory in Indonesia, aiming for aggressive expansion in Southeast Asia and globally. VinFast went public in the US in August and reported a wider loss in the third quarter.

Vietnam’s Be Group secured 739.5 billion dong ($30 million) from VPBank Securities to enhance its competitive stance against Grab Holdings Ltd. and GoTo Group in the ride-hailing and delivery markets. The funds will support Be Group's expansion into new markets and services, aiming for 1 billion rides and $200 million in annual gross revenue by 2026. The company plans to double its active users to 20 million and achieve positive earnings by 2024.

Vietnamese electric-vehicle maker VinFast Auto Ltd. signed an agreement to invest up to $2 billion in India's Tamil Nadu state to establish an integrated EV facility. The initial investment will be $500 million, with construction starting this year and an annual capacity of 150,000 units. VinFast's founder Pham Nhat Vuong has been appointed as the new CEO, while current CEO Le Thi Thu Thuy will become head of the board of directors. The company is also expanding in North Carolina and Indonesia, aiming for aggressive growth in Southeast Asia and global markets. VinFast went public in the US in August and reported a wider loss in the third quarter.

Vietnam's Communist Party has called for disciplinary action against several government officials, including a former deputy prime minister, following a probe that uncovered serious governance lapses in the Ministry of Industry and Trade. The violations, which involve the planning and regulation of solar and wind power policies and the management of gasoline and oil supplies, could result in significant financial losses for the state. This move is part of a broader anti-corruption campaign that has been ongoing since 2021, targeting both public and private sectors and drawing comparisons to similar efforts in China.