In platform economies, trust is fundamental. When it fails, the entire system is affected. The recent controversy in Vietnam involving a public figure, a ride-hailing driver, and Grab demonstrates how quickly a local conflict can escalate into a significant reputational and economic crisis. The incident centers on a familiar imbalance: a well-known individual allegedly acted… Continue reading
Tet, or Lunar New Year, is the most important holiday in Vietnam. Officially called Tết Nguyên Đán, it marks the first day of the lunar calendar, usually somewhere between late January and mid-February, aligned with the new moon. Western New Year is festive; Tet feels existential. It isn’t just a holiday—it’s more like a reset… Continue reading
Vietnam’s fintech story isn’t about complex algorithms or crypto. It’s about speed. In less than ten years, the country moved from relying on cash to using QR codes for payments at cafés, pharmacies, convenience stores, and even traditional wet markets. This change is driven less by new financial products and more by affordable smartphones, a… Continue reading
Long Thành International Airport is basically the south’s big “capacity reset”: a purpose-built, oversized hub out in Đồng Nai (about 40 km east of central Ho Chi Minh City) meant to do what Tân Sơn Nhất simply can’t anymore—keep expanding in line with demand and still meet modern hub standards. It’s a greenfield project owned… Continue reading
Vietnam’s electric vehicle scene is still new, and Dat Bike stands out as a clear example of early doubt meeting long-term vision. Nguyễn Bá Cảnh Sơn, a former Silicon Valley engineer, launched the company in 2019 with a bold idea: electric motorbikes, not cars, would lead Vietnam’s green transition. Many people at the time thought… Continue reading
Vingroup is more than just another large company in Vietnam. Many people see it as the clearest symbol of the country’s bold post-Đổi Mới ambitions: growing quickly, building many businesses under one roof, and showing the world what Vietnamese companies can achieve. The company actually began outside Vietnam, when Phạm Nhật Vượng became successful in… Continue reading
