The Vietnam tech news round-up for Q2 2023 captured tech developments in the country including: shrimp farm management platform funding in Vietnam; the country’s developing EV ecosystem and competitive pressure from China; e-bike opportunities in Vietnam’s deliveries and last-mile operations; and more.
The monthly links listed – April, May & June 2023 – lead directly to the Vietnam tech news summary for that month, with each headline linked to the Vietnam tech news article behind it.
in June 2023 | in May 2023 | in April 2023
• Plus: Asia’s tech news today / weekly newsletters >
Vietnam Blockchain Summit 2023 – October 12-13
Vietnam’s Tech News
quarterly: June 2023
- Vietnam: An overview of the micro-insurance industry in the country
- Vietnam: Oxalus blockchain startup raises $1.1M with NFT-focused social commerce and networking platform
“It also includes analytics tool that allows users to discover and visualize big data from blockchain – track every activity of wallets and collections, which help them to decide profitable investments.”
“Oxalus has connected over 200 partners throughout Asia, Latin America, and the United States as well as attracted approximately 900,000 unique users.”
- Vietnam: Tech in Asia’s Regional Founders Meetup is set for June 28th in Ho Chi Minh City – register here
- Vietnam: VinFast launches mini EV with 2 doors and 5 seats, facing a steep challenge from competitors and the country’s motorbike and scooter culture
“Amid delays in constructing subways and roads, 70 million drivers have stuck to the ease of scooters that allow them to slip down narrow alleys and one-lane rural paths in the fast-growing country.”
“Chinese rivals are starting to stream into Vietnam, including BYD and Hongguang with its Mini EV – touted as a $4,500 “alternative to walking,” though import taxes may mean a higher local price. VinFast, which dominates domestic EV sales, aims to sell to motorists in Europe and Canada, as well as build a factory in North Carolina for cars, buses and batteries.”
- Vietnam: Singapore’s UOB bank launches UOB FinLab innovation accelerator in Vietnam, focusing on digital technologies to boost SME business growth
- HSBC Vietnam and Dat Bike e-mobility firm ink agreement around digitizing financial operations, and overseas presence allowing foreign investment
CSIS: Semiconductor supply chains – the critical role of the Indo-Pacific
Vietnam’s Tech News
quarterly: May 2023
‘We want to reduce risk for farmers’ Vietnam is one of the top five shrimp producers globally, with exports growing 11% year-over-year to hit $4.3 billion in 2022, according to the Vietnamese Association of Seafood Producers and Exporters (VASEP). The country plans to triple production in the future, according to Tepbac.
“Almost 80% of Viet Nam’s population is unbanked or underbanked. Microenterprises and SMEs are particularly affected, with their unmet financing need estimated at 500 trillion dong (around $21 billion).”
“Women-owned and women-led SMEs (WSMEs) are even more adversely affected. Women entrepreneurs in Viet Nam have an estimated $1.2 billion, but few banks have taken active measures to pursue this market opportunity.”
“Dat Bike’s Weaver++ can be fully charged in just three hours. With a top speed of 90 km/h and a range of 200 km on a full charge, Gojek driver-partners can enjoy efficient performance ensuring they can maintain their earnings.”
“Drivers can charge their Dat Bike battery for free at dozens of community charging points in Ho Chi Minh City. In addition, Weaver++ is also equipped with a fast-charging port so it can quickly charge the first 100 km in one hour at any household electrical outlet and in just 20 minutes at Dat Bike’s fast-charging stations.”
“Selex Motors, backed by the Asian Development Bank, said its bikes cost less than $1,000 because buyers do not pay for the batteries upfront. Instead they use a network of automated lockers to swap batteries when power is needed, paying as they go — essentially battery ATMs.”
ASPI: State-sponsored economic cyber-espionage for commercial purposes
Vietnam’s Tech News
quarterly: April 2023
- Vietnam joins list of countries scrutinizing TikTok, with communications ministry to inspect the firm’s approach to harmful content
- Vietnam: VinFast announces owners of their e-cars in Vietnam will be able to sell vehicles back to the firm after 5 years for 53-66% of purchase price
- ICYMI: Agreements inked between Vietnam and Laos on tech transfer between research institutes, universities and businesses of Vietnam and Lao partners at recent Tech-Innovation Vietnam-Laos 2023 forum
“It is intended to promote the commercialisation, application and investment in technologies in key areas in Laos such as farm produce processing and preservation, renewable energy, environmental treatment, IT and digital transformation, MoST Deputy Minister Tran Van Tung said in his opening remarks.”
- Vietnam: An intro to MindX education-tech firm, recently backed in $15M Series B with 32 campuses, 35K graduates and international connections with coding-focused education centres
- Vietnam: Startups have raised $40.6M in Q1 2023 – but this is 49% lower than the $80.1M raised in the same period last year
- Vietnam: An overview of how XAG agricultural drones are making an impact on Vietnam’s fruit farms, boosting efficiency in watering, fertilizing and pest control
- Vietnam: Selex Motors raises $3M to build out and solidify the nation’s first and largest shared battery-swapping network
CSET: Mapping emerging technologies and their supply chains
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