Vietnam Innovators

As Vietnam emerges as a leading destination for global technology centres, innovation, creativity, and digital transformation have become central to the country’s growth story. Once a relatively young technology market, Vietnam is now demonstrating its ability to deliver advanced solutions that boost efficiency and strengthen international competitiveness.

In this context, Global Capability Centres (GCCs)—technology and operations hubs established by international corporations—are playing a key role. These centres deploy cutting-edge technology, streamline processes, and introduce innovative approaches to support global operations, while elevating Vietnam’s position in technology and innovation.

In this week’s episode of Vietnam Innovators, join host Hao Tran in conversation with Ms Hanh Tran, General Director of NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam. Tune in to hear her share the journey of bringing NAB’s Innovation Centre to Vietnam, building a world-class technology team, and developing digital solutions that power NAB’s operations worldwide.

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Amid the ongoing transformation of Vietnam's financial and capital markets, investment prospects and economic growth opportunities have become increasingly significant. Developments in supply chains, Vietnam’s strategic position within the region, and the recent FTSE upgrade collectively present a distinctive opportunity for both domestic and international investors. This period marks the entry of substantial capital flows into Vietnam, fostering the potential for sustainable advancement in the capital markets and the broader economy.

In order to fully leverage these opportunities, a thorough understanding of fundamental investment principles and sound financial management practices is paramount. Discipline, authenticity, and a client-centered approach are essential for constructing effective strategies, mitigating risks, and navigating a rapidly evolving market. Mastering these principles is critical for transforming challenges into competitive advantages and capitalizing on opportunities in a sustainable manner.

In today’s episode of Vietnam Innovators, Thomas Nguyen, Managing Director & Chief Global Market Officer, SSI Securities Corporation, provides in-depth insights on investment strategy, risk management, and financial discipline.

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Amid Vietnam’s rapid economic and social transformation since the late 1990s, stories of resilience, opportunity, and positive change have become an integral part of the country’s development journey. From a nation where the majority of people once lived day to day through manual labour, Vietnam has gradually created opportunities for young people, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to access education, vocational training, and essential skills for the future.In this context, sustainable support models have also emerged, laying the foundation for broader social and workforce development. Among them, KOTO, founded by CEO Jimmy Pham, has become a pioneering organization, focusing on vocational training in the hospitality industry while also nurturing life skills and providing career guidance to prepare youth for professional work environments.Join host Hao Tran in a conversation with Founder and CEO, KOTO - Jimmy Pham, as he shares the journey of building the organization and his insights on vocational training and career development.

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As digital transformation accelerates globally, Vietnam is emerging as a regional hub for technology and creative talent. A young and skilled workforce, combined with a rapidly expanding startup ecosystem, has positioned Vietnam as an attractive destination for investment in data, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence. These drivers are fueling widespread digitalization across industries, particularly in the financial and banking sectors.The presence of global financial and technology corporations in Vietnam plays a crucial role in connecting local talent with international standards. Establishing innovation and technology centers by multinational banks not only generates large-scale employment opportunities but also transfers knowledge, modern processes, and operational culture — enhancing Vietnam’s competitiveness on the global technology map.In this week’s episode of Vietnam Innovators (English), host Hao Tran speaks with Patrick Wright, Group Executive for Technology & Enterprise Operations at National Australia Bank (NAB). Patrick shares the story behind building NAB’s Innovation Center in Vietnam, his perspective on Vietnam’s strategic role in the bank’s global technology ecosystem, and his reflections on leadership, innovation velocity, and the future of banking in the age of AI.

Vietnam is witnessing a significant advancement in its digital economy, where technology and a culture of innovation have emerged as pivotal drivers of growth. Across sectors ranging from gaming and digital content creation to essential applications, domestic technology enterprises and entrepreneurs are not only aligning with global trends but actively shaping them. Within a few years, numerous Vietnamese game and app development studios have evolved from modest beginnings into internationally recognized organizations, exemplifying strategic vision and a resolute ambition to expand.

However, this remarkable progress presents a deeper challenge: converting creativity into a sustainable and scalable business model. From enhancing user experiences and harnessing emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence to establishing sophisticated advertising ecosystems, this endeavor requires strategic insight and the capacity to adapt swiftly to evolving circumstances.

In this episode of Vietnam Innovators Podcast, we are joined by Daphne Tan, Director for Global Partnerships, Sell-Side Monetization at Google, and Quyet Phung, CEO of XGame Studio Vietnam. They reflect on their journey from an initial survival phase to realizing aspirations on a global stage, offering nuanced perspectives on entrepreneurship and the enduring power of conviction in achieving sustainable success.

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