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Vietnam’s rapid rise as an investment hub has made its accounting standards more important than ever. Foreign companies now face a choice between two systems that work very differently. Vietnamese Accounting Standards (VAS) are based on rules, historical costs, and tax reporting principles. On the other hand, the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) rely on…

AML in ASEAN has emerged as a critical pillar for preserving financial integrity and fostering sustainable foreign direct investment. Within the region, Singapore stands out as the clear leader, with Singapore AML laws and regulations providing a model of strict supervision and enforcement. Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines have each advanced their frameworks, though vulnerabilities…

Vietnam’s economy has been expanding at one of the fastest rates in Asia, making the country a rising destination for foreign direct investment. This momentum brings significant opportunities, but it also highlights the need for businesses to navigate a regulatory landscape that continues to mature. One of the most critical areas is anti-money laundering and…

Financial integrity underpins the stability of global markets. Yet money laundering continues to pose a significant challenge, enabling organized crime, corruption, and even terrorism to thrive. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), between 2% and 5% of the global GDP(1) is laundered every year, but only a fraction is ever…

Vietnam’s economy is surging forward as GDP expanded by 7.52% in the first half of 2025, the fastest first-half growth in more than a decade(1). This strong momentum is increasingly reflected in Vietnam’s capital markets, where the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange is attracting greater investor activity and renewed foreign interest(2). At the core of…

On September 9, 2025, Vietnam officially launched its digital asset pilot under Resolution No. 5/2025/NQ-CP, marking the country’s boldest step yet into the digital economy. The program introduces a regulated framework for the Vietnam digital asset market, setting strict standards for participating exchanges and making certain that transactions take place within a controlled and transparent…

The Da Nang IFC is envisioned as a specialized financial hub established to complement the comprehensive international financial centre in Ho Chi Minh City. Situated in one of Vietnam’s most dynamic coastal cities, Da Nang combines its world-class tourism appeal with a rapidly expanding digital economy, where the digital economy contributed over 20% of the…

Ho Chi Minh City has always been more than Vietnam’s commercial capital. It is a city of ambition where growth never stands still. That ambition now takes a new form with the vision of the HCMC International Financial Center, designed to place the city on the map of Asia’s financial hubs. In 2024, its economy…

Vietnam is fast becoming one of Asia’s most attractive investment destinations. Strong economic growth and a prime location make it a natural hub for global trade and expansion. In the first seven months of 2025, foreign direct investment reached more than US $24.09 billion, a 27.3% rise compared with the same period in 2024(1). That…