Digital Payments: AsiaPay teamed up with McDonald’s Việt Nam to launch a smoother in-app “Mobile Order & Pay” and McDelivery payment flow, supporting cards, major e-wallets, and VietQR with tokenization and automated reconciliation. Vietnam Space Industry: VinSpace (Vingroup) signed a contract with SpaceX for a 2027 Transporter rideshare launch, aiming to develop, operate, and test its first home-built satellites and build Vietnam’s commercial space capability. National Digital Infrastructure: Vietnam’s Politburo Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW pushes modern digital infrastructure, wider high-quality Internet access, and large-scale data centres as the base for a national data platform and the broader innovation ecosystem. AI Skills Gap (ASEAN): An ADB/GFI report warns fintech talent gaps across Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam—especially in AI and cybersecurity—despite growing digital payments. Railway Restructuring: Vietnam Railways Corporation is being transformed into Vietnam National Railway Group, expanding roles beyond rail operations into multimodal transport and broader tech and services. Energy Project Finance: BSR issued an RfP to line up about US$600m debt financing for the Dung Quat refinery expansion and upgrade, moving from technical prep toward capital mobilisation. Sustainability Warning: A new review finds river sand extraction is outpacing natural replenishment—Vietnam by more than 11 times—raising environmental and construction-material bottleneck concerns. Vietnam–Australia Tech & Resilience: Joint statements during To Lam’s Australia visit highlight economic resilience and deeper science, technology, and innovation connectivity, alongside defence and supply-chain cooperation. Vietnam Maritime Defence: Vietnam plans construction of its largest domestically built anti-submarine frigate to strengthen deterrence in the South China Sea. Fintech Funding: Jenfi closed a US$2.5m mezzanine facility with ICU Ventures to support SME credit growth across Singapore and Vietnam. Global Trade Debate: A commentary challenges the “overcapacity” claim tied to large exports and surpluses, arguing surplus doesn’t automatically mean excess production.