Vietnam’s AI & semiconductor push: Ho Chi Minh City is shifting FDI strategy toward higher-impact tech projects, spotlighting semiconductors, AI, data centres and R&D, with SHTP citing rising domestic participation and new investment in data-centre clusters and testing/packaging. Local digital transformation: Vietnam News Agency launched a new digital-specialised information platform, while the National Press Festival 2026 in Hai Phong highlighted AI and cross-platform journalism as Vietnam’s press system accelerates digital change. Cybersecurity alert: CISA warned of active exploitation after the FortiBleed leak exposed credentials for about 74,000 Fortinet firewalls and VPN gateways, urging urgent checks for internet-facing devices. ASEAN data-centre race: ASEAN is racing to attract data-centre investment as spending nears US$30bn, with Vietnam and peers competing on regulation readiness and infrastructure. Energy & industry deals: Petrovietnam signed new oil and gas production sharing contracts and a gas sales agreement tied to the Su Tu Trang field, aiming to strengthen energy security. Web3 moves toward infrastructure: Da Nang is positioning itself for tech entrepreneurs as Web3 builders shift from crypto speculation to digital payments, identity and data infrastructure. Market watch: A report projects dimethylformamide demand to reach US$4.54bn by 2035, driven by pharma and industrial use.