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New decree to unlock billion-dollar IPO wave on stock market

New decree to unlock billion-dollar IPO wave on stock market

Analysts describe the move as a 'game changer' that could unlock a long-awaited wave of billion-dollar listings, boosting liquidity and bringing the country’s stock market closer to international standards.

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam’s capital market is bracing for a surge in large-scale initial public offerings (IPOs).

This follows the introduction of Decree 245/2025/NĐ-CP, which has dramatically shortened the listing process from 90 days to just 30.

Analysts describe the move as a 'game changer' that could unlock a long-awaited wave of billion-dollar listings, boosting liquidity and bringing the country’s stock market closer to international standards.

The decree allows companies to file for IPO registration and listing approval simultaneously, rather than sequentially, as was previously required.

This reform, according to experts, not only streamlines administrative procedures but also reduces the time lag between capital mobilisation and trading, enabling enterprises to raise and deploy funds more efficiently.

The previous requirement for a 90-day waiting period after an IPO had long been cited as a deterrent for many large firms, particularly those planning to raise over a billion dollars.

Under the new rule, businesses can submit IPO and listing applications simultaneously, significantly accelerating the process of bringing shares to market.

The reform has immediately sparked optimism among major enterprises preparing for public offerings. Market participants view the shorter timeline as a breakthrough that will enable faster capital mobilisation and improved liquidity across the stock market.

Hoàng Nam, director of Research and Analysis at VietCap Securities, said that this wave of IPOs has received clear policy support.

"This time, the IPO wave benefits from a stronger legal framework," he said.

"In particular, Decree 245/2025 has shortened the time from IPO to listing from 90 days to 30 days, helping enterprises access capital more quickly.

Several major corporations have already started preparing for IPOs under the new framework.

Among them, VPBank Securities (VPBankS) has drawn special attention with its plan to issue 375 million shares at VNĐ33,900 per share, targeting proceeds of about VNĐ12.7 trillion (US$530 million). The offering would give the company a post-IPO valuation of more than $2.4 billion.

The firm aims to list its shares on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE) in December, roughly two months after the offering - a pace made possible by the newly shortened process.

Strengthening market efficiency

Experts believe that the revised Securities Law and Decree 245 are designed to make Việt Nam’s capital market more efficient, transparent and aligned with international practices.

The ability to co-file IPO and listing applications reduces procedural friction, cutting both administrative costs and time to market.

At the same time, the reform reflects Việt Nam’s ambition to elevate its stock market classification from 'frontier' to 'emerging' status. This milestone could attract billions of dollars in new institutional investment.

Analysts say that greater listing flexibility, combined with ongoing efforts to improve disclosure standards and corporate governance, will help diversify market supply and enhance investor confidence.

Nam from VietCap noted that investor appetite remains strong, especially for well-governed firms in sectors such as finance, infrastructure and energy.

Beyond regulatory streamlining, the decree also lays out mechanisms to ensure compliance and investor protection.

Companies failing to complete their listing within the 30-day window may face delisting risks, a provision aimed at maintaining discipline and transparency in the market.

The State Securities Commission (SSC) has emphasised that the shortened process should not compromise listing standards. Companies are still required to meet all financial, governance, and disclosure obligations before approval.

Market watchers note that Việt Nam’s financial system is increasingly shifting toward capital-market-based funding, reducing reliance on bank loans.

A more dynamic IPO market is therefore seen as essential to sustain economic growth and fund the country’s expanding corporate sector.

Analysts expect the total value of upcoming IPOs to reach several billion US dollars over the next few years as major corporations and state-owned enterprises take advantage of the new legal environment.

Source: BIZHUB/VNS

Photo: Photo courtesy of the company

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New airport near Hanoi to cost $7.5B

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The cost of the under-construction Gia Binh International Airport near Hanoi is estimated to be at VND196.37 trillion (US$7.5 billion) following the recently approved upgrades to it.

The airport, in Bac Ninh Province 40 kilometers from Hanoi, will now handle 50 million passengers and 2.5 million tons of cargo a year by 2050 rather than the original 15 million and 1.6 million tons, according to a report by The State Appraisal Council.

Construction had begun in December last year, and the upgrades were approved recently by the Ministry of Construction.

It is envisioned as the northern region’s aviation gateway for passenger and cargo transport, and is being built by property developer Masterise Group.

It will have four runways spaced well apart to allow independent operations.

It will be built to 4F standards, meaning it can accommodate large aircraft such as Boeing 777 and Airbus A330.

Hanoi’s current main airport is Noi Bai International Airport with a capacity of 25 million passengers a year and to be expanded to 55 million by 2030 and 85 million by 2050.

Vietnam, China accelerate ACFTA 3.0 signing process

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Vietnam's key export products to China include agricultural produce (rice, coffee, cashews, fruits), seafood, electronic components, textiles, rubber, and crude oil.

Vietnam is finalizing its domestic procedures to proceed with signing the Protocol to upgrade the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA 3.0) as planned. This significant commitment marks a new step forward in bilateral economic relations, which have been elevated to a strategic level with the establishment of the "Vietnam-China Community with a Shared Future."

On the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit in Malaysia, Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien held a bilateral meeting with Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao on October 27.

During the meeting, the two ministers agreed that amidst complex developments in the regional and global economy, both sides need to strengthen and promote cooperation to create practical value for their citizens and businesses. The upgrade of ACFTA to version 3.0 will not only expand the scope of tariff preferences but also create a more favorable legal framework for trade in services, investment, and cooperation in new areas such as the digital economy and green transformation.

In recent years, China has affirmed its position as Vietnam's most important trading partner. In 2024, bilateral trade turnover reached $205.2 billion, setting a new record for bilateral commerce. This figure not only reflects the immense scale of trade but also highlights the high complementarity in the commodity structure between the two economies.

Data from the Vietnam Trade Office in China shows that strong growth momentum has been maintained in 2025. Export turnover to the Chinese market for the first 8 months recorded a 9.2% increase, 2.1 percentage points higher than the 7-month figure.

Vietnam's key export products to China include agricultural produce (rice, coffee, cashews, fruits), seafood, electronic components, textiles, rubber, and crude oil. Particularly, products such as durian, dragon fruit, mango, and passion fruit not only have a firm foothold but also recorded strong growth in the final months of 2025.

Conversely, Vietnam imports machinery, industrial equipment, raw materials for production, consumer goods, and electronic components from China.

High-Tech FDI boosts Vietnam's global value chain standing

High-Tech FDI boosts Vietnam's global value chain standing

Vietnam is targeting double-digit growth in the 2026–2030 period, with high-tech FDI expected to be one of the main drivers.

From an agricultural economy, Vietnam has undergone a powerful transformation to become a competitive industrial manufacturing hub in the region.

During this process, hi-tech FDI has played a pivotal role, with the presence of "eagles" like Samsung, LG, Intel, and Honda, among others.

These corporations have not only brought in capital and advanced technology but also contributed to reshaping industrial capabilities, training high-quality human resources, and paving the way for Vietnam to integrate more deeply into global value chains.

After 17 years of its operations in Vietnam, from an initial investment of $670 million in 2008, Samsung has now invested over $23.2 billion, running 6 factories and 1 research and development (R&D) center, making Vietnam the largest mobile phone production base outside of South Korea.

Other major names like LG, Intel, and Honda have also chosen Vietnam as a strategic production hub, maintaining their commitment for several decades.

According to data from 2015–2024, the processing and manufacturing industry has consistently led in FDI attraction, accounting for 50–80% of total registered capital. Many multi-billion dollar projects in electronics, semiconductors, renewable energy, and high technology have been flowing into Vietnam, contributing to elevating the nation's position on the global technology map.

According to Professor Nguyen Mai, a leading expert on foreign investment, "The presence of 'big eagles' like Samsung has created a strong spillover effect, attracting more high-tech investors and forming increasingly tight linked value chains in Vietnam."

However, experts also warn that to attract more strategic FDI projects, Vietnam needs to continue to significantly improve its investment environment.

This includes three key issues: first, upgrading technical and logistics infrastructure; second, developing high-quality human resources; and third, reforming investment incentive policies, especially for new sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), and clean energy.

Vietnam is targeting double-digit growth in the 2026–2030 period, with high-tech FDI expected to be one of the main drivers.

According to experts, high technology, especially in strategic sectors, has a strong ripple effect. Attracting it first to learn, cooperate, and develop internal capabilities is a long-term approach that will help Vietnam not just be a manufacturing location but also a regional innovation hub.

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