August 21, 2025
Innovation is not only a driver of profit but also a matter of survival for businesses
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Ho Chi Minh City, August 21, 2025 – The world is witnessing an unprecedented pace of change: Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become the foundation of operations, data has emerged as the new strategic asset, and brands once thought unshakable could disappear within a decade. Against this backdrop, InnoEx 2025 has chosen a direct approach: to move innovation beyond slogans and turn it into a fundamental question – how can Vietnamese enterprises survive and thrive in the era of data and AI?
If the Business Innovation Forum plays the role of strategic positioning, then the series of Innovation Sector Forums is where theories are put to the test by practice. Here, the “pillars” of Vietnam’s economy – from retail and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) to logistics and energy – are examined through the lens of innovation. The consistent message: innovation does not only transform products, it redefines the entire way businesses operate and serve their customers.
From a “Gold Brand” to an “Innovative Brand”
For decades, retail and FMCG thrived on the halo of brand prestige alone. But that era is over. The Bizplanr 2024 Report reveals that 87% of global retailers have already embedded AI into at least one business process, while more than 80% of executives expect to complete automation by the end of 2025. The message is clear: innovation is no longer an advantage – it is survival.
At InnoEx 2025, Trần Phương Nga, CEO of Thiên Long Group, recalled the journey of a brand once crowned with the “Golden Brand” title. “Legacy is only a foundation,” she stressed, adding that to engage younger generations, Thiên Long must reinvent everything from products to distribution. Echoing that point, KIDO CEO Trần Lệ Nguyên underlined that in FMCG, R&D data and market analytics are fast becoming the “nervous system” that keeps enterprises responsive amid disruption.
The dairy and nutrition sector is also undergoing rapid transformation. Nutifood has invested heavily in consumer data, analyzing dietary habits across different segments and streamlining its supply chain. In today’s market, nutrition products are no longer judged solely by their content, but by their ability to deliver personalization – tailored by data and health science.
These cases drive home a stark truth: past accolades are no guarantee of future leadership. In the era of data and AI, innovation is the only ticket for Vietnamese brands to remain at the forefront.
Green Logistics – Vietnam’s New Competitive Infrastructure
Few sectors illustrate the urgency of innovation as clearly as logistics. Valued at $45–50 billion and accounting for nearly 5% of GDP with annual growth of 14–16%, Vietnam ranks 43rd out of 155 countries in the Logistics Performance Index (LPI), placing it among ASEAN’s top five (Ministry of Industry and Trade, 2024). Yet these figures are far from enough to secure global competitiveness.
“Logistics of the future will not be about building more warehouses, but about automation, green practices, and data,” stressed Lê Duy Hiệp, CEO of Transimex. Evidence is clear: deploying AI, IoT, and 5G can reduce cargo losses by 90% and cut transportation costs by over 15% (Vietnam Investment Review, 2024). In this context, green logistics is no longer an ethical choice — it has become the competitive backbone for Vietnam to sustain trade growth.
Smart Energy – When AI Powers Efficiency and Sustainability
If logistics is the lifeblood of the economy, then energy is the “blood source” that keeps the system alive. Ho Chi Minh City alone accounts for more than 16% of the country’s electricity consumption, making energy security an increasingly urgent challenge in the era of climate change.
According to Mr. Phạm Quốc Bảo, Chairman of EVNHCMC, the corporation has significantly reduced power loss rates to below 3.5% — one of the lowest in the region — thanks to the deployment of SCADA/DMS intelligent operation systems, electronic meters, and big data analytics platforms.
Beyond energy, AI is also reshaping business operations and customer experience across industries. Case studies shared by Nguyễn Thượng Tường Minh (Base.vn), Trần Bảo Minh (Nutifood), Albert Antoine (Taipy Singapore), and Desmond Phua (Home Credit) showed a clear trend: AI is no longer limited to product innovation but is redesigning entire operating models. From SaaS solutions optimizing internal workflows, to personalized consumer finance services, to smart agriculture technologies from RYNAN Technology — all point to a single reality: data is the fuel driving innovation.
InnoEx – Where Innovation Alliances Begin
More than a platform for sharing experiences or showcasing technologies, InnoEx 2025 positions itself as an open ecosystem where corporations, startups, research institutes, investors, and policymakers converge in the pursuit of innovation. Here, ideas are not confined to draft papers but tested against real-world challenges; technologies are not merely displayed but connected to market needs; and new business models are shaped through multidimensional collaboration.
Ms. Truong Ly Hoang Phi, Chairwoman of InnoEx 2025, emphasized: “Innovation cannot be a solitary effort. We need an ecosystem where every business – from traditional corporations to tech startups – can find opportunities to collaborate. InnoEx 2025 is designed to serve as a catalyst for that collaboration, ensuring that every step forward for a business is also a step forward for the economy.”
And the businesses present today – from PNJ, Thien Long, KIDO, Transimex, EVNHCMC to technology companies such as Base.vn, RYNAN Technology, and MISA – are the vital components of this “innovation alliance.” They not only bring their own stories but also help shape a collective roadmap of action for Vietnam’s entire business community.
In the era of data and AI, where speed has become the ultimate competitive advantage, InnoEx is not merely a call for innovation. It is laying the foundation for an innovation alliance – a place where Vietnamese enterprises can together enter a new cycle of growth.
Through practical case studies and first-hand insights, InnoEx 2025 has made one thing clear: innovation is no longer a slogan, but the survival instinct of Vietnamese businesses.
Over two days (August 21–22, 2025), the event not only featured the InnoEx Forum – Innovation for Profit, but also ran in parallel with the Green Innovation Summit, Startup Wheel, Capital Connect, and numerous investment and trade networking activities. With more than 300 exhibitors and dozens of in-depth content sessions, InnoEx reaffirmed its role as a platform for action—connecting businesses, governments, investors, and startups on the journey of innovation.
