AEF 2026: Laying the foundations for sustainable growth in the digital age
WVR - Project bankability, ESG (environmental, social and governance) standards and cybersecurity are key factors in attracting long-term investment to Vietnam and promoting sustainable growth in the digital age.
Latest
Speaking to The World and Vietnam Report on the occasion of the Autumn Economic Forum 2026 (AEF 2026), Mr. Don Lam, CEO and Founding Partner of VinaCapital, and Mr. Bryan Vuong, Founder and CEO of Cyfendo, discussed the factors attracting long-term investment and solutions to strengthen business cybersecurity in the age of artificial intelligence (AI).
Raising ESG standards to attract foreign investment
 |
| Mr. Don Lam, CEO and Founding Partner of VinaCapital, shares his views on the factors attracting long-term investment to Vietnam. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Mr. Don Lam, CEO and Founding Partner of VinaCapital, emphasised that infrastructure is attracting considerable interest from foreign investors.
However, turning this interest into actual investment requires projects to be financially viable (bankable), supported by a stable environment and a credible long-term investment outlook.
Mr. Don Lam said there was considerable potential to mobilise long-term capital from international investors for projects in Vietnam, including in Ho Chi Minh City.
Developing projects that meet financial viability requirements and offer long-term stability is therefore essential to attracting such investment.
Alongside project bankability, Mr. Don Lam particularly stressed the growing importance of ESG considerations in foreign investors’ assessments of businesses.
VinaCapital conducts annual ESG assessments and scoring of Vietnamese companies in its investment portfolio.
According to Mr. Don Lam, ESG performance is one of the factors investors consider when making investment decisions, as these standards reflect a company’s commitment to sustainability.
He recommended that Vietnamese businesses place greater emphasis on meeting ESG standards to improve their access to international capital, particularly long-term investment.
Strengthening cybersecurity in the age of AI
 |
| Mr. Bryan Vuong, Founder and CEO of Cyfendo, introduces an AI-powered security solution to strengthen business cybersecurity. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Addressing the need to safeguard business operations amid the rapid development of artificial intelligence, Mr. Bryan Vuong, Founder and CEO of Cyfendo, said the company was developing security solutions to counter the growing threat of hackers using AI to intensify cyberattacks.
Cyfendo’s solution supports businesses throughout the cybersecurity process, from detecting and verifying vulnerabilities to remediating them.
At AEF 2026, the company expressed its interest in expanding cooperation with businesses in Ho Chi Minh City, particularly in e-commerce, banking and finance.
According to Mr. Bryan Vuong, the solution enables businesses to access advanced security technology without having to commit excessive resources to cybersecurity.
This allows them to focus more on product development, market expansion and international growth, while strengthening the security of their operations.
