FOREIGN INVESTORS KEEN ON VINALINES’ EQUITIZATION

Many foreign enterprises have expressed interest in becoming strategic investors in Vietnam National Shipping Lines (Vinalines) following the Prime Minister’s approval of the firm’s equitization plan.

A Vinalines representative said the firm has met with some investors from Japan, Thailand and South Korea, such as Hyundai Motor, SK Holdings and Siam Cement Group, over share acquisition. Hyundai Motor has officially registered to participate in Vinalines’ equitization.

Vinalines will sell 34.8% of its chartered capital to strategic investors through its initial public offerings (IPOs) and share auctions, but many investors want to hold at least 49%. As a result, the share volume Vinalines has offered is not attractive enough to investors.

Some other investors want to cooperate with Vinalines to exploit seaports instead of merely joining the IPO, such as Oman’s State General Reserve Fund.

In addition, Vinalines last year signed a memorandum of understanding with Rent A Port N.V., a seaport investment and management firm of Belgium’s Ackermans & van Haaren Group, which allowed Rent A Port N.V. to purchase a 10% stake in Vinalines. The Belgian investor has hired PwC Vietnam Co., Ltd, to appraise Vinalines’ value.

According to some investors, requirements for enterprises that want to become strategic investors in Vinalines are tough. Investors operating in the same sector must have a minimum chartered capital of VND1 trillion, while the level for those outside the shipping sector is VND2 trillion. These figures are double those of the previous plan.

On June 20, the Government passed Vinalines’ equitization plan, which involves the sale of part of the State capital and the issuance of additional shares to increase its chartered capital. After the equitization, Vinalines will have chartered capital of more than VND14 trillion, including VND11.9 trillion of State capital.

The State will hold 65% of the chartered capital, while 14.8% of the shares will be sold to strategic investors and 2% to Vinalines’ employees and trade union.

Vinalines has plans to offer over 1.4 billion shares at a starting price of VND10,000 each in its IPO in September.

Source: The Saigon Times

Related News

MEMBER CORNER / PROMOTIONS

VIETNAM'S MANUFACTURING STORY HAS CHANGED IN 2026

Vietnam is no longer attracting investment solely because of its competitive costs. Today, global manufacturers are increasingly choosing Vietnam for its expanding industrial ecosystem, resilient supply chains and growing role in high-value sectors such as semiconductors, electronics and advanced manufacturing.

Jul 24, 2026

BANKING / FINANCE / INSURANCE / TAX

VIETNAM NEEDS OVER $200BN FROM STOCK MARKET IN NEXT 5 YEARS

Speaking at the event, Bui Hoang Hai, vice-chairman of the State Securities Commission of Vietnam, said total investment demand in the 2026-30 period is estimated at VND38,000 trillion ($1.4 trillion). The state budget can only provide approximately VND8,500 trillion ($323 billion), or 20 percent, leaving the remaining 80 percent to be sourced from private and international capital.

Jul 23, 2026

VIETNAM ECONOMY INVESTMENT

HUNG YEN BUILDS DIGITAL FOUNDATIONS TO DRIVE LONG-TERM GROWTH

From strengthening data infrastructure to developing AI platforms, Hung Yen province is enhancing governance capacity while laying the groundwork for the growth of its digital economy. Hung Yen, about 50-60km southeast of Hanoi, has maintained steady momentum in implementing its digital transformation agenda, creating a stronger foundation for the province to advance science, technology, and innovation.

Jul 23, 2026

VIETNAM ECONOMY INVESTMENT

CHINESE INVESTMENT WAVE OPENS NEW DOORS

As Chinese companies move beyond factory relocation to ecosystem-driven investment, Vietnam has a rare opportunity to evolve from a low-cost production base into a strategic node in regional value chains. When global companies first diversified supply chains, the focus was largely on relocating manufacturing capacity.

Jul 23, 2026

VIETNAM ECONOMY INVESTMENT

VIỆT NAM STEPS UP EXPORT TO ACHIEVE US$550-BILLION TARGET

Việt Nam is intensifying efforts to sustain export momentum in the second half of 2026 as the country works towards its target of US$550 billion in export revenue for the year, despite continuing uncertainties in global trade. Statistics show that exports reached $266.5 billion in the first six months, meaning the economy needs to generate around $245.5 billion more during the remainder of the year to meet the annual goal.

Jul 23, 2026

VIETNAM ECONOMY INVESTMENT

ASIA POWERS VIETNAM’S SHRIMP BOOM, LEAVING THE WEST BEHIND

In the first half of 2026, Vietnam's shrimp exports surpassed the US$2.3 billion mark, driven largely by booming demand from China and a lobster craze. But behind that growth figure lies a lopsided picture: Asia is carrying the load, while the U.S. and Europe have yet to break out. These days, a container of frozen shrimp leaving a Ho Chi Minh City port is more likely to cross the East Vietnam Sea to Shanghai than the Pacific to Los Angeles.

Jul 23, 2026