With a graduating cohort of 109 students, ISHCMC achieved an impressive 98 per cent diploma pass rate, far exceeding the global average of 81 per cent.

This accomplishment underscores the school’s dynamic learning culture and dedication to supporting students on their individual educational journeys.

The Class of 2025 achieved an average score of 34 points, outperforming the global mean of 30.58. Nearly half the cohort, 44 per cent, attained scores of 35 points or higher, demonstrating a breadth of strong performance across the board.

Remarkably, six students achieved the prestigious 40+ points milestone, a reflection of their perseverance and the expert guidance of ISHCMC’s educators.

In addition to academic success, ISHCMC celebrates its robust culture of multilingualism and international-mindedness.

This year, 53 per cent of graduates earned the IB Bilingual Diploma, more than double the global average of 23 per cent. This achievement highlights the school’s dedication to fostering cultural fluency and preparing students to engage with a diverse, interconnected world.

“These results reflect more than numbers,” said Marco Longmore, head of school. “They represent countless stories of determination, creativity, and growth. Our students are developing the curiosity and resilience that will carry them into their future endeavours.”

Many graduates began their educational journey at ISHCMC as young learners in the Early Years Programme, progressing seamlessly through the IB continuum from the Primary Years Programme to the Middle Years Programme, and finally into the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP).

This pathway has allowed students to grow in confidence, critical thinking, and compassion, equipping them with the tools to contribute meaningfully to society.

The accomplishments of the Class of 2025 extend well beyond academics. Students have demonstrated leadership and empathy through initiatives such as Theory of Knowledge essays that challenge conventional thinking, and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) projects that create real-world impact-from environmental campaigns and social entrepreneurship ventures to artistic performances and mental health awareness drives.

Their CAS projects alone touched countless lives in Ho Chi Minh City and beyond, with efforts to promote sustainability, build community engagement, and support underprivileged groups.

ISHCMC’s educators have been integral to this success, providing not just academic instruction, but also mentorship and guidance. Teachers and IB coordinators have cultivated an environment where inquiry and innovation thrive, supporting students to pursue their passions and achieve their best.

The Class of 2025 is now preparing to join prestigious universities around the globe, from the United States and the United Kingdom to Canada, Australia, and beyond.

Their destinations include top-tier universities such as the University of California system, Imperial College London, University of Toronto, and Seoul National University.

Many graduates have also secured scholarships and awards, including a remarkable $56 million in scholarships, recognising their academic potential and community service contributions.

Yet, beyond their academic qualifications, these students take with them a mindset rooted from ISHCMC’s core values: curiosity, achievement, resilience, and empathy.

These qualities will enable them to lead, collaborate, and contribute meaningfully in a fast-changing world where adaptability and compassion are essential.

ISHCMC extends heartfelt congratulations to every graduate, their families, and the dedicated faculty who have supported them throughout this journey.

The school remains steadfast in its mission to inspire and empower young people to become confident, compassionate global citizens who will shape the future with vision and purpose.

As ISHCMC reflects on this milestone, it also looks forward, continuing to innovate and strengthen their programmes to ensure every learner is prepared to meet the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow’s world.

With plans to further enhance student wellbeing initiatives, invest in state-of-the-art learning spaces, and expand partnerships with global institutions, ISHCMC is building a future where excellence is not just achieved but sustained for generations to come.

International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC) is the first international school established in Ho Chi Minh City. ISHCMC offers a high-quality education for students aged 2 to 18 with three distinct pathways: the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, IB Courses, and the ISHCMC High School Diploma. Accredited by globally recognised organisations such as CIS and NEASC, ISHCMC provides a learning environment where every individual is encouraged to explore their potential and grow holistically. Over the years, ISHCMC students have been accepted into seven of the world’s top 10 universities ranked by QS World University Rankings. Learn more about ISHCMC: * Website: https://www.ishcmc.com/ * Phone: (028) 3898 9100 * Email: admissions@ishcmc.edu.vn

The first steps: How early years at ISHCMC build a foundation for life The Early Years programme at International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC) is designed to be the starting point for lifelong learning.

ISHCMC celebrates 30-year legacy International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC) held its 30th Anniversary Gala Event on December 2, a momentous occasion commemorating three decades of educational excellence and innovation.

ISHCMC celebrates 30 years with launch of new Student Grant Programme In celebration of 30years of providing exceptional education, the International School of Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC) has proudly announced the launch of its 30 Year Grant, designed to recognise and support students who exhibit exceptional talent, determination, and potential.

Photo: Shutterstock

An Ipsos study named CX Global Insights 2025, which was conducted in 18 countries with 65,000 responses, revealed that 64 per cent of Vietnamese consumers prioritised brands they trust to deliver high-quality products and services, while 57 per cent were willing to pay a premium for superior experiences. These findings underscored the growing importance of CX in driving customer loyalty, advocacy, and business growth. They would also indicate a strong impact of emotional attachment on business outcomes.

The study showed that customers who were emotionally connected exhibited an impressive net promoter score of 72, far surpassing the score of 54 for functionally satisfied customers. Moreover, emotionally attached customers were more forgiving of occasional missteps, with 74 per cent willing to forgive a brand.

Phung Tran, head of customer experience at Ipsos Vietnam, said, “Building strong emotional connections is key to great customer experiences. It comes from quality interactions and boosts customer value while insulating brands from occasional mistakes.”

The study also revealed that among seven sectors covered in the research, the concept of emotional attachment was widely pursued among banks and online retailers (both at 50 per cent) while being relatively new among the automotive and insurance industries (45 per cent and 44 per cent).

Based on the results, when successfully building emotional attachments with customers, the CX key performance indicators climbed markedly among insurance and supermarket companies.

The Vietnam study also reveals that sectors such as fintech, banking, and online retail are successfully delivering memorable customer experiences. These industries have recognised the importance of emotional connections and have implemented strategies to build strong brand-customer relationships. On the other hand, the mobile network provider and insurers sector fall behind, indicating a need for improvement in empowering customers and giving them a sense of command in their interactions with the brand.

The picture is clear that some industries are behind compared to others. “There is certainly homework to be done by many CX leaders in Vietnam,” commented Tram Luong, CX research manager at Ipsos Vietnam.

To elevate CX through emotional attachment, a holistic approach, combining the “Forces of CX” with an “Experience Factors” framework should be considered. The “Forces of CX” refer to the core elements that shape a customer’s perception during interactions with a brand – typically including emotion, ease, and effectiveness. Meanwhile, the “Experience Factors” framework focuses on elements that influence the customer journey – such as technology, touchpoints, processes, and people.

The holistic approach encompasses employee training, personalisation, omnichannel consistency, and alignment with brand promises, enabling businesses to consistently deliver exceptional experiences across all touchpoints.

Personalisation is also a powerful differentiator and can elevate the relationship. Brands need to demonstrate an understanding of customers’ personal situations and circumstances and use that to deliver a tailored interaction.

“As Vietnamese consumers become increasingly demanding, businesses are prioritising CX to remain competitive. By embracing the power of emotional factors, companies can unlock the full potential of CX and build profitable customer relationships. The journey from like to love lies in understanding, anticipating, and exceeding customer expectations is now going to emotional level. Those who master this art will emerge as leaders in Vietnam’s dynamic and competitive business landscape,” added Tran.

Gradual but radical changes set to sweep pharmaceutical landscape The upcoming implementation of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) is expected to transform the competitive landscape of Vietnam’s pharmaceutical and medical industry.

High excitement and trust in tech advancements thanks to AI The findings of Ipsos Vietnam position Vietnam as a dynamic market ready to adopt and benefit from AI technologies, echoing the sentiment across other Asian countries.

Businesses are adapt to Vietnam’s demographic shifts Businesses need to urged to adjust their strategies as the country enters a period of an ageing population in the next 10-15 years, according to a survey released on September 16.

Cathay Cargo has developed a specialised service known as Cathay Expert, designed to provide comprehensive logistics solutions for high-value, high-risk cargo categories that require stringent safety and precision standards.

Cathay Dangerous Goods, meanwhile, specialises in the professional handling of hazardous materials, including flammable liquids, toxic gases, radioactive substances, and more.

Unlike conventional freight transport, items like aircraft engines, semiconductor machinery, industrial machinery, and vehicles require complex handling processes that demand deep expertise and suitable infrastructure. Each shipment must comply with strict technical specifications, safety monitoring, timely delivery, and international regulatory standards.

Cathay Expert was created as a specialised service platform to help customers, especially those in the aviation, engineering, and manufacturing sectors, overcome the logistical challenges associated with heavyweight, ultra-long, odd-sized vibration-sensitive, fragile items, as well as the most special shipments like helicopters and precision machinery.

“When transporting aircraft engines or semiconductor machinery, mere freight capacity is not enough. Customers need a partner who understands the risks, has rigorous quality control systems, a professionally trained expert team, and end-to-end synchronised processes. That’s why we developed Cathay Expert,” said Duong Ngoc Son, area cargo manager for Vietnam.

Cathay Expert strategically integrates the aviation value chain, from operations and engineering to logistics. Photo: Cathay Cargo

Leveraging its base in Hong Kong, Asia’s leading cargo transshipment hub, Cathay Cargo positions Cathay Expert as a regional service connecting Vietnam with key markets such as Singapore, Japan, and Hong Kong.

These markets serve as crucial hubs: Singapore is Southeast Asia’s largest aircraft maintenance and aerospace technology centre, Tokyo Narita is Japan’s transport and technical gateway, a nation renowned for excellence and reliability in heavy industries, while Hong Kong stands as a premier international transshipment point and Cathay Cargo’s global coordination centre.

Vietnam’s commercial airlines, with expanding fleets, face growing demands for regular engine maintenance that complies with ICAO and IATA technical and safety standards. However, local maintenance infrastructure does not yet fully meet the deep technical requirements for next-generation engines.

Therefore, transporting engines to specialised centres around the world has become the preferred choice, ensuring precision, technical quality, and optimal maintenance turnaround times.

Cathay Cargo serves as the logistical bridge, managing the entire process, from receiving cargo at domestic technical warehouses, handling international transportation and customs clearance, to final delivery at maintenance facilities.

With expertise in handling high-tech freight and dedicated teams at key transit points including Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Hong Kong, Cathay Cargo guarantees the entire transport journey adheres to strict standards. This includes specialised packaging, freight or passenger aircraft transport, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and dedicated technical support at airports. Within Vietnam, Cathay Cargo is actively strengthening strategic partnerships with domestic airlines.

The cooperation between Cathay Cargo and Vietnamese carriers not only optimises costs and timing for maintenance operations but also strategically integrates the aviation value chain, from operations and engineering to logistics. By serving as the carrier that transports aircraft engines to specialised service facilities, Cathay Cargo is enabling Vietnamese airlines to maintain operational efficiency and continue flying safely, ultimately supporting them in serving the market more effectively.

Lithium-ion batteries are the backbone of modern technology, powering everything from electric vehicles and mobile devices to aerospace applications. However, they are also among the most dangerous air cargo due to risks of fire or explosion from collisions, overheating, or electrical leakage.

To minimise such risks, Cathay Cargo has implemented the Regulated Battery Initiativeservice under Cathay Dangerous Goods. Here, lithium-ion batteries in loose form are packed inside internationally certified fire containment bags, designed to isolate and prevent fire spread in case of incidents.

Moreover, these shipments are strictly monitored by the Dangerous Goods Regulations team, experts trained according to IATA standards, ensuring compliance throughout the journey from origin to delivery.

What sets Cathay Expert apart is its transport capability and advanced real-time monitoring technology and experienced logistics professionals. The cargo tracking system uses GPS sensors and measures temperature and humidity, allowing customers to closely monitor shipment conditions, especially vital for sensitive items like engines and batteries.

HeavyPro is the latest iteration of an app developed by the Cargo Operation Centre and Cathay’s IT teams. This app both automates the calculation process but also generates precise loading diagrams of how and where the shipment should be secured to the hold with restraint straps.

Major transit hubs such as Hong Kong, Singapore, and Tokyo Narita are equipped with dedicated infrastructure for specialised cargo, including specialised warehouses and heavy-lift unloading facilities. Their technical and logistics teams operate 24/7, ready to manage emergencies and coordinate flexible schedules.

As Vietnam increasingly integrates into global value chains, the demand for transporting high-tech cargo such as aircraft engines, electronic components, and hazardous goods will continue to grow. With Cathay Expert and Cathay Dangerous Goods, Cathay Cargo is not merely providing logistics services but is shaping new standards for specialised cargo transport across the Asia-Pacific region.

Cathay Cargo asserts global positioning with Vietnam presence Cathay Cargo, the cargo division of the Cathay Group, is steadily asserting its global position through a robust fleet, an expansive route network, and a sharp market strategy with its Vietnam presence.

Cathay Fresh: the optimal cold-chain solution Cathay Fresh, Cathay Cargo’s specialised cold-chain transportation solution, was designed to preserve the maximum freshness of perishable goods such as fruits, vegetables, seafood, pharmaceuticals, and meat.

According to FPT Digital, AI and generative AI are creating positive impacts across the global pharmaceutical industry. GenAI is expected to contribute between $60 billion and $110 billion annually from 2024 to 2029. All stages of the pharmaceutical value chain are benefiting from the application of GenAI.

Hoang Viet Anh, chairman of FPT Digital, explained that AI supports the development of new drugs by significantly reducing both time and costs. A notable example is Insilico Medicine, which, with AI support, discovered a new drug in under 18 months, at just 10 per cent of the usual cost.

“In clinical trials, AI can shorten the trial period by up to 12 months and cut costs by 50 per cent compared to conventional methods,” Anh said.

To realise these substantial benefits, the global pharmaceutical industry is expected to invest heavily in AI towards 2030, with projected annual growth of 42.68 per cent. By 2029, total investment in AI by pharmaceutical companies is forecast to reach $18 billion, with the Asia–Pacific region emerging as the fastest-growing market.

“The application of AI in the pharmaceutical industry has been, and will continue to be, a strong development trend,” said Anh. “Vietnam cannot remain outside that trend. This is a golden opportunity for Vietnam’s pharmaceutical sector to embrace digital transformation and apply AI to boost operational efficiency.”

Anh noted that Vietnam currently has a highly open legal framework, including heavily promoted new rules on providing strong impetus for digital transformation and the application of new technology and innovation across all sectors, including pharmaceuticals.

In parallel, the role of the private economy is being enhanced, enabling pharmaceutical firms, hospitals, doctors, and pharmacists to collaborate based on shared data systems.

However, experts have pointed out that Vietnam’s healthcare sector still faces considerable challenges in applying AI and innovation to improve healthcare accessibility. The pharmaceutical data infrastructure remains fragmented, lacking a centralised, standardised, and digitalised system – a major roadblock to development.

“The industry continues to face difficulties in tracing drug origins and preventing the circulation of counterfeit or substandard medicines,” admitted Anh from FPT Digital. “Clinical trials for new drugs also remain lengthy.”

Experts suggested that Vietnam could learn from international models to enhance innovation and digital transformation in the sector. Hwee Ching Ang, deputy CEO of the Experimental Drug Development Centre in Singapore, said rising healthcare demand in the Asia–Pacific region is driving greater interest and investment in innovation. With rapid growth and escalating demand, the region is becoming a new frontier for the life sciences sector.

“In response, the Singaporean government has long prioritised biomedical innovation to boost research output and attract talent,” he said. “Singapore has steadily invested in research and development for more than two decades, enhancing the financial environment through both domestic and international capital inflows into the biotech ecosystem.”

He added that Singapore is strengthening translational and clinical research capabilities and attracting multinational companies to establish regional headquarters and research centres.

As a result, more than 41 per cent of the world’s leading biopharmaceutical companies now have their regional headquarters in Singapore, making it the most innovative nation in Asia–Pacific. The country’s ecosystem comprises a diverse mix of multinational corporations, startups, government agencies, venture capital investors, and incubators.

Dr. Chang Liu, CEO and founder of ASK Health Asia, said that building a multi-layered health financing system can help improve access.

“There is a growing trend in Asia–Pacific towards multi-source healthcare financing to ensure better access to high-value treatments,” Liu said. “Evidence shows that traditional public funding mechanisms may be limited in scope and availability, creating delays or gaps in patient access.”

For example, Singapore has evolved from a savings-based model to a multi-source system, developing government-backed commercial health insurance schemes that now cover more than 70 per cent of the population.

Mainland China is working to build a multi-layered insurance framework with basic medical insurance at its core, supplemented by commercial insurance. It has also promoted public–private partnership models, now covering more than 12 per cent of the population.

In Taiwan, authorised agencies are exploring diversified financing mechanisms for high-value treatments not covered by national health insurance, including a dedicated cancer drug fund to ease patients’ financial burdens.

Japan, meanwhile, is advancing initiatives to strengthen its drug discovery capabilities through the Council of the Concept for Early Prevalence of Novel Drugs to Patients. These efforts aim to eliminate both drug lag and drug loss.

Specifically, Japan is establishing frameworks for first-in-human clinical trials, enhancing the role of core clinical research hospitals in drug development, promoting multi-regional clinical trials, supporting the development and career progression of clinical trial professionals, and encouraging overseas companies to conduct trials in Japan.

Takaaki Enoki, deputy director of the National Healthcare Policy Secretariat under the Japanese government, said, “To maintain Japan’s global leadership in drug discovery, we are building an ecosystem that supports academia and startups from early research to clinical application, with consistent policy and financial backing. This is also vital for ensuring national security.”

By reforming the structure of the pharmaceutical industry and improving the investment environment, Japan aims to create a sustainable system that enables continual, cyclical development of innovation and capital.

“At the same time, we will promote balanced policies over the medium and long term, considering the integration of general treatment and self-care models,” Enoki added.

Vietnam currently has nearly 95 per cent of its population covered by health insurance. However, despite achievements in healthcare financing, the country still faces a high level of out-of-pocket spending, which now exceeds 40 per cent of total healthcare expenditure – indicating that many individuals are still paying significantly for medical services beyond insurance coverage.

Le Thanh Long, deputy Prime Minister

Vietnam’s healthcare system is currently deeply affected by digital transformation and innovation. Science and technology are changing approaches to medical examination and treatment, disease prevention, scientific research, training, medical management, and people’s health management.

In recent times, digital transformation in healthcare has made significant progress. All medical facilities have deployed hospital information systems. Many have deployed e-health records, remote exam and treatment, electronic prescriptions, AI treatment support, and the use of robots.

However, digital transformation in healthcare still faces many issues which raise urgent requirements for innovation in leadership, direction, and strong implementation in public healthcare in the new era as directed by the general secretary.

With that spirit, the Politburo has recently issued important pillars in the form of various resolutions for national development. These resolutions, together with the Politburo’s resolutions in the health sector that are about to be issued, will create strong momentum and breakthroughs in healthcare.

David Duong, global primary healthcare director Harvard Medical School

Vietnam has made strides in policy. The country expands health insurance coverage to 93 per cent of the population, including a wide range of primary healthcare services, expanding primary healthcare services through a pilot family medicine model, and upgrading commune health stations to manage non-communicable diseases and provide patient-centred care. It also carried out training and retraining of health workers and investment in digital health, as well as issuing clinical guidelines for chronic diseases that emphasise hierarchy.

The country needs continued investment in policy implementation. Policy implementation needs support because of outdated healthcare staffing model. Many doctors at commune health stations are unqualified or inexperienced in chronic disease care. In particular, task sharing, competency-based training, and incentives are needed to retain healthcare workers in rural areas.

Supervision, support, and experience are insufficient to improve quality and implement clinical standards.

Local policies have not kept up with the times. National policies call for decentralisation, but this must be accompanied by changes and updates to local-level processes and procedures (for example diagnostic systems and sample transport systems). It should also overcome the loss of trust in the primary healthcare system. Patients often bypass primary healthcare to go directly to higher-level hospitals due to lack of trust in the services of commune health stations.