On May 19, the company unveiled its 2026 business plan with targets of VND2.3 trillion ($88.5 million) in new contract bookings, $61.5 million in revenue, $1.85 million in consolidated earnings before tax, and $1.5 million in consolidated earnings after tax.

To realise these goals, the Board of Management has outlined three operational focal points. First, Searefico prioritises projects in industrial, logistics, automation, and green energy sectors where Searefico commands competitive advantages and higher margins. Second, the company will reinforce its position as a leading engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor offering comprehensive turnkey solutions. Third, the company will boldly invest in projects of long-term strategic value in line with the Board-approved pivot roadmap.

A solid foundation for this plan is the carried-forward backlog of nearly $76.9 million, equivalent to over 120 per cent of the targeted revenue for 2026.

In addition, Searefico will prioritise expanding Searee Industrial Building in Hoa Khanh Industrial Zone, Danang. The venture is expected to commence operations by the end of the second quarter of 2026, while researching potential industrial real estate investments for the next cycle.

In 2025, Searefico’s new contract bookings reached $85 million, representing a 6.5 per cent increase on-year, while executed revenue rose 11.5 per cent to $46.5 million. Meanwhile, consolidated earning before tax grew nearly 4.7 times to $1.2 million, and consolidated net earning after tax reached $946,000, surging over 20-fold from a year ago.

The mechanical and electrical sector, the backbone of Searefico’s ecosystem, recorded a 40 per cent revenue increase and a 116 per cent profit jump compared to 2024, with a prominent project portfolio spanning 5-star Marriott-standard resorts in Quang Nam, Danang, Hanoi, and Ho Tram, Hung Ha Medical Complex, and Movenpick Halong Hotel.

The industrial real estate sector maintained its sustainable growth path with profits doubling, reinforcing that strategic warehouse leasing remains a highly profitable and stable revenue stream. Searee, a member of Searefico, entered the fast-moving consumer goods distribution market and generating an initial revenue of $992,000 as of December 31, 2025.

Regarding asset quality, the highlight was efficient working capital management: short-term receivables decreased by 6.3 per cent to $26.9 million despite rising revenues, demonstrating significantly improved debt recovery capabilities. Concurrently, long-term assets surged by 40.9 per cent to $20.2 million, reflecting the company’s commitment to expanding capacity in preparation for upcoming growth cycles.

Based on the audited 2025 financial results, the board will submit a proposal to the General Meeting of Shareholders for a cash dividend payout of 1.9 US cents per share for 2025, equivalent to 5 per cent of par value. For the 2026 plan, the Board also proposes maintaining a similar dividend level if profit targets are met.

The board has set out a deep transformation roadmap for 2026–2030. Searefico will complete its transition into a “Pure Holding” corporate governance structure, clearly separating ownership from executive management to enhance system-wide transparency and accountability. Concurrently, AI will be integrated comprehensively into corporate governance, manufacturing, bidding, and supply chain management to maintain its competitive edge in the digital era.

CME Solar and Searefico ink cooperative partnership With a shared commitment to reaching net-zero by 2050, Vietnamese renewable energy company CME Solar JSC has announced a new partnership with Searefico JSC, a leading national brand in engineering and technology, to promote rooftop solar across Vietnam.

Searefico targets breakthrough growth in 2025 Riding on a record-breaking project backlog of over VND3 trillion ($120 million), Searefico, one of the Vietnam’s leading established mechanical and electrical groups, is setting its sights on a year of transformative growth in 2025.

Searefico completes full divestment in Arico to Japanese partner On March 26, the Board of Directors of Searefico Corporation approved the resolution to divest its remaining 48.616 per cent stake in Asia Refrigeration Industry JSC (Arico) to its strategic partner, Hoshizaki.

Photo: Hoang Oanh

The 2026 International Coffee Conference, held in Ho Chi Minh City in April, marked a significant turning point with the launch of the Global Coffee Alliance initiative, amidst the coffee industry’s simultaneous challenges of climate change and market volatility.

Backed by 19 diplomatic missions and international organisations, including key coffee producers and consumers such as Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, and the UAE, the alliance aims to build a technology-driven global coffee ecosystem and achieve net-zero emissions by 2040. Its roadmap prioritises digital transformation, deep processing, and raising incomes for around 125 million coffee farmers worldwide by at least 300 per cent.

Speaking at the conference, Xavier Depouilly, CEO of DXL Research and Consulting, said that coffee is one of the world’s largest traded commodities, directly connecting Vietnamese farmers with global consumers. However, behind this impressive scale lie increasingly evident challenges. Climate change is making weather unpredictable, water shortages are directly impacting productivity, while global price volatility is diminishing the potential for long-term investment.

“In this context, utilising deep processing is an urgent requirement to increase added value and enhance the resilience of the entire industry,” he said.

According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Vietnam currently has over 710,000 hectares of coffee plantations, ranking sixth in the world in terms of area and being the second-largest coffee exporter globally, after Brazil. This sector contributes approximately 2.5 per cent to GDP and provides livelihoods for over two million workers.

Coffee exports are projected to have reached around 1.6 million tons last year, with a value of approximately $9 billion, a record high. However, about 80 per cent of production remains green coffee beans, mainly robusta, limiting added value.

In the first quarter of 2026, exports reached nearly 590,500 tonnes, equivalent to $2.75 billion. Although production increased by 12.5 per cent, value decreased by 7.1 per cent due to falling export prices, once again demonstrating the heavy reliance on raw material markets.

Tran Van Cong, Vietnam’s agricultural counsellor to the EU, said that Europe is the world’s largest centre for coffee consumption, processing, and re-export, and a market with increasingly stringent requirements for quality, traceability, and environmental standards. Although Vietnam is the second-largest supplier to the EU, most of its products remain in raw form.

“The paradox is that export turnover is high, but the value generated is not commensurate because the product structure is still heavily focused on green coffee beans. This causes businesses to miss opportunities to participate more deeply in high-value stages such as roasting, extraction, or final consumer products,” he said.

According to coffee expert Nguyen Quang Binh, investing in processing technology and brand building is the fastest way to export high-value coffee. Vietnam has begun investing in deep processing and speciality coffee development, but the processing rate remains modest. Compared to foreign-invested enterprises, many Vietnamese businesses still operate in a fragmented manner and have not yet deeply participated in the global supply chain.

Binh cited the example of Nestlé, which has achieved remarkable business results. “Nestlé’s 2025 financial report indicates that the Nespresso brand alone will generate $8.4 billion in revenue in 2025, equivalent to the export value of Vietnam’s entire coffee crop year combined,” he noted. “Meanwhile, Nestlé has many other billion-dollar brands specialising in coffee, such as Nescafé and Starbucks at Home.”

To address this situation, many domestic businesses have begun implementing large-scale deep processing projects.

Vinh Hiep Co., Ltd., a green coffee bean exporter, is investing $710 million in five key projects, including a freeze-drying and spray-drying processing plant with a capacity of 18,000 tonnes per year. The goal is to create high-end products and utilise by-products to produce organic fertilisers, meeting the clean standards of the EU and US markets.

“The project to build a microbial organic fertiliser plant using coffee by-products will regenerate soil nutrients, help reduce input costs for farmers, and ensure clean coffee standards for demanding markets such as the EU and the US,” said Thai Nhu Hiep, chairman of the board at Vinh Hiep.

According to Nguyen Tien Dung, deputy director of Simexco Dak Lak, the issues hindering businesses from engaging in deep processing include inconsistent raw material quality, high investment costs, and pressure to comply with international standards, particularly on traceability and supply chain transparency.

“Furthermore, the VAT mechanism, which involves collecting taxes upfront and refunding them later, has at many times created significant pressure on cash flow, making businesses hesitant to invest in deep processing models, which require much larger medium and long-term capital than raw material trading,” Dung stressed.

Simexco Dak Lak has pioneered production according to EU standards on items that do not cause deforestation and reduce carbon emissions. The company has also developed a raw material area of approximately 50,000 hectares, linking with 45,000 farming households, ensuring complete traceability data.

Bui Hoang Yen, representative of the Trade Promotion Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, believes that while competing on quality with countries like Brazil presents many challenges, cultural factors can become a distinct advantage.

“Positioning Vietnamese coffee in the premium segment, linked to the story of its people, history, and geography, will help the product conquer the international market with its unique identity,” she assessed.

“In addition, free trade deals are becoming an important gateway, helping Vietnamese coffee reach further on the export map. Thanks to this, Vietnamese coffee could access larger consumer markets such as Japan, the EU, Australia, and China,” Yen added.

Photo: Intel

These devices will help serve training and research activities in Vietnam’s semiconductors sector, with students gaining hands-on experience with specialised equipment. The initiative also helps narrow the gap between academic knowledge and industry practice, especially in chip packaging and testing.

The project is part of the partnership signed between Intel and SHTP. It will support SHTP and Vietnam National University Hanoi to build comprehensive semiconductor training capabilities, ranging from design to assembly and testing. It also opens up applied learning and research spaces for Vietnamese engineer workforce.

According to Intel, the project will optimise existing resources, easing the burden of public investment in expensive training infrastructure. It will also speed up the readiness of training facilities while creating conditions for engineers to upgrade their skills.

“Vietnam is emerging as an important link in the global semiconductor supply chain. It is a top priority to develop the workforce,” said Kenneth Tse, vice president and general director of Intel Products Vietnam.

He expressed hope that the provision of equipment would empower educational institutions to implement hands-on training programmes closely aligned with industry needs. “The project will accelerate workforce readiness to realise Vietnam’s long-term semiconductor development ambitions,” Tse added.

Vietnam now has around 7,000 chip design engineers, more than 6,000 engineers and over 10,000 technicians working in semiconductor packaging, testing and related industries. The country aims to train 50,000 semiconductor engineers by 2030 and will move towards hundreds of thousands of workers in the future.

The government is dedicated to improving the quality of semiconductor training through a range of measures, including investing in 18 key laboratories, partnering with major economies in chip production and financial support for costly equipment and advanced technologies.

Intel relocates key assembly and testing lines to Ho Chi Minh City Global tech giant Intel will relocate part of its Costa Rica assembly and testing operations to Ho Chi Minh City, reinforcing Vietnam’s role in the global supply chain for advanced data centre chips.

AIC to build $2.1bn AI data centre in Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh City continues to attract billions of dollars in foreign investment, with a key focus on data centres, semiconductors, and high-tech sectors.

AI and semiconductors drive new wave of Vietnam-South Korea business ties Vietnam and South Korea are entering a new phase of business cooperation, with companies from both sides expanding investment and partnerships in AI, semiconductors and digital infrastructure.

Becoming an early seller on emerging platforms is not just a test, but a strategic move to capture a ‘blue ocean’ before competitors fully recognise the opportunity.

In 2026, Vietnam’s e-commerce landscape is no longer dominated solely by major players. Instead, the market is witnessing the rise of platforms that are smarter, safer, and more personalised.

In this context, joining emerging platforms offers undeniable exclusive advantages.

The primary leverage lies in an ‘absolute priority’ algorithm, where new marketplaces proactively boost visibility for pioneer sellers to build their ecosystem, granting you a central presence without the need for massive keyword bidding budgets.

Simultaneously, ‘dream-tier’ operational costs – featuring preferential commission rates and comprehensive shipping subsidies – present a golden opportunity to optimise profit margins, which are otherwise being eroded by escalating fee pressures on legacy platforms.

Most notably, the distinct value comes from a direct connection with category management teams rather than impersonal automated responses, ensuring that a seller’s voice carries genuine weight in shaping the platform’s core features and policies.

However, not every emerging platform is a guaranteed ‘gold mine’ for businesses. Sellers must remain vigilant against latent risks, primarily the disconnect between technological quality and actual traffic volume.

Without robust marketing solutions to drive user engagement, a storefront can easily become ‘commercially invisible’, losing the opportunity to reach customers despite the platform’s superior technical features.

Furthermore, operational stability is a critical factor; vulnerabilities such as payment glitches, delayed order processing, or fragmented logistics systems can directly tarnish a shop’s reputation.

Most notably, as Vietnam’s personal data protection regulations reach a peak of stringency in 2026, legal compliance and cybersecurity have shifted from being optional to mandatory.

Should an e-commerce platform lack a fortified security infrastructure, sellers risk facing vicarious liability – both legally and reputationally – in the event of a severe data breach.

MuaMau: A strategic ecosystem

MuaMau provides a comprehensive solution for sustainable operations. More than just a marketplace, it sets new standards that help sellers optimise resources and scale their business systematically:

Flexible operating model: Through the MuaMau platform, businesses can choose between a fully managed system to maximise efficiency or a semi-managed model, allowing sellers to maintain control over product quality while reducing operational pressure, minimising manual processes, and saving on labour costs.

Guaranteed traffic support: MuaMau ensures stable traffic, helping sellers eliminate concerns about sales performance in the early stages so they can focus entirely on product quality.

Built-in marketing leverage: The platform integrates tools for connecting with KOLs and running seasonal promotional campaigns, allowing brands to scale effectively without heavy investment in external marketing teams.

New e-commerce platforms are becoming an ‘escape route’ for sellers overwhelmed by rising costs and intense competition. While risks still exist, with a clear mindset and technological agility, this presents a strong opportunity to establish your presence and lead in a new market landscape.

E-commerce platforms to pay taxes on behalf of sellers The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has proposed that all VAT and personal income tax of sellers on e-commerce platforms are deducted as soon as the order is successfully confirmed and paid for.

Legal reins evolved in e-commerce In the context of Vietnam’s e-commerce market entering a new phase of development, tightening legal regulations are placing increasing demands for compliance on all stakeholders.

E-commerce platforms and social networks face stricter responsibilities under draft law The government has submitted a draft law on e-commerce to require identity verification of livestream sellers and affiliate marketers through the national digital ID system, aimed to enhance transparency and protect consumers.

Reprentatives from investors received the investment decision. Photo: Le Toan

Can Gio International Transshipment Port is estimated to require a total investment of nearly VND128.87 trillion (approximately $4.95 billion). The project will span around 570 hectares, with a total main berth length of about 7.5 km.

Designed capacity is expected to reach approximately 4.8 million TEUs by 2030, rising to around 16.9 million TEUs by 2047. By 2050, the project is slated to develop about 13 berths, capable of accommodating vessels of up to 250,000 DWT or larger, subject to conditions.

The investors plan to contribute about $222.6 million by 2030 and an additional $521 million) in line with the implementation schedule, with completion targeted within 20 years from the date of land and water area handover. The project will have an operating term of 50 years and is eligible for investment incentives in accordance with prevailing regulations.

Speaking at the ceremony, Nguyen Le Chon Tam, general director of Saigon Port JSC, described the approval as a milestone event, marking the culmination of months of persistence.

“This decision is not merely a legal document, but a historic mission and a vote of confidence entrusted by the State and the city to maritime enterprises, empowering us to unlock marine potential and pursue global ambitions,” Tam said.

According to Tam, the Can Gio Port project holds a strategic position along international shipping routes, with a designed capacity of nearly 17 million TEUs, serving as a critical gateway for Vietnam to integrate more deeply into global logistics ecosystems and supply chains.

“We fully recognise the role of state-owned enterprises in leading and shaping national value creation,” he noted, adding that the venture represents a combination of domestic capabilities and international expertise.

VIMC and Saigon Port are among Vietnam’s leading operators in port exploitation and maritime transport. Meanwhile, MSC Group stands as a particularly important strategic partner. As the world’s largest shipping line, MSC brings strong financial capacity and an extensive global network, helping to place Vietnam firmly on the global maritime map.

“If Vietnam is likened to a vessel heading out to the open sea, then Ho Chi Minh City is its most dynamic economic engine. Can Gio Port will serve as a pioneering vessel, enabling the country to sail further and more steadily on its international journey,” Tam said.

Can Gio emerges as Ho Chi Minh City’s next growth frontier The coastal district is poised for major development, becoming a new focal point for investment and sustainable urban expansion.

Consortium to invest in Can Gio transshipment port A consortium of Vietnam Maritime Corporation (VIMC), Saigon Port, and Terminal Investment Limited Holding has been selected to invest in Can Gio International Transshipment Port.

VIMC sets $887m revenue target for 2026, invests in Can Gio Port Vietnam Maritime Corporation has set a revenue target of VND22.18 trillion ($887.2 million) for 2026, an increase of 8 per cent on-year, while maintaining profit at near last year’s level.