Russia’s largest private conglomerate AFK Sistema to open office in Hanoi, eyes diverse investments

By Thai Ha
Thu, March 26, 2026 | 1:59 pm GMT+7

AFK Sistema plans to establish a legal entity and an office in Hanoi, as the Russian giant seeks opportunities in the areas of urban railways, biometric data systems, AI-powered surveillance cameras, and cybersecurity.

Vladimir Yevtushenkov, founder, majority owner and former chairman of AFK Sistema, disclosed the plans at a meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Moscow during his official visit to Russia. He asked for government support in completing related procedures.

AFK Sistema also aims to form long-term partnerships with Vietnamese manufacturers to produce pharmaceuticals and collaborate on transformer production, including technology transfer for products not yet domestically manufactured.

The group is interested in participating in the International Financial Center in Ho Chi Minh City, including pilot projects in fintech and digital assets.

AFK Sistema is also seeking government support to advance projects such as the Moscow House in Hanoi and those related to urban railway development, pilot initiatives in biometric data systems, AI-powered surveillance cameras, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh receives Vladimir Yevtushenkov, founder, majority owner and former chairman of AFK Sistema in Moscow, March 25, 2026. Photo courtesy of the Vietnamese government's news portal.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh receives Vladimir Yevtushenkov, founder, majority owner and former chairman of AFK Sistema in Moscow, March 25, 2026. Photo courtesy of the Vietnamese government's news portal.

In response, PM Chinh praised AFK Sistema's recent engagement with major Vietnamese firms and urged it to scale up and diversify investments in the country.

He instructed government bodies to facilitate AFK Sistema’s participation per Vietnamese laws, ensuring balanced interests, shared risks and investment efficiency, and called on the group to work closely with ministries, agencies and local authorities to advance the projects.

The cabinet leader said the Government supports cooperation in sectors where Russia and AFK Sistema have strengths and Vietnam has growing demand, including data infrastructure, information technology, digital transformation, cybersecurity, pharmaceuticals, nuclear energy, telecommunications, and digital assets.

He added that Vietnam is also seeking partnerships in exploitation of underground space and outer space, including the development of subway systems in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Comments ( 0)
  • Read More
VietinBank seeks to divest entire stake in Hai Phong Port via public auction

VietinBank seeks to divest entire stake in Hai Phong Port via public auction

VietinBank (HoSE: CTG) plans to divest its entire stake in state-controlled Hai Phong Port (UPCoM: PHP) through a public auction on the Hanoi Stock Exchange (HNX), potentially raising nearly VND278 billion ($10.57 million).

Companies - Thu, July 9, 2026 | 5:10 pm GMT+7

Starlink begins taking orders in Vietnam, first-year service costs $1,190

Starlink begins taking orders in Vietnam, first-year service costs $1,190

Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, has released pricing and started accepting orders in Vietnam, with first-year costs estimated at about VND31.4 million ($1,190).

Companies - Thu, July 9, 2026 | 4:09 pm GMT+7

Masan High-Tech Materials partners with S Korea’s GBI on tungsten processing

Masan High-Tech Materials partners with S Korea’s GBI on tungsten processing

Masan High-Tech Materials (UPCoM: MSR), the mining unit of Vietnamese conglomerate Masan Group (HoSE: MSN), has entered into a strategic partnership with South Korea’s GB Innovation (GBI) to process Korean tungsten concentrate into higher-value products in Vietnam, strengthening a non-Chinese tungsten supply chain.

Companies - Thu, July 9, 2026 | 3:51 pm GMT+7

Idemitsu Kosan expands energy ecosystem in Vietnam

Idemitsu Kosan expands energy ecosystem in Vietnam

After more than three decades of operations in Vietnam, Japan’s Idemitsu Kosan is further expanding its energy ecosystem with a biomass pellet plant project in the central province of Gia Lai.

Industries - Thu, July 9, 2026 | 1:43 pm GMT+7

Two banks to list on Ho Chi Minh City bourse, expand charter capital

Two banks to list on Ho Chi Minh City bourse, expand charter capital

Vietnam's private banks Vietbank and BVBank are finalizing the last steps to transfer their trading from the unlisted public company market UPCoM to the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE), while simultaneously implementing plans to increase their charter capital.

Banking - Thu, July 9, 2026 | 11:51 am GMT+7

Strong Q2 earnings, lower interest rates to bolster Vietnam stocks

Strong Q2 earnings, lower interest rates to bolster Vietnam stocks

Strong second-quarter corporate earnings and declining interest rates are expected to support Vietnam's stock market in the coming months, brokerage firms said, as the market moves beyond a period of limited news flow and enters a more favorable phase driven by improving fundamentals.

Finance - Thu, July 9, 2026 | 8:00 am GMT+7

Wistron raises construction, equipment investment in northern Vietnam province to $178 mln

Wistron raises construction, equipment investment in northern Vietnam province to $178 mln

Taiwanese technology firm Wistron has increased its investment in factory construction and equipment in Ninh Binh province to $178.27 million, adding $24.5 million to expand its facilities at Kim Bang Industrial Park.

Industries - Wed, July 8, 2026 | 7:56 pm GMT+7

Sun Group targets groundbreaking for $624 mln urban projects in central Vietnam this year

Sun Group targets groundbreaking for $624 mln urban projects in central Vietnam this year

Vietnam's leading developer Sun Group aims to begin construction of two urban projects worth a combined VND16.4 trillion ($623.78 million) in the central province of Quang Ngai by the end of 2026, while also advancing plans for a new expressway linking the province with the Central Highlands.

Real Estate - Wed, July 8, 2026 | 4:54 pm GMT+7

Vietnam raises airport number target to 36 by 2030 as aviation demand surges

Vietnam raises airport number target to 36 by 2030 as aviation demand surges

Vietnam plans to expand its airport network to 36 airports by 2030, up from the previous target of 30, under a revised national aviation infrastructure plan aimed at catering for rising passenger demand and boosting regional connectivity.

Infrastructure - Wed, July 8, 2026 | 4:45 pm GMT+7

Germany's VFT Bio Fuels UG eyes $3.1 bln green steel complex in southern Vietnam

Germany's VFT Bio Fuels UG eyes $3.1 bln green steel complex in southern Vietnam

Vietnamese industrial park developer IMG Phuoc Dong and Germany’s VFT Bio Fuels UG have signed a memorandum of understanding to study the development of a $3.1 billion green steel complex in the southern province of Tay Ninh.

Industries - Wed, July 8, 2026 | 4:25 pm GMT+7

Vietnam police minister urges Yamato Holdings to study investment in Gia Binh airport

Vietnam police minister urges Yamato Holdings to study investment in Gia Binh airport

Vietnam’s Minister of Public Security Luong Tam Quang has called on Japan’s Yamato Holdings to assess investment opportunities in warehousing and cargo transport systems at Gia Binh International Airport, while exploring potential cooperation and operational models with Vietnamese partners once the facility becomes operational.

Infrastructure - Wed, July 8, 2026 | 3:09 pm GMT+7

Vietnam real estate M&A favors quality, clear legal status assets as FDI priorities evolve

Vietnam real estate M&A favors quality, clear legal status assets as FDI priorities evolve

Vietnam's real estate M&A market continued to attract foreign capital in the first half of 2026 despite persistent global economic uncertainties, but foreign investors are increasingly targeting assets with clear legal status, stable cash flow, and strong operational performance, with data centers emerging as a key growth segment.

Real Estate - Wed, July 8, 2026 | 1:38 pm GMT+7

Central Vietnam hub Danang plans to tokenize nearly $4 bln in infrastructure projects to attract global capital

Central Vietnam hub Danang plans to tokenize nearly $4 bln in infrastructure projects to attract global capital

The Vietnam International Financial Center, located in the central city of Danang (VIFC Danang), plans to tokenize nearly $4 billion worth of infrastructure projects as part of a strategy to attract more global capital.

Economy - Wed, July 8, 2026 | 12:17 pm GMT+7

Computers, smartphones edge higher in price as AI memory boom tests Vietnam's ICT firms

Computers, smartphones edge higher in price as AI memory boom tests Vietnam's ICT firms

Rising memory chip prices driven by artificial intelligence are spreading from semiconductor manufacturers to consumer electronics brands such as Apple, Dell and ASUS, pushing up the prices of computers and smartphones.

Companies - Wed, July 8, 2026 | 8:00 am GMT+7

LG Innotek to build $1 bln semiconductor substrate plant in northern Vietnam

LG Innotek to build $1 bln semiconductor substrate plant in northern Vietnam

South Korea's LG Innotek will spend $1 billion to build a semiconductor package substrate manufacturing plant in Hai Phong city, with mass production scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2028, according to local authorities.

Industries - Tue, July 7, 2026 | 11:13 pm GMT+7

Malaysia’s JLand eyes up to $6 bln high-tech hub in Hanoi

Malaysia’s JLand eyes up to $6 bln high-tech hub in Hanoi

Malaysia’s JLand Group has proposed developing a high-tech, innovation and data center complex in Hanoi with an estimated investment of $4-6 billion, as Vietnam’s capital seeks to attract technology projects and strengthen its digital infrastructure.

Infrastructure - Tue, July 7, 2026 | 4:26 pm GMT+7