Singapore venture capital firm eyes Vietnamese startups
Singapore-based venture capital firm Cocoon Capital has launched a new 20 million USD fund targeting seed-stage startups in emerging economies such as Vietnam, Myanmar, the Philippines and Indonesia.
Hanoi (VNA) – Singapore-basedventure capital firm Cocoon Capital has launched a new 20 million USD fundtargeting seed-stage startups in emerging economies such as Vietnam, Myanmar,the Philippines and Indonesia.
The fund aims to invest in 25-30 trade deals inthese Southeast Asian markets, with the biggest amounting to 727,000 USD.
By limiting the number of investments each year,the firm can ensure it supports multiple young companies.
The fund, which follows the firm’s first7-million-USD fund launched in 2016, will focus on deep tech, fintech andmedtech.
Since 1996,Singapore has always been one of the biggest trade partners of Vietnam. Atpresent, it is the second largest trade partner of Vietnam in ASEAN and eighthin the world. Two-way trade hit 8.3 billion USD in 2017, a year-on-year rise of8.9 percent.
Singapore’s direct investment in Vietnam has continuouslyincreased in recent years. It is now the biggest investor of Vietnam in ASEAN,and third globally.-VNA
Vietnam and Singapore will mark the 45h anniversary of their diplomatic ties on August 1. On this occasion, Singaporean Ambassador to Vietnam Catherine Wong Siow Ping granted an interview to Vietnam News Agency about bilateral ties. Followings are the full text of the interview.
Deputy Prime Minister cum Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan shared their positive evaluations of the growth of the Vietnam-Singapore strategic partnership during their talks in Singapore on July 31.
Vietnam is among the top three investment destinations in Southeast Asia for Singapore-based companies in the next two years, according to the latest HSBC study.
More than 150 Vietnamese and Singaporean enterprises attended a conference in Singapore on November 27 to look for cooperation and investment opportunities.
The new Government decree also simplifies loan procedures while expanding credit incentives to include organic and circular agriculture, allowing them to access preferential terms similar to those of high-tech and value-chain based agricultural production.
Developed with state-of-the-art infrastructure, the Da Nang FTZ is designed to become a leading regional economic centre and a strategic growth pole in Vietnam’s new development landscape.
The Binh Duong Association of Supporting Industries (BASI) is expected to promote the usage of domestically manufactured components while supporting businesses in accessing international markets, strengthening linkages, and promoting deeper integration into global supply chains.
PwC Vietnam forecasts a vibrant M&A market in Vietnam’s healthcare sector in 2025, driven by rising demand for high-quality medical services and a growing middle class. Pharmaceutical companies, private hospitals, and specialised medical facilities, particularly in ophthalmology and oncology, are predicted to be key targets for M&A.
The central province of Quang Nam is set to become a hub for the medicinal plant industry, with Ngoc Linh ginseng designated as the core crop, under the Prime Minister's decision issued earlier this year.
The North-South Expressway project is scheduled for completion by 2030, aiming to establish the groundwork for Vietnam’s modern railway industry and stimulate regional economic development, positioning the country for a significant economic leap in the era of national rise.
The probe, initiated on June 11 following a petition by the US Coalition for Fair Trade in Hardwood Plywood, targets products classified under HS Code 4412 and 9403 imported from China, Indonesia and Vietnam.
Sun PhuQuoc Airways was born as a perfect piece in Sun Group’s strategic vision to build a premium ecosystem of tourism, entertainment, real estate, and aviation. With a pioneering ambition, Sun PhuQuoc Airways is not just an airline, but a symbol of connection – bringing the world to Phu Quoc and taking Phu Quoc to the world.
A key change in the draft decree is a provision requiring bank transfers for gold transactions valued at 20 million VND (765 USD) and above, to enhance transparency and verify customer identities.
In the first four months of 2025, trade turnover between Vietnam and Cambodia surpassed 3 billion USD, marking a 7% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
On June 19 alone, a total of 2,005 trucks completed customs clearance at Lang Son’s border gates — the highest single-day figure ever recorded in the province. Of these, 634 carried exports and 1,371 imports.
The OECD Economic Surveys: Vietnam 2025 report focuses on analysing the country’s macroeconomic fundamentals, the impact of international integration on attracting foreign investment and trade, and the country’s prospects for developing a low-carbon economy.
Antoine Colin, Senior Vice President for Global Supply Chain Digital Transformation & Resilience at HP Inc., affirmed HP’s strategic commitment to building a supply chain and ecosystem in Vietnam and the region.
Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT)’s Trade Promotion Agency Bui Quang Hung emphasised that logistics has evolved from a technical function into a core capability for Vietnamese exporters to maintain their competitive advantage in the US market.
A trade official has suggested companies work closely with shipping lines, airlines, and freight forwarders to monitor routes, transit times, and potential surcharges while exploring broader cargo insurance to cover risks like war and terrorism.
In addition to institutional reform, the agency is also rolling out key solution groups to combat counterfeit goods, imitations, and intellectual property infringements in the digital environment.
The event, co-organised by the Vietnam Trade Office in the UK and TT Meridian, a local importer of Vietnamese fresh produce, aims to build a national lychee brand and encourage broader recognition of Vietnamese fruits in a competitive, high-end market.
The industry's performance has been powered by bold investments in modern production lines, enabling Vietnamese firms to produce complicated products which were exclusive to advanced economies.
Illustrative image (Photo VNA)
