Panel Discussion

Building Vietnam’s Smart Manufacturing Ecosystem

Moderated by Mr. Andre de Jong, the panel brought together experts from UOB Vietnam, Acclime Vietnam, CBRE Vietnam, and Microsoft Data & AI Solution Partner – Datatyk, to explore the challenges and opportunities shaping the sector and how Vietnam can build a competitive smart manufacturing ecosystem. The discussion focused on practical strategies to help businesses adapt to global shifts, strengthen supply chain resilience, and leverage technology for growth.

From left to right: Moderator: Mr. Andre de Jong, Board Member, EuroCham Vietnam; Panelists: Mr. Rizwan Khan, Managing Partner, Acclime Vietnam; Ms. Pham Van Khanh, Country Head of Transaction Banking, UOB Vietnam; Mr. Le Trong Hieu, Senior Director – Head of advisory and transactions, CBRE Vietnam; Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tam, Director of AI & Data Science, Datatyk, Microsoft Data & AI Solution Partner

Mr. Le Trong Hieu opened by discussing the current landscape of industrial and logistics services and the challenges manufacturers face as they move toward smart manufacturing. He highlighted key concerns such as talent shortages, integration complexity, and the difficulty of selecting suitable technology solutions, noting that these issues often slow progress in automation and AI adoption.

Mr. Rizwan Khan then highlighted the critical role of legal compliance and data governance in digital transformation. As AI-driven automation changes cost structures and involves cross-border data sharing, companies need robust data governance frameworks and strict adherence to Vietnam’s privacy and cybersecurity laws. He emphasized that strategic tax planning and compliance readiness are essential to enable innovation while staying aligned with global regulations.

From a financial perspective, Ms. Pham Van Khanh emphasized that financial agility is critical for smart manufacturing. She explained how UOB Infinity integrates cash management, trade services, and supply chain financing into one seamless platform, enabling manufacturers to manage liquidity and working capital efficiently while scaling operations across borders.

Ms. Pham Van Khanh, Country Head of Transaction Banking, UOB Vietnam

Sharing about a successful case study, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tam, Director of AI & Data Science at Datatyk, a Microsoft Data & AI Solution Partner, presented the practical experience of deploying Datatyk's AI solution to optimize operational efficiency and automate processes at client manufacturers. Datatyk, with its end-to-end AI platform, has supported manufacturers from data standardization for AI and solution building to implementation for manufacturing enterprises, thereby significantly reducing downtime and improving process efficiency. Datatyk collaborated closely with clients to identify the critical pain points and challenges that needed AI application, leading to successful deployment, widespread adoption, and accelerating the client's AI adoption journey. Mr. Tam concluded by emphasizing that AI, when applied strategically, can unlock operational resilience, optimize performance, and create measurable business value.

Looking ahead, the panel emphasized that the future of manufacturing will be shaped by innovation and AI adoption, supported by compliance readiness and financial agility. These strategies will enable businesses to move beyond incremental improvements, creating a connected ecosystem that fosters resilience, accelerates growth, and positions manufacturers to compete confidently in an increasingly complex global market.

Closing

Our distinguished speakers: Mr. Andre de Jong, Board Member, EuroCham Vietnam; Speakers: Mr. Rizwan Khan, Managing Partner, Acclime Vietnam; Ms. Pham Van Khanh, Country Head of Transaction Banking, UOB Vietnam; Mr. Le Trong Hieu, Senior Director – Head of Advisory and Transactions, CBRE Vietnam; Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tam, Director of AI & Data Science, Datatyk

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible speakers, dedicated moderator, insightful panelists for sharing their expertise, and to our distinguished partners for their strong support in making this event a success.

Our Commitment

Now that the event concluded, it reaffirmed UOB FinLab’s commitment and dedication to supporting businesses on their journey toward digitalization and sustainability. Through strategic insights and collaboration, UOB FinLab remains committed to empower businesses to embrace digital transformation and thrive globally. Together, we aim to build a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable business ecosystem that thrives beyond borders.