SINGAPORE, 29 May 2026 — Today, at the Vietnam–Singapore Tech Connect Forum, and in the presence of senior leaders from Viet Nam and Singapore, the Viet Nam International Financial Center in Ho Chi Minh City (VIFC-HCMC), Touchstone Partners and Temasek Foundation signed a trilateral strategic Collaboration Agreement to mobilise international financial resources, expertise and networks to advance innovation and technology development, thereby contributing to Vietnam’s green transition and sustainable growth. Net Zero Challenge 2026 (N0C 2026) has been designated as the first flagship initiative under this collaboration.

The Agreement was signed in Singapore in the presence of H.E. Tô Lâm, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and H.E. Tan See Leng, Minister for Manpower and Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science & Technology in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and other senior leaders from Vietnam. Photo Credits: Temasek Foundation

Signed by representatives of the three Parties — Dr. Truong Minh Huy Vu, Chairman of the Executive Agency of the International Financial Center in Ho Chi Minh City; Mr. Khanh Tran, Managing Partner of Touchstone Partners; and Ms. Jennie Chua, Chairman, Temasek Foundation. The strategic Collaboration Agreement establishes key priority areas for joint action, including:

• Innovation and green economy development — supporting initiatives, programmes and projects that contribute to Vietnam’s green transition, sustainable development and climate resilience.
• Capital mobilisation and strategic partnerships — engaging investors, financial institutions, corporations, philanthropic organisations and development partners to mobilise financial and strategic resources for innovation and sustainable development initiatives.
• Ecosystem and market development — building collaborative platforms to support enterprises deploying green and climate solutions in Viet Nam, including investment readiness, regulatory sandbox initiatives, market entry, commercialisation and international scaling.
• International collaboration — strengthening regional and global partnerships to promote knowledge exchange, technology transfer, ecosystem development and access to international markets.

The first initiative under this Collaboration Agreement will be the launch of Net Zero Challenge 2026 (N0C 2026) in July 2026. This will mark the fourth edition of the annual programme initiated by Touchstone Partners, Temasek Foundation, in collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh City Institute for Development Studies (HIDS) since 2023. Across its first three editions in 2023, 2024 and 2025, the programme attracted 1,500 climate innovation solutions, mobilised millions of Singapore dollars in catalytic funding and supported tens of innovative startups and participating organisations in developing and applying climate technology and innovation solutions in Viet Nam.

Significance of the Agreement

“Vietnam is entering a new phase of development with the ambition of sustaining high-quality economic growth while advancing its green transition in line with its commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. To realise these long-term goals, we believe that mobilising international capital, accessing advanced technologies and connecting global expertise will be critical. The Viet Nam International Financial Center in Ho Chi Minh City has been established to provide an internationally competitive regulatory platform and capital markets infrastructure to attract global financial institutions and channel international capital in support of Vietnam’s long-term economic growth. We are open to working with international partners and investors to bring the right attention to Vietnam’s green economy, building on the country’s strengths in agriculture, the energy transition, and our talented workforce in innovation and technology.”

— Dr. Truong Minh Huy Vu, Chairman of the Executive Agency of the International Financial Center in Ho Chi Minh City

“This collaboration builds on Touchstone Partners’ successful journey alongside Temasek Foundation and agencies of the Government of Viet Nam to mobilise catalytic capital in support of the country’s green transition. Touchstone Partners brings an extensive track record in investing in Vietnamese climate technology, delivering high returns and high impact, together with a network spanning top-tier founders, corporate executives and public-sector stakeholders to accelerate the commercialisation and scaling of impactful solutions. This collaboration further reinforces Touchstone Partners’ investment thesis — that climate solutions made in Vietnam can generate sustainable commercial returns alongside meaningful emissions reduction outcomes. We look forward to welcoming more partners to join this journey, particularly through Net Zero Challenge as a platform to mobilise innovation and resources for Vietnam’s green economy.”

— Mr. Tran Nhat Khanh, Managing Partner of Touchstone Partners

“Temasek Foundation is proud to partner with Viet Nam International Financial Center in Ho Chi Minh City and Touchstone Partners in advancing a growing movement across Asia towards a more sustainable and resilient future. This shared commitment is more than a partnership – it is a catalyst for action and reflects our shared purpose to accelerate innovative and scalable solutions that can inspire broader action and create lasting impact, for generations to come.”

— Ms. Jennie Chua, Chairman, Temasek Foundation