On February 6–7, 2026, Ho Chi Minh City welcomed global executives, investors, founders, and technology leaders to The Scaling Business Summit 2026, a high-level forum dedicated to exploring how companies can scale sustainably across borders. Hosted under the theme “Connecting Europe and Asia”, the summit brought together an impressive ecosystem of multinational corporations, institutional investors, digital transformation leaders, and regional champions—all converging on one central question: how do we scale intelligently in a world defined by transformation?
Linh Doan – Managing Director at Alliance Mount
For Alliance Mount, as a cross-border M&A advisory and investment firm focused on Europe–Asia transactions, the summit represented more than an industry gathering. It was a strategic touchpoint—where capital, innovation, and execution capability met in real time.
A Strategic Moment for Vietnam
One of the most compelling sessions “Mega Development in Vietnam’s Largest Economic Region” by Ms. Hang Vu (Managing Partner at RSI Consulting Asia) highlighted Vietnam’s macroeconomic trajectory. With an ambitious GDP growth target exceeding 10%, speakers emphasized the country’s transition into what was described as “The Era of Double-Digit Growth.”
Three strategic breakthroughs were outlined as pillars for this growth:
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- Institutional Frameworks – Continued reform and development of financial centers and regulatory systems to attract international capital.
- Infrastructure Expansion – Completion of over 3,000 km of expressways and coastal roads to enhance logistics connectivity.
- Human Capital Development – Investment in high-quality talent for semiconductor and AI sectors.
For international investors and strategic buyers, this message was clear: Vietnam is not merely a production hub-it is positioning itself as a future innovation and technology center within ASEAN.
For Alliance Mount, these structural drivers align directly with our active mandates in renewable energy, digital infrastructure, education, and advanced manufacturing. Scaling businesses in Vietnam today require both operational readiness and cross-border capital sophistication.
Automation and the Future of Industrial Scaling
Showcase of robotic arm integration and smart warehouse automation at The Scaling Business Summit 2026
A highlight of the exhibition floor was the presence of the Vietnam Automation Centre of Excellence (ACE), showcasing advanced robotic and warehouse automation technologies. Demonstrations by global industrial leaders illustrated how smart manufacturing, AI-driven logistics, and robotics are redefining operational scalability.
Automation is no longer a future ambition—it is a present-day competitive advantage. In cross-border M&A discussions, we increasingly observe that European strategic buyers assess Vietnamese targets not only on financial performance, but also on automation readiness, data transparency, and digital maturity.
Technology partnerships showcased at the summit reinforced this evolution. Scaling in 2026 means building operational resilience, digitizing workflows, and integrating intelligent systems that enable both cost efficiency and ESG compliance.
Building or Buying? The Growth Game in Vietnam
From left to right: Jorge Martin Martinez (Moderator) – Founder, Bull Management Consulting; former General Director of DKSH Vietnam and Global Head of M&A at DKSH Group; Shehryar Ali Shah – Senior Country Officer & Head of Office, IFC (International Finance Corporation); Will Ross – Chief Marketing & Distribution Officer, Dragon Capital; and Thann Auttanukune – Vice President (President Office), C.P. Vietnam Corporation — sharing strategic perspectives on organic expansion versus M&A-driven growth in Vietnam’s dynamic market landscape.
A particularly engaging panel discussion addressed a critical strategic question: “Building or Buying? The Growth Game in Vietnam.”
Senior leaders from international finance institutions, multinational corporations, and investment groups debated the merits of organic expansion versus M&A-led growth.
The consensus? In a market moving at Vietnam’s pace, strategic acquisitions often provide accelerated access—to distribution networks, regulatory licenses, talent pools, and localized know-how. However, success depends heavily on post-acquisition integration discipline and governance alignment.
This conversation resonated strongly with Alliance Mount’s advisory experience. Many transactions stall not at signing, but during integration. Scaling through acquisition requires cultural sensitivity, transparent financial structures, and clearly aligned long-term objectives between founders and investors.
Vietnam remains attractive—but disciplined execution differentiates successful scale-ups
from stalled transactions.
Europe–Asia Capital Flows: A Two-Way Bridge
The summit’s overarching theme—Connecting Europe and Asia—mirrors Alliance Mount’s
core mission.
European corporates are seeking diversification of supply chains, access to ASEAN’s 650+
million consumer market, and exposure to emerging growth sectors such as green energy and
AI. Meanwhile, Vietnamese enterprises are increasingly looking toward European strategic
investors for technology transfer, ESG expertise, and long-term institutional capital.
Bridging these ecosystems requires more than introductions. It requires:
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- Alignment of valuation expectations.
- Structuring transactions compliant with both EU and Vietnamese regulatory frameworks.
- Managing cross-cultural negotiation dynamics.
- Designing capital structures that balance control and growth.
Events such as The Scaling Business Summit serve as platforms where these cross-border dialogues mature from concept into collaboration.
Key Takeaways for Scaling Leaders
From two days of insights and dialogue, several strategic themes emerged:
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- Operational Excellence Precedes Capital – Investors favor scalable systems, not just scalable revenue.
- Digital Infrastructure is a Strategic Asset – Automation and AI readiness materially influence valuation.
- Institutional Reform is Accelerating – Vietnam’s policy direction signals long-term openness to global capital.
- A as a Growth Tool Requires Discipline – Building or buying is not the core question; execution quality is.
- ESG Integration is Non-Negotiable – European capital flows increasingly tie funding conditions to governance and sustainability benchmarks.
Alliance Mount’s Perspective
As Alliance Mount continues to advise cross-border transactions across renewable energy,
education, logistics, and technology, the summit reaffirmed a core belief: scaling is not
accidental. It is engineered.
It is engineered through structured advisory processes, institutional governance, strategic
capital partnerships, and cultural intelligence.
Vietnam stands at a pivotal juncture—transitioning from high-growth emerging market to
structured regional powerhouse. For founders, this is a moment to professionalize systems.
For investors, it is a moment to act decisively yet thoughtfully.
The Scaling Business Summit 2026 did not simply discuss growth—it framed the blueprint
for it.
Alliance Mount remains committed to facilitating the conversations, capital flows, and
strategic transactions that will define the next chapter of Europe–Asia economic integration.
We look forward to continuing these dialogues—on the ground, across borders, and at the
forefront of Vietnam’s scaling journey.