[GIBA RECAP] SEMINAR: UNDERSTANDING TRENDS – STRENGTHENING MARKET POSITION – TAX ASSURANCE

On May 15, 2026, in Ho Chi Minh City, the Global Intellectual Business Association (GIBA) successfully organized the seminar “Understanding Trends – Strengthening Market Position – Tax Assurance”, gathering entrepreneurs, managers, experts, and representatives from domestic and international organizations. The program provided comprehensive insights into macroeconomic trends, business management strategies, and practical tax solutions, helping enterprises enhance adaptability, strengthen internal capabilities, and pursue sustainable growth amid a rapidly changing economic landscape.

PART 1: UNDERSTANDING TRENDS – A CLEARER VIEW OF THE 2026 ECONOMIC LANDSCAPE

Opening the seminar, Dr. Hoang Van Viet presented an overview of Vietnam’s and the global economy in 2026, highlighting major shifts driven by geopolitics, AI, global competition, and the restructuring of business ecosystems. According to him, Vietnamese businesses are facing several “big waves”, including:
- Oversupply, market saturation, and price competition
- Restructuring of markets and consumer behavior
- Breakthrough changes in institutions, policies, and public investment
- Artificial intelligence, automation, and the commoditization of value
- Sustainable business and standardization
- Complex geopolitical and global economic conditions

Key message: “The future does not belong to businesses operating alone, but to those connected within ecosystems that create shared value”. His presentation emphasized that sustainable growth requires businesses to shift from a “product-selling mindset” to a “problem-solving mindset”, while building trust, communities, and effective business ecosystems.

PART 2: STRENGTHENING MARKET POSITION – SURVIVAL STRATEGIES FOR BUSINESSES

Dr. Le Khanh Lam shared core strategies to help businesses “stay strong to lead” in a highly volatile market environment. He highlighted common paradoxes faced by many enterprises:
- Revenue increases, but cash flow remains weak
- Rapid expansion, but fragile internal capacity
- Systems overly dependent on individuals

According to Dr. Lam, resilient businesses should focus on three key pillars:
- Comprehensive risk management
- Operational system optimization
- Cash flow management

One message that strongly resonated with participants: “Businesses do not collapse because of big waves. They collapse because their internal strength is too weak". He also stressed the importance of financial transparency, separating personal and business assets, applying AI in management, and building quality business communities to overcome challenges together.

PART 3: TAX ASSURANCE – TO GO FAR, BUSINESSES MUST GO SAFELY

Closing the seminar, MSc. Ngo Thanh Hanh shared practical perspectives on tax management in an era of increasing data transparency and stricter compliance controls. She pointed out common risks frequently faced by SMEs:
- Emotion-based management
- Mixing personal and business finances
- Limited understanding of e-commerce taxation
- Incorrect handling of invoices and documents.

Three key solutions were highlighted:
- Building transparent systems
- Working regularly with experts
- Viewing tax as part of business strategy

Key message: “CEOs do not need to master tax operations, but they must understand that tax is an integral part of business strategy.”

EXPERT DISCUSSION: DIALOGUE WITH INDUSTRY EXPERTS

Following the presentations, the speakers joined an in-depth panel discussion and directly addressed practical questions from the business community. The session offered diverse perspectives and actionable solutions, helping businesses identify clearer directions and strategies for 2026.