Vietnam Innovators

To bring Vietnamese games to the global stage, studios need more than just creativity. It requires a combination of relentless experimentation, the ability to leverage technologies such as artificial intelligence, and a willingness to learn from the successes of global hits. By deeply understanding their players, embracing change, and continuously improving their products, Vietnamese game developers can gradually push the boundaries of what’s possible.

In Episode 54 of the Vietnam Innovators podcast (English edition), this global journey of Vietnamese games continues through the insights of Anel Ceman, Former VP of Monetization at Tripledot Studios. A leading expert in mobile game monetization, Anel has held key leadership roles at renowned studios such as Outfit7, Wildlife, and Tripledot. He is widely recognized for his ability to merge strategic thinking with operational excellence in the global mobile gaming industry.

Drawing from his solid background in both hands-on operations and high-level strategy, Anel shares sharp perspectives on how to build competitive, scalable, and sustainable games for international markets.

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And explore many amazing articles about the pioneers at: ⁠https://vietcetera.com/vn/bo-suu-tap/vietnam-innovator⁠

Feel free to leave any questions or invitations for business cooperation at hello@vni-digest.com

This week on the English edition of Vietnam Innovators, we're honored to welcome Chandu Rajapreyar — our very first guest from Sri Lanka, currently serving as the Group Executive Creative Director at Hakuhodo. With over 25 years of experience in the advertising industry, Chandu stands out for his strategic thinking, exceptional creativity, and deep market insight.

He has earned numerous prestigious awards including Cannes Lions, D&AD, Clio, The One Show, and Effie, and has been recognized at Smarties Global, MMA Regional, and MMA Vietnam. In 2023, Campaign Brief ranked him among the top 10 most creative individuals in Vietnam.

Over the past decade, Chandu has played a key role in helping agencies across Southeast and South Asia earn the title of "Agency of the Year." Notably, he helped elevate MullenLowe Sri Lanka to 9th in Asia and 36th globally on the Effie Index. Beyond advertising, he is also a co-founder of several tech startups, including SD TECH, which provides AI and blockchain solutions in markets such as the U.S., India, and Singapore.

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Listen to this episode on YouTube

And explore many amazing articles about the pioneers at: https://vietcetera.com/vn/bo-suu-tap/vietnam-innovator

Feel free to leave any questions or invitations for business cooperation at hello@vni-digest.com

As AI rapidly transforms industries across the board, game advertising — with its unique blend of creativity, large-scale data, and constantly shifting user behavior — is also evolving. Yet despite its potential, AI remains underutilized in this space. Why hasn’t this intersection of technology and marketing been fully explored? Could it be the overlooked goldmine of the digital age?

In this week’s episode 52 of the Vietnam Innovators (English) podcast, let's sit down with Robert Huynh, Co-Founder and CEO of Reforged Labs — a startup backed by Y Combinator. Robert previously held key roles at X (Google’s Moonshot Factory) and Microsoft, where he spent nearly a decade developing advanced AI technologies for autonomous vehicles, cybersecurity, and next-generation wearables. After leaving Harvard Business School to launch his own venture, he’s now pioneering the world’s first AI-driven platform for ad performance analysis.

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Listen to this episode on Youtube

And explore many amazing articles about the pioneers at: https://vietcetera.com/vn/bo-suu-tap/vietnam-innovator

Feel free to leave any questions or invitations for business cooperation at hello@vni-digest.com

Bruno Jaspaert is the Belgian CEO of DEEP C Industrial Zones, one of Vietnam’s largest industrial zone developers with a 3,400-hectare land portfolio across Haiphong and Quang Ninh. With over 25 years of international experience spanning Asia and Europe, Bruno has held senior roles in sales, production, innovation, project and strategy management across sectors including chemicals, logistics, steel, and oil & gas.

In addition to his role at DEEP C, he currently serves as a Non-Executive Director at Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) in the UAE and is the Chairman of EuroCham Vietnam. A multilingual leader and committed team builder, Bruno is driven by people, innovation, and delivering positive impact. He holds two master’s degrees—in International Relations and in Commercial Engineering.

Bruno is a strong advocate for sustainable growth and ESG reporting as a tool to align stakeholders and prove that economic development and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.

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Listen to this episode on Youtube

And explore many amazing articles about the pioneers at: https://vietcetera.com/vn/bo-suu-tap/vietnam-innovator

Feel free to leave any questions or invitations for business cooperation at hello@vni-digest.com

YouTube is gradually evolving into a promising commerce platform, as consumer behavior becomes increasingly intertwined with content creation. From entertainment to product reviews, from views to purchase decisions, digital media is showing clear potential to drive real commercial outcomes. With the launch of YouTube Shopping, both content creators and brands now have a new opportunity to reach consumers in a more direct, intuitive, and effective way.

In this episode, we speak with Gabby Roxas, Country Marketing Manager at Google Vietnam. With extensive experience at global companies such as Johnson & Johnson, Mead Johnson Nutrition, and Coca-Cola, Gabby currently leads Google Vietnam’s marketing strategies across both B2B and B2C segments. He also oversees campaigns for Google’s key products including YouTube, Android, Search, Chrome, Maps, and the Play Store.

Through practical insights and up-to-date market data, this podcast reveals why YouTube is becoming more than just an entertainment or advertising platform. It is playing an increasingly important role in the modern consumer journey. Whether you’re a creator, advertiser, or simply interested in emerging consumer trends, this episode is not to be missed.

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Cảm ơn Google Việt Nam đã đồng hành cùng Vietnam Innovators. Thông qua việc có mặt tại Việt Nam, Google mong muốn mang đến những phân tích chuyên sâu về toàn cảnh bức tranh kỹ thuật số của Việt Nam—bao gồm ứng dụng, trò chơi và thương mại điện tử, đồng thời giới thiệu cách các doanh nghiệp có thể đạt được tăng trưởng bền vững thông qua các giải pháp công nghệ và quảng cáo tiên tiến của Google.

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Listen to this episode on Youtube

And explore many amazing articles about the pioneers at: https://vietcetera.com/vn/bo-suu-tap/vietnam-innovator

Feel free to leave any questions or invitations for business cooperation at hello@vni-digest.com

Meta’s advanced AI technologies are not only enhancing user experiences across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, but also unlocking new opportunities for businesses and content creators. From strategic planning support to boosting creativity and engagement, Meta AI is becoming an indispensable part of various industries—delivering practical value across many aspects of life.

In Episode 49 of the Vietnam Innovators podcast (English edition) this week, we sit down with Revie Sylviana, Director of Global Partnerships, SEA & Emerging Markets at Meta. She currently leads a dynamic team across countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam—driving the growth and adoption of Meta’s products among creators, public figures, athletes, and media professionals.

With over 20 years of experience in telecommunications, technology, and social media, Revie has played a key role in shaping effective content and partnership strategies. Her insights promise valuable lessons and compelling perspectives on the future of technology and creativity.

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Thank you Meta for accompanying Vietnam Innovators. Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology.

Listen to this episode on Youtube

And explore many amazing articles about the pioneers at: https://vietcetera.com/vn/bo-suu-tap/vietnam-innovator

Feel free to leave any questions or invitations for business cooperation at hello@vni-digest.com

In episode 48 of the Vietnam Innovators podcast, we sit down with Dave Tong, Co-Founder & Chief Product Technology Officer of Employment Hero – a global leader in HR management solutions.

In conversation with host Hảo Trần, Dave shares his career journey, from his early days at InterSystems to co-founding Employment Hero with Ben Thompson in 2014, with the goal of revolutionizing recruitment and HR management processes for businesses.

Employment Hero is a comprehensive HR management platform that helps businesses simplify recruitment, performance management, payroll, and benefits, all integrated into one system. Aiming to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in improving operational efficiency, Employment Hero leverages advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and automation, to optimize HR processes and enable data-driven decision-making.

The platform currently serves over 300,000 businesses and more than 2 million users globally, with a strong presence in many countries, including Vietnam.

Listen to this episode on Youtube

And explore many amazing articles about the pioneers at: https://vietcetera.com/vn/bo-suu-tap/vietnam-innovator

Feel free to leave any questions or invitations for business cooperation at hello@vni-digest.com

This week on Vietnam Innovators (English edition), we welcome Mads Werner, CEO and Co-founder of Ekko. After many years working across Northern Europe and Singapore, Mads decided to settle in Vietnam in 2018 - a country where he spent part of his youth and developed a deep affection for its culture and people.

In 2022, recognizing the urgent need for improved financial well-being among workers in Vietnam, Mads and his co-founders launched Ekko - a pioneering fintech application specializing in earned wage access (EWA). Ekko allows employees to access a portion of their earned wages at any time during the month, rather than waiting for a fixed payday. This service enables workers to manage unexpected financial needs without resorting to high-interest loans or predatory lending.

For businesses, Ekko serves not only as a valuable employee welfare tool but also as a solution that enhances their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance, while strengthening employee engagement and satisfaction.

Listen to this episode on Youtube

And explore many amazing articles about the pioneers at: https://vietcetera.com/vn/bo-suu-tap/vietnam-innovator

Feel free to leave any questions or invitations for business cooperation at hello@vni-digest.com

This week on the Vietnam Innovators Podcast, we welcome An Võ, Founder and CEO of Janus Executive Search & Talent Advisory, a leading firm specializing in executive search and talent advisory services across Vietnam and the Asia-Pacific region.

With over 15 years of experience working with prominent multinational corporations, Ms. An Võ has played a pivotal role in shaping HR strategies and attracting top-tier talent for global businesses. She consistently applies a "glocal" approach — blending global expertise with local insight — to help organizations address leadership challenges and adapt to the rapidly evolving market landscape.

As a trailblazer in connecting career opportunities in Vietnam with the overseas Vietnamese community, Ms. An Võ also works to attract international talent to contribute to the country's growth. Her strategic vision and deep understanding of both global and local markets make her not only a remarkable leader but also a powerful source of inspiration for those seeking sustainable, impactful career development.

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Listen to this episode on Youtube

And explore many amazing articles about the pioneers at: ⁠https://vietcetera.com/vn/bo-suu-tap/vietnam-innovator

Feel free to leave any questions or invitations for business cooperation at ⁠hello@⁠⁠vni-digest.com⁠

Welcome to the next episode of Vietnam Innovators (English version), where we have the opportunity to meet and hear insights from two special guests: Mr. Tran Thanh Nam (Owner) and Ms. Michelle Ford (General Manager) of Namia River Retreat.

Mr. Tran Thanh Nam, Chairman of Bhaya Cruises and CEO of HG Holdings, is the founder of Namia River Retreat – a resort that deeply reflects Vietnamese cultural identity. Growing up in the rural northern regions of Vietnam, his childhood memories of simplicity and authenticity inspired him to create a space that is not only beautiful but also rich in cultural values. With Namia, he aims to build a unique resort that serves as a legacy for future generations, especially for his two sons, to carry forward and bring Vietnamese hospitality to the world.

Joining him is Ms. Michelle Ford, CEO of Lumina Wellbeing and General Manager of Namia River Retreat. With extensive experience in the wellness hospitality industry, Ms. Ford has pioneered the development of comprehensive wellness concepts in Vietnam and the region. Inspired by the serene beauty of the country, she founded Lumina Wellbeing to integrate wellness philosophies into resort environments, and this brand serves as the foundation for Namia's health and wellness approach.

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We're delighted to introduce Namia River Retreat in this episode! Located on the serene Cồn Ba Xã Islet in Hoi An, Namia is where culture, wellness, and nature come together in perfect harmony.

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Listen to this episode on Youtube

And explore many amazing articles about the pioneers at: ⁠⁠https://vietcetera.com/vn/bo-suu-tap/vietnam-innovator

Feel free to leave any questions or invitations for business cooperation at ⁠hello@⁠⁠vni-digest.com⁠