Thanks to its consistent and creative approach to a focused M&A strategy, GELEX Group has been recognized as the Enterprise with Outstanding M&A Strategy 2024 – 2025.

 The award was presented on the afternoon of December 9 during the 17th Vietnam M&A Forum 2025, organized by Finance & Investment Newspaper under the patronage of the Ministry of Finance. This annual event brings together leading local and international economic and financial experts.

Mr. Nguyễn Hoàng Long, Deputy CEO of GELEX Group, received the award on behalf of the company

To identify enterprises with outstanding M&A strategies, the judging panel evaluated factors such as transaction size, nature, structure, deal ratio, impact on the industry or the public, as well as the performance of the business after the deals. All results were reviewed by a council of top economic and financial experts.

GELEX’s strategy is to pursue deliberate and effective M&A-driven growth, apply best-practice governance and modern production management, prioritize Capex investments, and carry out timely restructuring to improve the performance of its subsidiaries and investment portfolio, reinforcing its position as one of Vietnam’s leading private economic groups.

GELEX has used M&A as a powerful tool to build comprehensive core capabilities: effective capital allocation, sustainable governance, resilience through market fluctuations, and the ability to shape an ecosystem.

Sharing at the Forum about what capabilities enterprises need to succeed in M&A, Deputy CEO Nguyễn Hoàng Long emphasized three elements:

First, businesses must take a strategic, long-term view, seeing M&A (acquisitions) as integrating into an ecosystem, not a trading activity.

Second, they need deal-making skills, especially when working with foreign partners, where negotiation styles and cooperation standards are very different.

Finally, the post-M&A phase is decisive: companies must be ready with governance capacity, restructuring ability, and a real plan to develop the acquired business so that synergy value becomes reality.

Regarding international partnerships, Mr. Long highlighted that a Win–Win mindset is fundamental. Businesses must understand their partners and create mutual benefit. Next is focusing on long-term, sustainable value. And finally, approaching each partnership with equality and mutual respect is key to successful collaboration.

Experts note that the effectiveness of GELEX’s M&A strategy in recent years is most clearly seen in the post-M&A phase, with most member companies achieving strong growth. This comes from decisive restructuring, renewed corporate governance, and accelerated digital transformation, creating a stronger operating foundation for the Group.

GELEX’s progress stands out even more in the current M&A environment, as Vietnam and the region are going through a deep filtering cycle. Capital is more cautious, valuation gaps between buyers and sellers remain wide, and geopolitical risks continue to weigh on investors.

In such a context, enterprises that maintain strategic discipline and pursue M&A to create real value, like GELEX, naturally stand out.

While domestic capital remains the backbone of the market, regional investors are becoming more active in large, selective deals.

In Vietnam, the first 10 months of 2025 recorded around 220 M&A transactions with a total value of USD 2.3 billion, averaging USD 29.4 million per deal, lower than the 2024 peak.

However, Vietnam remains a regional bright spot, attracting selective M&A activity. Domestic investors accounted for more than 30% of total deal value (USD 712 million), ahead of investors from Singapore, Japan, the U.S., and South Korea. This reflects strong, sustained confidence in Vietnam’s mid- and long-term outlook.

Looking ahead to 2026, global investors and experts believe Vietnam’s M&A market is entering a new breakout phase. Strong reforms, a stable legal environment, and a recovering market mood are laying the foundation for what is considered the most promising M&A cycle in years.

According to KPMG, four major trends will shape upcoming M&A activity: Returning to core value, focusing on sectors with stable cash flow; Prioritizing quality; A buyer-friendly market with more cautious valuations; and Restarting delayed processes and mandatory transactions.

With clearer regulations, better liquidity, and several major deals nearing completion, Vietnam continues to strengthen its position as one of Southeast Asia’s most attractive M&A markets, built on a solid foundation, a clear value-creation roadmap, and abundant long-term opportunities for both domestic and foreign investors.

PR DEPARTMENT