The Viet Nam International Financial Center in Ho Chi Minh City (VIFC-HCMC), Touchstone Partners, and Temasek Foundation have signed a trilateral strategic collaboration agreement to support Vietnam’s innovation, technology development, and green transition through international capital, expertise, and networks.
Net Zero Challenge 2026 (N0C 2026) has been designated as the first flagship initiative under this collaboration.
The partnership will focus on four key areas: Advancing innovation and the green economy; mobilising capital and strategic partnerships for sustainable development; supporting enterprises through ecosystem-building, commercialisation and scaling initiatives; and strengthening international collaboration on knowledge exchange, technology transfer and market access.
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 Vietnam.
“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,” said 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,” said Jennie Chua, Chairman, Temasek Foundation.
Temasek Foundation supports a diverse range of programmes that uplift lives and communities in Singapore and Asia. Temasek Foundation’s programmes are made possible through philanthropic endowments gifted by Temasek, as well as gifts and other contributions from other donors.
Touchstone Partners is a Vietnam-focused fund investing in high-growth, technology-driven companies that create positive economic, social and environmental impact.
Last year, Touchstone Partners launched a new $10-million climate fund to invest in sustainable agriculture, circular economy, waste management and new energy technologies in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.
VIFC-HCMC provides a transparent legal framework aligned with international best practices to attract financial institutions and strategic investors, while serving as a gateway for channelling global financial resources into Vietnam’s economy.
