Vietnamese electric mobility platform Green SM has launched services in Los Angeles, marking its entry into North America and its ninth market globally, while JICA plans to provide approximately ¥100 billion ($630 million) in annual official development assistance (ODA) loans to support Vietnam’s economic growth.
Green SM drives into North America with electric taxi launch in LA
Vietnamese electric mobility platform Green SM has launched services in Los Angeles, marking its entry into North America and its ninth market globally.
The service began on October 13, using a fleet of VinFast VF 8 electric vehicles. Customers can book rides through the Green SM app, via its hotline or by hailing vehicles on the street. Services include everyday journeys and airport transfers.
The launch extends Green SM’s international expansion beyond Asia and Europe. Founded in Vietnam in 2023, the company also operates in Laos, Indonesia, the Philippines, India, Kazakhstan, Denmark and the Netherlands.
“The United States represents an important milestone in Green SM’s growth journey. We are not simply expanding into a new market. We aim to build trust with customers, drivers and local communities, one journey at a time. Our experience across international markets has shown us that the future of electric mobility is not defined by an all-electric fleet alone. It also depends on service quality, well-trained and reliable drivers, and genuine care in every customer interaction,” said Hoang Thanh Hang, CEO of Green SM in the US.
Green SM said it plans to expand its local team, recruit and train drivers, and continue investing in its fleet, technology and operations in the US. It did not disclose its initial fleet size or investment in the market.
To attract customers, the company is offering new users a 50% fare discount, capped at $12 per ride, on their first five trips. A complimentary Green Pass membership provides 10 monthly vouchers offering 30% discounts, capped at $10 per ride.
Founded in Vietnam in 2023, Green SM currently operates a green mobility ecosystem across Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia, the Philippines, India, Kazakhstan, Denmark and the Netherlands.
JICA commits $630m to support Vietnam’s growth
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) plans to provide approximately ¥100 billion ($630 million) in annual official development assistance (ODA) loans to support Vietnam’s economic growth.
The financing will support technology transfer, business matching and access to finance for Vietnamese enterprises, JICA Vietnam deputy chief representative Fukuda Chihiro said at a recent press conference.
Chief representative Kobayashi Yosuke said JICA’s priorities include developing science and technology talent, supporting the private sector, improving the business environment and building strategic infrastructure. Vietnam is seeking new growth drivers to achieve its goal of becoming a high-income country by 2045.
Japan committed ¥89.3 billion ($567 million) to three projects in Vietnam between October 2025 and September 2026, covering climate-resilient infrastructure in northern mountainous and midland regions, rural disaster resilience and green financing policies.
The commitments include a ¥50 billion ($318 million) concessional loan for green financing policy development, with streamlined approval and rapid disbursement procedures. JICA said outcomes would be assessed through policy implementation and measurable indicators, including green bond issuance and renewable energy penetration, rather than disbursement totals.
The commitments followed a period between October 2024 and September 2025 when no new loan agreements were signed. Japan previously signed a ¥42 billion ($265.6 million) loan agreement in late 2023 for Ho Chi Minh City’s Ben Thanh–Suoi Tien metro line.
Japan remained Vietnam’s largest bilateral ODA provider through late 2025, with cumulative concessional loans exceeding ¥3 trillion ($19 billion), according to JICA.
