Kenno Hosts Exclusive Investor Meetups in Vietnam
In November 2024, the Kenno team came together to welcome guests from Europe and Asia to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. These programs offered a unique opportunity for international investors to dive deep into the vibrant culture and bustling economy of Vietnam, providing firsthand insights to reinforce their investment decision-making process. This initiative is also part of Kenno's commitment as an asset manager to build upon our longstanding investment approach: active engagement and responsible ownership.
Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are Vietnam's largest cities, each offering a diverse mix of lifestyles and trades. They are also home to the headquarters of many multinational businesses, including several of Kenno's portfolio companies. While each city offers its own distinct experience, we believe that a well-curated visit to either one can provide international guests with an authentic view of Vietnam's potential—one that cannot be fully captured through newspapers or reports alone.
Kenno's CEO, Mikael Nastamo, introduced guests to Vietnam's macroeconomic and investment landscapes.
Within just two weeks, we had the pleasure of hosting two different groups of investors, while bringing together team members from both our Singapore and Hanoi offices. To create a program that balanced business and leisure, Kenno's itineraries were carefully prepared over several months, with every detail tailored to accommodate guests coming from different parts of the world.
In this article, we'd like to share some highlights from our recent trips so you can easily imagine what it's like to experience Vietnam. If you're interested in investing in Vietnam and are ready to get hands-on, feel free to get in touch to discuss a similar excursion customized for you.
Experience the Local Ways of Life
On the first day of arrival and casual meet-and-greet, participants were welcomed with a taste of world-renowned traditional Vietnamese cuisine at some of the best restaurants in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, handpicked by our Vietnamese team. Afterwards, through sightseeing around the city and interactions with the locals, our guests experienced firsthand the contrast and harmony between Vietnamese heritage and modern life, such as vintage colonial houses next to sleek, glass office buildings, gaining a direct understanding of the sociocultural dynamics that drive the country's development, as well as the entrepreneurial spirit of its people.
Our guests experienced local food, egg coffee, the famous train street in Hanoi.
Exchange Insights with Industry Experts
As a warm-up for the packed business itineraries, we organised private networking and Q&A sessions that brought together our guests, portfolio company representatives, domain experts, and Kenno's investment team. During these conversations, we discussed Vietnam's economy, financial markets, and key domestic consumption sectors. This aimed to share insights, challenges, opportunities, and a fair outlook on Vietnam's investment landscape from various perspectives.
Mr. Keijo Norvanto, Ambassador of Finland to Vietnam and Laos, joined our session.
Visit Highlighted Portfolio Companies
The main highlight of our agenda was exclusive site visits where participants were invited to come see our portfolio companies' operations and facilities up close. They heard directly from leaders of these companies about diverse business strategies and how they align with expectations from international shareholders. Our guests, who have been to many parts of the world, were particularly pleased with the opportunity to learn about the unique characteristics of Vietnam through observing daily routines at urban areas, offices, campuses, and hospitals. These site visits provided extra layers of insight, such as untapped market demand or practical ESG impacts, allowing potential investors to evaluate opportunities beyond pure financial metrics.
One of our stops during the site tour was Thai Nguyen International Hospital (TNH).
A Hands-On Approach to Investment
For Kenno, investing is more than a numbers game—it's about staying engaged and building long-lasting relationships. In other words, we aim to find real value in responsible businesses and actively manage our portfolio to generate superior returns for investors over the long term.
These in-depth investor excursions are part of our mission in action, providing participants with insight, transparency, and a direct connection to what's happening on the ground. Our local analyst team in Vietnam, who lives and breathes the market every day, plays a crucial role in making this happen.
We hope you enjoyed reading about our recent activities. Let's connect if you'd like to discuss investing in Vietnam. Alternatively, you can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more news and insights.
Disclaimer:
This document is prepared by Kenno Asset Management Pte. Ltd. ("Kenno"), the investment advisor for the Asia Top Picks Fund which is open only to professional investors. This marketing communication does not constitute investment advice. Please refer to Kenno’s official fund documents before making any final investment decision.
The information provided in this document is accurate as of the time of writing. Kenno does not guarantee the ongoing accuracy or completeness of this information and is not responsible for updates or changes after publication.