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M&A in 2025: Big deals, winning hands, and wild cards

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In Vietnam, domestic companies are leading high-value transactions, and foreign investors are showing renewed interest, particularly in the healthcare and education sectors, write PwCVietnamanalysts.

The global M&A landscape saw a significant uptick at the higher end, with over 500 deals valued at more than $1 billion in 2024, up from 430 in 2023. Illustration courtesy of PwC.

The global M&A landscape saw a significant uptick at the higher end, with over 500 deals valued at more than $1 billion in 2024, up from 430 in 2023. Illustration courtesy of PwC.

Megadeal momentum returns to the market – but dealmakers will need to expect the unexpected.

Recent dealmaking momentum at the top end of the market suggests the upswing has already begun: the volume of deals greater than $1 billion in value increased by 17% in 2024, and their average value rose.

But we are also seeing some mixed signals as the number of small to mid-sized deals declined. There are also some potential wild cards which could disrupt the momentum.

PwC’s Global M&A Industry Trends: 2025 Outlook looks at three key wild cards which may influence M&A activity in 2025 and key factors underlying a growing deals imperative. The M&A landscape in Vietnam mirrors these global trends, with a focus on key industries experiencing a dynamic M&A environment.

How is the M&A market performing?

In 2024, deal values increased by 5%, largely driven by a rise in average deal size, despite a 17% drop in deal volumes due to ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty surrounding inflation and interest rates, which dampened M&A activity for smaller to mid-sized deals.

The M&A landscape saw a significant uptick at the higher end, with over 500 deals valued at more than $1 billion, up from 430 in 2023. Additionally, megadeals surged by 18%, with 72 deals worth over $5 billion announced in 2024, compared to 61 in the previous year.

81% of previously acquisitive CEOs plan to make another acquisition in the next three years. CEOs are optimistic about their M&A plans in 2025. According to PwC’s 28th Annual Global CEO Survey, 81% of CEOs who made a significant acquisition in the past three years plan to make one or more acquisitions in the next three years.

Health industries dealmakers gear up for a more favourable M&A environment

In 2025, portfolio gaps, supply chain issues, and policy direction are anticipated to drive M&A activity among health industry companies. Within the pharma and life sciences sectors, there is a focus on pursuing biotech deals to counteract impending patent cliffs and on divesting non-core assets as part ofportfolio optimization.

These companies are also exploring creative financing structures to support innovation. Meanwhile, private equity interest in medtech and digital health is on the rise, with expectations that exits of PE-backed companies will increase.

Additionally, recently spun-off or divested pure-play over-the-counter (OTC) and consumer health businesses are likely to pursue M&A to accelerate their own transformation plans.

The healthcare M&A landscape in Vietnam in 2025 is expected to be vibrant, driven by increasing demand for high-quality healthcare services and a rapidly expanding middle class. Private hospitals and specialty clinics, such as ophthalmology and oncology centers, will be primary drivers of M&A activity.

Continued growth and transformation in the education sector

The global M&A landscape in the education sector is evolving, with private equity investors driving 50-70% of investments. EdTech remains a major focus, especially in digitizing K-12 and higher education. Overall, the sector is poised for continued growth and transformation, driven by technological advancements and increasing demand for quality education.

In Vietnam, the government’s encouragement of foreign investment, with no limits on foreign-invested capital for educational institutions, is likely to attract more international investors. The M&A landscape in Vietnam’s education sector in 2025 will be dynamic, driven by government encouragement of foreign investment and growing demand for private education.

Strategic partnerships and investments in higher education and vocational training will enhance quality and infrastructure. Supportive government policies will create a favorable environment for both local and foreign investors, presenting numerous opportunities for M&A activities.

The M&A wild cards

Geopolitics and the ‘Trump effect’

Dealmakers and markets are still digesting the outcomes of the elections that took place in many countries during 2024 and the resulting changes to policy direction; in particular, the impact of the new Trump administration in the U.S.

The global M&A outlook explores the likely impact by sector of certain U.S. policy changes and executive orders on topics such as immigration, taxes, tariffs, deregulation and more. The broader geopolitical environment is also explored further in each of the industry perspectives which form part of the global M&A outlook series.

Long-term interest rates

Interest rate cuts in the second half of 2024 in many countries have supported the new M&A momentum. However, long-term rates are rising again, and the timing and extent of future rate cuts will depend on the strength of the local economy and whether inflation continues to cool leading to continuing uncertainty for dealmakers.

High valuations

In mid-January 2025, the forward price-to-earnings ratio for U.S. stocks (based on the S&P 500) was 22.87, compared with 13.67 for non-U.S. international stocks (based on the S&P International 700). Lower valuations in some countries and a strong U.S. dollar may lead to more cross-border deals.

The deals imperative grows stronger

A focus on growth and business transformation

With 53% of CEOs ‘extremely’ or ‘very’ confidentabout their company’s prospects for growth over the next three years (Source: PwC’s 28th Annual Global CEO Survey), this suggests they expect current or future planned actions will grow their company’s top line. In addition to acquisitions to drive growth, we expect divestitures, including large corporate spin-offs, to drive business transformation.

AI is acting as a catalyst for change attracting significant investment

Demand for AI has significantly boosted investment in digital infrastructure. Over the next five years, capital expenditures could reach $2 trillion for building new data centers. Additionally, the increasing energy demands to support AI are driving investments in power generation.

Private equity (PE) exit backlog grows

Almost half of the 29,000 portfolio companies worldwide have been on the books for over four years. Investor pressure on PE funds to return capital is growing.

For dealmakers, finding the path forward

To be successful, dealmakers will need to be prepared to answer some tough questions, including around the impact of AI, achieving returns in a market with high valuations and slowing growth, where opportunities exist for investors and the geopolitical implications of any deal being considered.

Ong Tiong Hooi, partner, transaction services leader, PwC Vietnam, commented: “As we enter 2025, the global M&A landscape is set for a significant recovery, driven by easing economic headwinds and strategic acquisitions. This trend is mirrored in Vietnam, where we see increased activity across various sectors. In Vietnam, domestic companies are leading high-value transactions, and foreign investors are showing renewed interest, particularly in the healthcare and education sectors.

“Navigating this dynamic market requires a deep understanding of industry trends and a strategic focus on value creation. Dealmakers must stay vigilant, monitoring valuations, interest rates, and geopolitical factors to seize emerging opportunities.”

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Bac Giang International Logistics Centre launched

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Bac Giang International Logistics Centre was launched on April 22 with an investment of $168 million, and is expected to become a crucial link in the global supply chain.

Bac Giang International Logistics Centre launched
Bac Giang International Logistics Centre launch

Being invested by CNCTech Group, Dolphin Sea Air Services Corporation and Thien An Investment JSC, the logistics centre is located on National Highway 1A, which boasts first-class warehouse supply to meet the growing demand in the northern Vietnamese market.

Its strategic position within the golden economic triangle of Hanoi – Haiphong – Quang Ninh provides convenient connectivity to industrial zones and key logistics centres via national highways No.1A and No.37.

The centre is designed to meet growing demand for logistics infrastructure from businesses in Bac Giang and neighbouring provinces, positioning the area as a new node in northern Vietnam’s logistics network.

The project is a strategic product as a key component of the logistics spearhead in CNCTech Group’s industrial and logistics infrastructure ecosystem. It has been approved by the prime minister as a national level-II logistics centre, covering a planned area of 67 hectares.

At the launch ceremony, Chairman of Bac Giang People’s Committee Nguyen Viet Oanh said, “In recent years, the province’s socioeconomic development has made remarkable strides. Transportation, urban, industrial, and social infrastructure have been synchronously invested in and have yielded high efficiency. However, the province’s logistics service sector has not yet matched its potential, advantages, and socioeconomic development level. The logistics system remains fragmented, transportation costs are high, and trade delivery times are prolonged.”

Recognising this bottleneck, the local authorities have focused on directing the robust development of the logistics system, incorporating it into the provincial plan. This includes developing eight comprehensive logistics centres covering nearly 500ha, three inland container depots, and 33 inland waterway ports.

“Bac Giang, with its strategic location between Hanoi and border provinces, has long been known as a dynamic industrial hub. The remarkable development of the province’s industrial parks has created a solid foundation for the establishment of Bac Giang International Logistics Centre. This centre is not only located on vital transportation routes such as Hanoi-Lang Son Expressway but also directly connects to major border gates, optimising the transport of goods from Bac Giang to the world,” said Oanh.

Bac Giang International Logistics Centre launched
A model of the logistics centre

The project is not merely a warehousing facility, but also a symbol of the integration of modern infrastructure and advanced technology. The centre includes multifunctional warehouse areas, customs-controlled warehouses, non-tariff warehouses, and automated warehouses, meeting the needs of various industries. Notably, it integrates end-to-end logistics solutions, supporting businesses in optimising transportation costs and enhancing production efficiency.

With a long-term vision, the centre aims not only to optimise domestic supply chains but also to become a key connection point in the global logistics network.

Nguyen Van Hung, chairman of the Board of Members of CNC Tech Group, shared, “The establishment of this centre is a strategic step in developing Vietnam’s logistics infrastructure. We are committed to long-term and robust investment in this sector, as logistics is not just infrastructure but an indispensable part of enhancing the competitiveness of Vietnamese businesses on the international stage.”

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Green engagement rides high in Vietnam

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Vietnam has taken strong action to promote green development among businesses, amid the country facing challenges in finance and technology.

Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam told the fourth Summit of the Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G), organised last week in Hanoi, that Vietnam is focused on strategic breakthroughs to prepare for a national development process that is fast, inclusive, and sustainable.

Green engagement rides high in Vietnam
The summit in Hanoi covered areas from finance and banking to agriculture and technology Photo: Dung Minh

“We will strongly transform political commitments into practical actions, creating motivation for businesses and the whole society to participate in sustainable economic development, in which green institutions are the decisive foundation,” General Secretary Lam stressed at a hall attended by government leaders, UN representatives, diplomats, experts, and entrepreneurs.

General Secretary Lam also stressed that when it comes to green transformation, despite being a developing country with a transitional economy and limited resources, Vietnam has achieved some important results.

Besides making a 2050 net-zero commitment in 2021, Vietnam also endorsed six global initiatives at the time, on forest and land use, methane, clean power transition, sustainable food and agriculture, and more.

“Vietnam is now a leading country in supplying renewable energy in ASEAN, with wind and solar power capacity accounting for two-thirds of ASEAN’s total capacity,” he said.

“Additionally, Vietnam is also a good example of encouraging sustainable agriculture. The initiative to develop one million hectares of high-quality and low-emission specialised rice is a pioneering model that many partners and international organisations are interested in.”

A greener future

Vietnam is an active and responsible member of all multilateral mechanisms and major initiatives on green growth and energy transition such as the Paris Agreement on climate change, the Just Energy Transition Partnership, and the P4G.

“However, as a developing country with a transitional economy, we also face many challenges in terms of financial resources, technology, personnel, and resilience to the impacts of climate change and geopolitical fluctuations globally,” said General Secretary Lam.

The summit adopted the Hanoi Declaration, strongly affirming commitments to sustainable growth with people at the centre, and a determination to collaborate responsibly in addressing current global challenges. Vietnam is expected to enjoy continued support from the international community in its journey to a green economy including energy transition.

According to the World Bank, to ensure sufficient funding for responding to climate change, mobilising domestic finance is possible, but external support is needed.

Overall, Vietnam’s total incremental financing needs for the resilient and decarbonising pathways could reach $368 billion over 2022–2040, or approximately 6.8 per cent of GDP per year.

The resilient pathway alone will account for about two-thirds of this amount, as substantial financing will be required to protect the country’s assets and infrastructure as well as vulnerable people.

The cost of the decarbonising pathway will mainly arise from the energy sector – investments in renewables and managing the transition away from coal might cost around $64 billion between 2022 and 2040. All the figures are in net present value terms at a discount rate of 6 per cent.

This $368 billion in financing needs will include $184 billion from private investments or about 3.4 per cent of GDP annually, $130 billion or about 2.4 per cent of GDP annually from the state budget; and $54 billion or about 1 per cent of GDP per year from external sources.

Choi Youngsam, South Korean Ambassador to Vietnam, said that within the P4G framework, South Korea and Vietnam have completed or are currently implementing joint projects in areas such as food and agriculture, energy, water, and urban development.

“Looking ahead, both sides are expected to broaden and deepen their partnership under the P4G framework,” he said.

At the P4G Summit held in Seoul in May 2021, the two governments signed the Framework Agreement on Cooperation in Response to Climate Change, laying a solid policy foundation for the implementation of international emissions reduction ventures.

“On this basis, I hope that South Korea will leverage its technological expertise and financial resources to carry out greenhouse gas emission reduction projects in Vietnam, with both countries mutually recognising the results,” Ambassador Youngsam said.

“This would contribute to establishing a win-win model of emissions reduction cooperation. At the same time, I look forward to seeing active engagement from South Korean enterprises possessing green technologies, in close collaboration with the Vietnamese government.”

Encouraging developments

Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Hoang Minh said at a policy dialogue on the sidelines of the P4G 2025 that the active participation and strong cooperation from stakeholders – from the public and private sectors to international organisations – can help materialise Vietnam’s aspiration of an efficient and sustainable innovative startup ecosystem.

“Innovation, creative entrepreneurship and collaboration are key to solving environmental problems, while encouraging the development of a circular economy,” he said.

Vietnam currently has over 4,000 innovative startups, including two unicorns valued at over $1 billion, 11 companies valued at over $100 million, more than 1,400 startup support organisations, 202 co-working spaces, 208 investment funds, and 35 business promotion organisations. Among these, it is estimated that around 200–300 companies focus on green transition, covering areas such as renewable energy, environmental technology, sustainable agriculture, and the circular economy.

According to the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, hosting the fourth P4G Conference is of great significance to Vietnam. It is aimed to boost its role as a good friend, a reliable partner, and a responsible member of P4G and the international community. Moreover, it is also aimed to reaffirm its commitment to sustainable development, energy transition, and the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. Besides that, it is aimed at contributing to raising awareness of international cooperation and encouraging the role and voice of developing countries in the sector of green growth and sustainable development.

Pham Minh Chinh, Prime Minister

For Vietnam, together with digital transformation, we identify green transition as an objective necessity, a key factor, and a breakthrough driving force to promote rapid growth and sustainable development. This aligns with the strategic goal of becoming a developing country with modern industry and upper-middle income by 2030, and a developed, high-income country by 2045, while also contributing to the gradual realisation of Vietnam’s commitment at COP26 to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

From practical experience with initial positive results, especially in renewable energy, green agricultural development, and participation in multilateral mechanisms and initiatives on green transformation, as the host of the fourth P4G Summit, Vietnam has three suggestions for discussions which pave the way for further cooperation in the coming time.

First is to perfect green mindset, with a focus placed on the development of science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation linked to green growth. This includes recognising that green resources stem from green thinking, green growth is driven by green transition, and green resources arises from the green awareness of people and businesses in nations and regions throughout the world.

Second is to build a responsible green community, in which, the government plays a guiding role, encouraging, and ensuring a stable and favourable institutional environment for green growth. The private sector functions as a core investor into technological development and the dissemination of green standards. The scientific community take the lead in developing green technologies and training green human resources. Meanwhile, citizens continuously enhance their green awareness, truly becoming beneficiaries of the outcomes of green transformation.

Thirdly, it is necessary to promote international cooperation and robust multilateral green cooperation models, particularly public-private partnerships, South-South cooperation, North-South cooperation, and multilateral cooperation frameworks. This is aimed at removing institutional barriers, enhancing access, and speeding up the flow of green capital, green technology, and green governance.

Developed countries should take the lead in fulfilling commitments to provide financial, technological, and institutional reform support. Meanwhile, developing countries would need to leverage their internal strengths and effectively utilise external resources.

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Public-private partnerships a lever for greener innovation

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Public-private partnerships are no longer a supporting mechanism, but a strategic pillar in the global pursuit of the green transition.

The high-level dialogue between government leaders and businesses at the 2025 P4G Vietnam Summit last week, chaired by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, brought together senior officials, global experts, international organisations, and private sector leaders.

They recognised that the climate crisis, digital transformation, and resource depletion are converging in ways that demand not only innovation, but deep and long-term collaboration between the public and private sectors.

UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed acknowledged Vietnam’s leadership in renewable energy, noting its potential to attract trillions in sustainable investment.

“Emerging economies must accelerate the adoption of new investment models, particularly those that align private capital with green infrastructure priorities. Governments must work with the private sector to expand ambition, strengthen accountability, and deliver real impact,” she said.

From Italy, Prime Minister’s Climate Envoy Francesco Corvaro stressed that public-private partnerships (PPPs) are indispensable in addressing climate finance gaps. Drawing from Italy’s experience, he underscored the importance of public investment as a risk mitigator, enabling private sector participation in clean energy and smart infrastructure projects.

“Public investment can unlock private capital, but local authorities must lead with clear priorities and long-term vision,” Corvaro noted. “You can’t talk about renewables, AI, or digital infrastructure without modern, resilient grids, and that requires strong public-private alignment.” he said

Alejandro Dorado, Spain’s High Commissioner for Circular Economy, argued that the case for stronger PPPs lies at the intersection of two accelerating forces: the environmental-climate crisis and a wave of disruptive technologies.

“In a world where AI, green technologies, and digitalisation are reshaping the global economy, the clock is ticking. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, we have less than a decade to prevent irreversible climate disaster. Meanwhile, the World Economic Forum has identified biodiversity loss as one of the most severe economic risks,” he said.

Public-private partnerships a lever for greener innovation

Dorado added that while multilateralism is being questioned or weakened in some quarters, the need for cooperation has never been more urgent – both to solve environmental challenges and to harness the transformative potential of innovation.

“No government or business can tackle these crises alone. Public authorities must provide the regulatory frameworks, fiscal incentives, and infrastructure deployment needed at scale to safeguard the common good,” he stressed.

From the business side, Stuart Livesey, country representative of Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), provided a frank but optimistic outlook. Livesey stated CIP’s commitment to supporting Vietnam’s transition, but emphasised the need for enabling conditions.

“What we seek are clear, bankable projects underpinned by stable regulatory frameworks, collaborating with strong local partnerships. This is where public-private cooperation becomes not just helpful, but essential,” Livesey noted. “Over the next 10-15 years, the offshore wind sector and green energy consumers will trigger massive demand for new technologies, digital solutions, and skilled labour.”

To meet this demand, CIP is investing not only in infrastructure, but also in capacity building, research and development, and local supply chain development through partnerships with Vietnamese universities.

Still, he acknowledged barriers. “Technological application and innovation in green projects face challenges, from long-term financing constraints and skilled labour shortages to fragmented policy signals. These are not unique to Vietnam, but they require proactive, tailored local solutions,” he said. “Addressing issues such as grid availability, regulatory clarity, and inter-ministerial coordination will be critical.”

Tim Evans, CEO of HSBC Vietnam, stated that the banking sector is ready to facilitate green finance, particularly in sectors aligned with national climate targets.

“We see ourselves as a bridge between global capital and local sustainability goals. The clearer the pipeline of bankable, climate-aligned projects, the faster we can move capital,” he noted. “What’s crucial now is consistency in policy and coordination among stakeholders to ensure these projects reach maturity.”

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