Grab launched 13 AI-powered experiences at GrabX 2026, its annual product showcase, upgrading its app experience as an intelligent everyday guide for millions across Southeast Asia.

Smarter choices, powered by AI

Being an Everyday Guide is about helping consumers get through city life more easily and reducing the mental load of everyday decisions.

Group Ride helps you save up to 40 per cent on your fare compared to riding alone if you and your fellow riders are on similar routes. Share a ride any way you want – from different pick-up points to the same destination, or from the same destination to different pick-up points. Grab will soon add a Waiting Room feature that will allow everyone in the group to see who’s ready and track the vehicle’s progress in real time.

Grab More tackles a common dilemma: you’re craving something different from your partner, but placing two separate orders means paying two delivery fees. With Grab More, you can add another nearby merchant to your order – before or after checkout – with no extra delivery fee, no minimum order and no small order fee.

Grab AI Assistant is your personal AI concierge, built by integrating leading AI models with Grab’s deep understanding of users’ habits and preferences. The goal is simple: reduce the mental load of daily life and help you get things done. Planning a team celebration? Just tell Grab AI Assistant your group size, preferences, and dietary restrictions, and it will surface restaurant recommendations and make a booking – all in one conversation. The Assistant provides recommendations for both food delivery and dining out. Stocking up for the week? Use the Grab Shopping Agent to skip the item-by-item search. Send a photo, a voice note, or a typed list, and it builds a ready-to-checkout cart, searching across multiple merchants, with smart substitutions included.

GrabMaps for Consumers helps you decide when to leave, how to get there, and what to do when you arrive. The Journey Planner integrates with your calendar, predicts your destination based on your Grab trip history, and lets you compare travel options side by side – pickup estimated time of arrival and price for a Grab ride versus toll fees and ETA if you drive yourself. Real-time parking availability, EV charger locations, and public transport schedules mean you arrive prepared, not scrambling. Inside malls and buildings, indoor navigation guides you to the exact shop or entrance you need. And with Custom Voice, you can clone your own voice or another voice you love for turn-by-turn directions because getting there should feel personal.

Cash Loan brings responsible, accessible credit to consumers who need it most – including the millions across Southeast Asia who are new to credit or have limited financial history. Using first-party Grab data and AI-powered underwriting, eligible users can select a loan amount, customise a repayment plan that fits their budget, and receive a decision in seconds, all within the Grab app. No paperwork, no waiting, no more stress when unexpected expenses arise.

Anthony Tan, CEO of Grab, at GrabX 2026 in Indonesia

Move beyond borders with less friction

With more than 200 million passengers moving through Southeast Asia’s airports every year, Grab is expanding from solving individual travel moments to delivering a more end-to-end travel experience.

Personalised Travel Experience turns Grab into your travel companion from the moment you leave home to the moment you land and find your way out of the airport. Grab consolidates all the information and reminders you need in one place – from passport reminders and your check-in counter information to departure gate updates and flight change alerts. A travel checklist ensures essentials like eSIMs and travel passes are just one tap away. On arrival, Grab welcomes you to your destination with indoor navigation guiding you step by step to the right baggage belt and pickup point.

GrabStays is a hotel booking service built under Grab’s Partner Apps programme. Working with Nuitee, an AI-first hotel ecosystem, GrabStays is especially great for last-minute bookings. It offers competitive same-day rates with the extra benefit of earning GrabCoin rewards. With your information already filled in, including your preferred payment method, completing a booking is as seamless as requesting a ride. Once booked, the rest of your trip falls into place – with ride bookings to and from the hotel just one tap away.

Discover by Grab is your guide to eating well, whether you’ve landed in a new city or are exploring your own neighbourhood. See authentic, community-generated food content from people like you. Behind the scenes, Grab’s AI learns what you like, and brings those to the top. Save, like, share, and contribute your own finds to help fellow travellers and neighbours discover great eats too. Once you’ve found the right spot, act directly in the same flow – you can order for delivery, or you can book a table, redeem a DineOut deal, get a ride there, and even pay in-app.

GrabPay for Travel means that when it’s time to pay, there’s nothing to figure out. Many merchants across Southeast Asia accept QR code payments but not credit cards – with GrabPay for Travel, simply scan participating national QR codes and pay directly with your home-issued debit or credit cards already saved in Grab. No new app downloads, no e-wallet top-ups, no leftover foreign balances.

Tools to scale on your own terms

For Grab’s merchant- and driver-partners, the Intelligence Layer is now moving beyond the screen and into the physical world, meeting them where their businesses actually run. These tools put enterprise-grade AI capabilities into the hands of Southeast Asia’s everyday entrepreneurs.

Virtual Store Manager transforms existing CCTV hardware into a smart operations layer. AI-powered computer vision monitors store hours, hygiene standards, and staffing levels, sending instant alerts to owners if issues arise. It also analyses queue lengths, foot traffic, conversion rates and more, giving multi-outlet merchants actionable business intelligence without being on-site.

Cloud Printer eliminates the manual handoff of an order between front counter and back kitchen that often results in missed orders and delayed pickups. Orders auto-print the moment they arrive, and kitchen staff scan a QR code on the printed ticket to trigger pickup once the food is ready. The printer also automatically pauses the merchant’s store on the Grab app if no activity is detected for a set time, preventing orders to closed stores.

Tap to Pay turns Grab Merchant-enabled smartphones into a contactless payment terminal – no special hardware, no complex setup, and no lengthy onboarding. Merchants can start accepting cards and QR payments in minutes, straight from the GrabMerchant app.

Driver AI Assistant gives driver-partners an always-available smart companion that guides them on how to drive more efficiently and earn more. Drivers can speak to it, asking for advice on Grab’s policies, or assistance with common tasks, like sending their passengers a message. It’s AI that works as hard as our driver-partners do, so they can focus on the road ahead.

Grab’s insights into Vietnam’s food delivery market Ma Tuan Trong, country commercial head at Grab Vietnam, talks to VIR’s Linh Le about the evolution of Vietnam’s food delivery market, GrabFood’s strategic priorities, and the company’s expansion into smaller markets.

Vietnamese spend $2.1 billion on food delivery apps in 2025 Vietnamese consumers spent an estimated $2.1 billion on food delivery orders via mobile applications in 2025, according to Momentum Works.

Ride-hailing platforms shift gears in green mobility race Tightening emission rules and the urgent push for greener urban mobility are forcing Vietnam’s ride-hailing firms into a decisive shift, where delay could mean lost relevance.

According to the company’s announcement on March 31, the collaboration follows the signing of a document focused on the implementation and use of Carebot’s AI solutions in clinical practice.

“This collaboration is an important step in bringing clinically validated AI into new regions and real hospital environments. We see strong potential in Vietnam and across Asia, where healthcare systems are rapidly evolving and open to innovation,” said Matěj Misař, CEO of Carebot.

Bach Mai Hospital is actively developing a smart hospital model, where digital infrastructure, integrated health records, and advanced technologies such as AI form the foundation of clinical care. This creates an environment where AI is not used as an integrated part of hospital systems, enabling more efficient workflows and better-informed clinical decisions.

For Carebot, this represents a strong alignment with its approach to developing solutions that work directly within existing healthcare infrastructure. The collaboration will focus on integrating AI directly into clinical workflows, supporting radiologists in everyday decision-making without adding complexity.

The move also reflects the growing relationship between the Czech Republic and Vietnam in healthcare and innovation. By bringing European-developed, clinically validated AI into Vietnamese hospitals, Carebot contributes to accelerating digital transformation and knowledge exchange in the region.

With a strong footprint across Central and Eastern Europe, Carebot continues to expand into new international markets, including Asia and the Middle East.

Hanoi to pilot AI at three hospitals for early cancer and stroke detection Hanoi plans to pilot the application of AI at three hospitals, including Duc Giang, Saint Paul, and Hanoi Oncology Hospital, to enable early detection of dangerous diseases such as cancer and stroke.

GE HealthCare showcases latest imaging innovations in Vietnam GE HealthCare has showcased its latest imaging technologies to Vietnam’s medical community at a major industry forum in Hanoi.

Health minister highlights comprehensive, people-centred healthcare orientation Resolution No. 72 provides a breakthrough orientation for the protection, care and improvement of the people’s health. It places the people’s health at the centre of all healthcare policies and services, while aiming to address long-standing bottlenecks in the health sector that have yet to be fundamentally resolved.

On March 20, the company announced that 10 passenger buses – including both internal combustion and electric engine models – had been shipped as part of a contract for 300 vehicles to be exported to Thailand in 2026. The milestone underscores the manufacturer’s production capacity and the growing regional recognition of Vietnamese-made automobile products.

Researched and developed by Kim Long Motor’s engineering team, the buses are designed to meet Thailand’s terrain, transport infrastructure, and customer requirements. With a localisation rate exceeding 80 per cent at the company’s Hue factory, the vehicles qualify for tax exemptions when imported into Thailand and across ASEAN markets.

Among the vehicles being shipped, the 12m Kim Long 99-seat buses stand out with their contemporary design and upgraded amenities, catering to the high-quality passenger transport segment.

The buses are equipped with a new-generation YUCHAI K11 engine designed for strong and stable performance. Fuel consumption of just 19–21 litres per 100km helps keep operating costs competitive. The integrated body and chassis design is researched and optimised using modern design and simulation software to enhance load capacity, reduce vehicle weight, and adapt to diverse operating conditions in Thailand.

In contrast to products that rely on fragmented supply chains, the chassis and YUCHAI K11 engine of Kim Long’s seated buses are manufactured at the company’s Hue factory, offering a competitive advantage by ensuring consistent quality while strengthening supply chain control.

Alongside traditional internal combustion models, Kim Long Motor has also exported 12m electric buses to Thailand – a significant step in the development of green, environmentally friendly commercial vehicles.

The electric bus is equipped with a new BYD battery system, with average power consumption of just 0.8 kWh per km. The battery pack is produced at Kim Long Motor’s commercial electric vehicle battery plant in Hue.

With modern battery technology, the bus can travel more than 400km on a 90 per cent charge, supported by regenerative braking to optimise energy efficiency. The solution enables smooth and stable operation while significantly lowering operating costs compared with traditional vehicles.

The models’ energy efficiency and reduced emissions align with the green transportation trend and support Thailand’s push towards clean energy transition.

With this shipment, Kim Long Motor has taken a step towards establishing its manufacturing capabilities and product quality in international markets. The company aims to strengthen collaboration with strategic partners, advance development of environmentally friendly vehicles, and enhance competitiveness as it works towards becoming a recognised commercial vehicle brand in the region.

Beyond accelerating exports, Kim Long Motor is investing in a comprehensive factory system covering research and development, component manufacturing, vehicle frames, engines, and electric vehicle batteries.

By managing its value chain, the company aims to ensure consistent product quality, control costs, and tailor products to specific market requirements. This provides a foundation for increasing competitiveness, accelerating product rollout, and deepening integration into global supply chains.

With a clear focus on sustainable development, Kim Long Motor is positioning itself as a Vietnamese vehicle brand ready to integrate and compete internationally.

Kim Long Motor and BYD Battery start electric vehicle battery plant in Hue On January 27, Kim Long Motor, in collaboration with BYD Battery, held the groundbreaking ceremony for the BYD battery manufacturing plant at Kim Long’s manufacturing and assembly industrial park, with a total investment of $130 million.

Kim Long Motor and AOJ Suzhou enter strategic partnership Kim Long Motor and AOJ Suzhou signed a strategic cooperation agreement in Ho Chi Minh City on February 14.

Kim Long Motor pioneering fuel-efficient engines and green transition Recent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have continued to raise risks for the global energy market, with diesel prices rising sharply and unpredictably, placing pressure on fuel-intensive sectors such as long-distance passenger transport.

According to a legal alert by Ernst & Young Vietnam from March 18, Vietnam has already raised retail fuel prices twice within three days under emergency pricing rules, while the government issued Resolution No.36/NQ‑CP on March 6 to prioritise domestic energy security and enable rapid price adjustments and crude allocation.

Shipping lines and insurance markets have restricted gulf transits, with widespread rerouting and new emergency surcharges.

The alert highlights the impact of the Middle East conflict on key sectors in Vietnam, ranging from oil refining and petrochemicals to energy, power, manufacturing, and supply chains.

In regard to oil refining and petrochemicals, Vietnam’s fuel security relies heavily on imported feedstocks. Major refining facilities face critical supply chain pivots due to their historical reliance on Middle Eastern crude. For domestic refiners and their international sponsors, the immediate commercial challenge is securing and processing alternative feedstocks without breaching existing long-term supply agreements or compromising operational safety.

Another sector subject to disruption is liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) distribution. The disruption is already triggering legal mechanisms. With refrigerated vessels unable to safely transit conflict zones, major distributors have been forced to issue force majeure notices on imported LPG deliveries. Downstream industrial customers must urgently secure alternative energy sources while navigating sudden price spikes.

In terms of energy, power and infrastructure, major engineering, procurement and construction and supply contracts are highly vulnerable to critical path delays. The re-routing of vessels away from conflict zones is delaying the delivery of specialised equipment, such as components for renewable energy projects or equipment for LNG terminals. Project directors must immediately assess whether these logistical delays entitle contractors to a time extension and, crucially, whether they are entitled to claim prolonged costs.

Manufacturing and supply chains are also feeling the impact of tensions in the Middle East. Exporters and importers are facing war-risk insurance premiums and container surcharges. Margins are being instantly eroded, raising urgent questions about the ability to pass these costs upstream or downstream under existing supply agreements.

Furthermore, the Middle East crisis is also having a consequential impact on the broader economy. The energy shock is cascading into all sectors. Transport and logistics providers face spiked fuel costs and eroding margins that they will attempt to pass on to manufacturers and retailers, which then feed into broader inflation. Furthermore, energy-intensive industries such as fertiliser and plastics manufacturing are exposed to extreme input price volatility, threatening the financial viability of fixed-price supply contracts.

Against the backdrop, businesses with Vietnam‑facing contracts should act now to preserve rights and cash flow, using statutory force majeure, fundamental change of circumstances, and contractual time/price adjustment mechanisms where available.

Middle East conflict raises risks for global coffee market The US-Iran conflict could put pressure on the coffee market through higher production costs, a volatile dollar, skyrocketing fuel prices and growing logistical uncertainty, especially with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the risk of paralysis in the Suez Canal.

Middle East conflict disrupts supply chains, pressures logistics firms The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is placing significant pressure on logistics companies in Vietnam, disrupting supply chains and international transportation activities.

Domestic fundamentals hold firm as markets reprice global risk Domestic fundamentals remain solid as markets reassess global risk, with Middle East tensions causing volatility.

According to the company’s newly released fourth-quarter and full-year financial results in March, VinFast reported revenue of VND90.4 trillion ($3.6 billion) for 2025, up over 105 per cent on-year.

In the fourth quarter, the company delivered 86,557 electric vehicles (EVs) – an increase of 127 per cent on-quarter and 63 per cent on-year, marking its strongest quarterly performance since its establishment.

Driven by growing demand from the commercial transport and service vehicle segment, models under the Green brand and the EC Van accounted for approximately 49 per cent of total deliveries in the quarter. International markets also played an increasingly important role, representing about 18 per cent of total deliveries during the period.

For the full year, VinFast delivered 196,919 electric cars, up 102 per cent on-year. The figure exceeded the company’s target of at least doubling the previous year’s deliveries (97,399 units) and marked the highest annual delivery volume in the company’s history.

Beyond electric cars, VinFast’s e-motorcycle and e-bicycle segments also recorded strong growth. In the fourth quarter of 2025, the company delivered 171,962 two-wheel EVs, up 43 per cent on-quarter and 452 per cent on-year. For the full year, deliveries of e-motorcycles and e-bicycles reached 406,498 units, representing a 473 per cent on-year.

Another notable improvement was seen in gross margin. In the fourth quarter of 2025, gross margin stood at around negative 40 per cent, a significant improvement compared with negative 79 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2024 and negative 56 per cent in the third quarter of 2025.

Thanks to strong growth in deliveries, fourth-quarter revenue reached $1.57 billion, up almost 140 per cent on-year and 118 per cent on-quarter. For the full year 2025, gross margin improved to negative 42.5 per cent, compared with negative 57.4 per cent in 2024. By the end of 2025, VinFast had built a global network of 424 showrooms, supporting sales operations and strengthening brand recognition.

The fourth-quarter financial results marked the strongest performance in the company’s history, with several key metrics reaching new highs as early benefits from scale expansion began to materialise.

Nguyen Thi Lan Anh, CFO of VinFast said, “The company’s ability to exceed its 2025 targets while operating at around two-thirds of the capacity of its main production plant demonstrates VinFast’s capability to scale operations efficiently.”

Meanwhile, Le Thi Thu Thuy, chairwoman of VinFast, said 2025 marked a key milestone in the company’s development journey, aligned with its core mission of making EVs and the green transition more accessible to everyone.

“Every strategic decision we make, from investments in technology and manufacturing capacity to global expansion, revolves around that objective. In 2026 and the years ahead, scaling up production and optimising unit costs will remain critical drivers,” she said.

VinFast’s leadership also revealed plans for strategic investments to expand overseas manufacturing capacity, commercialise next-generation vehicle models, and strengthen cooperation with partners both inside and outside the Vingroup ecosystem to further integrate AI into its vehicles and factories.

In 2025, VinFast also stepped up its expansion strategy in key Asian markets while strengthening its global manufacturing footprint. In Vietnam, the company maintained its leading position in the car market, with an estimated 36 per cent market share in 2025, a sharp increase from around 22 per cent in 2024. The company also remained the number-one electric two-wheeler brand in the domestic market.

Internationally, VinFast has been steadily improving its market presence. In India, despite only starting vehicle sales in September 2025, the company rose from eighth place in October 2025 to fourth place by December 2025, maintaining this ranking into early 2026.

In Indonesia, VinFast ranked third among electric vehicle brands by the end of 2025. Meanwhile, in the Philippines, data from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. showed the company climbing to second place in the electric vehicle segment.

Alongside market expansion, VinFast also accelerated the development of its global manufacturing ecosystem. At the company’s main plant in Haiphong, total output reached 200,000 EVs in 2025, including nearly 26,000 units in December alone.

Throughout 2025, VinFast brought several new manufacturing facilities into operation. These included the VinFast Ha Tinh plant in Vung Ang Economic Zone, inaugurated last June after nearly seven months of construction; a factory in Tamil Nadu (India), which began operations the following August; and a plant in Subang (Indonesia), launched in December.

By the end of last year, VinFast was operating four factories worldwide with a combined maximum production capacity of around 600,000 EVs per year. This includes 300,000 units annually in Haiphong, 200,000 units in Ha Tinh, and two plants in Indonesia and India, each with a capacity of 50,000 units per year.

VinFast restructures portfolio into three brands, unveils luxury models The Vietnamese automaker reorganized its product lineup into distinct brand tiers and introduced two high-end vehicles targeting premium market segments.

VinFast partners with six Indonesian e-scooter dealers The electric vehicle manufacturer formed distribution agreements with half a dozen retailers to expand two-wheeler sales coverage across the archipelago nation.

VinFast targets Gulf region lifestyle market with EVs The Vietnamese automaker positioned its electric vehicles to align with emerging consumer preferences in Middle Eastern markets.