Vietnam's Largest Fintech Forum "Conviction 2026" to Be Held in May — the World's 4th-Largest Crypto Nation Moves Toward Full Institutionalization

Ho Chi Minh City to Host Major Fintech Forum "Conviction 2026" in May — Positioning Vietnam as a Global Hub for the Digital Asset Economy

On May 8-9, 2026, Vietnam's largest digital asset and fintech forum, "Conviction 2026," will be held at the Thiskyhall Convention Center in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City. Held with the official support of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee and organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Blockchain Association (HBA), the event is themed "connecting Vietnam to the global digital asset economy," and will bring together more than 150 international speakers and more than 100 exhibiting companies. Riding the tailwind of the Law on Digital Technology Industry, which took effect in January 2026, Vietnam is drawing the attention of investors worldwide as Southeast Asia's first country to legalize crypto assets.

The Full Picture of Conviction 2026 — A Larger Scale Than Last Time

Conviction 2026 is positioned as the flagship event of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee's 2026 action plan. It is organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Association of Electronics, Information and Communications and HBA, with Ninety Eight as co-organizer.

The previous edition, Conviction 2025, was themed "the resonance of blockchain and AI" and recorded more than 26,000 registrants, 5,000 attendees, more than 150 speakers, more than 100 exhibitors, and 65 million media impressions. The 2026 edition has shifted its structure to strongly emphasize institutional investor participation, reflecting a move from retail-led activity toward an institutional framework.

This year's main agenda is built around three pillars.

• Real Adoption: a policy-aligned path for institutional investors to adopt digital assets
• Real Application: RWA (real-world asset) tokenization 2.0 built into the financial system
• Real Acceleration: cross-border CBDC payments and the buildout of custody infrastructure

Confirmed speakers include Animoca Brands COO Minh Do and CIO Josh Du, HashKey Group Managing Director Ben El-Baz, Metis CEO Tom Ngo, and Kite AI co-founder and CEO Chi Zhang. Hoa Nguyen, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Digital Transformation Center, is also scheduled to speak.

Background — Why Vietnam Ranks 4th Globally in Digital Assets

Several structural factors lie behind Vietnam's rapid rise in the digital asset space.

First is its population structure. About 60% of its 100 million people are under 35, and smartphone penetration exceeds 70%. In rural areas where bank account ownership is still limited, crypto assets have functioned as an alternative means of remittance and savings.

Second is the scale of overseas remittances. Vietnam is one of the world's leading remittance-receiving countries, and crypto assets, with lower fees than traditional bank transfers, have become established as a practical option. Chainalysis estimates that the equivalent of USD 100-120 billion in crypto assets flows through Vietnam annually, equal to more than 25% of GDP.

Third is the existence of the Law on Digital Technology Industry, which took effect in January 2026 (passed by the National Assembly on June 14, 2025, comprising 6 chapters and 51 articles). This law legally recognized digital assets as "property" under civil law for the first time, classifying them into three categories: virtual assets, crypto assets, and other digital assets. Vietnam became the first country in Southeast Asia to legally protect crypto assets as property.

However, their use as legal tender is not recognized, and use as a means of payment remains banned. They are positioned strictly as "assets for investment and trading purposes."

Vietnam's Digital Asset Market by the Numbers

Local Reactions — A Mix of Anticipation and Caution

Nguyen The Vinh, CEO of Conviction 2026 and co-founder and CEO of Ninety Eight, said: "In an era when digital assets become the foundation of modern commerce, our goal is for Vietnam to be at the center of that shift, not just following the trend." Ninety Eight is a Vietnam-founded blockchain company whose flagship product, the multi-chain wallet "Coin98 Super Wallet," has 10 million users across more than 150 countries worldwide.

On the other hand, cautious views have also emerged from the local investor community. The VND 10 trillion (about USD 400 million) minimum capital requirement for the crypto exchange pilot is seen as a "macro-level safety filter," but it could also become a barrier to entry for small and mid-sized startups.

There are also warnings among industry insiders that "if investors keep chasing short-term speculation instead of long-term value creation, a bubble could burst during the pilot period, risking a tightening crackdown by regulators." The pattern in which regulatory clarity draws in institutional investors while rising compliance costs squeeze smaller players is similar to what has been seen during the consolidation phase of the e-commerce industry.

In Vietnam's tech community, attention is focused on whether this year's Conviction can exceed the previous event's 26,000 registrants. The fact that it now carries official government backing marks a significant shift, elevating it from a simple industry event to a venue for policy messaging.

Implications for Japanese Companies and Investors

Vietnam's legalization of digital assets carries several implications for Japanese companies with an interest in the market.

First is the change in payment infrastructure. Mobile wallets such as MoMo and ZaloPay are already widespread in Vietnam, but if cross-border payments using stablecoins become institutionalized, the cost of remittances and payments between Japan and Vietnam could drop significantly. In particular, in combination with promotion apps popular in Vietnam, a scenario in which blockchain technology is built into point-reward and cashback programs is also becoming realistic.

Next is progress in RWA (real-world asset) tokenization. If the tokenization of Vietnam's real-world assets — such as real estate and agricultural products — for circulation in international markets accelerates, this could open up new fundraising and investment channels for Japanese real estate developers and food companies.

Furthermore, The purchasing behavior of Vietnam's Gen Z is also a point of connection not to be overlooked. As digital natives, Gen Z has low resistance to crypto assets and NFTs, creating fertile ground for marketing initiatives that use blockchain-based loyalty programs and digital collectibles.

Ripple Effects on the Industry — Market Reorganization Driven by Dual Regulation Alongside the E-Commerce Law

What stands out is that 2026 has become a "year of regulation" for Vietnam's digital economy. The Law on Digital Technology Industry took effect in January, and the new E-Commerce Law will take effect in July. With two major pieces of legislation landing in the same year, platform operators face dual compliance obligations.

The new E-Commerce Law requires cross-border platforms to establish a Vietnamese legal entity or appoint a local representative, and bans anonymous selling by sellers. The Law on Digital Technology Industry requires crypto exchanges to comply with FATF standards on AML (anti-money laundering) and CFT (countering the financing of terrorism).

As a result of this dual regulation, Vietnam's digital economy is clearly shifting from "unchecked growth" to an "institutionalized market." Combined with the roughly 48,000 stores that exited the e-commerce market in 2025, this makes clear a pattern of the market consolidating around operators with the capital strength and compliance systems to keep up.

Practical Information — Guide to Attending or Watching Conviction 2026

Summary — Vietnam Moves From "Follower" to "Rule Maker" in Digital Assets

Conviction 2026 is not just an industry blockchain conference. It carries the official support of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee and is linked to the national strategy for promoting blockchain (Prime Minister's Decision No. 1131).

With the Law on Digital Technology Industry taking effect in January 2026, crypto exchange license applications opening from January 20, and the new E-Commerce Law taking effect in July, Vietnam is going through three institutional turning points within a single half-year. Armed with the world's 4th-highest crypto adoption rate according to Chainalysis and a young population of 100 million, Vietnam has made clear its intent to become Southeast Asia's rule maker in the digital asset space.

For Japanese companies, it would be premature to dismiss this as "a crypto story from a faraway country." The cost structure of cross-border payments is changing, RWA tokenization is diversifying investment channels, and Gen Z's consumption behavior is merging with blockchain. Companies with an eye on the Vietnamese market should keep a close watch on developments around Conviction 2026.