Cash Dividends Take Center Stage at 2025 AGM Season in Vietnam
Cash dividends have become a prominent focus during this year’s AGM season in Vietnam. A slew of companies, particularly banks, announced plans to distribute record-high cash dividends, rewarding investors handsomely. For instance, several large banks such as LPBank, HdBank, VIB, OCB, and Techcombank, among others, proposed cash dividend payouts ranging from 15% to 25%, delighting shareholders after a year of robust performance.
Cash dividends take center stage as a “hot” topic during this year’s AGM season
Beyond dividends, transparency and corporate governance have emerged as pressing concerns for shareholders. At this year’s AGMs, investors, especially individual shareholders, actively posed challenging questions on pressing company issues. Topics of interest included profit distribution plans, bad debt management, stock price movements, and future strategies. Many shareholders expressed their desire for straightforward and transparent responses from management, rather than evasive answers.
In practice, Vietnamese shareholders are becoming increasingly knowledgeable and demanding greater transparency. At companies with strong governance traditions (for example, FPT, MWG, Vinamilk, and PNJ…), management has proactively disclosed meeting materials, livestreamed AGMs, and dedicated ample time to dialogues, addressing all shareholder queries, including those from minority shareholders. For instance, Hoa Phat’s 2025 AGM attracted a record attendance of over 1,000 shareholders, forgoing the customary report reading in favor of an extended discussion session. The Chairman candidly addressed all issues, including unfavorable information, setting a precedent for transparent communication. Similarly, FPT’s 2025 AGM witnessed the highest shareholder attendance in the company’s history, with over 2,000 participants, and fostered an open dialogue between leadership and shareholders, reflecting a notable advancement in communication transparency. These shifts bolster shareholder confidence and enhance the company’s reputation in the market.
Technological Advances in the 2025 AGM Season
Notably, while the integration of technology into AGM organization is not a new trend, the 2025 AGM season witnessed the introduction of novel applications. Despite the current modest adoption rate (around 15% of over 500 listed companies held online AGMs as of early 2025) (Source: HOSE & HNX, 2025), this number is steadily growing. The increasing trust in digital solutions coincides with a growing population of tech-savvy young investors, coupled with a clearer legal framework that permits virtual meetings. This digital shift aligns with international practices, as advocated by the OECD, ensuring that virtual shareholder meetings do not compromise shareholder engagement or rights compared to physical gatherings.
As enterprises accelerate the digitization of shareholder meetings, UVote emerges as a prominent technology partner during the 2025 AGM season. By harnessing advanced technologies, UVote enables businesses to save up to 80% of the time and resources typically required for traditional meetings (streamlining document preparation, ballot counting, and other processes…). Notably, as of April 2025, UVote has facilitated 25 successful AGMs, including annual general meetings and investor meetings of prominent funds, engaging nearly 492,000 shareholders through its platform (via online attendance, electronic voting, or the shareholder portal). Approximately 30% of VN30 companies, including prominent names such as Vinamilk, Vingroup, HDBank, Vietjet Air, Vinhomes, and Vincom Retail, have embraced UVote, underscoring the growing trust in this “Make in Vietnam” solution by FPT.
FPT’s 2025 AGM employed CCCD with Chip technology for identification (Source: FPT)
Optimizing AGMs to Build Shareholder Trust
To delve deeper into the trends and solutions for optimizing AGMs, UVote will host a webinar titled “Optimizing AGMs – Building Shareholder Trust.” The event is scheduled for May 20, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. During the webinar, experts are expected to provide insights into the 2025 trends in AGM digitization (including automation, AI, e-Voting, and eKYC in shareholder management) and share valuable lessons learned from pioneering companies like FPT in organizing technology-driven AGMs. The event is open and free for interested enterprises and investors. Please register at: uvote.vn/webinar-1-toi-uu-dai-hoi-xay-dung-niem-tin-co-dong
Essensia Parkway – Immaculate Legalities, Sustainable Growth
Essensia Parkway offers more than just a place to call home today; it is a sound investment for future generations. With meticulous attention to detail in its planning and legalities, this development stands as an exemplary model of modern living.
“Former Director of the Quang Ninh Project Management Board Accused of Receiving Over $9 Billion from Contractors”
The investigation by the Ministry of Public Security’s Investigation Agency has revealed that Mr. Pham Thanh Binh, Director of the Management Board for Investment and Construction of Traffic Works in Quang Ninh province, has been charged with “Violation of bidding regulations with serious consequences”, in relation to the Ha Long – Dong Trieu road project. Mr. Binh is also accused of receiving bribes totaling over VND 1 billion from contractors.
“SHB – Trusted by Over 100,000 Shareholders: Growing and Thriving Together.”
SHB is currently one of the publicly listed companies with the largest shareholder base in the market. This showcases the immense trust that shareholders have in SHB, despite the volatile nature of the market.
“VPBank Shareholders to Receive Cash Dividends on May 23”
“VPBank, one of Vietnam’s leading joint-stock commercial banks, has announced that May 15th will be the ex-dividend date for cash dividend eligibility. Shareholders on the bank’s registry as of that date will be entitled to receive the dividend payout, which is scheduled to be paid out on May 23rd. This distribution reflects VPBank’s strong financial performance and commitment to returning value to its investors.”
SHB – Where Over 100,000 Shareholders Place Their Trust, Joining Forces for Mutual Growth and Breakthrough in the New Era.
SHB is currently one of the listed companies with the largest number of shareholders in the market. This fact underscores the trust that shareholders have placed in SHB, despite market fluctuations. Beyond just an investment, the relationship between SHB and its shareholders has evolved into a bond forged through transparency, accountability, and a long-term vision. Each annual general meeting of shareholders (AGM) is akin to a festival, bringing together thousands of enthusiastic shareholders and proxies.
