Gradion office - Sapphire Tower 2, No. 92, Nguyen Huu Canh Street, Thanh My Tay Ward, HCMC

Let's all meet at our office. Your first chance to meet all other attendees, pick up swag, ask questions, network, and meet the team. Also we will start from here to our lunch destination, so please come before 11… before… not at 11… I know you :)

Sen Nam Bo Eco-food Court, 506 Vo Chi Cong Street, District 9, HCMC

We promised you "authenticity" and we deliver on this. Lunch is going to be in a really cool, vintage style place amongst lotus blossoms.

Independence Palace, Ben Thanh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Independence Palace, Ben Thanh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Dresscode: Roaring Twenties/ Gatsby

This is a very special treat. Not everyone can rent the Reunification Palace. A very historic place - when the tanks broke through the door, the war ended. And this is where we will network, party and dance. Get ready for a very special treat!

Step back in time to the glamour and elegance of the 1920s, an evening of historic charm, exquisite ambiance, and vibrant networking. Expect good music, live bands, speeches, fingerfood and for sure sufficient amount of drinks.

Gradion office, Sapphire Tower 2, No. 92, Nguyen Huu Canh Street, Thanh My Tay Ward, HCMC

The beach, the beach we are going to the beach! You know the drill. Let's meet at the office so that we can travel together. If you are late it's going to be quite complicated for you and you will miss out some amazing experiences! We will stay the night in Ho Tram so bring your luggage for one night.

Dua nuoc Co Kieu, Rung Sac, An Thoi Dong, Can Gio, HCMC

Travel like locals, rest like locals. Have a coconut and relax in a hammock. We do have toilets, but they are… uhm… local. Hey, I promised you authentic experiences, which doesn’t always equal good… :)

Did someone say monkeys? Monkeys??? Yes. Tons of them. In the wild and around you. A word of caution.

Monkeys are mostly assholes. They learned that if they steal your phone or your glasses then they can get a treat and bring it back. Be careful! You wouldn't be the first to lose something important and there is no guarantee that you get this back. And they are strong. You don't need to be scared, they are not dangerous. Just mean spirited little critters. Sounds like I don't like them? I don't. But it's incredibly cool experience don't miss out!

Rung Sac Restaurants, Can Gio, Long Hoa, Can Gio, HCMC

We all have lunch together in the middle of Monkey island. Don't let them get in, they will eat our food.

Now... if you are adventurous then join us on a 1h walk through the jungle. It's super cool. Just... no glasses, phones and NO it's not a good idea, to think it's smart to bring food in a backpack. They will smell it and steal it.

TRAVEL TO HO TRAM

14:30 - 15:00: Bus to Can Gio - Vung Tau Ferry

15:00 - 16:00: Ferry ride to Vung Tau

16:00 - 18:00: Hotel Check-in & Free time

No feelings for monkeys? Want to relax early in the hotel. Take the bus early.

13:30 - 14:00: Bus to Can Gio - Vung Tau Ferry

14:00 - 15:00: Ferry ride to Vung Tau

15:00 - 18:00: Hotel Check-in & (More) Free time

Gio Bien Tourist Attraction, Phuoc Thuan, Xuyen Moc, Ba Ria-Vung Tau

Dresscode: Comfort beach wear. Leave your high heels at home. Shorts. Open shoes. Good mood and come thirsty!

Forget the 5-star hotel lobby. Forget the stiff networking dinners.

Bia Hoi (Fresh Beer) is the soul of Vietnam. It is the definition of "Real World".

The Concept: Beer brewed at 3 AM, delivered at 8 AM, and gone by 8 PM. No preservatives. No fancy branding. Just the freshest, crispest beer you will ever taste, served straight from a steel tank on the street corner. Uhm from the beach in our case...

The Setting: Tiny plastic stools. Knees almost touching your ears. The chaos of the street just inches away. That's normal. And Gradion Summit Style is in the sand at the beach. As we transported the Bia Hoi spirit directly to the beach. Woot woot!

The Spirit: This is the great equalizer. At a Bia Hoi, the CEO sits next to the motorbike driver. There are no titles here. Just 100% noise, laughter, and the legendary chant of "Một - Hai - Ba - DZÔ!" (1-2-3-CHEERS!). This is where real connections happen.

Binh Chau Port, Binh Chau, Xuyen Moc, Ba Ria-Vung Tau

Binh Chau Port, Binh Chau, Xuyen Moc, Ba Ria-Vung Tau

This is not a yacht charter. There are no cold towels, no champagne, and definitely no cushioned seats. This is a working Vietnamese fishing boat. It smells like diesel, salt, and hard work.

The Deal: We head out for 1.5 hours. Is it the full 12-hour shift? No. But the boat, the captain, and the sweat are 100% real.

You’re not here to be pampered. You’re here to see how the day really starts on the water.

Grab a net. Watch the sunrise. Get your hands dirty. Welcome to the real office.

Binh Chau Port, Binh Chau, Xuyen Moc, Ba Ria-Vung Tau

Off the boat, onto the sand. Only for those who got up early and went out fishing with us!

Forget the hotel buffet with the soggy eggs. This is the breakfast of champions. We head to a local beach spot nearby. The catch is fresh, because it was swimming an hour ago. We throw it straight onto the charcoal grill.

No menus, no white tablecloths. Just the freshest seafood you’ll ever taste, shared family-style right by the ocean.

The perfect reward for the early wake-up call. Dig in.

Ho May Park, 1A Tran Phu, Ward 1, Vung Tau

And back we go to Vung Tau - the boat pier. Don't forget your luggage.

Bach Dang Speed Ferry Terminal, 10B Tôn Đức Thắng, Ben Nghe, District 1, HCMC

This time the speed ferry will bring us directly to Saigon, D1 Bach Dang Terminal (that's very central, near the Reverie Hotel). Fun ride.

Finally back in Saigon, it's time for some proper Spa time before our networking night in the evening.

(Detailed plan and more options to be updated)

BAIETA Restaurant Saigon Thao Dien, 16/8, Nguyen Van Huong, Thao Dien, HCMC

BAIETA Restaurant Saigon Thao Dien, 16/8, Nguyen Van Huong, Thao Dien, HCMC

BAIETA Restaurant Saigon Thao Dien, Nguyen Van Huong, Thao Dien, 16/8, HCMC

Dress-code: Business casual

After the heat and the hustle, we head to the sanctuary.

BAIETA is our first stop by the river. A warm landing spot where Saigon’s energy softens into Mediterranean ease. We gather on the riverside patio just as the lights along Thao Dien begin to glow.

Open-air, intimate, surrounded by green. Soft lighting, easy breeze. This is a gentle welcome, not a formal reception. From here, it’s unhurried stories, relaxed introductions, and the city shimmering quietly across the water.

Arrive. Exhale. Connect. This night is meant to ground you after the road and ease you into the Summit week ahead.

Kick back. You earned this.

Gradion Office, Sapphire Tower 2, No. 92, Nguyen Huu Canh Street, Thanh My Tay Ward, HCMC

Come on, 10 is already late. This is possible and doable. Well if you didn't party like crazy last night. Did you?

We dive into the alleyways (Hẻm). You’ll see the hidden coffee shops where they start their day, the street corners where they hang out, and the side of the city that no bus tour can reach.

Your guide will take you to their favorite local spot. It might be a plastic stool on the sidewalk or a hidden gem upstairs in an old apartment block. It will be authentic, delicious, and 100% real.

Trust your guide. Get lost in the city.

Gradion Office, Sapphire Tower 2, No. 92, Nguyen Huu Canh Street, Thanh My Tay Ward, HCMC

Come on, 10 is already late. This is possible and doable. Well if you didn't party like crazy last night. Did you?

DIGI-TEXX Việt Nam, Anna Building, Quang Trung Software City, Tan Chanh Hiep, District 12, HCMC

DIGI-TEXX Việt Nam, Anna Building, Quang Trung Software City, Tan Chanh Hiep, District 12, HCMC

Deep inside QTSC (Vietnam's biggest software city), we visit DIGI-TEXX.

The Story: Founded by a German entrepreneur, built by Vietnamese talent. This is the ultimate "Hybrid Model" in action. With 1,200+ specialists working 24/7, this is where the raw fuel for the global digital economy is processed.

What you’ll see:

- The "Human Layer" of AI: See how massive teams annotate data to train the models of the future.

- German Precision at Scale: How to run a 1,000-person operation with ISO-standard discipline.

- Real Digital Transformation: Millions of documents, invoices, and images being digitized and processed in real-time.

This is what "Execution Power" looks like.

Gradion Office, Sapphire Tower 2, No. 92, Nguyen Huu Canh Street, Thanh My Tay Ward, HCMC

Bai Dap Pub, 173 Hai Ba Trung, Ward 6, District 3, HCMC

Bai Dap Pub, 173 Hai Ba Trung, Ward 6, District 3, HCMC

Dresscode: It's metal so come as you are. Be you. Be real!

This is my personal passion project.

We didn't want to just hire a standard cover band for the party. We wanted to give something back to the city that hosts us.

The Mission: Supporting Young Talent For the last few months, we’ve been running "NỐC AO" (Knockout) - a contest to find the most talented, hungry young bands in Vietnam's underground scene. For these kids, tonight isn't just a gig. It’s a potentially life-changing opportunity to play in front of an international crowd.

The Vibe: We are giving the two winners the big stage they deserve. You’ll see raw talent, incredible passion, and a side of Asian culture that never makes it into the travel brochures. From alternative sounds to classic party anthems- it’s going to be a wild ride. And no worries, we have more than these two bands lined up.

Trust Me & Let Go I know Rock and Metal aren't for everyone. But I ask you to trust me on this one. The energy these young artists bring is something special. Let go, grab a beer, and soak up the atmosphere.

The Chill Option: If it gets too loud - we have a relaxed lounge area set up just outside from the action where you can network in peace.

Come support the next generation of local artists.

Amor Resort, 61A Nguyen Van Dau, Ward 5, Binh Thanh, HCMC

Speaker: Lars Jankowfsky - Founder at Gradion

Speaker: HCMC Digital Transformation Centre Representative

Speaker: Nguyen Thanh Hoa - Vice Director at HCMC Digital Transformation Centre

Learn about the latest government initiatives, policies, and programs driving digital adoption, innovation, and public-private collaboration in Vietnam

Speaker: Dr. Oliver Massman - Chairman of the Advisory Board at the German-Vietnamese Society, Lars Jankowfsky - Founder at Gradion

Hear a candid conversation on overcoming challenges in business and law, with real-life stories of resilience, bold decision-making, and transformative impact in Vietnam

Speaker: Jorge Martin Martinez - Founder at MD Bull Management Consulting, Thann Auttanukune - Vice President (President Office) at C.P. Vietnam Corporation, Will Ross - Chief Marketing & Distribution Officer at Dragon Capital, Moderator: Shehryar Ali Shah - Senior Country Officer & Head of Office, HCMC at IFC - International Finance Corporation

Explore the strategic choices between organic growth and acquisitions, learning from experts who have navigated scaling businesses in Vietnam’s fast-evolving market

Speaker: Frank Schellenberg - Founder & Chairman at DIGI-TEXX, Peter Kompalla - Chief Representative at AHK Vietnam, Roberto Kauffmann - CEO at Gradion

Understand how companies bridge operational and cultural differences to combine European rigor with Asia’s pace, improving execution, efficiency, and cross-border collaboration

Amor Resort, 61A Nguyen Van Dau, Ward 5, Binh Thanh, HCMC

Meet our speakers in the Manufacturing & Automation Track

Amor Resort, 61A Nguyen Van Dau, Ward 5, Binh Thanh, HCMC

Speaker: Thomas Lohner - Chief Time To First Byte Officer at ScaleCommerce

Learn how to accelerate product validation and iteration, turning ideas into viable MVPs quickly without compromising quality or market fit

Speaker: Dung Nguyen - Director of Technology & Innovation at Gradion

Explore how autonomous AI agents can streamline workflows, reduce manual tasks, and enhance decision-making across enterprise operations

Speaker: Jan Moser - Principal Technical Architect at Gradion

See practical examples of integrating AI agents into enterprise software development, improving efficiency, collaboration, and delivery speed

Speaker: (TBC)

From pixels to presence, discover the new frontier of creative intelligence where multimodal AI models transform content creation, communication, and immersive experiences

Villa Song Sai Gon, 197/2 Nguyen Van Huong, Thu Duc, HCMC

Villa Song Sai Gon, 197/2 Nguyen Van Huong, Thu Duc, HCMC

Dresscode: Business casual

Another night by the river, Villa Song is the break you’ve been waiting for.

The Vibe: French colonial charm meets the Saigon River breeze. We take over the riverside garden. This isn't a ballroom with bad lighting. It's open-air, under the stars, with the water lapping just a few feet away. The city skyline glows in the distance, but here, it’s just us, the cool breeze, and the clinking of glasses.

Deep conversations. Cold drinks. Zero pressure. Let the real bonding begins.

Amor Resort, 61A Nguyen Van Dau, Ward 5, Binh Thanh, HCMC

Speaker: Thijs Van Loon - Founder & Management consultant & Skills Development Facilitator at Betterworks Asia

Learn how to develop leaders who can inspire teams, drive execution, and cultivate influence at every level of a growing organization

Speaker: Lach Baniya - Founder & Investor at Icarus Group

Discover practical lessons on navigating cultural differences, building teams, and scaling businesses across diverse Asian markets

Speaker: Louis Bui - CEO at Luco Travel

Gain actionable insights into Vietnam’s business mindset, negotiation styles, and cultural nuances that impact decision-making and partnerships

Speaker: Paul Meyers - Head Coach at Asia Founder Coaching

Explore emerging opportunities, market dynamics, and strategic approaches for founders looking to scale across Southeast Asia

Speaker: Bui Quang Tinh Tu - Founder of Envision Nexus

Learn how to leverage communities to drive brand awareness, loyalty, and sustainable growth through authentic engagement

Speaker: Joel Kaczmarek - Founder & CEO at 5 Things You Do at 20

Understand how podcasts can amplify brand reach, engage niche audiences, and convert content into measurable business growth

Speaker: Truong Ly Hoang Phi - Shark Tank Vietnam, Founder at Business Startup Support Centre (BSSC), Vanessa Phan - Founder & CEO at Anatics

Hear actionable lessons from top investors and founders on scaling innovation, attracting investment, and navigating Asia’s competitive start-up ecosystem

Amor Resort, 61A Nguyen Van Dau, Ward 5, Binh Thanh, HCMC

Speaker: Lars Jankowfsky - Founder at Gradion

Explore the cutting-edge of human-machine interaction, understanding how exponential technologies will redefine intelligence, decision-making, and business strategy

Speaker: Dru Nguyen - Managing Partner of Tictag

Discover how AI-driven platforms turn community data into actionable insights, enabling smarter connections, engagement, and value creation

Speaker: Emre Sigura - Chief Operating Officer at AirCity, Dr. Quang Hanh Le - Chairman & CEO at Baumarkt JSC, Dru Nguyen - Managing Partner of Tictag

Dive into the evolving Internet of Things ecosystem in Asia, learning how connected devices, data, and networks are shaping industry, urban life, and consumer experiences

Speaker: Vanessa Phan - Founder & CEO at Anatics

Understand how leveraging real-time data transforms business models, enabling smarter growth strategies, operational efficiency, and market adaptability

Speaker: Dominic Mason - Managing Director of Sedgwick Richardson SEA, Jessie Nguyen - Brand Manager of Gradion

Gain practical insights on creating brands that endure, from positioning and growth strategies to sustaining relevance in fast-changing markets

Speakers from DXC, Fulbright, Ex CEO Alpha Books, Ex Deputy Managing Editor at Forbes Vietnam

Learn how government policies and institutional initiatives translate into actionable outcomes, driving digital transformation and innovation in the public and private sectors

Amor Resort, 61A Nguyen Van Dau, Ward 5, Binh Thanh, HCMC

Speaker: Stergios Gaidatzis - Owner & CEO, SAP on Azure Consultant at loud motion GmbH

Learn how to structure and cleanse enterprise data on SAP and Azure, ensuring AI projects run reliably and deliver actionable insights

Speaker: (TBC)

Specialized, lean AI models deliver faster, more precise results for targeted business applications, shifting advantage from general-purpose systems

Speaker: (TBC)

Conversational AI gives brands an intelligent, responsive voice, enabling personalized interactions, automated support, and stronger customer engagement

CINÉ Saigon, 148 Cong Quynh, Ben Thanh, HCMC

CINÉ Saigon, 148 Cong Quynh, Ben Thanh, HCMC

Dresscode: Coachella

Join the Gradion community for a lively year-end celebration

The Anam Cam Ranh, Vietnam

This retreat is optional by design.

Cam Ranh gives us space. No agenda, no time blocks. It’s the perfect pause before everyone flies back to their worlds. Join if you want to unwind, stay close to the people you’ve bonded with, or simply stretch out a little longer.

One note: domestic flights and hotel rooms fill fast. Make sure you secure your bookings early, then let the rest unfold naturally.