Top Export Mastermind 2026: Airwallex and Vietnamese businesses expanding globally

Top Export Mastermind 2026 has concluded after two days of networking and in-depth discussions regarding the future of exports. Held as part of the "Accelerate with Google" initiative, the program brought together founders, export business leaders, and experts in technology, growth, and financial infrastructure.

Covering topics ranging from macro strategies, "brandformance," and AI to plans for expanding into US and other markets, the event provided a clear picture of how Vietnamese businesses can better prepare for their next phase of growth: building robust operational capabilities, leveraging data effectively, and proactively adapting to specific markets. As exports enter a new phase of growth The global market is opening up numerous opportunities for Vietnamese businesses in sectors such as POD (Print-on-Demand), dropshipping, DTC (Direct-to-Consumer), and cross-border e-commerce. However, to go further, businesses need more than just a suitable product or an effective marketing strategy.

Scalability also depends on how well a business understands the market, makes rapid decisions, and builds an operational system capable of adapting to diverse countries, partners, and business models.

This was the overarching theme of Top Export Mastermind 2026: "Going Global" is not merely about entering a new market; it is about building the capacity for sustainable growth on an international scale. From macro strategy to preparing for the future of exports The program’s first day began with insights into the macroeconomic landscape and the future of export activities. Keynote sessions and discussions focused on critical questions for businesses on the path to global expansion:

What trends are reshaping how Vietnamese businesses approach international markets? How can businesses build a competitive advantage amidst increasing market fragmentation and rapid change? What must businesses do to transition from opportunity-based growth to systematic growth? These discussions highlight that modern exporting requires more than just the ability to get products into foreign markets. Businesses must integrate market intelligence, technology, brand building, and operational capabilities to secure a long-term competitive advantage. Brandformance and AI: Linking branding with growth performance A key theme of the event was "brandformance"—the practice of combining brand building with measurable growth objectives.

In an environment where customers have more choices and customer acquisition costs are increasingly competitive, branding and marketing performance can no longer be treated as separate issues. Businesses need to differentiate themselves while simultaneously validating their messaging, creative assets, and customer experiences across different markets.

AI is emerging as a crucial lever in this process. By assisting with data analysis, optimizing creative content, and accelerating testing cycles, AI enables growth teams to respond more swiftly to market changes.

However, technology only delivers value when aligned with a clear strategy. Businesses must still understand their customers, identify accurate insights, and maintain brand consistency as they expand internationally. AI for Finance & Treasury: Turning financial infrastructure into a competitive advantage At the event, Son Pham, Sales Director at Airwallex Vietnam, discussed "AI for Finance & Treasury"—an increasingly vital perspective for businesses pursuing cross-border growth.

As operations expand into multiple markets, finance and treasury teams face an ever-growing volume of data, transactions, and decisions. The challenge lies not only in cost control but also in gaining visibility into cash flow, making timely decisions, and establishing processes flexible enough to support rapid growth.

This is where technology and financial infrastructure can make a real difference. A robust financial infrastructure helps businesses reduce operational complexity, enhance control, and focus more on decisions that directly drive growth.

For export-oriented businesses, the finance function is no longer merely a back-office support role. When effectively aligned with business strategy, finance and treasury operations can become a competitive advantage in the journey toward global expansion. US+: From market selection to a "win-like-a-local" strategy Day two of the program focuses on US+ market expansion—covering everything from why businesses should consider new markets to how to craft the right strategy for local growth.

Sessions on US+ emphasize that international expansion should not be approached using a one-size-fits-all formula. Each market presents unique customer behaviors, competitive landscapes, operational requirements, and growth opportunities.

To "win like a local," businesses must combine local data and insights with cross-border operational capabilities. This entails selecting the right market, tailoring marketing strategies, creating a localized customer experience, and ensuring financial processes operate seamlessly as the business scales. Airwallex Partnering with Vietnamese businesses on their "Go Global" journey.

Top Export Mastermind 2026 highlights that the next generation of export businesses is entering a new phase: growth is measured not merely by the number of markets reached, but by the quality of the underlying operational infrastructure.

From export strategies, "brandformance," and AI to finance, treasury management, and US+ expansion, every element plays a vital role in building a foundation for more sustainable growth.

Airwallex is proud to partner with the Vietnamese business community on this global expansion journey—empowering teams to operate with greater agility, make faster decisions, and seize new opportunities in the international market.

We extend our sincere thanks to Google, the speakers, partners, and all attendees for making this a two-day event filled with insightful perspectives and valuable connections. We look forward to seeing you on the next leg of the journey.