The Autumn Economic Forum (AEF) 2026 brought together international resources, investment opportunities and policy commitments. Participants discussed how to turn these connections into concrete projects and outcomes supporting Vietnam’s double-digit growth target.
Connecting resources and expanding investment opportunities
The four-day forum gathered more than 1,500 participants from 60 countries and territories. More than 250 speakers took part in over 20 specialised sessions on institutional frameworks, finance, artificial intelligence, strategic technologies, advanced manufacturing and urban governance. Discussions focused on connecting capital and technology with the capacity to implement development initiatives.
One of the central events was a conversation with Prime Minister Le Minh Hung on the theme “Positioning Vietnam in the Global Future.” In discussions with World Economic Forum leaders, the prime minister outlined Vietnam’s development priorities: improving institutions, investing in infrastructure and strengthening business capabilities. These priorities also addressed investor concerns when choosing destinations for long-term commitments.
At the forum, Ho Chi Minh City announced 12 major investment projects with a combined target of mobilising 13 billion USD. They cover seaports, logistics, urban development, industrial manufacturing and high technology. The projects reflect the city’s need for resources to upgrade infrastructure, production capacity and connectivity.
The forum also announced the first 10 official members of the Vietnam International Financial Centre in Ho Chi Minh City (VIFC-HCM). This was another step in building the centre’s membership community and raised expectations for investment structures, connections with international capital markets and concrete transactions.
Pham Nang Dung, CEO of Son Kim Capital, valued opportunities to work with authorities and other VIFC-HCM members on policies and legal frameworks that can attract international capital and meet investor requirements.
In the energy sector, Nguyen Ngoc Nhat Hanh, Investment Director of REE Energy Finance, expressed hope that VIFC-HCM would become a bridge between Vietnamese businesses and international capital markets, particularly for financial institutions interested in green energy. She said REE Energy Finance had pledged to mobilise 200 million USD for renewable energy projects.
Joseph Low, Keppel’s Chief Representative in Vietnam, said the company wanted to work with government agencies and partners to develop investment platforms and mobilise capital to support businesses. He also noted the potential to connect Vietnamese small and medium-sized enterprises with global networks so they can participate more deeply in the financial and investment ecosystem.
Nguyen Thi Huynh Linh, founder and CEO of RovelaPay, expressed hope that the company could provide international visitors with convenient and transparent payment services. Its solution allows tourists to use cards and accounts in their home countries to pay through VietQR, with the converted amount, exchange rate and fees displayed in advance.
From international insights to implementation
Forum discussions stressed that the twin green and digital transitions require coordinated efforts in policymaking, technology, finance and business capacity. Access to advanced solutions must be matched by their practical application across industries and production facilities.
Dr Yasuhiko Hotta, Chairman of the Asia-Pacific Roundtable for Sustainable Consumption and Production, called for a move towards a circular economy and society, net-zero emissions and nature-friendly development. He identified policy support, capacity building, social model testing and business innovation as key areas of action.
Drawing on Norway’s experience, Prof. Gopalakrishman Kumar of the University of Stavanger said Vietnam’s rapidly developing aquaculture sector could reduce carbon emissions through advanced Norwegian technologies. He said cooperation would also provide opportunities for experience sharing and technology transfer, with a focus on practical solutions for the sector.
Swedish Ambassador to Vietnam Johan Ndisi underlined the importance of bringing different stakeholders together to develop solutions drawing on the strengths of Sweden and the wider Nordic region. Amid global changes in tariff policies, he reaffirmed the commitment to promoting international cooperation.
According to Finnish Ambassador to Vietnam Pekka Voutilainen, around 600 Vietnamese students study at Aalto University while 3,000 are enrolled at universities across Finland. The Vietnamese community in the country numbers approximately 16,000.
He said these connections provide a foundation for a better understanding of the Nordic business environment. Closer links between education, startups and investment could help Vietnam strengthen its capacity to absorb and develop technology.
Building on these international links, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung stressed the need to strengthen domestic capacity. He said Vietnam would prioritise institutional, legal and regulatory reform in line with international standards to improve national governance and facilitate development.
The Government will also focus on strategic infrastructure breakthroughs, particularly in transport, seaports, energy and other essential infrastructure. The prime minister also listed science and technology, gradual mastery of technologies and support for business competitiveness among the priorities.
Nguyen Van Duoc, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, said the city would resolutely turn the initiatives and connections established at the forum into specific cooperation programmes and projects.
Sources: VietnamPlus / Vietnam News Agency
