Vietnam is ready to cooperate for mutual development, share for mutual progress, create value together and act for a peaceful, stable, prosperous and sustainable future, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung said at a high-level plenary session of the 2026 Autumn Economic Forum in Ho Chi Minh City on October 28.
He said profound global changes were creating new development opportunities while also posing major challenges to countries. Strengthening self-reliance and expanding international cooperation are therefore closely linked requirements.
More than ever, the world needs to strengthen trust, uphold multilateralism, promote dialogue and cooperate on the basis of respect for international law and countries' legitimate interests, he said.
He said solidarity, shared responsibility and collective action, connected markets and resources, and links among knowledge, technology and people would help countries achieve sustainable and inclusive development and withstand shocks and volatility. Cooperation must go beyond declarations and commitments and produce workable mechanisms, viable projects and measurable results.
The prime minister said deeper international integration had remained a major policy direction and strategic priority throughout Vietnam's reform process. It is intended to build on domestic strengths and mobilise external resources for national development. Through active, comprehensive and effective integration, Vietnam has changed from a country facing many difficulties into a dynamic economy with very high GDP growth, a safe and attractive investment destination, and a trusted and responsible member of the international community.
Highlighting economic performance in the first nine months of 2026, Hung said GDP grew 9.01%, the highest rate since 2011. Vietnam officially joined the upper-middle-income group in July 2026. The country is entering a new development phase with the determination to achieve its two centenary goals: becoming a developing country with modern industry and upper-middle income by 2030, and a developed, high-income country by 2045.
He said Vietnam was accelerating reforms to its laws, institutions and national governance in line with international practices and standards. The goal is to open new development space, remove institutional bottlenecks and help localities, regions and growth poles, particularly special urban areas, realise their potential.
The country is also implementing strategic policies to advance science and technology, innovation and digital transformation, improve education and training, encourage private and state economic sectors, and raise the quality and efficiency of foreign-invested businesses.
To advance cooperation in the new era, Hung called on international partners not merely to invest in Vietnam, but to invest with Vietnam; and not merely to manufacture in Vietnam, but also to engage in research and development, promote innovation and create value chains competitive at regional and global levels.
He proposed discussion of partnerships among international corporations, Vietnamese localities and domestic businesses to co-create projects, cooperation on training digital talent and specialists in advanced technologies, and the possible establishment of regulatory sandboxes for strategic technologies.
Hung called for stronger efforts to mobilise medium- and long-term capital. He said the Vietnam International Financial Centre campuses in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang should connect global capital with Vietnam's needs in infrastructure, energy, the green transition and innovation.
The prime minister said no country could achieve sustainable development by focusing only on its own interests. Vietnam is ready to be a friend, trusted partner and active, responsible member of the international community, listening, learning, sharing experience and working with partners to address common challenges.
The Vietnamese Government hopes that, with support from the World Economic Forum and its partners, the Autumn Economic Forum will become a platform for connections, practical initiatives and cooperation programmes that deliver tangible, lasting results.
WEF Managing Director Stephan Mergenthaler told the forum that intelligent systems, resilient and sustainable industry, and connectivity would shape the next phase of global growth.
He said these connections would become increasingly important as Vietnam pursued higher productivity and innovation-driven growth. The three drivers reinforce one another, and their convergence will help shape the next generation of economic growth.
Sources: VietnamPlus / Vietnam News Agency
