News

HCMC ISSUES POLICIES TO SUPPORT MICE TOURISM

December 29, 2025 - The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Council has officially issued Resolution No. 62/2025/NQ-HĐND, effective from December 20, 2025, to December 31, 2030, regulating special policies to support attracting MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourists. The policy is not only a tourism stimulus measure but also a complete public policy model, tightly integrating budget mechanisms, service quality standards – objectives of enhancing experience and promoting the destination brand. The policy is designed to avoid spreading resources thinly, focusing support on MICE groups with a scale of 100 people or more, meeting strict conditions including a minimum stay of 03 nights and a sightseeing program of at least 02 days in Ho Chi Minh City. This aims to ensure increased spending, broader economic benefits, and efficient budget utilization. This is the first MICE tourism support policy developed and issued nationwide at the People’s Council level, based on the application of special mechanisms according to the National Assembly’s Resolution No. 98/2023/QH15. The issuance of the resolution marks a breakthrough in thinking and policy tools, demonstrating the pioneering role of Ho Chi Minh City in developing professional, high-quality, and internationally competitive MICE tourism. Mr. Pham Huy Binh, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, stated that the policy to support attracting MICE tourists (tourism combined with event and conference organization…) issued by the City People’s Council, now in effect, is a step that reflects the city’s pioneering spirit, innovation, and determination to create a policy strong and stable enough to attract large-scale international events and conferences, while enhancing service quality and destination reputation. According to Mr. Binh, the Department of Tourism will closely coordinate with relevant departments, sectors, localities, and the business community to implement the policy synchronously and effectively, while strengthening communication and promotion efforts to swiftly put the policy into practice. Tourism economics experts believe that this reputation and capacity have been acknowledged by the international community as Ho Chi Minh City was consecutively honored by the World MICE Awards as the “Best MICE Destination in Asia” in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. This is clear evidence of the service quality, organizational capacity, and the increasingly elevated position of Ho Chi Minh City’s MICE tourism on the regional map. The support mechanism is built on a progressive principle: the larger the group scale, the higher the support level, encouraging the attraction of high-caliber international events. Integrating these support elements contributes to enhancing the MICE experience while promoting the cultural values, image, and identity of Ho Chi Minh City to domestic and international friends. “With the policy to support attracting tourist groups to Ho Chi Minh City for conferences, seminars, exhibitions combined with sightseeing tourism, the city continues to affirm its role as a dynamic, professional, and top-tier competitive MICE destination in Asia, contributing to enhancing the city’s image and international reputation in the new development phase,” Mr. Binh affirmed. Read More

HCMC PROJECTS STRONG 8% GROWTH FOR 2025

December 26, 2025 - Speaking at the opening session of the sixth meeting of the 10th-tenure municipal People’s Council on December 9, Chairman Vo Van Minh said the city had completed the consolidation of administrative units at all levels, implemented the two-tier local government model, and achieved notable socio-economic progress in 2025. The city’s total GRDP value for 2025 is estimated at 2.74 quadrillion VND (103.93 billion USD), accounting for 23.5% of national GDP. GRDP per capita is projected to reach 8,066 USD. Foreign direct investment inflows are expected to total 8.16 billion USD, representing a 21.1% increase year-on-year. Trade and services continued to perform strongly, with total retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue rising by 13.5%, reflecting improved purchasing power and market confidence. The industrial production index is estimated to grow by 9%. State budget revenue for 2025 is projected at around 746.44 trillion VND, 109.6% of last year’s figure, 111.4% of the assigned target and 107.3% of the target set by the municipal People’s Council, accounting for 31.2% of nationwide collections. Local budget revenue is estimated at about 533.85 trillion VND. Local budget expenditure is forecast at approximately 282.06 trillion VND, providing crucial resources for infrastructure investment, social welfare and improving living standards. The city recorded the establishment of 59,750 enterprises, with total newly registered and additional capital estimated at over 2 quadrillion VND. According to the municipal People’s Committee, HCM City has put into operation numerous key infrastructure and transport projects in 2025, as well as major works to prevent riverbank and canal erosion. It has also drawn up plans to implement the Can Gio International Transshipment Port project and the Soai Rap River dredging project. The city is reviewing detailed planning for its port land and water areas and has completed a proposal on further developing and modernising the Cai Mep–Thi Vai International Gateway Port into the country’s largest transshipment hub with regional and global standing. It has also submitted to the municipal People’s Council plans to allocate preparatory investment capital for seven urban railway lines and two metro lines No.1 and No.2 in Binh Duong. Read More

VIETNAM BREAKS INTO TOP 15 LARGEST TRADING NATIONS

December 25, 2025 - This also marks the 10th consecutive year Vietnam has recorded a trade surplus, once again affirming the resilient endurance of the Vietnamese economy in a year full of fluctuations in world trade. Within the export landscape, the wood and forestry products sector has emerged as a bright spot showcasing its ability to overcome difficulties. From the beginning of the year, a series of barriers, from countervailing duties to Section 232 tariffs from the US market – which consumes up to 55% of the industry’s total turnover – created significant pressure. However, the wood industry has made a spectacular turnaround. Turnover is projected to reach the threshold of $18 billion this year, an 11% increase compared to 2024. Mr. Ngo Sy Hoai – Vice President and General Secretary of the Vietnam Timber and Forest Products Association (VIFOREST) stated: “In Japan, besides wood chips and pellets, we have increased refined furniture and industrial boards. In South Korea, besides traditional products like pellets and packaging plywood, we have boosted exports of other products. Similar openings have been made in China. Furthermore, we are exploring demanding but new markets like the Middle East, South America, Mexico… The spirit is to try our utmost to diversify markets and not accept over-dependence on one major market like the United States.” Looking more broadly, Vietnam’s export capacity is growing in both quality and quantity. While in 2007, the country had only 10 product categories with a turnover of over $1 billion, by 2025 this number has multiplied 3.6 times to 36 categories. The market map has also continuously expanded, with the list of “billion-dollar” trading partners reaching 35 by the end of last year. This very diversity has propelled total import-export turnover to a historic peak of $920 billion, establishing Vietnam’s position in the Top 15 global trading powers. Mr. Tran Thanh Hai – Deputy Director of the Import-Export Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade, emphasized: “2025 marks a historic milestone in Vietnam’s foreign trade activities as we successively set two new records: surpassing the $800 billion threshold and advancing straight to the $900 billion USD mark in total import-export turnover. This is an impressive feat, affirming Vietnam’s position in the global supply chain, especially when placed in the context of a volatile international market and geopolitical risks. This achievement not only reflects the tremendous efforts of the business community but also demonstrates the effectiveness of flexible management policies in the face of external ‘shocks’.” The accelerated export growth not only brings abundant foreign currency but also creates leverage to import technology and modern equipment for industrialization. Since the first surplus milestone in 2012, Vietnam has now established a chain of 10 consecutive years of trade surplus. The surplus has grown impressively from nearly $20 billion in 2020 to over $28 billion in 2023. In 2025, the trade surplus is expected to continue contributing an additional $22 billion to the national foreign exchange reserves. Dr. Le Duy Binh – Director of Economica Vietnam, shared: “In foreign trade activities, we have achieved a number of new records, especially in import-export operations. Imports and exports this year are projected to set a record. This is an extremely important growth driver because our economy relies quite heavily on foreign trade activities; it supports the production and business processes of domestic enterprises.” The $920 billion USD milestone is not merely a record number; it is a declaration of Vietnam’s new position on the global trade map. With the proactiveness of businesses and the correct orientation towards “green exports,” Vietnam has every basis to be confident in positive prospects for 2026. Read More

BECAMEX, FPT, VIETTEL PROPOSE VN ECONOMIC BOOST

December 20, 2025 - At the 3rd National Forum on Digital Economy and Digital Society Development, chaired by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on the morning of December 20, Mr. Le Hong Viet, General Director of FPT Smart Cloud, stated that AI can create a leap in productivity, rather than just linear growth. Betting on AI? Drawing from practical implementation experience, Mr. Le Hong Viet cited examples. At bank customer service centers with 1,000-2,000 staff, FPT deployed 24/7 AI support agents. After over three years, about 70% of the workload is handled by AI, with humans managing the remaining 30%, tripling each employee’s productivity. In pharmaceutical retail, FPT built an “AI teacher” for about 20,000 Long Chau pharmacists. After two weeks, the AI can map individual knowledge, identify strengths and weaknesses, and distribute suitable training content, improving pharmacist quality and productivity by about 15% while increasing training department productivity dozens of times. From these examples, Mr. Le Hong Viet emphasized that Vietnam needs to shift from a cheap labor advantage to building a high-quality workforce that knows how to collaborate with AI to increase labor productivity. Suitable platforms and mechanisms are needed for humans and AI to work together. FPT pursues the vision of mastering AI for Vietnam through its AI Factory platform and partners with Nvidia to provide large computing capacity, aiming to popularize AI services and simplify AI development for the business and social community. Mr. Pham Kim Hung, founder and CEO of Base Enterprise, also affirmed that AI is fundamentally changing the tech industry and opening opportunities for Vietnamese companies to rise on the world tech map. He believes Vietnam should not just apply AI domestically but take AI products “to the open sea” to compete fairly with international solutions. About three years ago, Base Enterprise began its first steps into foreign markets, but initial efforts did not meet expectations. The company realized traditional software architecture was no longer suitable for building a strong, comprehensive AI platform. After over 10 years of development, Base Enterprisenearly rewrote all its source code to form a new, more suitable architecture, shifting from a feature-oriented software model to an output-based service model. By mid-2025, after nearly three years of restructuring, Base Enterprise completed this transformation and has now commercialized products in over 10 countries, including Australia, Malaysia, and Singapore. Foundation for Sustainable Development Sharing at the forum, Dr. Pham Tuan Anh, General Director of VNTT (Becamex Group), said the 4th industrial revolution is led by two main trends: digital transformation and green transformation. Recently, Becamex has invested in building centers of excellence, smart production centers, 4.0 industrial parks, technology labs, Fab Lab and Tech Lab systems, and university training facilities to form an innovation ecosystem and human resources for the digital economy. Greening is also being implemented through specific projects. From practical implementation, Becamex recommends that Vietnam form centers of excellence for digital and green transformation, especially targeting SMEs, to improve labor productivity and gradually build a national multi-point center network. Simultaneously, the government needs preferential tax and land mechanisms for FDI investors linked to using domestic technology and localizing supply chains, creating a “two-way” strategy that supports domestic enterprises while accompanying foreign investors in model transformation. Additionally, Dr. Pham Tuan Anh believes indirect support through Vietnamese infrastructure and tech enterprises is also an important lever. Only when the supply chain is localized and investors develop alongside domestic enterprises can the development model transformation process occur sustainably and effectively. Regarding infrastructure, Mr. Cao Anh Son, Deputy General Director of Viettel Group, said in the national digital transformation process, new-generation telecom carriers not only provide connectivity services but also play a foundational role in building digital infrastructure. In the coming time, Viettel will continue expanding telecom infrastructure with the goal of nationwide 5G coverage by 2030 and readiness to provide Gigabit-speed fiber internet to every household. Internationally, Viettel plays a key role in connecting Vietnam with the world by operating 5 international submarine fiber-optic cable routes, with a total capacity of about 64 Tbps, accounting for nearly 60% of Vietnam’s international data traffic, directly connecting with major digital hubs in Asia, Europe, and America. The group is also striving to build a private submarine cable connecting Vietnam and Singapore. Parallel to telecom infrastructure, Viettel is accelerating the construction of national digital infrastructure. The group currently operates 15 internationally certified data centers with over 11,000 racks and has started construction on three new data centers this year in Hoa Lac, An Khanh (Hanoi), and Tan Phu Trung (Ho Chi Minh City). The goal by 2030 is to expand to about 24 data centers with a total capacity of about 560 MW. Viettel also cooperates with Nvidia to develop large-scale computing infrastructure, applying over 6,000 high-performance GPUs to create a platform for AI, big data, and new-generation digital services. Viettel leadership recommends the government soon issue specific guidelines for effectively allocating and using R&D budgets, prioritizing foundational technology projects. Simultaneously, according to Mr. Son, the government needs special mechanisms to access, research, and purchase core technology from abroad, as well as soon establish and operate suitable funds to promptly implement key tasks in the national strategy for science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation. Read More

SUPPORTING INDUSTRY EXHIBITION AT WTC BDNC EXPO 20

December 12, 2025 - On December 4, 2025, the 2025 Supporting Industry Exhibition & Forum and Supply–Demand Chain Connection Conference officially opened at the WTC Binh Duong New City EXPO in Binh Duong Ward, Ho Chi Minh City. The event brought together over 200 domestic and foreign-invested enterprises alongside 60 industrial parks and attracted more than 3,000 industry professionals and visitors from across Vietnam and beyond. Organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Supporting Industries Association (HASI) in collaboration with Becamex Group, WTC Binh Duong New City, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade, the Trade and Investment Promotion Centre, the Vietnam Supporting Industries Association, Thaco Industries, and other partners, this event is one of the largest annual gatherings in the supporting industry sector. The exhibition showcased over 200 booths featuring components, equipment, and innovative technical solutions across key sectors such as mechanical engineering and manufacturing, plastics and rubber, electrical and electronics, and printing and packaging. At the opening ceremony, Ha Van Ut, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade, highlighted that the supporting industry is the “backbone” of modern manufacturing, supplying essential parts, components, and technical processes to major production sectors. He noted that despite notable advances, Vietnam’s supporting industry still faces challenges amid global supply chain restructuring. The event also featured thematic discussions with representatives from government, academia, research institutions, and industry to explore strategies for strengthening the supporting industry ecosystem. A series of B2B matchmaking sessions were held throughout the two-day forum, creating opportunities for new contracts and partnerships aimed at deepening Vietnamese enterprises’ participation in global supply chains. Read More

ICF GLOBAL SUMMIT 2025 AT WTC BDNC

December 8, 2025 - On the morning of December 3, 2025, the ICF Global Summit 2025, organized by the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF), officially opened at the Binh Duong Convention and Exhibition Center. The international summit is co-hosted by the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, the Intelligent Community Forum, and Becamex Group, marking a significant milestone in Ho Chi Minh City’s journey to strengthen its position on the global smart city landscape. A Strategic Vision for Building a Sustainable Megacity Addressing the plenary opening session, Mr. Nguyen Loc Ha, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, emphasized that the City is entering a new phase of comprehensive development restructuring. This phase is guided by a long-term vision of building a modern megacity founded on knowledge, science and technology, innovation, and sustainable development. According to City leadership, Ho Chi Minh City is strongly advancing a dual transformation strategy, encompassing both digital transformation and green economic development. At the same time, the City is accelerating the development of shared data platforms, modern digital infrastructure, and an innovation ecosystem built on the “Triple Helix” collaboration model of Government – Academia– Industry. A notable highlight of the Summit is the transition of the hosting role from Binh Duong Province (prior to administrative integration)—which was named ICF Intelligent Community of the Year 2023—to Ho Chi Minh City. Mr. Robert Bell, Co-Founder of the Intelligent Community Forum, described this transition as a rare and successful legacy story in ICF’s more than 23-year history. He noted that the continuity not only sustains development momentum but also elevates Vietnam’s standing within ICF’s global network of over 200 member communities. Science and Technology as the Pillars of a New Growth Model Sharing this perspective, Mr. Lam Dinh Thang, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology, reaffirmed that science, technology, and innovation are the fundamental pillars of smart city development and a new growth model. He emphasized that the City aims to raise the digital economy’s contribution to 40% of GRDP by 2030, aligning with rapidly developing global cities. Drawing from international best practices, he stressed that smart city development is not merely a technological race, but rather a long-term journey driven by vision, perseverance, innovation, and a strong commitment to serving the community. As a key strategic partner in promoting the smart community philosophy in Vietnam, Mr. Nguyen Hoan Vu, Chief Executive Officer of Becamex Group, highlighted the Group’s long-standing development values and its commitment to co-creating the future megacity alongside Ho Chi Minh City. He emphasized the importance of building an enabling government, developing digital infrastructure in parallel with industrial–urban–service ecosystems, fostering technological innovation among enterprises, empowering universities and research institutes to lead knowledge creation, and expanding opportunities for citizens. Becamex leadership further underscored ICF’s core philosophy: the intelligence of a city is not defined by the sophistication of its technology, but by its ability to connect people, institutions, resources, and knowledge to transform potential into tangible value for the community. Advancing Global Collaboration and Shaping the Knowledge Economy Over two days, ICF Global Summit 2025 brings together more than 600 global leaders, urban experts, technology corporations, and international investors, creating a platform for dialogue and cooperation centered on ICF’s six core development pillars, fully aligned with Ho Chi Minh City’s digital and green transformation agenda. A series of High-Level Dialogues, chaired by ICF Co-Founders Robert Bell and John Jung, feature mayors and leading innovators from Canada, the United States, Brazil, Türkiye, Spain, and the Netherlands, offering strategic insights and practical experiences. In parallel, in-depth discussion sessions focus on applying ICF’s Community Accelerator Strategy to enhance urban competitiveness, develop innovation ecosystems, and attract high-quality investment flows. The Summit also provides a dedicated forum to explore the post-integration vision of Ho Chi Minh City as a megacity, highlighting opportunities for the City to emerge as a leading economic and technological hub in the region. Ahead of the Summit, on the evening of December 2, 2025, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee hosted a Welcome Reception and the TOP 7 Intelligent Communities of the World 2025 Awards Ceremony. The event fostered networking, dialogue, and new international partnerships, further reaffirming the City’s strong commitment to building a sustainable megacity grounded in digital transformation, green transition, and an innovation ecosystem linking Government – Academia – Industry as the foundation for long-term growth. Read More

AUTUMN ECONOMIC FORUM 2025 KICK-STARTED IN HCMC

November 28, 2025 - The Autumn Economic Forum 2025 officially opened in Ho Chi Minh City under the direct guidance of Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. Viet Nam stands ready to engage in effective cooperation with all international partners on the principle of “harmonised interests and shared risks”, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stated on November 26 at the opening and plenary sessions of the Autumn Economic Forum 2025. Themed “Green Transition in the Digital Era”, the forum, is jointly organised from November 24-30 by Ho Chi Minh City, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the World Economic Forum (WEF). It features a series of key events from November 25-27 and brings together more than 1,500 domestic and international delegates. In his remarks, the Government leader described the forum as not only an important international event but also a milestone marking a new phase in Viet Nam’s development cooperation efforts and its contribution to peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world. Assessing the global context, Prime Minister Pham outlined three consistent guiding principles for the country’s pursuit of green transition in the digital era. First, people, citizens and enterprises remain the core, driver and objective of all development. Second, environmental protection and social welfare must never be compromised for the sake of economic growth. Third, the transition must ultimately improve the well-being, safety and happiness of the population. Viet Nam remains a good friend, reliable partner and responsible member of the international community, the leader stressed. The country maintains an independent and self-reliant foreign policy rooted in peace, friendship, cooperation and development, multilateralisation and diversification. Viet Nam is always prepared to be a friend and trusted partner of countries in sustaining a peaceful and stable environment and mobilising international support for fast and sustainable development. He stated that the nation is firmly committed to achieving the Millennium Development Goals and its pledge of net-zero emissions by 2050. It will continue to open its market and establish legal frameworks to welcome green investment and advanced technologies from global partners. The Government chief affirmed in Viet Nam’s consistent view, resources stem from vision and thinking; momentum comes from innovation and creativity; strength originates from the people and the business community; and national strength must be combined with the strength of the times, and domestic capacity with international support. To realise these, Viet Nam will prioritise measures defined by the approach of “open institutions, seamless infrastructure, smart governance, skilled human resources, and widely applicable practices”. The State, he noted, is responsible for creating an enabling regulatory environment, streamlining administrative procedures, encouraging green transition and digital transformation projects, and providing maximum facilitation for domestic and foreign enterprises. A view of the Autumn Economic Forum 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City on November 26. The Prime Minister emphasised the need for preferential mechanisms to mobilise and use resources effectively, a harmonious combination of internal and external strengths, and the promotion of public–private partnerships. Viet Nam will also accelerate the development of high-quality human resources to meet the demands of both green transition and digital transformation, strengthen linkages between education institutions and enterprises, and bolster sci-tech cooperation and transfer. The leader highlighted the need for support from international friends and leading global corporations, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, quantum technology, semiconductors and nuclear energy. Pham underscored that the presence of government officials, businesses, scholars and organisations from inside and outside Viet Nam at the event demonstrates a strong will to cooperate, and a shared aspiration to create new value and build a sustainable, inclusive and humane future for all nations and people. He expressed confidence that the ideas, initiatives and commitments put forward would extend beyond speeches and be translated into concrete actions. The Prime Minister also hoped the forum would serve as a space for dialogue, trust-building and cooperation, upholding multilateralism and respect for international law. During the plenary session, delegates heard reports and discussed opportunities and challenges facing the smart economy, the green transition in the digital era, smart manufacturing and global supply chains, megacity governance and related stakeholder responsibilities./. Read More

NEW SPACE & MOMENTUM FOR MICE TOURISM IN HCMC

November 24, 2025 - Ho Chi Minh City – The expanded administrative boundaries have created a fresh momentum for MICE tourism, enhancing the city’s advantages in hosting large-scale events, extending visitor stays, and attracting more travelers. Following the merger of Ba Ria – Vung Tau and Binh Duong provinces into Ho Chi Minh City, the city has entered a new phase of development with distinct advantages in space and tourism resources. The expansion not only increases the city’s land area and population but also lays the groundwork for a diverse tourism ecosystem — from modern urban landscapes to coastal and island destinations, traditional cultural heritage, and industrial hubs. This foundation is crucial for boosting the growth of MICE tourism (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) — a high-potential segment that has yet to be fully leveraged. In terms of market potential, businesses have organized many MICE groups in Ho Chi Minh City, particularly from domestic provinces and cities. However, the number of international MICE groups remains modest, with destinations like Da Nang or Hanoi often preferred. “The boundary expansion creates opportunities to extend visitor stays and broaden event venues. The challenge now is how to balance activities between the city center and satellite destinations like Vung Tau and Binh Duong. With strong coordination and consistent policies, Ho Chi Minh City can absolutely position itself as the leading MICE hub for both domestic and international visitors,” shared Ms. Hoang. In reality, Ho Chi Minh City has already established itself on the regional and global MICE map. Notably, it was named Asia’s Leading MICE Destination at the World MICE Awards 2024, marking the fifth consecutive year it has held this title. Yet, awards and recognition are only the starting point. To sustain its appeal and elevate its standing, the city must accelerate investment, foster innovation, and proactively address bottlenecks in attracting international travelers. The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism emphasized that the newly expanded city, with its diverse resources, vast market, and modern infrastructure, is poised for a strong transformation. From here, it aims to become a multi-centered, modern, and sustainable tourism hub for both Vietnam and the broader region. By 2030, Ho Chi Minh City envisions itself as one of Southeast Asia’s leading tourism centers — not only attracting visitors but also serving as an inspiration and driving force for Vietnam’s tourism industry. According to the City Pulse 2025 survey, Ho Chi Minh City ranked second out of 65 global cities in resident retention, reflecting its strong appeal as a destination to “stay longer – work effectively,” aligning perfectly with its MICE tourism promotion strategy. “A Unique Position as a Coastal, Industrial, and Cultural City” Speaking with Lao Động Newspaper, Ms. Huynh Phan Phuong Hoang, Deputy General Director of Vietravel, remarked that after the boundary expansion, Ho Chi Minh City is not only a modern metropolis but also a coastal, industrial, and cultural city — rare and valuable attributes for MICE tourism development. “We expect Ho Chi Minh City to become the largest MICE tourism hub in Southeast Vietnam in the near future. This is also the common aspiration of many enterprises within the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association,” said Ms. Hoang. However, to make this vision a reality, Ms. Hoang stressed that the city must establish a clear legal framework and supportive policies for the MICE segment, similar to strategies adopted by other countries in the region. For example, South Korea offers detailed support policies tailored to group sizes — whether 50, 100, 500, or 1,000 delegates — with specific incentive mechanisms for each level. Another critical issue is the visa barrier, which remains a challenge for large international groups traveling to Ho Chi Minh City in particular, and Vietnam in general. Read More

VIETNAM LICENSING EXPO 2025 AT WTC BDNC

November 19, 2025 - The Vietnam–Korea Character Licensing Festival (VKCLF) and the Vietnam Licensing Expo 2025 (VLE 2025) officially opened at the WTC BDNC EXPO from November 13 – 15, 2025 , with the participation of distinguished delegates, experts, and enterprises from both Vietnam and Korea. The event marks an important milestone in promoting bilateral cooperation in copyright, technology transfer, and the development of the creative cultural industry, aiming toward a sustainable and innovative future. Notably, in conjunction with VKCLF, the Vietnam Licensing Expo (VLE 2025) is being held for the first time at the WTC Expo, featuring more than 150 exhibitors, including manufacturers, creators, retailers, investors, international buyers, and leading IP owners from Vietnam and abroad. This year’s exhibition highlights the cultural industry model within the Innovation Industrial Park, where creative content and industrial production are directly connected. Read More

ASEAN–ITALY DIALOGUE 2025 OPENS IN HCMC

November 17, 2025 - Co-organized by The European House – Ambrosetti (TEHA), the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, and Becamex Group, the 9th High-Level Dialogue on ASEAN–Italy Economic Relations opened on November 13, 2025, at the Binh Duong Convention & Exhibition Centre, gathering more than 500 delegates from ASEAN countries and Italy. In his opening remarks, Vietnam’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung highlighted ASEAN’s strengths as a dynamic region of over 680 million people and a combined GDP exceeding USD 4 trillion, and emphasized Italy’s role as an official ASEAN Development Partner, signaling deeper cooperation opportunities. HCMC Chairman Nguyen Van Duoc reiterated the city’s readiness to serve as a strategic bridge linking Italy, Vietnam, and ASEAN, especially in green economy, renewable energy (towards Net Zero 2050), smart infrastructure, sustainable logistics, education, and human-resource development. Participants agreed on four priorities for future ASEAN–Italy cooperation: a Net Zero roadmap, smart manufacturing (Industry 4.0–5.0), next-generation infrastructure, and digital transformation & innovation. Italy remains one of Vietnam’s key European partners, with bilateral trade reaching USD 4.3 billion in the first seven months of 2025 and more than USD 624 million invested in 162 projects across Vietnam. The event marks a significant step toward advancing Italy–ASEAN economic ties and reinforces the role of HCMC as emerging hubs for regional cooperation and sustainable growth. Learn more: https://www.ambrosetti.eu/en/international-summits/high-level-dialogue-asean-italy-economic-relations/ Read More

VNU-BECAMEX BOOST STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

November 10, 2025 - On November 8, 2025, Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCMC) and Becamex Group held a working session to strengthen collaboration in training, research, technology development, innovation, and smart urban development. The meeting gathered senior leaders from both sides, with Permanent Vice Minister of Science and Technology, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Hai Quan joining as a special guest. VNU-HCMC emphasized its commitment to expanding cooperation with Becamex — a leading developer in industrial infrastructure and innovation. Both sides agreed that deeper collaboration will help build a strong ecosystem connecting academia, industry, and government, supporting regional and national development. Key cooperation areas discussed include high-quality human resource training, startup and technology incubation, joint laboratories, student internships, applied research, and the development of the VNU-HCMC Innovation Center. Becamex Chairman Mr. Nguyen Van Hung reaffirmed the corporation’s commitment to supporting VNU-HCMC in building a sustainable knowledge–technology–innovation ecosystem. Vice Minister Vu Hai Quan highlighted that the long-standing partnership provides an ideal foundation for co-developing strategic technologies and shared research facilities. The session marks a new phase of partnership between the two institutions as they work toward advancing Vietnam’s innovation ecosystem and contributing to Ho Chi Minh City’s vision of becoming a leading innovation hub in Southeast Asia. Read More

PROMOTING DIGITAL ECONOMY IN VIET NAM

October 30, 2025 - The digital economy has been identified as one of Vietnam’s new growth drivers, with the ambitious goal of contributing around 30% of GDP by 2030. To realize this vision, Vietnam must accelerate support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), develop e-commerce and logistics, and build a sustainable digital ecosystem that reaches all areas of life. In the context of globalization and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the digital economy has become a key indicator of national competitiveness. Vietnam’s National Digital Transformation Strategy sets the target for the digital economy to account for 20% of GDP by 2025 and 30% by 2030—a goal that reflects both ambition and strong political commitment to comprehensive economic transformation. According to the Ministry of Information and Communications, Vietnam’s digital economy reached a scale of US$30 billion in 2024, growing at more than 20% annually, ranking among the fastest-growing in Southeast Asia. Key sectors such as e-commerce, digital finance, telemedicine, and online education are expanding rapidly, shaping a technology- and knowledge-driven economy. The digital economy not only generates direct economic value but also drives structural changes in production, business operations, and social governance. As public services move online, cashless payments become widespread, and data systems are increasingly interconnected, the overall efficiency and productivity of society are significantly enhanced. However, Vietnam still faces many challenges in achieving its digital economy goals. The digital divide between urban and rural areas remains substantial; the legal framework for data protection and electronic transactions is still incomplete; and issues of cybersecurity and data breaches are becoming more complex. Most importantly, SMEs—which account for 97% of all businesses—still struggle with limited access to digital technology, insufficient capital, and a lack of high-skilled labor and structured digital strategies, making their participation in the digital economy relatively weak. SMEs currently contribute nearly half of Vietnam’s GDP and over 30% of the state budget, serving as the backbone of the national economy. Yet, they face multiple barriers in digital transformation. Supporting this business segment to engage more deeply in the digital economy is therefore essential. Policy measures such as preferential credit programs, incentives for research and development, and digital skills training for both business owners and employees must be implemented synchronously. Empowering SMEs will generate powerful spillover effects, as they are the foundation for job creation, innovation, and inclusive growth. At the same time, e-commerce has become one of the most dynamic engines of Vietnam’s digital economy. In 2024, the market reached nearly US$20 billion, expanding at more than 25% per year. Millions of enterprises and household businesses now sell online, reaching customers not only domestically but also internationally. Consumers are increasingly familiar with online shopping, digital payments, and digital services—marking a fundamental shift in consumption behavior and contributing to the modernization of the national economy. Nevertheless, e-commerce can only grow sustainably with a strong logistics infrastructure. Currently, logistics costs in Vietnam account for 16–17% of GDP, much higher than the 8–10% seen in developed economies. This remains a major obstacle to competitiveness in goods and services. To overcome it, Vietnam must invest in integrated logistics infrastructure, adopt smart warehouse management and intelligent transport technologies, and optimize supply chains. As logistics become more efficient, business costs will decrease, markets will expand, and consumers will benefit from faster, more transparent, and more reliable services. The digital economy—together with its three key pillars: SMEs, e-commerce, and logistics—is becoming the lifeblood of Vietnam’s modern economy, deeply integrated into every sector from industry and agriculture to services, transforming how the country produces, manages, and consumes. To achieve the goal of the digital economy contributing 30% of GDP by 2030, Vietnam must act decisively and cohesively. Priorities include strengthening the legal framework for data protection and privacy, investing in modern digital infrastructure, developing national data centers, expanding high-quality broadband coverage, and promoting cashless payments. At the same time, the country must foster innovation and commercialization of new technologies, support SMEs’ access to digital platforms, and encourage the growth of green and sustainable logistics linked with e-commerce. Developing the digital economy is not only an inevitable global trend but also a strategic choice for Vietnam’s breakthrough. When SMEs are digitalized, e-commerce operates sustainably, and logistics systems are modernized, Vietnam’s economy will gain strong momentum to integrate deeply into global value chains, enhance its international standing, and move closer to its vision of becoming a prosperous, developed, and happy nation. Read More