Fortune Southeast Asia 500 Summit opens new investment opportunities in Vietnam

Held in Vietnam for the first time, the major economic event organised by Fortune magazine brought together executives from leading regional corporations and businesses, alongside economists and policymakers, to discuss growth prospects, investment trends and business opportunities across Southeast Asia.

Under the theme “New Horizons, Enduring Growth”, the summit focused on development strategies and opportunities for cooperation amid significant changes in the regional and global economic landscape.

Vietnam targets higher-quality investment

Vietnam is seeking to move beyond simply attracting investment capital towards securing projects that bring advanced technologies, research and development capabilities and greater value to the economy, Deputy Minister of Finance Le Tan Can told the summit.

He noted that supply chain restructuring, technological competition and the shift towards green development are reshaping global investment flows. Against this backdrop, Vietnam is prioritising high technology, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, data, clean energy and logistics, alongside the development of sustainable value chains and a highly skilled workforce.

The country also aims to attract investors with core technologies, modern management practices and commitments to research and development, technology transfer and digital and green transformation. Research centres and AI data centres are among the high-value activities Vietnam hopes to bring in.

Despite global uncertainties, Vietnam has maintained strong economic momentum. GDP grew by 9.01% in the first nine months of 2026, providing a foundation for the country’s ambition to achieve double-digit annual growth during 2026-2030.

Vietnam aims to become a developed, high-income country by 2045. Its approach to foreign investment is increasingly focused on industrial clusters, value chains and innovation ecosystems, rather than capital inflows alone.

The Government has also reaffirmed its commitment to improving institutions and infrastructure, developing the workforce and maintaining a stable, transparent and business-friendly investment environment. Foreign businesses are encouraged to view Vietnam not merely as a manufacturing base or consumer market, but as a partner in research, innovation, product development and market expansion.

Ho Chi Minh City highlights investment advantages

Ho Chi Minh City is positioning itself as a major destination for regional and international investors, supported by its large market, industrial base, financial and commercial services and international transport links.

With a population of more than 14 million, the city accounts for approximately 23.5% of Vietnam's GDP. Its advantages include high-tech industrial parks and the Cai Mep-Thi Vai deep-water port complex, which connects to international shipping routes.

In the first nine months of 2026, the city’s gross regional domestic product (GRDP) grew by 9.06%, while registered foreign investment exceeded US$19 billion, four times the level recorded in the same period last year and accounting for more than 30% of the national total.

Major projects include the Can Gio International Transshipment Port, with investment of more than US$4.9 billion, and the iFactory data centre project, valued at approximately US$2.1 billion.

Standing Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Nguyen Loc Ha outlined the city's priorities for strengthening its appeal to international investors. These include improving the institutional framework and long-term development planning, connecting new investors with existing businesses and regional value chains, and mobilising resources in logistics, technology, skilled labour and finance.

The city is also seeking cooperation in automation, artificial intelligence, energy management and workforce training, while advancing plans for an international financial centre, free trade zones and logistics development.

Improving the quality of administrative services and investment support is another priority, with an emphasis on transparent project information, efficient procedures and coordinated efforts to resolve business difficulties.

Ho Chi Minh City stands ready to work with international investors on concrete cooperation plans, with clear objectives and implementation roadmaps, to build partnerships and projects that generate long-term value, Ha said.

Three subsidiaries of Viettel enter Fortune Southeast Asia 500 list

Three member companies of the Viettel Military Industry and Telecoms Group (Viettel) have been named among the 500 biggest enterprises in Southeast Asia (Fortune Southeast Asia 500) by Fortune – an American global business magazine.