The conference, titled “Investment Opportunities in Ho Chi Minh City in the New Context: Comprehensive Overview and Legal Recommendations,” was jointly organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Investment and Trade Promotion Centre (ITPC), the Vietnam International Arbitration Centre (VIAC) and the Ho Chi Minh City branch of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI).

At the event, Dr Tran Du Lich, VIAC Vice Chairman said Ho Chi Minh City is entering a period of major transformation as Vietnam shifts toward a growth model centred on science, technology, innovation and digital transformation.

He said the city is expected to receive special policy mechanisms aimed at removing institutional and investment bottlenecks, helping reinforce its role as the country’s leading economic centre and a regional financial and commercial hub.

According to Tran Du Lich, these changes are creating both opportunities and challenges for businesses, thus requiring companies to strengthen not only financial capacity but also legal governance, risk management and dispute settlement capabilities.

Experts at the conference said Ho Chi Minh City’s new development phase is opening up plenty of opportunities for businesses and investors to expand operations and restructure investment strategies.

At the same time, companies are facing growing requirements related to governance capacity, transparency, policy adaptability and legal compliance amid rapid changes in the global business environment.

Cao Thi Phi Van, Deputy Director of ITPC, said Ho Chi Minh City continues to hold strong advantages in market scale, business ecosystems, logistics infrastructure, innovation and international connectivity.

With the rollout of special policy mechanisms and plans to develop an international financial centre, the southern metropolis is expected to remain a strategic destination for high-quality investment capital, she said.

However, Cao Thi Phi Van noted that businesses must proactively update their understanding of market trends, policies and legal frameworks while improving governance capacity to adapt to the rapidly changing business environment.

Experts at the conference also pointed out that Vietnam is entering a period of institutional reform at an unprecedented pace and scale, shown in major policy directions such as Resolution No. 66 on reforming law-making and law enforcement to meet national development requirements in a new era, and Resolution No. 68 on private economic sector development.

A number of key laws covering investment, land, taxation, e-commerce, data, artificial intelligence and digital technology are being revised to reduce business conditions, promote decentralization and shift from pre-approval to post-inspection mechanisms.

According to the experts, these changes are expected to lower market entry costs and encourage investment in strategic sectors such as high technology, semiconductors, renewable energy and the green and digital economies.

At the same time, businesses will need to adapt to emerging requirements related to personal data protection, environmental standards and extended producer responsibility (EPR).

HCM City to launch maritime financial centre

VOV.VN - Ho Chi Minh City is preparing to launch a new maritime financial centre as part of efforts to strengthen Vietnam’s role in regional trade, shipping and logistics finance.