Addressing the event, Vo Tan Thanh, VCCI Vice President noted that 2025 marked a particularly significant year for Vietnam’s economy, with GDP growth reaching 8.02%, among the highest in Southeast Asia. Vietnam’s economic output has surpassed US$514 billion, ranking 32nd globally.

The southern economic hub, comprising Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, Tay Ninh, and Lam Dong, continues to serve as a key growth engine, leading the country in the number of enterprises, as well as in trade and investment attraction.

However, the region is also confronting considerable challenges, including mounting pressure on transportation and logistics infrastructure, limited development space, intensifying competition for high-quality investment, and increasing demand related to green growth, sustainable development, and digital transformation. In addition, regional connectivity has yet to fully realise its potential and requires further strengthening to support more effective and cohesive development.

At the forum, Dau Anh Tuan, VCCI Vice Secretary General and Head of Legal Affairs, presented an overview of the region’s business environment from a local governance perspective. Hoang Anh Tuan, Vietnam’s Consul General in San Francisco, outlined investment and business prospects for Vietnamese companies in the United States, key considerations when partnering with US firms, and strategies to better tap the market.

A panel discussion followed, bringing together economists, local leaders and business representatives to introduce key projects, investment incentives and competitive advantages, providing investors with direct, comprehensive and multi-dimensional information to support investment decisions.

Five new rail lines to be built in southern region

Five new high-speed rail lines between Ho Chi Minh City and southern provinces expected to be built by 2025 would help to ensure smooth transport of goods and improve logistics services and connections between major seaports.