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The Autumn Economic Forum 2025: Vietnam affirms its leading role in the region, driving global investment into the pillars of green and digital transformation
The Forum attracted 70 delegations from innovation centers and large corporations, 5 government delegations (Kuwait, Japan, Oman, Qatar, China), 4 delegations from international ministries and agencies (Cambodia, Malaysia, Laos, Australia), 8 delegations from international localities, 7 delegations from major international organizations such as the United Nations (UN), International Monetary Fund (IMF), and Asian Development Bank (ADB), and representatives from 10 global Centers for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IRs). This diversity in participation underscores the Forum’s credibility and reputation, establishing a comprehensive and high-level strategic dialogue platform that fosters multinational cooperation in green economy, digital transformation, and innovation. Notably, Mr. Stephan Mergenthaler – Managing Director of the World Economic Forum (WEF) – together with leaders of several WEF departments and centers, attended in person. Their deep engagement demonstrates WEF’s strong interest and commitment to advancing its strategic partnership with Viet Nam in general and Ho Chi Minh City in particular in the time ahead.
At the Forum, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính delivered a strong commitment to prioritizing green–digital twin transformation, positioning Viet Nam not only as a promising market but also as a reliable partner and strategic destination for global sustainable development and technology initiatives. The event recorded an unprecedented attendance of over 1,800 delegates, including 500 CEOs, leaders of multinational organizations, and policymakers from over 30 countries, reaffirming Viet Nam’s growing importance within global value chains and in shaping global solutions.
During the special dialogue program “60 Minutes with the Prime Minister of Viet Nam”, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính exchanged directly with Mr. Stephan Mergenthaler to clarify Viet Nam’s new development orientation amid profound global economic transformation.
The Prime Minister emphasized that Viet Nam’s development path is built on independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation, and future-oriented thinking. After decades of war, blockade, and sanctions, Viet Nam chose to set aside the past, find common ground in differences, and focus on socio-economic development. From a poor agricultural country, Viet Nam has advanced industrialization, reaching an economic scale of around USD 510 billion and per-capita income exceeding USD 5,000. In the coming period, science–technology, innovation, and the twin engines of digital and green transformation will be the foundation for Viet Nam to realize its goal of becoming a developed, high-income nation by 2045.
Presenting the new development vision, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chính identified green transition and digital transition as the two pillars of Viet Nam’s next growth model. Viet Nam will prioritize completing institutional frameworks for emerging sectors such as renewable energy, data, green finance, and carbon markets; developing strategic infrastructure including clean energy, smart grids, high-quality telecommunications and data systems, and digital governance platforms; mobilizing international resources in finance, technology, expertise, and high-quality human capital training.
On this foundation, Viet Nam maintains three consistent development principles: (i) Putting people and businesses at the center of all policies; (ii) Upholding an external policy of peace, cooperation, and responsibility; (iii) Considering innovation, science–technology, and the collective strength of the people as key drivers.
Regionally, the Prime Minister affirmed that Viet Nam aligns its development future with ASEAN – one of the world’s fastest-growing regions. Viet Nam proposes: Strengthening interregional infrastructure connectivity in transport, logistics, and energy; Building shared digital infrastructure and data exchange frameworks; Coordinating to implement the ASEAN Power Grid Initiative to enhance energy security; Promoting intra-regional trade, investment, and innovation.
The Prime Minister also emphasized the central role of dialogue amid rising geopolitical uncertainties. Viet Nam pursues an independent, balanced, multilateral, and diversified foreign policy, and stands ready to serve as a bridge to foster dialogue, narrow differences, build trust, and contribute to regional and global peace and stability. Viet Nam also reaffirmed its readiness to coordinate with WEF and international partners to promote new cooperation initiatives.
National Strategy: Delivering the Twin Transformation through Five Breakthrough Solutions
Regarding global commitments, Viet Nam reaffirmed its target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and is actively implementing the National Green Growth Strategy and the Just Energy Transition Program (JETP) by mobilizing international finance for renewable energy and low-carbon infrastructure. Simultaneously, Viet Nam is accelerating digital transformation, aiming to become a regional leader in digital government, digital economy, and digital society.
This development strategy is operationalized through five breakthrough solutions:
- Institutional reform as the leading step
Improve legal and policy frameworks for emerging sectors such as renewable energy, green finance, data economy, and innovation.
- Green and digital infrastructure as strategic investment priorities
Strongly invest in green infrastructure and digital infrastructure projects.
- High-quality human capital development
Train a highly skilled workforce capable of mastering advanced technologies such as AI, semiconductors, and Industry 4.0 technologies.
- Promoting the role of public–private partnerships (PPP)
PPP is a key mechanism to unlock all societal resources, mobilizing both domestic capacities and international capital into Viet Nam.
- Smart governance to optimize resources
Efficiently manage national resources—natural, financial, and human—through analytical, forecasting, and smart decision-making tools, thereby improving investment efficiency, increasing productivity, and building a foundation for long-term sustainable development.
Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính affirmed that the domestic and international business community is the decisive force behind the success of the country’s dual transformation. Viet Nam is committed to maintaining a transparent, stable institutional environment; building synchronized infrastructure systems; and improving human-capital training to support sustainable business development and deeper integration into global value chains. He underscored three essential conditions for enabling businesses: transparent, streamlined, and stable institutional environment; high-quality strategic infrastructure that reduces input costs; well-trained, appropriately skilled workforce that supports business growth. As businesses grow, their managerial thinking and capabilities must also advance.
At the Forum, major organizations and corporations announced concrete investment and cooperation commitments:
● World Economic Forum (WEF):
In addition to cooperation areas related to smart manufacturing and responsible industrial transformation for Ho Chi Minh City in particular and Viet Nam in general, Mr. Stephan Mergenthaler, WEF Managing Director, also committed to expanding support programs for businesses and youth in Viet Nam and Ho Chi Minh City. These programs will focus on key themes such as net-zero, artificial intelligence (AI), and green finance.
● Global Government Technology Center (C4IR Berlin):
Mr. Manuel Kilian, Director of the Center, assessed that “Ho Chi Minh City’s reform momentum and digital transformation drive are truly distinctive”. On this basis, the Center will soon collaborate with Ho Chi Minh City on three major areas: developing a technology startup ecosystem; applying IoT in traffic management, data systems, and business operations; and piloting a digital government model aligned with international standards. In December, both sides are expected to finalize a detailed project portfolio to ensure rapid progress and clear results.
● MassRobotics:
Mr. Daniel Theobald – Co-founder of MassRobotics – noted that Ho Chi Minh City shares many similarities with Silicon Valley in its early stages and emphasized that the City “is moving fast and is prioritizing supporting founders in building real businesses.” He expressed readiness to deploy resources to help develop startups in industrial production, smart agriculture, digital healthcare, and to support technology startups in overcoming the early-stage development gap and expanding access to global markets.
● Foxconn Industrial Internet (Fii):
A strategic link in smart manufacturing. Mr. Brand Cheng, Chairman of Foxconn Industrial Internet, affirmed that expanding investment in Viet Nam stems from a proactive and consistent policy environment. He emphasized that Viet Nam has become an important link in the global supply chain.
● Ant International:
Mr. Yang Peng, Chief Executive Officer of Ant International, stated that Ho Chi Minh City possesses three “golden advantages” to break through and become a new-generation International Financial Centre, namely: (i) Digital readiness; (ii) A strategic gateway position at the heart of Southeast Asia – the world’s fastest-growing region; (iii) A vibrant SME ecosystem.
Currently, the Group operates in more than 70 countries and users, with more than 1,000 partners that are financial institutions and banks. The Group plans to invest in and expand its presence in Ho Chi Minh City, transforming the City into a hub for technology, operations, and a “launchpad” for the Group within its globalisation strategy. Ant International commits to accompanying the Government of Viet Nam and Ho Chi Minh City through concrete actions: (i) Enhancing competitiveness and promoting global connectivity for SMEs using advanced technological solutions from Alipay+, Antom, WorldFirst, and Bettr; (ii) Bringing globally proven core technologies in financial infrastructure (AI, Blockchain, Data Privacy Computing) to Ho Chi Minh City; (iii) Developing and providing new-generation digital financial tools to facilitate international capital mobilisation; (iv) Sharing experience to support the development of policies that attract foreign businesses and advance progressive innovation frameworks; (v) Developing next-generation talent and fostering domestic innovation.
● Global On-chain Economy Alliance (GOE Alliance) and Ho Chi Minh City International Financial Centre (IFC HCM):
GOE Alliance – with the participation of Viettel Digital, Dragon Capital, Tether, Ava Labs, Sky Mavis, Republic, and On-chain Academy – committed to three key areas: (i) Developing high-quality talent and high-quality projects; (ii) Connecting global on-chain infrastructure with Ho Chi Minh City as the hub; and (iii) Contributing substantial economic value to the Ho Chi Minh City International Financial Centre (IFC HCM).
● Amazon Global Selling:
Recognizes Viet Nam as a key growth driver for Southeast Asia’s digital commerce; officially launched Amazon Global Logistics (AGL) operations in Viet Nam, enabling goods to be shipped directly from Viet Nam to Amazon FBA warehouses in the United States.
● TikTok:
Proposed supporting the establishment of three legal entities in Ho Chi Minh City that would provide e-commerce, digital payment, and digital logistics services to serve more than 40 million Vietnamese customers.
Aspirations of a Mega-City: Ho Chi Minh City’s Leading Role
As the host of the first Autumn Economic Forum, Ho Chi Minh City is demonstrating its aspiration to become an international mega-city and a regional hub for economy, finance, science, and technology. Mr. Trần Lưu Quang, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, affirmed the City’s development vision based on five strategic pillars: (i) High-tech industry; (ii) Logistics and free trade; (iii) Ho Chi Minh City International Financial Centre (IFC HCM); (iv) Tourism and cultural industries; (v) International-standard education, healthcare, and science–technology. With its GRDP accounting for approximately 23.5% of Viet Nam’s national GDP and per-capita GRDP approaching USD 9,000 (2025), Ho Chi Minh City continues to serve as the nation’s economic locomotive and is committed to ensuring the best possible conditions for investors.
The Autumn Economic Forum 2025 reaffirms Viet Nam’s readiness to work alongside businesses, experts, and investors under the principle of “A facilitating State – pioneering enterprises – public–private partnership – and shared benefits for the people and businesses.” Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính reiterated Viet Nam’s consistent foreign policy approach: “We remain steadfast in the view that all disputes and differences must be resolved through dialogue and peaceful means. On that basis, Viet Nam is ready to work with the World Economic Forum and partners to promote dialogue, reduce tensions, and contribute to peace, stability, and development worldwide.”
The Joint Statement between Ho Chi Minh City and the World Economic Forum (WEF) on smart manufacturing and responsible industrial transformation marks an important milestone, underscoring the City’s and Viet Nam’s role as the “co-creator” in global initiatives led by WEF. This reflects the new position of Viet Nam and Ho Chi Minh City within international cooperation networks. Through this milestone, Ho Chi Minh City joins the global innovation and manufacturing network as an active contributor, helping shape advanced industrial models that support the country’s green and sustainable development in the new era.
With 14 cooperation agreements signed and one alliance announced at the Forum—across green and digital sectors such as energy, logistics, artificial intelligence, and finance—alongside a series of sideline meetings and numerous bilateral and multilateral engagements, the Forum underscores its essential role in translating ideas into real-world solutions. Through the Forum, the bridge between enterprises and government, and between domestic and international resources, is strengthened—creating opportunities for all sides to exchange, collaborate, and jointly pursue integrated development solutions that connect the green economy with the digital economy.
The Forum also reaffirmed the strong commitment of Viet Nam and Ho Chi Minh City to offering the best possible support and a highly conducive environment for businesses, investors, scientists, and international organizations in applying science–technology and fostering innovation. This demonstrates the City’s vision and ambition to become a leading innovation hub in Southeast Asia—a green, smart, and livable mega-city making meaningful contributions to national and regional development. The Forum represents a major milestone in Ho Chi Minh City’s journey to become a premier destination within the innovation ecosystem—a place where new ideas are nurtured, expanded, and transformed into forces that shape development in the era of the digital economy.
Media gallery: https://hef.gov.vn/media-hef
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Notes:
* Source: The latest provisional statistics of the Insurance Authority on Hong Kong long-term insurance business from January to September 2025.
** Based on statistics from Insurance Authority released since 2014 – Provisional statistics of the Insurance Authority on Hong Kong long-term insurance business.
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About AIA Hong Kong & Macau
AIA Group Limited established its operations in Hong Kong in 1931. To date, AIA Hong Kong and AIA Macau have about 18,000 financial planners1, as well as an extensive network of independent financial advisors, brokerage and bancassurance partners. We serve over 3.6 million customers2, offering them a wide selection of professional services and products ranging from individual life, group life, accident, medical and health, pension, personal lines insurance to investment-linked assurance schemes with numerous investment options. We are also dedicated to providing superb product solutions to meet the financial needs of high-net-worth customers.
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All nominations will undergo a rigorous screening and evaluation process conducted by the VinFuture Pre-Screening Committee and the Prize Council, which comprise leading scientists from around the world, including laureates of prestigious international awards such as the Nobel Prize, the Turing Award, and the Millennium Technology Prize.
The evaluation process is scheduled to be completed by September 2026, with the 6th VinFuture Prize Award Ceremony slated for early December 2026. Nominations submitted after April 17, 2026 will automatically be considered for the 2027 season.
In order to provide comprehensive information and strengthen engagement with its global network of nomination partners, the VinFuture Foundation will host two international webinars in the first quarter of 2026, featuring insights and perspectives from representatives of the Prize Council, the Pre-Screening Committee, and VinFuture Laureates. The first webinar will take place at 8:00 AM on January 26, 2026 (Hanoi time).
In 2026, the VinFuture Prize will continue the implementation of its Top Nominators Recognition Program, formally acknowledging the exceptional contributions of scientists whose discernment and scholarly leadership are instrumental in identifying and nominating scientific and technological achievements of transformative significance for humanity.
Having completed five successive and highly successful award cycles, the VinFuture Prize has established itself as a globally respected distinction within the international science and technology community. To date, it has received a cumulative total of 6,132 nominations from nearly 110 countries and territories and has recognized 48 outstanding scientists whose pioneering work has delivered profound, enduring, and far-reaching benefits to humanity.
Many of the achievements recognized by the VinFuture Prize are closely aligned with major milestones in human progress, ranging from global networking technologies, PERC solar cells, lithium-ion battery energy storage, and artificial intelligence to essential fields such as sustainable agriculture, healthcare, and environmental protection. Reflecting its expanding international reach, VinFuture’s global nomination partner network now includes nearly 15,000 scientists worldwide.
Dr. Thai-Ha Le, Managing Director of the VinFuture Foundation, stated: “After five years of establishment and development, VinFuture Prize has steadily affirmed its position as one of the world’s leading global science prizes, where outstanding scientific excellence is honored in parallel with social responsibility and the long-term interests of humanity. As we enter the 2026 season, we anticipate that nominations will continue to demonstrate the pivotal role of science and technology in addressing global challenges in a comprehensive manner, thereby advancing breakthrough solutions with strong applicability and the capacity to generate positive and sustainable impacts on a global scale.”
With its established international stature and credibility, VinFuture has contributed meaningfully to positioning Viet Nam as an emerging hub for global knowledge exchange and scientific collaboration. Numerous VinFuture partners have traveled to Viet Nam to engage in academic exchanges, share professional expertise, and strengthen ties with the domestic scientific community. Notable participants include Professor Aldo Steinfeld of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich), recipient of the 2024 SolarPACES Lifetime Achievement Award; Professor Kurt Kremer, Honorary Director of the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (Germany); and Professor Chuanbin Mao of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (China), ranked among the world’s top 2% most-cited scientists in biomedical engineering…
Through VinFuture, many Vietnamese scientists have likewise gained access to, and established collaborations with, leading global researchers, actively engaging with the international scientific community to help shape a sustainable future for Vietnam and for humanity at large.
Hashtag: #VinFuture
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Through this collaboration, FED Fitness and the Houston Rockets aim to bridge professional training standards with the at-home fitness experience, encouraging consistent movement and healthy routines for people of all ages and fitness levels.
FED Fitness offers a wide range of high-quality home exercise equipment, competitive pricing, and a free training app—aligning seamlessly with the Rockets’ performance-driven mindset and community-focused approach to sport and wellness.
Notably, this marks the Houston Rockets’ first partnership with a dedicated home gym solutions brand, reflecting the growing importance of home-based training within the evolving sports and fitness landscape. The partnership also reinforces FED Fitness’s expertise, product quality, and long-term strategic vision, as elite sports organizations increasingly align with innovative home fitness brands.
At the heart of the partnership is a shared commitment to health, discipline, and long-term fitness habits—whether training at home or competing at the highest level on the court.
Extending Professional Training into the Home
FED Fitness operates with the belief that fitness should be accessible, enjoyable, and sustainable, providing solutions designed to support users at different stages of their home fitness journey.
FED Fitness Home Gym Solutions
Its home gym solutions are defined by several core characteristics:
- Professionalgrade equipment
- Home training content system
- Spacefriendly designs
- Scenariodriven content
- Sustainable training system
FED Fitness is more than just equipment treadmills, ellipticals, strength machines, and lightweight accessories. Instead, it goes above and beyond by providing an entire home fitness ecosystem that includes training and health data.
Partnership Benefits for Consumers and Fans
The partnership between FED Fitness and the Houston Rockets is built on a shared focus on training, health, and fitness, as well as a mutual commitment to creating engaging, family-friendly experiences around the game.
Designed to benefit both organizations, the collaboration also delivers added value for Rockets fans through a variety of interactive activations and promotions. These include a sweepstakes for a VIP game experience, home training content featuring FED Fitness products and Houston Rockets personnel, and opportunities for co-branded merchandise offerings. Fans can also follow FED Fitness on social media to access exclusive, fans-only discounts.
About FED Fitness: Brand vision and global health mission
FED Fitness is a global home gym solution brand focused on delivering professional-grade equipment and digital training tools for home use.
Trusted by more than 12 million households worldwide, the brand is committed to helping individuals and families build sustainable fitness habits through accessible, high-quality solutions.
The partnership with the Houston Rockets further reinforces FED Fitness’s long-term vision of integrating professional training standards into home-based fitness and everyday life.
For more information, visit www.fedfitness.com
Hashtag: #FEDFitness
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