Vietnam Politburo okays international, regional financial centers in HCMC, Danang
Vietnam’s highest decision-making body, the Politburo, has greenlighted the establishment of an international financial center in Ho Chi Minh City and a regional financial center in the central city of Danang.

Danang city, central Vietnam. Photo by The Investor/Thanh Van.
The decision marks a significant step towards realizing Vietnam's ambition to strengthen its position in global finance.
In its decision, the Politburo has emphasized a phased, strategic approach to developing the financial centers, with clearly defined geographical boundaries and target sectors.
It has advocated the piloting of a model that will combine special policies designed to foster competitiveness while ensuring adequate risk management and regulatory oversight.
Several key bodies including a management agency, a supervisory body and a dispute resolution authority will be set up based on international standards.
The Politburo has agreed that between now and 2030, the government will issue and form eight core policy groups that align with international practices and are tailored to Vietnam’s economic conditions. Six policy groups used at major financial centers worldwide will be piloted.
Full implementation of the policies will take place from 2030 to 2035, with gradual adaptation to Vietnam’s local context. This timeline will be flexible, allowing accelerated progress when conditions are favorable.
The Politburo tasked the Government’s Party Committee with overseeing the initiative, including the establishment of a steering committee dedicated for the project implementation; assessing the impact of breakthrough policies to develop the financial center model; and working with the Party Committee of the National Assembly, the legislature of Vietnam, to issue legal documents on financial centers.
The Government’s Party Committee, along with the standing boards of the HCMC and Danang Party Committees, will lead the drafting and issuance of specific documents and invest resources to implement the project.
They will also ensure close coordination and clear allocation of responsibilities at central and local levels.
The Politburo has urged all involved agencies to show strong political determination in “carrying out this important project. “This is not just a task for HCMC and Danang but for the entire political system,” it has said.
On September 15, the Government appointed Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh as head of the steering committee for formulating the project. Its deputy head is Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung.
Other members include deputy ministers of: Planning and Investment, Finance, Industry and Trade, National Defence, Public Security, Information and Communications, Natural Resources and Environment, and Justice; as well as representatives from the State Bank of Vietnam and the Government Office.
Chairman of the HCMC People's Committee Phan Van Mai, and Vice Chairman of the Danang People's Committee Ho Ky Minh are also part of the steering committee.
- Read More
Listed Vietnamese companies almost not involved in 'transshipping': Dragon Capital
Only about 1.5% of the total revenue of Vietnamese companies listed on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE) comes from exports to the U.S., meaning "transshipping" is almost irrelevant, says Dragon Capital, a leading foreign-run asset management firm in Vietnam.
Economy - Sun, July 6, 2025 | 1:39 pm GMT+7
Indonesia maintains lowest debt ratio among G20 members
Indonesia’s external debt-to-GDP ratio stood at 30.6% in the first quarter of 2025, the lowest among the Group of Twenty (G20) comprising major developed and emerging economies, according to data from the Bank of Indonesia.
Southeast Asia - Sun, July 6, 2025 | 11:27 am GMT+7
Thailand's digital GDP expected to grow 6.2% this year
The Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry of Thailand expects digital GDP this year to expand by 6.2% year-on-year, despite the potential impact of the U.S.'s reciprocal tariffs.
Southeast Asia - Sun, July 6, 2025 | 10:44 am GMT+7
Healthcare M&As surge in Vietnam on foreign capital inflows
Despite a global downturn in healthcare M&A activity, Vietnam’s market has witnessed major deals in the first half of 2025.
Finance - Sun, July 6, 2025 | 10:40 am GMT+7
Vietnam’s cement giant Vicem posts profit after 2 years of losses
After two consecutive years of losses, Vietnam Cement Industry Corporation (Vicem) has reported a consolidated after-tax profit of over VND34 billion ($1.3 million) in the first half of 2025.
Companies - Sun, July 6, 2025 | 8:00 am GMT+7
Indonesia, Saudi Arabia sign $10 bln deal on green projects
Indonesia’s sovereign wealth fund (SWF) Danantara has signed an MoU with ACWA Power, a Saudi Arabian leading green energy corporation, to explore investments in renewable energy projects with total funding estimated at up to $10 billion.
Southeast Asia - Sat, July 5, 2025 | 11:26 pm GMT+7
Thailand yet to reach tariff deal with US: official
Thailand has yet to conclude negotiations with the U.S. on reciprocal tariffs but has gained “valuable insights” that will guide the development of a revised proposal, Thai Deputy Prime Minister Pichai Chunhavajira said on Friday.
Southeast Asia - Sat, July 5, 2025 | 11:24 pm GMT+7
Soilbuild International starts work on $60 mln ready-built industrial facility project in northern Vietnam
Singapore-based real estate developer Soilbuild International has broken ground on a $60 million ready-built industrial facility in Vietnam’s northern province of Hung Yen.
Industrial real estate - Sat, July 5, 2025 | 11:20 pm GMT+7
Phu Quoc casino owner issues $91.67 mln bonds in capital restructuring
Phu Quoc Tourism Development and Investment JSC, owner of the Corona casino on Vietnam’s resort island of Phu Quoc, has completed the issuance of VND2.4 trillion ($91.67 million) in five-year bonds as part of its capital restructuring plan.
Companies - Sat, July 5, 2025 | 5:54 pm GMT+7
SK Group pushes for potential investment in $2.2 bln LNG-fired power plant in central Vietnam
A delegation from South Korean chaebol SK Group has held a second round of talks with Nghe An province authorities to explore investment opportunities for a $2.2 billion LNG-fuelled power plant project.
Energy - Sat, July 5, 2025 | 1:47 pm GMT+7
Vietnam GDP grows 7.52% in H1, 15-year record high
Vietnam's economic growth rate reached 7.52% in the first six months of the year, a record high in the period 2011-2025, the General Statistics Office reported on Saturday.
Economy - Sat, July 5, 2025 | 10:46 am GMT+7
Vietnam needs two-pronged policy approach to mitigate impact of rising oil prices: RMIT experts
A surge in global oil prices poses a significant threat to Vietnam’s economy and to cushion these impacts, the country needs a two-pronged policy approach, write Dr Vu Hong Nhung and Dr Phan Thanh Chung, lecturers at the economics and finance department, Business School, RMIT University Vietnam.
Consulting - Sat, July 5, 2025 | 8:54 am GMT+7
Vietnam's registered FDI tops $21 bln in H1, highest in 16 years
Registered foreign direct investment (FDI) in Vietnam hit over $21.51 billion in the first half of the year, up 32.6% and a record high since 2009, while disbursed capital reached $11.72 billion, up 8.1%.
Economy - Fri, July 4, 2025 | 8:50 pm GMT+7
Gemadept’s southern Vietnam port receives mega container ships
Within just over two years of trial operations (from March 2023 to May 2025), Gemalink Port of Vietnamese logistics giant Gemadept in Ba Ria-Vung Tau has safely received 70 container vessels of over 200,000 DWT (up to 232,494.5 DWT) under partially loaded conditions.
Companies - Fri, July 4, 2025 | 4:54 pm GMT+7
Agro-forestry-fisheries exports near $34 bln in H1
Vietnam’s agro-forestry-fisheries exports hit $33.84 billion in the first half of 2025, marking a 15.5% increase year-on-year.
Economy - Fri, July 4, 2025 | 3:36 pm GMT+7
Malaysia’s data center operators struggle due to power cost hike
Malaysia’s data center sector is projected to grow at a 22% CAGR from 2023 to 2029 due to cost competitiveness, skilled workforce, and a robust digital ecosystem, according to a report by global investment bank ARC Group.
Southeast Asia - Fri, July 4, 2025 | 3:23 pm GMT+7