Vietnam welcomes US investment in energy, technology, telecom infrastructure: Prime Minister

Vietnam will create the most favorable conditions and accelerate reforms to help U.S. businesses expand and succeed in the country, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung said during a Thursday meeting with 52 leading American companies.

The commitment came as the cabinet leader received the delegation, led by Brian McFeeters, interim president and CEO of the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council (USABC).

The companies in attendance span key sectors including energy, technology, digital economy, finance, logistics, transportation, biomedicine, agriculture, services, and consumer goods.

They include major global players such as Boeing, Google, Intel, Meta, Visa, Mastercard, Citibank, ExxonMobil, Ford Motor Company, FedEx, UPS, Marriott International, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Medtronic, Abbott, and Warner Bros. Discovery.

Welcoming the delegation, Prime Minister Hung described the strong presence of U.S. firms as clear evidence of growing interest in Vietnam’s market and expanding opportunities for bilateral cooperation.

He reaffirmed that Vietnam considers the U.S one of its most important partners and aims to advance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in a healthy, stable, and sustainable manner for the benefit of people and businesses in both countries.

Vietnam is pursuing rapid yet sustainable growth, with a strong shift toward science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation, he noted. “We are accelerating reforms, strengthening legal and institutional frameworks, and improving the business environment to make it more transparent, open, and efficient.”

As part of these efforts, ministries and government agencies have been tasked with cutting compliance costs and administrative processing times by 50% in the second quarter. Additionally, ministries will directly handle no more than 30% of procedures under their authority. The government also pledged to actively engage with feedback from the business community and take solutions swiftly.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the government has carefully reviewed business recommendations and is committed to taking decisive action. Administrative bottlenecks and regulatory challenges will be addressed promptly, while more complex issues will be discussed with U.S. counterparts to ensure mutually beneficial outcomes.

In terms of sectoral cooperation, he said Vietnam welcomes U.S. investment in energy to support national energy security and promote a fair, transparent, and efficient market. Science and technology - identified as a new pillar of bilateral relations - will also be a priority.

Vietnam is ready to create conditions for U.S. telecom companies to explore opportunities related to infrastructure development, 5G networks, and subsea fiber-optic cables, in line with national regulations. the Prime Minister added.

Referring to the Ministry of Science and Technology’s licensing of Starlink satellite internet services in February 2026, the Prime Minister encouraged U.S. firms to deepen cooperation with Vietnamese partners, particularly in technology transfer and integration into global value chains.

U.S. businesses welcome Vietnam’s reform commitments

At the meeting, the U.S. business delegation expressed strong confidence in Vietnam’s investment climate and reform agenda.

According to a USABC statement, Brian McFeeters praised the warm reception from Vietnam’s new leadership and described the visit as a valuable opportunity to reinforce long-term partnerships. He welcomed Vietnam’s reform commitments and reaffirmed the U.S. business community’s readiness to support the country’s next phase of innovation-driven growth.

Echoing this sentiment, Penny Burtt, president of Boeing Southeast Asia and chair of the USABC Vietnam Committee, said the visit provided meaningful opportunities to deepen engagement with Vietnam’s leadership, thereby strengthening economic ties. She reaffirmed Boeing’s long-term commitment to Vietnam and its intention to support the country’s aviation, aerospace and industrial development goals.

After more than 30 years of diplomatic relations, the U.S. ranks 11th among investors in Vietnam, with 1,515 projects and total registered capital of about $12.3 billion as of the end of 2025. It remains Vietnam’s largest export market. Bilateral trade reached $209.5 billion in 2025, with U.S. exports to Vietnam exceeding $19 billion, up 28% compared to 2024.

Vietnamese companies have signed contracts to purchase U.S. aircraft and equipment worth over $37 billion.