Vietnam Business Forum & Investment Forum by Bloomberg Businessweek Vietnam

The Vietnam Future Economy Summit 2025, hosted by Bloomberg Businessweek Vietnam, has solidified its position as one of the most influential strategic economic forums in the region. With the hallmark quality and editorial rigor of Bloomberg, the event transcended the notion of a conventional conference. It became a strategic platform where policymakers, global experts, CEOs and international investors converged to decode emerging economic signals and envision the trajectory of Vietnam amid a rapidly shifting global landscape.

In 2025, the world continues to experience geopolitical fragmentation, rising protectionism, supply chain restructuring, AI acceleration and increasing ESG requirements across global value chains. Against this backdrop, the Vietnam Future Economy Summit provided a comprehensive and structured space to understand how Vietnam can strengthen its position, elevate its competitiveness and define its long-term growth narrative.

The event brought together more than 900 leaders and professionals, along with over 30 speakers from Vietnam and abroad, representing global organizations such as Keppel, DEEP C and BW Industrial, as well as major financial institutions and international advisory groups. The following is a curated recap of the key sessions, organized in the same sequence as the official program.

Global Geopolitics and Trade

The summit opened with insights into the new chapter of global trade. Bloomberg Economics shared an in-depth view of how ongoing geopolitical tensions, trade realignments and the rise of protectionism are reshaping Asia’s competitive landscape. Key discussions focused on how economies like Vietnam can strengthen resilience through diversification, policy adaptability and more sophisticated international partnerships.

During the panel “Repositioning Vietnam in the New Global Supply Chain”, senior leaders from Keppel, DEEP C and BW Industrial emphasized that Vietnam is emerging as an “investment oasis” in a volatile world. Their discussion highlighted long-term commitments to Vietnam’s sustainable development goals and the crucial role of stable governance and strategic infrastructure in sustaining investor confidence.

General Perspective

Vietnam is moving beyond its traditional role as a low-cost manufacturing hub, transforming into a strategic node in the new global supply chain where institutional strength and operational excellence matter as much as cost advantages.

The Private Sector as the Engine of Growth

This block centered on a critical question. How can the private sector unlock Vietnam’s next growth cycle? Discussions covered the competitiveness of Vietnamese enterprises, institutional reforms, capital access and the shift toward higher productivity.

The session “Ensuring SMEs Are Not Left Behind” emphasized the importance of strengthening supporting industries and enhancing management capabilities to ensure inclusive, sustainable growth.

ESG in the Global Value Chain

ESG emerged as one of the most pressing and complex topics. Although many Vietnamese companies have made public commitments, challenges remain, including the high cost of transition, fragmented data and the lack of standardized reporting frameworks. International strategist Richard McClellan highlighted that the real issue lies not only in commitment but in the ability to execute ESG standards at an international level.

General Perspective
ESG is no longer optional. It is becoming a central determinant of competitiveness, valuation and access to global value chains. Between 2025 and 2030, ESG will increasingly define which Vietnamese companies can attract institutional capital and scale effectively.

Leadership for a New Era

Vietnam is witnessing a generational transition in leadership across industries. Sessions such as “New Leadership Mindsets” explored how the next generation must balance inherited legacies with the need for reinvention. Leaders were encouraged to embrace innovation, digital transformation and cross-border thinking to navigate an “age of uncertainty”.

General Perspective
The morning sessions collectively underscored that economic success will depend on leadership agility, the strength of the private sector and Vietnam’s ability to integrate deeply into global value networks.

Shifting Global Capital Flows

A big question for global finance. Where is capital moving in an age of inflation, geopolitical conflict and climate disruption? 

• The rebalancing between developed and emerging markets
• Southeast Asia’s rising role in multi-country diversification
• Vietnam’s unique advantage combining macroeconomic stability and long-term growth potential

General Perspective
Vietnam is increasingly viewed alongside other strategic emerging markets, but its differentiator lies in its demographic strength, expanding consumer market and sustained policy stability.

Vietnam’s Path to Becoming an International Financial Center

This session focused on Vietnam’s ambition to build an International Financial Center. Experiences from global IFCs highlighted the importance of regulatory frameworks, workforce quality, data infrastructure and regional integration. Discussions revealed both opportunities and the substantial structural work required for Vietnam to position itself as a regional financial hub.

General Perspective
Vietnam is in the foundational stage of its IFC journey, and success will depend on coordinated reforms in finance, technology and human capital.

Investment Strategies in Vietnam

Market leaders analyzed whether Vietnam’s current financial momentum reflects short-term sentiment or a genuine structural revaluation. Speakers discussed major growth sectors including finance, consumer, infrastructure, technology and renewable energy. Prudential’s perspective on sustainable investing reinforced the importance of long-term, balanced investment strategies.

General Perspective
Institutional investors are seeking companies with clear growth narratives, sound governance and alignment with long-term megatrends such as urbanization, digitalization and green transition.

Digital Assets, Blockchain and the New Investment Frontier

One of the most forward-looking sessions explored how blockchain and digital assets are transforming investment and capital markets globally. The panel examined the rise of new asset classes, improved transparency and liquidity and the challenges posed to traditional financial models.

In Vietnam, the digital asset market is entering a pivotal phase. As emphasized by the Vietnam Blockchain and Digital Asset Association, regulatory frameworks are emerging yet still incomplete. Licensed digital asset exchanges are unlikely to appear before Q2 2026, making 2025 a foundational year focused on compliance, data structures and market stabilization.

General Perspective
The next two years are critical for Vietnam’s digital asset ecosystem. Companies that prioritize infrastructure, security, compliance and transparency will have a competitive advantage once regulations solidify.

CONCLUSION – VIETNAM AS AN “INVESTMENT OASIS” IN A VOLATILE WORLD

The Vietnam Future Economy Summit 2025 concluded with strong messages about Vietnam’s strategic position at a moment of global transition. More than 900 leaders and experts, along with over 30 speakers from around the world, contributed to a comprehensive picture of Vietnam’s economic outlook from multiple angles: geopolitics, private sector growth, leadership, capital flows, financial centers, investment strategy and digital assets.

In an era defined by volatility, Vietnam stands at an inflection point. The morning sessions highlighted the role of the private sector and next-generation leadership, while the afternoon sessions focused on capital flows, investment strategies and emerging opportunities.

The summit offered a multidimensional perspective on sustainable growth, economic direction and strategic investment opportunities, reinforcing Vietnam’s rising reputation as a compelling destination for global capital in the decade ahead.