HCM City, October 28, 2026 – The Europe Today: Vietnamese Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng has urged foreign investors to strengthen cooperation with domestic businesses in research, technological development and innovation, calling for a shift towards higher-value activities in global supply chains as the country targets annual economic growth of at least 10 per cent through 2030.
Addressing the high-level plenary session of the Autumn Economic Forum (AEF) 2026, held in Ho Chi Minh City in collaboration with the World Economic Forum (WEF), the Prime Minister stressed that international companies should move beyond investment and manufacturing to help enhance Vietnam’s research and development (R&D) capabilities and generate new sources of economic growth.
“We want our international partners not only to ‘invest in Vietnam’, but to ‘invest with Vietnam’; not only to ‘produce in Vietnam’, but also to join us in research and development, promote innovation and create new value chains with regional and global competitiveness,” he said.
The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of closer partnerships between international corporations, Vietnamese enterprises and local authorities, particularly in strategic technology sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors and advanced materials. Such cooperation, he said, would help strengthen domestic capabilities and improve Vietnam’s position in global production and value chains.
He also called for collaboration with the WEF and other international partners to develop a skilled workforce in digital technologies and advanced sciences, enabling Vietnamese businesses to adopt, develop and master emerging technologies.
Vietnam is prepared to work with technology companies to test emerging solutions, including AI and new energy technologies, in controlled environments before their wider application, he added.
The Prime Minister further emphasised the need to mobilise medium- and long-term investment through international financial centres in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang. These centres are expected to help channel capital into infrastructure development, energy, the green transition and innovation.
Strong economic performance and ambitious growth targets
Highlighting the country’s economic performance, the Prime Minister said Vietnam’s economy expanded by 9.01 per cent during the first nine months of 2026, marking its strongest growth performance since 2011.
Total trade turnover exceeded US$987 billion, representing an increase of more than 30 per cent year-on-year. Registered foreign direct investment reached US$50.36 billion, up 76.4 per cent, while disbursed foreign investment rose 12.1 per cent to US$21.07 billion.
Vietnam aims to become a developing country with modern industry and upper-middle-income status by 2030, before achieving developed, high-income country status by 2045.
The government has set a target of average annual economic growth of at least 10 per cent for the 2026–2030 period, while maintaining macroeconomic stability, controlling inflation and promoting sustainable development.
The Prime Minister stressed that attracting foreign investment must go hand in hand with strengthening domestic enterprises, increasing productivity and improving the economy’s resilience to external shocks.
He also called for the forum’s discussions to produce practical outcomes, urging government agencies to identify viable proposals, establish implementation roadmaps and address investors’ concerns.
Technology and international cooperation to drive future growth
World Economic Forum Managing Director and Chief Technology Officer Stephan Mergenthaler said intelligent systems, resilient and sustainable industries, and stronger connectivity would shape the next phase of global economic growth.
He noted that advances in AI and other emerging technologies could transform businesses and public services. However, translating these developments into higher productivity, more competitive enterprises, better employment opportunities and tangible improvements in people’s lives remained a key challenge.
Mergenthaler also emphasised the importance of ensuring that small and medium-sized enterprises could benefit from technological advances, adding that resilience and sustainability were becoming increasingly important considerations in global investment decisions.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Nguyễn Văn Được said the city aspired to evolve from a major economic growth centre into a hub connecting regional and global economies.
The city’s development priorities include establishing an international financial centre, developing a free trade zone and strengthening its ecosystem for science, technology, innovation and digital transformation.
European Union Ambassador to Vietnam Julien Guerrier highlighted opportunities for cooperation in renewable energy, sustainable manufacturing, semiconductors, AI, transport and logistics.
He stressed that investors needed clear, predictable and consistent regulations, effective implementation of laws and stronger protection for intellectual property and technical expertise to build confidence in the investment environment.
The EU, he added, stood ready to support Vietnam through its Global Gateway initiative and financial instruments designed to reduce investment risks, strengthen industrial ecosystems and connect public development priorities with private capital.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to international economic integration, saying cooperation with global partners would remain essential to addressing shared challenges, strengthening competitiveness and creating new development opportunities.
He emphasised that the Autumn Economic Forum should serve as a platform for translating international dialogue into concrete initiatives and projects that support sustainable growth and long-term economic value.
