Hanoi, July 28, 2026 – The Europe Today: Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng has praised the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as a strategic policy advisory partner and a trusted companion in Vietnam’s socio-economic development journey, emphasizing the importance of continued cooperation to support the country’s long-term growth objectives.
The Prime Minister made the remarks during a meeting on Tuesday with Jochen Schmittmann, outgoing IMF Regional Resident Representative for Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, and Fazurin Jamaludin, who will assume the role of IMF Regional Resident Representative for Vietnam and Laos on August 23.
PM Hưng expressed appreciation to Schmittmann for his contributions during his tenure, particularly in maintaining policy dialogue and supporting training and capacity-building programmes. He also congratulated Schmittmann on his new assignment and welcomed Jamaludin’s appointment.
During the meeting, the Vietnamese Prime Minister highlighted the recent adoption of a resolution by the 14th Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee on renewing the country’s development model, describing it as a historic milestone requiring comprehensive structural reforms to lay the foundation for long-term development.
He said the reforms aim to help Vietnam achieve its goals of becoming a developing country with modern industry and upper-middle income status by 2030, and a developed, high-income country by 2045.
Briefing the IMF representatives on Vietnam’s socio-economic situation and policy priorities, PM Hưng reaffirmed the government’s consistent approach of promoting economic growth while maintaining macroeconomic stability and ensuring the security and soundness of the financial and banking system.
He stressed that Vietnam would continue strengthening fiscal discipline and developing its capital market to gradually reduce dependence on bank credit. The Prime Minister emphasized that the country would not pursue short-term growth at the expense of macroeconomic stability or financial security.
PM Hưng also highlighted upcoming sessions of the National Assembly, where a number of draft laws are expected to be reviewed and adopted to further improve institutions and develop a transparent legal framework aligned with international standards.
These efforts, he said, are aimed at creating a safer and more attractive investment and business environment while strengthening confidence among enterprises, investors, and international partners in Vietnam’s stable and sustainable development prospects.
The Prime Minister noted that the Vietnamese Government highly values the IMF’s assessments and recommendations, considering them an important reference source in policymaking and implementation.
He expressed hope that during Jamaludin’s tenure, the IMF office would continue to serve as an effective bridge in strengthening substantive cooperation, maintaining regular policy dialogue, and providing practical recommendations to support Vietnam’s rapid and sustainable development.
For his part, Schmittmann praised the strong cooperation between Vietnam and the IMF, noting that the country has achieved impressive economic growth, effectively responded to external challenges, and implemented important reforms in areas essential for long-term development.
He commended Vietnam’s focus on science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation, adding that the country has further potential to accelerate growth through coordinated fiscal, monetary, and other policy measures.
Schmittmann affirmed that the IMF fully supports Vietnam’s ambition to achieve double-digit economic growth and will continue providing assessments and policy recommendations, particularly in the monetary, financial, and banking sectors.
Jamaludin expressed his confidence in Vietnam’s development prospects, noting the country’s aspirations for higher growth and its entry into a new phase of economic transformation.
He pledged to build on the achievements of IMF–Vietnam cooperation and reaffirmed the institution’s readiness to continue supporting Vietnam in achieving its development goals and strategic priorities.
