Safety – positioning Vietnam's "soft brand"

Over 1,800 delegates from more than 30 countries, including over 500 CEOs and leaders of international organizations, converged in Ho Chi Minh City for the Autumn Economic Forum 2025. Beyond the intensive discussions on green transformation, digital transformation, supply chain restructuring, and global capital flows, this forum sent a particularly important message: Vietnam is emerging as a safe, stable, and reliable destination for global corporations to engage in dialogue, collaborate, and expand investment.

Amidst global instability, geopolitical conflicts, supply chain disruptions, and rising non-traditional security risks, the fact that the largest economic forum ever was held successfully and safely in Vietnam is not only an organizational and operational achievement but also compelling evidence of a peaceful country with a stable political and social environment.

That is the "brand" that Vietnam has persistently built over many decades. It is this foundation that allows Vietnam to host regional and global events safely and smoothly.

Throughout the three days of the forum, thousands of delegates traveled, worked, and networked in various conference spaces, dialogue venues, and field surveys. There, one witnessed seamless coordination between central and local agencies, between the state apparatus and the business community, and between technical and logistical support forces and international delegations. All activities proceeded in an orderly and smooth manner, meeting the standards of a safe destination but without creating a sense of isolation or constraint – a factor particularly valued by global investors.

In recent years, Vietnam's foreign direct investment (FDI) disbursement has continuously increased sharply, maintaining its leading position in the region. Many large corporations from Europe, the US, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore have identified Vietnam as a key destination in their global strategies.

When deciding to locate a manufacturing plant, research and development (R&D) center, or restructure a supply chain, the first question investors always ask is: "Is this destination safe, stable, and predictable?" The impressive presence of over 1,800 delegates, including hundreds of senior leaders from technology, finance, energy, and creative industries, is the clearest and most convincing answer.

At this year's forum, the direct dialogue between the Prime Minister and leaders of the World Economic Forum (WEF) and 500 global CEOs once again affirmed Vietnam's position and role. The message emphasized was not only that Vietnam is ready to welcome new investment capital, but more importantly, that Vietnam is a reliable partner, a responsible member, and a cornerstone of dialogue between nations and businesses during a period of profound global transformation. A safe destination today is not simply understood as "free from violence or conflict," but as a place where capital, goods, and data flows operate within a transparent, stable legal framework and are backed by trust.

Ho Chi Minh City – the host city of the forum – is also a vivid example of that “safety brand.” As the most populous city in the country, home to a dense concentration of private enterprises, FDI businesses, financial institutions, logistics centers, and technology hubs, the city cannot maintain its investment appeal without ensuring security, safety, and social order.

The successful organization of the Autumn Economic Forum 2025 demonstrates that Ho Chi Minh City is meeting all the conditions of a regional economic and financial center: safe, stable, integrated, and dynamic. This is not only an immediate advantage but also a long-term foundation for the city to continue playing its role as the economic locomotive of the country.

Looking at it more broadly, the 2025 Autumn Economic Forum is not just a foreign affairs and economic event, but also an opportunity for the international community to "verify" Vietnam's safety brand through real-world experience. Safety is gradually becoming an important component of a nation's "soft brand." It is also a crucial foundation for Vietnam to steadily move forward towards its goal of becoming a developed, high-income, responsible nation with an increasingly prominent position in the international community.

AI VAN

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/an-toan-dinh-vi-thuong-hieu-mem-cua-viet-nam-post825846.html