Workshop 'Vietnam, the next growth engine in ASEAN' in Hong Kong (China)

Vietnam is currently in the top 20 global destinations for attracting foreign direct investment and international trade.

Delegates attending the workshop.

On July 17, in Hong Kong (China), the Hong Kong Association of Banks held a workshop with the theme "Vietnam, the next growth engine in ASEAN".

The workshop attracted the participation of about 200 delegates, including leaders of banks, financial corporations, representatives of management agencies, businesses, investors from Hong Kong (China), mainland China and foreign investors.

Speaking at the conference, Vietnamese Consul General in Hong Kong (China) Le Duc Hanh emphasized that over the past four decades, Vietnam has made a strong transformation, from a country devastated by war to a middle-income economy and an important link in the international integration chain.

In 2024, Vietnam became the third largest economy in Southeast Asia with a GDP exceeding 400 billion USD, ranking 32nd in the world . In the first six months of 2025, Vietnam's economy grew by 7.52% over the same period last year - the highest level in the same period since 2011 and leading the ASEAN region. The annual growth target is 8%. Vietnam is currently in the top 20 global destinations for attracting foreign direct investment and international trade.

Consul General Le Duc Hanh identified Vietnam’s new growth drivers in the coming period, including: Science - technology , innovation and digital transformation; dynamic private sector; institutional reform, governance modernization; large-scale breakthrough projects; and deep international integration.

Consul General of Vietnam in Hong Kong (China) Le Duc Hanh gave an opening speech at the Conference.

Ms. Le Duc Hanh especially emphasized the economic cooperation relationship between Vietnam and Hong Kong (China), assessing Hong Kong as the fifth largest investor in Vietnam and a strategic bridge between the Greater Bay Area and Southeast Asia thanks to taking advantage of the “one country, two systems” model and its super-connected location with mainland China.

Speaking at the discussion session, Ms. Vu Thi Thuy, Deputy Consul General, Chief Representative of the Vietnam Trade Agency in Hong Kong (China), emphasized that Vietnam is currently issuing many preferential investment policies, such as: exemption and reduction of corporate income tax for priority projects, land support, transparent and convenient investment procedures, and enjoying advantages from a large network of new-generation free trade agreements.

Ms. Vu Thi Thuy affirmed that with continuous efforts in improving the investment environment, enhancing institutions, developing human resources and promoting green growth, Vietnam is committed to accompanying international enterprises on the journey of sustainable and long-term development.

Delegates discuss at the discussion session.

At the workshop, delegates assessed that Vietnam has outstanding economic potential, maintaining strong and breakthrough growth momentum, even during the crisis and pandemic. The process of transforming the economic structure towards modernization, with a high proportion of services and the advantage of a golden population, has helped Vietnam become an attractive and reliable destination for foreign investors, playing the role of a new growth engine in ASEAN.

Delegates also expect that Vietnam and Hong Kong (China) will continue to promote cooperation in potential areas such as innovation, finance, logistics, green economy and high-quality human resource development.

The workshop attracted the participation of about 200 delegates, including leaders of banks, financial groups, representatives of management agencies, businesses, investors...

A representative of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority shared that the workshop is part of a series of events on ASEAN, reflecting Hong Kong's priorities for the region.

At the same time, the workshop also aims to prepare for a visit to Vietnam to explore cooperation and investment opportunities of a delegation of Hong Kong businesses and banks in the fields of finance, science and technology led by leaders of the Banking Association and the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, scheduled to take place next September.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/hoi-thao-viet-nam-dong-luc-tang-truong-tiep-theo-trong-asean-tai-hong-kong-trung-quoc-321440.html