Viet Nam pledges to stand alongside investors, listen, and create the most favourable conditions

On the morning of 30 September (local time), in Frankfurt, Federal Republic of Germany, Standing Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh attended and delivered remarks at the Investment Promotion Conference for Viet Nam’s International Financial Centre, co-organised by the Ministry of Finance, the Embassy of Viet Nam in Germany, the Consulate General of Viet Nam in Frankfurt, and the Da Nang Municipal People’s Committee.

This important event brought together a large number of leaders from organisations, financial institutions, corporations, enterprises, investors and leading financial experts of Germany. Their presence not only reflects deep interest, but is also vivid evidence of the Viet Nam–Germany Strategic Partnership – a relationship built over 50 years, increasingly substantive, result-oriented and far-reaching.

Affirming strong internal strength and flexible adaptability

On behalf of the Government of Viet Nam, Standing Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh expressed his appreciation for the companionship, candid feedback and highly valuable experience shared by German organisations, financial institutions, corporations, enterprises, investors and financial experts throughout the process in which Viet Nam has been studying and formulating policies for its International Financial Centre.

Frankfurt is not only the financial heart of Germany and Europe, but also a global symbol of dynamism, discipline and innovation. With a development history spanning centuries – from its legal infrastructure and governance model to its comprehensive financial ecosystem – Frankfurt represents a valuable model that Viet Nam is actively learning from and aspiring towards.
 

According to Standing Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh, in a global economic context marked by volatility and challenges, Viet Nam has demonstrated strong internal resilience and a high capacity for flexible adaptation.

Viet Nam has consistently pursued the goals of macroeconomic stability, inflation control and maintaining major economic balances, achieving highly positive outcomes. GDP growth in the first six months of 2025 reached 7.52%, one of the highest rates in many years – a telling figure that speaks to the momentum of the economy. Foreign direct investment (FDI) continues to be a bright spot, with realised capital in the first eight months reaching 15.4 billion USD, reaffirming Viet Nam’s position among the 15 largest FDI-attracting developing countries in the world and as a safe, attractive destination for international investors.

These achievements are by no means accidental. They are the result of a persistent reform process, with crucial contributions from the international community, including the Federal Republic of Germany – Viet Nam’s trusted strategic partner. Economic, trade and investment cooperation has become a solid pillar and a prominent highlight in bilateral relations.

In terms of investment, with 505 projects and registered capital of 2.9 billion USD, Germany ranks 3rd out of 24 EU countries and 17th out of 149 countries and territories investing in Viet Nam. German enterprises have expanded their presence in Viet Nam, including many renowned multinational corporations such as Siemens, B. Braun, Messer, Mercedes-Benz, Bilfinger, Bosch, Deutsche Bank, Allianz and others. Conversely, Vietnamese investors have also invested in Germany with 44 projects.
 

The Investment Promotion Conference for Viet Nam’s International Financial Centre is co-organised by the Ministry of Finance, the Embassy of Viet Nam in Germany, the Consulate General of Viet Nam in Frankfurt, and the Da Nang Municipal People’s Committee – Photo: VGP/Nguyen Hoang
 

In trade, by the end of August 2025, two-way trade between Viet Nam and Germany reached more than 8.8 billion USD, up 13.8% compared to the same period in 2024. Of this, Viet Nam’s exports to Germany reached 6.2 billion USD and imports stood at 2.6 billion USD. Germany is currently Viet Nam’s second-largest trading partner in the EU and an important transit gateway for Vietnamese goods entering other European markets.

“It can be said that this strong, time-tested relationship is precisely the solid foundation that allows us to confidently move together into a new phase of deeper and more comprehensive cooperation,” the Standing Deputy Prime Minister emphasised.

Viet Nam is formulating its socio-economic development plan to enter a new stage of development, with the aspiration to become a developed, high-income country by 2045. To realise this aspiration, there is an urgent need to renew the growth model, enhance national competitiveness, and develop the green economy, digital economy and knowledge-based economy in line with global trends.

In this context, the establishment of an international financial centre is not merely a sectoral goal of the financial industry, but has become an inevitable trend, a key task, and an integral component of Viet Nam’s overall strategy on institutional reform and international integration.

In June this year, the National Assembly of Viet Nam adopted a Resolution on the establishment of an International Financial Centre, with the objective of building a comprehensive, modern and globally connected financial ecosystem. This decision is aimed at attracting capital flows to serve three strategic breakthroughs: building a comprehensive, advanced legal corridor; developing synchronous, modern economic infrastructure; and attracting high-quality human resources. At the same time, it seeks to create a zone for the implementation of new, flexible policy frameworks and governance models compatible with the requirements of globalisation and the trend of digital transformation.
 

The crucial need for participation of global enterprises and financial institutions

Standing Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh stressed that Viet Nam’s vision for the development of its financial centre is grounded in solid foundations and in the country’s unique, distinctive advantages.

These include a stable political environment; a facilitating, development-oriented Government that takes strong, decisive action in support of businesses; an abundant, eager-to-learn workforce with strong aspirations to rise; a robust macroeconomic footing; and, in particular, readiness to embrace the wave of digital financial transformation.

To turn this vision and enormous potential into reality, Viet Nam very much needs the participation of global enterprises and financial institutions – including German companies, from a country with advanced scientific and technological capabilities, strong financial capacity, and a proven record of successful and effective investment cooperation in Viet Nam.

“The Government of Viet Nam is committed to standing alongside investors, listening to them and creating the most favourable conditions, so that in the spirit of ‘harmonised interests, shared risks’, we can work together, succeed together, and share in the fruits of that success,” Standing Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh stated.

To further advance the Viet Nam–Germany Strategic Partnership in a deeper and more effective manner, particularly in the process of developing the financial centre, the Standing Deputy Prime Minister highlighted three major proposals.

Aspiration for Frankfurt to become a strategic partner in developing Viet Nam’s International Financial Centre

First, Viet Nam hopes that Frankfurt – as a hub and headquarters location for leading multinational corporations and financial investment funds, and as one of the world’s major financial centres – will become a strategic partner in the development of Viet Nam’s International Financial Centre.

Viet Nam proposes establishing a regular cooperation mechanism between Frankfurt Main Finance and relevant Vietnamese agencies as well as the two cities of Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, in order to implement concrete cooperation programmes on policy development, human resource training, and sharing of experience in governance and operations.

Second, Viet Nam cordially invites German corporations, enterprises, financial institutions and investors to study and participate in investment in Viet Nam’s International Financial Centre, especially in areas where Germany has strengths and Viet Nam has substantial needs, such as green finance, sustainable finance, FinTech, fund management and InsurTech (insurance technology).

Third, both sides should act together to strengthen connectivity between the two financial markets, leveraging Viet Nam’s role as a gateway to the dynamic ASEAN market and Germany’s position as a gateway to the large, high-quality EU market.

“The Government of Viet Nam is committed to continuing robust reforms, creating all possible favourable conditions, and working closely with partners to successfully build Viet Nam’s International Financial Centre. I firmly believe that with our highest level of political determination and your companionship and cooperation, Viet Nam’s International Financial Centre in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang will not only become a symbol of Viet Nam’s prosperity, but will also serve as a solid and effective bridge linking our two economies, contributing positively to the stability and common development of the global financial system and standing as a symbol of Viet Nam–Germany relations,” Standing Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh emphasised.

At the Conference, in the presence of Standing Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh and other delegates, Chairman of the Da Nang Municipal People’s Committee Pham Duc An and the CEO of Frankfurt Main Finance signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in sharing experience in the organisation and operation of international financial centres; connecting and introducing investors, financial institutions and investment funds to participate in investment, business and activities at Viet Nam’s International Financial Centre in Da Nang and at Frankfurt Main Finance; and supporting capacity building and implementation of training programmes for officials, regulators and financial experts of Da Nang City.