VIETNAM Trends and Developments Contributed by: Tung Ngo, Ngan Nguyen, Hien Tran and Quynh Chi Nguyen, VILAF
In parallel, the launch of an international maritime financial ecosystem (the International Maritime Financial Ecosystem, another initiative under VIFC- HCMC), supported by strategic cooperation between financial institutions and logistics operators such as Vietcombank and Gemadept, aims to integrate finan - cial services with port infrastructure, trade flows and global supply chains. This initiative seeks to enhance domestic value retention in maritime activities and develop higher-value financial services, including trade finance, insurance and risk management, which have historically been performed offshore. The regulatory framework is further complemented by specialised institutional mechanisms within the finan - cial centre. In particular, the establishment of an Inter - national Arbitration Centre creates a dedicated dispute resolution forum for commercial and investment-relat - ed matters arising within the VIFC ecosystem. Its juris - diction is based on party agreement, allowing parties to refer to disputes arising from activities within the VIFC to a forum aligned with international arbitration practice. The framework also permits parties, subject to agreement, to waive recourse to setting-aside pro - ceedings before domestic courts, thereby enhancing the finality and enforceability of arbitral awards. This mechanism is designed to improve predictability in dispute resolution and reduce post-award litigation risks, particularly for cross-border transactions. In addition, the Commodity Exchange within the VIFC introduces a regulated platform for trading a broad range of asset classes, including commodities, ener - gy products, derivatives, metals and emerging prod - ucts such as carbon credits and tokenised assets. The platform is structured to enable integrated trad - ing, hedging and financing functions, supporting the development of more sophisticated financial products within Vietnam’s market. Key trends emerging from the framework include: • development of specialised financial hubs, includ - ing aviation and maritime finance, integrated with real economy sectors; • expansion of fintech, digital asset and carbon- related financial services within controlled regula - tory environments;
• greater flexibility in capital mobilisation and cross- border transactions; • gradual adoption of international accounting stand - ards and market practices; • growth of integrated ecosystems linking finance, logistics, infrastructure and trade; • establishment of specialised dispute resolution and market infrastructure platforms supporting investor protection and market development. For foreign investors, the financial centre offers a stra - tegic platform for accessing Vietnam’s financial mar - kets and participating in both traditional and emerg - ing sectors, while benefiting from a more flexible and internationally aligned regulatory framework. Strategic Direction in Technology, Sustainability and the Digital Economy Vietnam’s development strategy is increasingly anchored in the convergence of technology, sustain - ability and digital transformation. The government has positioned science, technology, innovation and digitalisation as central drivers of national growth, reinforced through Resolution No 57-NQ/TW, which sets ambitious targets for digital competitiveness and economic modernisation. This shift is already reflected in measurable outcomes. Vietnam’s digital economy reached approximately USD 72.1 billion in 2025, contributing around 14.02% of GDP and recording strong growth momentum across sectors. These figures highlight the transition of the digital economy from a high-growth sector into a foundational component of the national economic structure. In parallel, climate commitments have been inte - grated into national policy. Vietnam’s net zero target by 2050, combined with strengthened environmental regulation and ESG requirements, reflects a broader transition toward a sustainability-driven growth model. For investors, this dual focus on technology and sus - tainability increasingly shapes regulatory priorities and project approval processes. Within this framework, the digital economy has evolved from a high-growth sector into a critical component of national infrastructure. Recent legislative reforms,
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