The forum gathered over 300 delegates, including senior government officials, leading economists, representatives from financial institutions, research institutes, and the domestic and international business community. The event was jointly organized by the Vietnam Association of Economic Science, the Vietnam Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, and Vietnam Economic Times/VnEconomy, under the policy guidance of the Central Policy and Strategy Committee. The forum was co-chaired by Mr. Trần Lưu Quang – Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Central Party Committee, and Head of the Central Policy and Strategy Committee – and Deputy Prime Minister Nguyễn Chí Dũng.
In his remarks at the forum, Mr. Trần Lưu Quang emphasized that rapid growth is not merely a numerical target, but a prerequisite for ensuring social stability and improving the quality of life for Vietnamese people in the medium and long term. In a world undergoing simultaneous digital transformation, green transition, and global value chain restructuring, he noted that Vietnam must seize this opportunity to upgrade its position in global supply chains, develop high value-added sectors, and strengthen economic independence and resilience. He also cautioned that without breakthroughs in institutional reform, productivity enhancement, and the mobilization of social resources, Vietnam risks missing the "window of opportunity" that is currently open — and the threat of falling into the middle-income trap is more real than ever.
Mr. Trần Lưu Quang – Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Head of the Central Policy and Strategy Committee – delivered the opening speech at the Forum.
In his opening speech, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyễn Chí Dũng stressed that the target of achieving around 8% GDP growth in 2025 and moving toward double-digit growth in the following years is not merely aspirational but a realistic necessity if Vietnam aims to leap forward and become an upper-middle-income country before 2030. In the face of global economic deceleration, shrinking export markets, rising capital costs, and limited policy space, this goal places even greater pressure on Vietnam to transform its growth model. Policy makers and experts alike agreed that to sustain rapid and resilient growth, Vietnam must adopt a new development mindset—integrating institutional reform, technological advancement, financial innovation, and more efficient mobilization of societal resources.
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyễn Chí Dũng, co-chair of the Forum, also delivered the opening address
Among the focal points raised by delegates was the pivotal role of institutions in removing development bottlenecks. Opinions converged on the view that legal inconsistencies, investment mechanisms, resource allocation, and administrative procedures are impeding the pace of policy implementation and undermining business momentum. Institutional reform must go beyond amending individual laws; it requires a holistic approach and an expansion of policy experimentation spaces—especially in key economic zones. Institutions must play a "developmental leadership" role, enabling the formation and scaling of new economic models.
In addition to institutional issues, the forum also highlighted the importance of mobilizing and allocating financial resources effectively. Given limited public budgets, directing private capital through smart public finance tools—such as conditional concessional loans, public-private co-financing, or risk guarantees—is viewed as a necessary strategy. Many experts proposed developing medium- and long-term financial frameworks for breakthrough sectors such as high technology, green manufacturing, renewable energy, and strategic logistics. At the same time, support packages for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) should be designed to be both practical and accessible.
Ms. Mai Kiều Liên – CEO of Vinamilk – presented several solutions at the Forum to promote green and sustainable economic growth.
Among the growth pillars mentioned at the forum, the development of the green economy, circular economy, and the pursuit of Vietnam’s Net Zero 2050 commitment emerged as particularly noteworthy. Although not the forum’s central theme, many delegates stressed that growth must go hand in hand with sustainability, making these elements an integral part of the new growth model and a long-term competitive advantage. To make the green transition a genuine growth driver, Vietnam must urgently complete its regulatory framework, while supporting enterprises in accessing clean technology, green financing, and global ESG standards. The establishment and operation of a domestic carbon market is also seen as a strategic move to create natural incentives for emission reduction and green investment.
Delegates also made concrete recommendations to enhance the role of businesses in the country’s growth strategy. Notably, the proposal to allocate at least 30% of public investment projects for SME participation was emphasized as a dual-purpose solution: it would strengthen the capacity of the private sector while enhancing the spillover impact of public spending. On the other hand, improving the competence of implementation personnel—at both central and local levels—was regarded as a prerequisite to ensuring that development policies are executed consistently and effectively in practice.
Throughout the Forum, numerous initiatives, valuable insights, and constructive recommendations were put forward and duly acknowledged by leaders of the Party and
the State.
Overall, the Vietnam Economic Growth Forum 2025 conveyed a clear message: achieving high growth in the coming period cannot rely on outdated approaches. Instead, it requires a new development ecosystem—one in which institutional innovation, smart finance, digital transformation, and green growth serve as foundational pillars. This presents not only a challenge, but also a significant opportunity for the business community—especially pioneering enterprises—to take on a transformative role.
_cr_480x332.png)
_cr_480x332.png)
