Vietnam seeks deeper integration into global value chains, forum told

Vietnam needs to shift its economic strategy from passive participation in global supply chains to a more active role in value creation, according to senior government officials at the Autumn Economic Forum 2026.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Van Thang emphasized that while connecting Vietnamese businesses to existing or emerging value chains remains important, the priority now is establishing the institutional frameworks, mechanisms and capabilities that allow Vietnam and its international partners to engage more directly in building new value chains from the ground up.

The forum, which brought together regional and international stakeholders, addressed how Vietnam can position itself to capture greater economic benefits from trade relationships. Officials highlighted the need for environmental sustainability in logistics and the development of advanced manufacturing capabilities as key areas for growth.

The Vietnam International Finance Center in Ho Chi Minh City announced its first 10 official members as part of broader efforts to strengthen the country's financial infrastructure. Prime Minister statements during the forum underscored Vietnam's commitment to proactively adapting to regional and global economic changes while identifying new growth drivers for the national economy.

Photo: A cargo ship at Cat Lai Port on the Saigon River, Ho Chi Minh City, June 2013. Bem photography via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0).