CEOs to discuss ASEAN integration

The Vietnam CEO Forum will discuss opportunities and challenges arising from the formation of ASEAN Economic Community.
CEOs to discuss ASEAN integration ảnh 1Photo: bizlive.vn

The opportunities and challenges arising from the formation of an ASEAN Economic Community, and what strategies Vietnamese firms should apply to stay afloat will be among the issues on the agenda at the Vietnam CEO Forum to be held in HCM City on September 24.

Titled CEO 3.0: Embarking on the New Mission – Mentality of 90 or 600?, the forum will bring together the CEOs of around 1,000 local and foreign firms and policy makers, who will share their practical experience in cross-border business and penetrating new markets.

Tran Duc Huy, Deputy Chairman of the Young Businesspeople Association of HCM City (YBA), said the establishment of the AEC by the end of this year would create a single market with 600 million consumers.

Countries like Thailand have prepared well for penetrating other ASEAN markets, but Vietnamese firms remain unmindful, he said.

A survey by the Vietnam National University found that 60 percent of Vietnamese firms do not know about AEC and its likely effects on them.

The forum is expected to enable CEOs to formulate business to cope with the fierce competition both in domestic and foreign markets, he said.

The forum, organised by the YBA, the Leading Business Club, the 2030 Businessmen Club, and the Business Association of Vietnamese High Quality Goods, will be held at White Palace Convention Centre in Phu Nhuan district.

Keynote speakers will include Minister of Justice Ha Hung Cuong, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh, Boston Consulting Group chairman Hans-Paul Burkner, Global Integration Business Consultants chairman Pham Phu Ngoc Trai, Vinamilk general director Mai Kieu Lien, and Microsoft Vietnam CEO Vu Minh Tri.-VNA

VNA

See more

Workers process tra (pangasius) for export (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam–Singapore trade continues to thrive

For the year as a whole, Vietnam retained its position as Singapore’s 10th largest trading partner. Bilateral trade reached a record high of nearly 40 billion SGD, up 26.2% from the previous peak of 31.67 billion SGD recorded in 2024.

Eric Van Vaerenbergh, an energy expert and lecturer at the Brussels Engineering School (ECAM) (Photo: VNA)

Belgian expert optimistic about Vietnam’s economic outlook

Vietnam should move from a growth model based mainly on expanding capital and labour to one driven by productivity improvements. He said that this requires enhancing the quality of the workforce, particularly engineers, technicians, and managers in industrial sectors.

Workers at the VSIP Hai Phong industrial and urban complex, which specialises in producing electronic components for office equipment. (Photo: VNA)

Roadmap aims to improve business climate and boost competitiveness

By the end of 2026, Vietnam aims to rank among the world’s top 50 performers in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, advance at least three places in the International Property Rights Index, and climb at least one position in the Global Innovation Index.

Vietnam is strengthening its position in the technology value chain, becoming a major manufacturing hub for complete consumer electronics products. (Photo: VNA)

ESG standards offer opportunities to reposition Vietnam’s electronics firms

The 2025-2027 period will be a critical turning point, as exporters to the European market will be required to strictly comply with ESG standards, including net-zero emissions roadmaps, labour standards, corporate governance and transparency requirements. As a key export sector, the electronics industry is being directly and strongly affected by this shift.

A production line for camera modules and electronic components at the factory of MCNEX VINA Co. Ltd, a Republic of Korean-invested company in Phuc Son Industrial Park, Ninh Binh province. (Photo: VNA)

Science, technology, innovation as engines of economic growth

To ensure that science and technology truly act as a powerful growth engine, experts emphasised the need for the Government to put in place supportive mechanisms and policies that encourage enterprises to invest in research and development, while strengthening cooperation among the State, research institutions and the business sector.

The headquarters of the Ministry of Industry and Trade in Hanoi (Photo: VNA)

PM updates lead roles to drive UKVFTA forward

The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) is named the lead agency, with overall responsibility for the agreement’s general goals and definitions, trade remedies, non-tariff barriers to trade and investment in renewable energy, competition policies, State-owned enterprises, enterprises with special or exclusive rights and those with designated monopolies, as well as institutional, general and final terms.

Vietravel Airlines is taking measures to enhance service quality and optimise operations amid high travel demand during Tet. (Photo: VNA)

Vietravel Airlines to add new route serving Lunar New Year travel peak

During the peak period of the Lunar New Year (Tet) festival in 2026, Vietravel Airlines plans to operate six – eight flights daily on the Ho Chi Minh City – Hanoi route, three flights daily on the Ho Chi Minh City – Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City – Vinh routes; and two flights daily on the Ho Chi Minh City – Quy Nhon route.

The completion of Can Tho - Ca Mau expressway has helped shorten travel time from Can Tho to Ca Mau to just one hour and a half (Photo: VNA)

Can Tho–Ca Mau expressway fully opens from January 19

The new section, together with the Can Tho–Hau Giang segment that has been operating smoothly since late December last year, has completed the entire 110.85-km route. With total investment exceeding 27.52 trillion VND (1.04 billion USD), the four-lane expressway is built to modern standards and serves as a key transport artery linking major economic and political centres, industrial zones and seaports in the southwestern region.