Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam’s roadmap to establishing an international financial centre (IFC) hinges not only on planning, infrastructure and human capital, but above all, on attracting strategic investors, according to experts.
Foreign investors showing interest
Resolution No. 222/2025/QH15, recently signed by National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, lays out a legal framework for the development of IFCs in Vietnam, with Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang named as the two designated hubs.
Coming into force on September 1, the resolution introduces a range of breakthrough and competitive mechanisms to support the centres’ development.
While groundwork such as land-use planning, zoning and infrastructure is being addressed, one of the most decisive factors for success lies in the ability to attract investors, particularly strategic ones.
Recent developments suggest growing foreign interest. Following a 1.5 billion USD investment in Hung Yen, the Trump Organization has showed interest in developing a project in Thu Thiem - the area set to house Ho Chi Minh City’s IFC.
A senior delegation from the organisation has already conducted field visits and held talks with local authorities to explore the potential site for a proposed Trump Tower, which will include a shopping mall, luxury apartments, a five-star hotel and office space. The company is also eyeing Da Nang, Vietnam’s second planned IFC location.
According to a recent report by the Da Nang People’s Committee, over 10 investors have expressed their interest and commitment to participating in the development of the local IFC. Notably, a consortium comprising Makara Capital, Terne Holding and Trump Organization has proposed to become a strategic investor in the Da Nang centre.
Makara Capital Partners, a leading Singaporean firm specialising in fund management, asset investment and innovative financial solutions, has already built ties with Vietnam. During a meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in early July 2025, Chairman and CEO Ali Ijaz Ahmad affirmed that Makara had conducted “in-depth” market research and expressed confidence in Vietnam’s strategic development vision.
Beyond its biopharma industrial park in Hung Yen (formerly in Thai Binh), Makara also aims to support the restructuring of Vietnamese banks and participate in IFC development. According to Ahmad, the group could mobilise between 5 and 7 billion USD to support this effort.
In a separate meeting in March, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh urged Swire Group - one of the UK’s leading conglomerates - to take part in the development of IFCs in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang. Swire has already invested in Empire City in Thu Thiem, widely regarded as the heart of the southern IFC. The group pledged continued support for the area's development.
The strategic investor imperative
While foreign interest is encouraging, the key question remains - when will these plans materialise, and how can Vietnam attract the calibre of investors needed to anchor its IFCs?
Nguyen Van Quang, Secretary of the Da Nang Party Committee, recently underscored a broader perspective during a meeting with voters. In his view, an IFC is more than just “a financial office”—it must be a “living ecosystem” where investors genuinely feel it is a desirable place to live and invest.
Finance Minister Nguyen Van Thang echoed this, stating that the goal of building IFCs is to attract international capital flows to serve Vietnam’s three strategic breakthroughs, support both traditional and emerging growth drivers, and promote high-end financial services. These centres, he said, will also be key to piloting and managing emerging markets in line with real-world demands.
In addition to a “liveable” ecosystem, a thriving IFC requires a robust network of investors. The challenge, then, is not only to build the physical infrastructure but also to create conditions that entice major financial players to establish a base in Vietnam.
The roles of the two designated IFCs are already clearly defined. The Ho Chi Minh City centre is expected to focus on capital markets, banking, fintech sandboxes, and specialised trading platforms. Meanwhile, Da Nang will test new models such as green finance, sustainable finance, fintech innovation and digital financial services.
Ultimately, Vietnam’s IFC vision is targeting the world’s top financial institutions and investment funds, seeking to develop a vibrant ecosystem to support digital finance, digital assets and fintech applications./.
