Describing the RoK as a strategic partner of VIFC-HCMC, a leader of the centre said cooperation potential is significant given the country’s developed capital market, modern banking system, technological strengths and experience in building financial centres in Seoul, Busan and Incheon.
Overseas Bank (UOB) Vietnam on July 1 broke ground on UOB Plaza Ho Chi Minh City, marking marks a new milestone in its long-term growth strategy for Vietnam, a market it has identified as a key ASEAN battleground.
The Vietnam International Financial Centre (VIFC) is expected to play a pivotal role in attracting, connecting and channeling high-quality capital flows into the country.
The development strategy for VIFC-HCMC envisions a comprehensive financial ecosystem encompassing green finance, carbon credits, financial technology (fintech), blockchain technology, digital assets, digital banking and other innovative business models. These highly internationalised sectors involve complex cross-border transactions and sophisticated legal structures.
Assoc. Prof. and Dr. Nguyen Huu Huan, Vice Chairman of the VIFC-HCMC Executive Board, said the centre is envisioned as an integrated finance-technology-trade ecosystem operating under international standards.
According to Associate Professor Nguyen Huu Huan, Vice Chairman of the VIFC-HCMC Executive Board, the Fintech Hub plays a central role in building a comprehensive fintech ecosystem and marks an important step in developing infrastructure and market connectivity to support the city’s ambition of becoming an international financial centre.
Researchers from the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City have proposed a sandbox model targeting high value-added sectors while maintaining strict risk controls.
According to the latest Global Financial Centres Index 2026 (GFCI 39), Ho Chi Minh City ranked 84th out of 120 financial centres worldwide, climbing 11 positions compared with 2025. Within ASEAN, the city now ranks third behind Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, overtaking Bangkok and Jakarta.
The Vietnam International Financial Centre in Ho Chi Minh City (VIFC-HCMC) has been structured around four pillar product groups, which are seen as the foundation for gradually building Ho Chi Minh City into a competitive financial hub in the region and the world.
Ho Chi Minh City aims to rank among the world’s top 75 financial centres under the Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI) by 2035, with the longer-term goal of reaching the top 50 by 2045.
The strong turnout of major corporations, strategic investors and global billionaires at bilateral meetings and sidelines discussions further underscored the growing appeal of VIFC-HCMC, fuelling expectations of large-scale international capital inflows and laying the groundwork for long-term, sustainable partnerships.