Bangkok (VNA) – The Vietnam Private Economy Forum 2025, held for the first time in Udon Thani province, Thailand, reflected the open mindset and aspiration to go global of Vietnamese private businesses, with a focus on building cross-border value chains.
The forum convened under the theme “Strengthening Vietnam – Thailand Economic Cooperation in the New Era”. Nearly 150 leaders, experts and entrepreneurs from both countries attended, with particular attention on the “Go Global” dialogue session, which underscored the role of the private sector in driving regional integration and outward expansion.
The event saw the participation of Vietnamese Consul General in Khon Kaen Dinh Hoang Linh, Udon Thani Governor Rachan Sunhua, and senior representatives of the Vietnam Young Business Association (YBA), including Nguyen Tri Quang, Nguyen Ngoc Tan and Nguyen Thi Hoang Anh, among others. Their presence demonstrated both the stature of the event and the expectations attached to it.
Delegates agreed that Vietnam’s private sector has officially become a pillar of the economy. With more than 860,000 enterprises, the sector contributes around 42% of GDP and provides jobs for nearly 85% of the workforce. Young and dynamic entrepreneurs are emerging as leaders in key fields such as technology, logistics, tourism and green agriculture, spearheading the realisation of the “Go Global” ambition.
Consul General Linh emphasised the role of diplomatic missions as bridges between the state, businesses and overseas Vietnamese communities. He said overseas Vietnamese enterprises in particular represent a new driving force for national development, pointing to a synergistic ecosystem linking state agencies, domestic businesses, and overseas Vietnamese firms.
The “Go Global” session addressed challenges that must be resolved for Vietnamese firms to strengthen their regional and global presence. Speakers pointed to legal and administrative barriers, high logistics costs, limited governance capacity, and the need for ASEAN visa policy reforms to facilitate labour mobility, trade and tourism.
Experts from both Vietnam and Thailand offered concrete solutions. Dr. Kongkiat Opaswongkarn, representing the Asia Plus group, called for stronger investment in logistics infrastructure and supply chain management technology to optimise trade flows. Suriyan Vichitlekarn of the Mekong Institute urged greater cooperation in the green economy and sustainable production.
From a business perspective, Imperial Group’s Huynh Trung Nam highlighted the vast market potential of Northeast Thailand, where cultural and consumer habit similarities promise opportunities for Vietnamese goods and services.
Chu Khanh Linh, representing the Young Entrepreneurs Tourism Club, proposed developing cross-border tourism chains linking destinations in Vietnam and Thailand to improve competitiveness and build a stronger joint brand identity.
In his closing remarks, organising committee head Nguyen Ngoc Tan affirmed that young Vietnamese entrepreneurs will take the lead in creating cross-border value chains, contributing to the ASEAN Community’s collective growth and Vietnam’s profile in the region.
The selection of Udon Thani as the forum venue was also highly symbolic. As Governor Rachan Sunhua explained, the province occupies a strategic position in the Mekong sub-region, serving as a gateway to Laos, Vietnam and southern China. With a high-speed rail network under development, Udon Thani is expected to become an emerging logistics hub, ideally positioned for the value chains that Vietnamese and Thai businesses seek to build together.
The Thai version of the Vietnam Private Economy Forum 2025 marked a significant shift in perspective: from “integration” toward “creation” and “leadership” in shaping regional value chains. It showcased how Vietnamese private enterprises are not only participants but also initiators in the global marketplace.
With the guiding spirit of “Courage – Innovation – Integration – Creating Vietnamese Value”, Vietnam’s private sector, especially its younger generation of entrepreneurs, is writing a new chapter in its “Go Global” journey.
The forum in Udon Thani provided both a platform for dialogue and a springboard for action, reinforcing the sector’s growing role as a driver of Vietnam’s economic future and its expanding regional influence./.
