International experts upbeat about Ho Chi Minh City-WEF partnership

Speaking to Tuoi Tre (Youth) online newspaper on the sidelines of the Autumn Economic Forum 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City, international experts and guests said Vietnam is well positioned to attract investment and expand cooperation, while the forum offers the city an opportunity to establish itself as a destination for business and investment.

Philipp Rösler, an adviser to the executive board of the Vietnam International Financial Center in Ho Chi Minh City (VIFC-HCM), former German vice-chancellor and former WEF managing board member, said he was pleased to see Ho Chi Minh City, VIFC-HCM, and the WEF join forces to co-brand the Autumn Economic Forum.

"There is no better way than to create success. That is precisely the public-private partnership model I have always believed in," Rösler said.

He said each partner brings distinct strengths to the table. 

Ho Chi Minh City has had strong commitment and support from its leadership, VIFC contributes business expertise and understanding, while the WEF has the ability to bring different stakeholders together.

"This combination will attract business partners and investors while raising Ho Chi Minh City's profile in the global economic community as a destination for business and finance, with a complete ecosystem," he said.

The former German vice-chancellor said the forum would also highlight Vietnam's recent upgrade by FTSE Russell to emerging market status.

"Vietnam's real economy has had a solid foundation for quite some time. The upgrade in financial markets has come at the right moment and will attract institutional investors from around the world. Vietnam is certainly a destination for businesses and now also for financial investors," he said.

Rösler added that Vietnam is also well suited to hosting major global events.

"Vietnam is set for a remarkable development journey as a hub bringing the region and the world together," he said.

'Cooperation should go beyond initiatives'

Ajit Kumar, joint secretary at India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, said he had felt the forum's atmosphere throughout Ho Chi Minh City since arriving. 

He praised the Vietnamese government, Ho Chi Minh City, and the Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution for their serious commitment to organizing the event.

Through speeches and discussion sessions, he said, it was clear that both Vietnam and India wanted to deepen cooperation.

"Things should not stop at initiatives. We need more workshops, roundtable discussions, and events to gain a clearer understanding of our priority areas," he said.

He highlighted semiconductors as one of the key areas for cooperation.

"We have launched the India Semiconductor 2.0 program, with US$13.2 billion in subsidies. Vietnamese businesses can certainly go to India to design chips or invest in semiconductors, and Indian businesses can likewise come to Vietnam," he said.

Referring to existing cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and Mumbai, Kumar said hosting the forum in the Vietnamese city would undoubtedly bring significant benefits.

"With the participation of these delegates, the forum will help position Ho Chi Minh City as one of the world's most investor-friendly cities on a strong development trajectory. That is what we hope to see," he said.

Gulf states seek opportunities in Ho Chi Minh City

Tesa Tesanovic, a representative of Dubai-based consulting firm Agile Dynamics, said he had attended the forum to explore cooperation opportunities, as Vietnam was attracting growing attention in overseas markets, including the Gulf region.

He said Saudi Arabia and the UAE were developing high technology and diversifying their economies to reduce reliance on natural resources. 

This direction aligned well with Vietnam's ambitions in advanced manufacturing.

His company was surveying the Vietnamese market on behalf of its clients, he added.

Asked about his specific expectations for the forum, Tesanovic said, "We are pleased to see representatives of Vietnamese businesses and technology centers here, as we believe there is considerable room for cross-border cooperation between the Gulf region and Southeast Asia."

He said the vision behind the forum closely aligned with national development programs in the Gulf, including Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which focuses on AI, advanced manufacturing, and future technologies.

"The first day has been a success. I look forward to the days ahead," he said.

The Autumn Economic Forum 2026 opened in Ho Chi Minh City on Monday, kicking off four days of discussions on technology, innovation, and new growth drivers.

The forum attracts more than 1,500 delegates, including senior officials, representatives of international organizations, experts, and business leaders from Vietnam and abroad.

Its two main days, Tuesday and Wednesday, are co-branded with the World Economic Forum for the first time.