THE UK SUPPORTS BRINGING THE VIET NAM INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTER INTO ACTUAL OPERATION

On September 14, the UK - Vietnam Financial Services Summit 2026 took place in Ho Chi Minh City. The event happened as the Viet Nam International Financial Center in Ho Chi Minh City (VIFC-HCMC) is moving from the institutional building phase to actual operation.

Speaking at the summit, Vice Chairman of the HCMC People's Committee Nguyen Cong Vinh said the city is speeding up the process of bringing VIFC-HCMC into actual operation. The goal is to launch the first foundational products this year, including municipal bonds and project bonds. At the same time, HCMC proposed four priority areas for cooperation with the UK: capital market development, green finance, financial innovation, and human resource development.

Evaluating this journey, Dame Susan Langley, Lord Mayor of the City of London, stated that a reputable financial center must be built on trust, transparent governance, and a workforce with international standards. The UK also confirmed that it will continue to support Vietnam in raising long-term capital, developing capital markets, sustainable finance, climate risk management, and promoting fintech innovation.

The British Ambassador to Vietnam, Iain Frew, shared that the cooperation between the two countries focuses on three pillars: expanding financial access, raising capital for the green transition, and strengthening the core foundation of the financial system. Notably, UK Export Finance has committed at least 6.5 billion USD to support potential opportunities and projects in Vietnam. In green finance, British International Investment (BII) has provided a 50 million USD credit line to VPBank to support climate-related loans. This is a clear example of the Vietnam - UK partnership in raising resources for the green transition.

To improve the ability to attract international capital, continuing to perfect the legal framework and dispute resolution mechanisms is a key factor. The UK is helping the Supreme People's Court of Vietnam to set up a Court for the financial center in HCMC, based on international practices and applying Common Law principles. This mechanism is expected to improve transparency, make dispute resolution more efficient, and increase investor confidence.

The summit also discussed practical solutions to improve capital market liquidity, increase investor participation, and perfect market infrastructure. Experts highlighted the importance of skills, professional qualifications, and international standards for the financial workforce. In addition, creating more opportunities for women in leadership roles was another key topic discussed at the event.