Vietnam–Francophonie Economic Forum promotes partnership for shared growth
The Vietnam–Francophonie Economic Forum took place in Hanoi on October 14, drawing a large number of Vietnamese businesses and enterprises from French-speaking countries.
Opening the forum, Vice President of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) Nguyen Quang Vinh said the event aimed to strengthen cooperation between Vietnamese enterprises and the Francophone business community. He described the forum as a cultural bridge and a journey of shared values and trust among nations that share a common language, spirit of cooperation, and aspiration for sustainable and inclusive development.
According to Vinh, areas such as the digital economy, green transition, renewable energy, high-tech agriculture, sustainable tourism, and innovation are emerging as strategic fields of cooperation, where Vietnam and Francophone countries can complement each other’s strengths. Vietnam, he said, is a dynamic economy and a gateway to Southeast Asia, with a young population, open market, and stable, transparent investment policies.
Meanwhile, Francophone countries in Africa and Europe possess abundant natural resources, international management experience, and extensive market networks. By connecting, the two sides can form a new “circle of cooperation,” where Vietnamese enterprises bring technology, production expertise, and innovation, while Francophone partners contribute resources, knowledge, and global linkages.
In particular, South–South cooperation, in which Vietnam and African nations play pioneering roles, will be a sustainable approach that enhances competitiveness and resilience among developing economies, fostering shared growth and prosperity, according to VNA.
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| The Vietnam–Francophonie Economic Forum promotes partnership for shared growth. (Photo: VNA) |
VCCI hopes that businesses from both sides will expand their vision, seize new opportunities from Francophone partners, and view Vietnam as a safe, dynamic, and promising investment destination, Vinh noted.
Edgar Doerig, Chief Representative of the Asia-Pacific Office of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), said that to strengthen economic and trade exchanges among Francophone countries, the organisation has sent several Francophone economic cooperation missions to the Asia–Pacific region, including Vietnam.
The Vietnamese business community and Francophone enterprises look forward to continued support from the governments of Vietnam and other member countries to promote sustainable and prosperous development. The forum, he noted, has opened opportunities for substantive dialogue, turning exchanges into the starting point for concrete cooperation projects.
The Francophonie community comprises 88 member countries and territories with diverse economic structures and great potential for trade and mutual support. This forum offers a practical occasion for Vietnamese and Francophone businesses to meet, better understand one another, and explore future cooperation opportunities.
European firms show strong optimism in Vietnam as BCI hits three-year high
The European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) on October 14 unveiled the Q3 2025 edition of the Business Confidence Index (BCI), which reveals a renewed surge of optimism among European firms operating in Vietnam.
Investment confidence holds firm
The BCI climbed to 66.5 points in Q3, surpassing pre-US tariff levels and reaching its highest in three years.
The report, conducted by Decision Lab, goes beyond macroeconomic sentiment to capture structural shifts quietly reshaping Vietnam’s business environment: forward-looking reforms in visa and work permit policies, growing momentum for green investment, and the ongoing digitalisation of administrative procedures.
Together, these changes reflect how European investors perceive Vietnam’s future: full of promise.
EuroCham Chairman Bruno Jaspaert noted a sharp improvement in business sentiment: 80% of survey respondents are optimistic about their prospects over the next five years, while 76% would recommend Vietnam as an investment destination. Despite external headwinds, Vietnam’s structural story still holds strong.
The recent upgrade of Vietnam’s stock market status classification by FTSE Russell, from “frontier” to “secondary emerging”, underwrites the findings of BCI survey. It signals growing confidence from international investors and recognises Vietnam's rising importance as an investment destination for future business.
This renewed confidence aligns with Vietnam’s broader economic ambitions. Nearly half of respondents (42%) believed that Vietnam will reach its ambitious GDP growth target of 8.3–8.5% for 2025, while 23% remained neutral and 35% expressed some reservations.
Decision Lab CEO Thue Quist Thomsen noted: “While neutrality still dominates in the short-term outlook, sentiment becomes distinctly more positive when firms discuss the future. Notably, 68% expect economic stabilisation and improvement in the next quarter, up 18 percentage points since Q2 2025 – a clear indication that businesses are expecting to close the year on a stronger footing”.
Notable progress in administrative reform
Administrative inefficiency remains one of the major challenges facing European businesses in Vietnam, with 65% citing procedural burdens as an obstacle. Tax-related procedures, particularly VAT refunds, continue to cause frustration, while inconsistent interpretations of work-permit rules between provinces create operational uncertainty.
However, a major step forward was made in August 2025 when the Government introduced three new decrees designed to modernise visa and work-permit regulations and make the process more predictable.
Decree 219 empowers local authorities to issue work permits, enables online applications, reduces experience requirements for foreign experts in prioritized and emerging fields, expands categories eligible for exemptions, and simplifies paperwork. Decree 221 introduces a limited-term visa exemption for select groups of foreigners contributing to Vietnam’s socio-economic development, reflecting a more flexible approach to attracting international talent. Meanwhile, Decree 229 expands Vietnam’s visa-exemption policy to include 18 EU member states, further strengthening the link between European and Vietnamese mobility.
Almost half (48%) of the firms surveyed reported that these policy changes have already made a positive difference in their operations, while 42% said the impacts are yet to materialise, often due to transitional administrative issues, reported VNA.
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| Producing apparel for export to Europe (Photo: VNA) |
Chairman Jaspaert stressed: “As Vietnam aspires to become a high-income, developed nation within the next two decades, talent mobility and skills transfer must be placed at the heart of this journey. These reforms are critical to ensuring that international expertise can flow freely to where it is most needed, unlocking innovation and strengthening Vietnam’s private-sector capacity”.
The Q3 2025 BCI ultimately reaffirms Vietnam’s position as one of the most promising destinations for European investment in Asia. Yet, as the world grows more volatile and unpredictable, optimism must be anchored in continued reform and resilience. Respondents consistently stressed that Vietnam’s long-term competitiveness depends on regulatory predictability, consistency across provinces, and efficient administrative procedures.
EU Ambassador to Vietnam Julien Guerrier added: “Vietnam’s growth trajectory is impressive, yet there is scope to unlock further the huge potential of the EU–Vietnam partnership with predictable and transparent rules in line with international standards, and the involvement of the business community in the preparation of new regulations. EuroCham’s role in conveying the insights of European businesses to contribute to accelerate Vietnam’s green and digital transition, is indispensable to our shared success”.
Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park wins double awards at World Travel Awards 2025
Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park in Quang Tri Province, Viet Nam, won double victory in two of the most prestigious natural tourism categories, according to the Management Board of Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park at the World Travel Awards (WTA) Gala Ceremony 2025 held in Hong Kong (China) on October 13.
Accordingly, Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park was honored with a historic “double win”: Viet Nam’s Leading Nature Destination 2025 and Asia’s Leading National Park 2025, NDO reported.
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| Leaders of Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park received the awards of WTA 2025. (Photo: NDO) |
Speaking at the event, Pham Hong Thai, Director of the Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park Management Board, said this is not only a great honor but also the highest level of recognition for the park’s unique universal values and Quang Tri Province’s tireless efforts in conserving and sustainably developing this natural treasure of humankind.
The victory at the WTA 2025 is suitable with Quang Tri Province’s strategic orientation, which identifies tourism as one of the four pillars of its economic development. The goal is not only to make Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park the adventure tourism hub of Asia, but also a model for green tourism development, harmonizing people and nature.
“This historic double award opens a promising new chapter. Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park is no longer a hidden gem but a shining star — a leading brand on the Asian tourism map, ready to conquer new heights. We commit to continuing sustainable tourism development and strictly preserving the core values of the heritage site, so that every visitor not only admires its natural beauty but also feels our deep respect for this land,” said Pham Hong Thai.
Korean Air names Vietnam a key market in Southeast Asia
Korean Air has identified Vietnam as its most important market in Southeast Asia, operating flights to five Vietnamese cities and serving over 2,000 passengers and hundreds of tons of cargo daily, the airline announced at a press briefing in Hanoi.
Speaking at the event on October 14, Kyoung Hee Kang, Korean Air’s Regional Manager for Vietnam, highlighted that the carrier currently operates more routes to Vietnam than to any other Southeast Asian country. These include services to Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, Cam Ranh (Nha Trang), and Phu Quoc - the latest addition to its network, launched in late 2023.
Following the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Korean Air resumed flights to Da Nang and Cam Ranh in 2022 and has since strengthened its Vietnam operations.
In the first half of 2025 alone, the airline transported 374,788 passengers between Vietnam and the Republic of South Korea, representing a 4% year-on-year increase. The Ho Chi Minh City–Seoul route remains the busiest, while services from Phu Quoc and Cam Ranh have posted the fastest growth this year, cited VOV.
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| Kyoung Hee Kang, Korean Air’s Regional Manager for Vietnam speaks at the event (Photo: congthuong.vn) |
“Vietnam is among our most vibrant and high-performing markets in Southeast Asia, attracting a diverse mix of tourists, business travelers, and transit passengers through Seoul,” said Kang.
Korean Air’s Incheon hub continues to serve as a major transit point for Vietnamese travelers heading to North America and Japan. The airline, in partnership with Delta Air Lines, offers connections to over 290 destinations in the US via 15 gateway cities. It also connects Vietnam to 14 cities in Japan, including regional centres like Aomori, Nagasaki, and Kumamoto.
Beyond passenger services, Vietnam has become a major cargo stronghold for Korean Air. The airline’s Hanoi operation is now its largest cargo hub in Southeast Asia, with 11 freighter flights per week moving an estimated 50,000 tonnes of goods in 2024.
In Ho Chi Minh City, Korean Air operates three weekly freighter flights and transports additional cargo via its daily passenger services, handling approximately 16,000 tonnes of exports last year.
The RoK is a crucial partner for Vietnam’s tourism and economy. It was the second-largest source of international arrivals to Vietnam in the first nine months of 2025, contributing 3.2 million of the country’s 15.4 million foreign visitors. The RoK is also among Vietnam’s leading sources of foreign direct investment, according to the Ministry of Finance.
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