Vietnamese localities connect with RoK businesses for stronger economic co-operation
A conference on boosting economic cooperation between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) was held on September 17 by the Vietnam Embassy in Seoul in coordination with the Department of External Affairs and Cultural Diplomacy under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Tay Ninh, Nghe An, and Quang Tri provinces.
The event attracted around 150 participants, including leaders of major RoK conglomerates such as GS, SK, Hanwha Energy, Hyundai, Samsung, LG, representatives from the Korea–Vietnam Economic Cooperation Committee, Bae Kim & Lee (BKL) law firm, RoK economic cooperation associations, as well as local officials and representatives of Vietnamese associations and SMEs in RoK.
Opening the conference, Nguyen Thi Thai Binh, Counsellor of the Vietnam Embassy in RoK, highlighted the event’s significance as a concrete follow-up to the outcomes of Party General Secretary To Lam’s state visit to RoK over a month ago, especially regarding economic, trade, investment, and technological cooperation. Since establishing a comprehensive strategic partnership, Vietnam and RoK have become leading economic partners across multiple fields.
At the event, the three provinces highlighted their strategic locations, economic potential, development progress, investment incentives, priority sectors, and specific cooperation projects. Provincial leaders expressed their readiness to welcome and collaborate with RoK partners to carry out projects effectively.
RoK enterprises and associations praised Vietnam’s recent development, particularly administrative reforms that ease business operations, sustainable development, and the strong strategic partnership. Both large conglomerates like Samsung, LG, GS, SK, and SMEs have seen notable success investing in Vietnam. Participants noted that, despite challenges such as administrative procedures, legal regulations, and cultural understanding, opportunities for bilateral cooperation remain substantial.
Apart from traditional areas like trade and investment, opportunities exist in technology, digital transformation, high-quality human resource development, renewable energy, and infrastructure, according to VOV.
 |
| Overview of the conference (Photo: VNA) |
Closing the conference, Vietnamese Ambassador to the RoK Vu Ho affirmed that the Vietnam–RoK relationship is among the most special partnerships.
Since establishing diplomatic ties in 1992, the two countries have achieved remarkable progress. Vietnam continues to strengthen its comprehensive strategic partnership with RoK and will expand cooperation into emerging fields including digital economy, innovation, high technology, and clean energy.
In conjunction with the conference, dialogue sessions were held linking Quang Tri province with Hanwha Energy and Tay Ninh province with GS Corporation.
Vietnam, Algeria boost multi-sector cooperation
Vietnamese Ambassador to Algeria Tran Quoc Khanh on September 16 had a working session with Abdelkader Toumi, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Batna province, which is twinned with Dien Bien province of Vietnam, and representatives of Algerian enterprises to seek ways to expand cooperation in various fields.
Toumi said Algeria has promulgated a new investment law and carried out recent economic reforms aimed at creating favourable conditions for domestic and foreign investors. He emphasized Batna’s advantages in tourism, agriculture, farm machinery, school furniture, synthetic fibres, pharmaceuticals, ceramics, and cooking oil, noting the importance of increased exchanges to match business needs.
Khanh acknowledged the geographical distance and limited information but underlined the need for stronger communication and concrete proposals from Algerian partners. He affirmed Vietnam’s readiness to facilitate connections with relevant agencies and businesses, stressing that proactive engagement would open new prospects, reported VNA.
 |
| Vietnamese Ambassador to Algeria Tran Quoc Khanh (R) and Abdelkader Toumi, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Batna province, at their meeting on September 16. (Photo: VNA) |
Earlier, on September 14, Khanh met with Batna Governor Mohamed Benmalek, reaffirming the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Algeria. He emphasized Batna’s pioneering role in local cooperation with Dien Bien province, with promising potential in agriculture, agricultural product processing, culture, tourism, healthcare, and education.
The governor announced that a Batna delegation would visit Dien Bien on September 17 to deepen bilateral cooperation.
Located in northeastern Algeria, Batna boasts rich tourism resources, including the UNESCO-listed Roman city of Timgad, diverse landscapes, fertile land, and abundant mineral resources, offering significant cooperation opportunities in agriculture and construction materials.
Vietnam opens wider door to foreign investors with new securities decree
New reforms simplify entry procedures, increase transparency, and boost market appeal to international investors.
In an effort to attract more foreign investment and expand international access to Vietnam’s securities market, the Ministry of Finance has submitted and received government approval for Decree No. 245/2025/ND-CP, issued on September 11, 2025. The decree amends and supplements several articles of Decree No. 155/2020/ND-CP, detailing the implementation of the Securities Law.
This newly issued decree represents a major step toward establishing a legal foundation and regulatory mechanism to boost the inflow of foreign capital into Vietnam, thereby increasing the country’s financial resources for national development in the new economic era.
More accessible and appealing to foreign investors
One key highlight of Decree 245 is the facilitation of deeper participation from foreign investors in Vietnam’s securities market. The new decree recognizes the status of professional securities investors for both foreign individuals and organizations legally operating in Vietnam.
Corresponding procedures and documentation requirements have also been adjusted to align with foreign-issued papers, simplifying the qualification process. This adjustment allows foreign investors easier access to private placements and initial offerings, while encouraging more international institutions to expand their investment footprint in Vietnam.
Experts note another important reform in the decree: the shortening of timeframes for listing newly issued securities. Under the new provisions, IPO documentation and listing registration will be reviewed concurrently, streamlining the process.
Specifically, the time between approval and actual trading has been reduced from 90 days to just 30 days. This slashes the listing process by three to six months, protecting investor interests and improving appeal - especially among foreign investors, who place high value on efficiency and market liquidity.
Foreign ownership rules clarified and expanded
Decree 245/2025/ND-CP also enhances shareholder rights for foreign investors by eliminating prior rules that allowed public companies or their shareholders' meetings to limit foreign ownership below the legal or internationally committed maximum.
This change provides foreign investors more freedom to trade, greater access to listed companies, and lower exposure to risks stemming from irregular corporate decisions. Public companies must now declare their maximum foreign ownership limits within 12 months of the decree’s effective date - correcting previous lapses in compliance, NDO reported.
 |
| Decree 245/2025/ND-CP opens doors for international capital to enter Vietnam’s securities market. (Photo: Nhan Dan) |
Ownership limits are already disclosed on enterprise websites, stock exchanges, and updated daily by the Vietnam Securities Depository, ensuring transparency and ease of access for foreign investors.
Simplified procedures and reduced entry barriers
According to the State Securities Commission, the new decree simplifies the process of issuing trading codes for foreign investors. They can now begin trading immediately upon receiving their online securities trading code (ESTC) without submitting physical paperwork to obtain official certification. This cuts costs and enhances market accessibility.
In tandem, the State Bank of Vietnam has issued new circulars to simplify procedures for opening indirect investment capital accounts and payment accounts for foreign investors. These reforms help reduce time and cost barriers, bringing Vietnam closer to achieving its goal of being upgraded to emerging market status.
One notable addition allows foreign fund management companies to obtain two separate trading codes - one for proprietary trading and one for managing client transactions. This streamlines internal operations and supports implementation of omnibus accounts per international practices, improving governance and transparency.
New risk mitigation and rating requirements
The decree also provides a legal basis for implementing central counterparty (CCP) clearing and settlement mechanisms - one of the major reforms expected by foreign investors. The CCP model mitigates exchange rate risks during the settlement cycle and creates a safer backstop in case of payment issues.
Although the final deadline for CCP implementation is December 31, 2027, the State Securities Commission is planning to launch it as early as Q1 2027.
International standards for disclosure and transparency
To protect investor rights and improve access to reliable information, listed companies and public firms are now required to disclose information simultaneously in both Vietnamese and English, according to a phased roadmap. This ensures equal information access for domestic and international investors.
In addition, corporate bonds offered publicly must now carry a credit rating, which may come from internationally recognized agencies such as Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s, or Fitch Ratings. This measure enhances transparency and brings Vietnam’s bond market closer to global norms, building investor confidence.
Decree 245/2025/ND-CP also expands the pool of institutions eligible to guarantee corporate bonds offered publicly. Previously limited to domestic credit institutions, the list now includes international financial organizations - offering Vietnamese companies broader options for capital mobilization while boosting foreign investor trust.
Corporate governance, reporting obligations, capital use disclosures, dividend distribution, and shareholder protections have also been updated in the decree to minimize conflicts of interest and strengthen transparency. These reforms are critical to aligning Vietnam’s securities market with international standards and meeting the rigorous.
 | Vietnam News Today (Sep. 14): Vietnam, Cambodia boost logistics links to cut cross-border costs by up to 15%; Lao Ambassador to Malaysia hails unique solidarity ... |
 | Vietnam News Today (Sep. 15): Vietnam Seen as Belarus’ Top Priority Partner in Southeast Asia Vietnam News Today (Sep. 15): Vietnam seen as Belarus’ top priority partner in Southeast Asia; Vietnam enhances trade, investment ties with UK, Italy; Game on ... |
