Prime Minister stresses importance of foreign-invested sector in Vietnamese economy
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung said foreign-invested sector remains an important component of the Vienamese economy as it helps the Southeast Asian nation successfully achieve the double-digit growth goal in 2026-2030 period.
Le stressed the point during a working session with representatives of Japanese investors in Viet Nam, held in the central city of Da Nang on Sunday.
He said Viet Nam is giving priority to attracting high-quality FDI projects with advanced technology, high added-value, high spillover effects, and growing participation of Vietnamese enterprises in accordance with the spirit of the Politburo's Resolution No. 10-NQ/TW dated June 8, 2026.
From that perspective, the Government chief called on Japanese enterprises to actively contribute to the realization of the above goal.
He suggested that Japanese investors step up investments in such fields like high-tech agriculture, strategic infrastructure development, urban and high-speed railway development, green transition, digital transformation, science and technology, innovation, semiconductor industry, and high-quality workforce training.
Le called on Japanese enterprises to enhance partnerships with Vietnamese counterparts to help them improve corporate governance capacity and participate deeper into Japanese businesses' supply chains for mutual development.
The Prime Minister also called for shifting Viet Nam-Japan investment relations from “investment destination” to “partnership” centered on co-development, co-enabling, joint research and development, co-innovation, and co-production, according to VGP.
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| Prime Minister Le Minh Hung (7th from right) and Japanese business representatives pose for a family photo following their working session, Da Nang City, September 6, 2026. Photo: VGP |
Over the past consecutive years, Japan has maintained its position as one of the top three largest foreign investors in Viet Nam, with around US$80.3 billion in cumulative investment capital as of July 2026.
Japan is the largest ODA provider for Viet Nam, with total funding of nearly JPY3,000.
The two-way trade reached US$33.7 billion in the first seven months this year, an increase of 16.8 percent against the same period last year. Of the figure, Viet Nam's exports turnover grew by 16.6 percent to around US$17.6 billion.
NA President calls for greater engagement of Vietnamese community in Korea
National Assembly President Tran Thanh Man has called for greater mobilization of the knowledge, expertise and business resources of the Vietnamese community in the Republic of Korea, linking them with technology transfer, research, investment and the development of key sectors in Viet Nam.
The request was made during a meeting in Seoul on September 6 between National Assembly President Man and representatives of the Vietnamese community in the Republic of Korea upon his arrival there on official visit at the invitation of Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea Cho Jeong-sik and his spouse.
According to Vietnamese Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Vu Ho, the Vietnamese community in the country has grown rapidly, from around 100,000 people in 2015 to nearly 400,000 today, making it the second largest foreign community in the Republic of Korea.
The community is becoming increasingly diverse, including Vietnamese brides in multicultural families, workers, interns and students, as well as a large number of scientists, professors, technology experts and businesspeople.
Unlocking knowledge, technology and investment resources
At the meeting, Dao Tuan Hung, chairman of the General Association of Vietnamese in Korea, called for additional policies, specific mechanisms and simplified administrative procedures to attract and encourage Vietnamese experts, high-tech scientists and businesspeople in the country to engage in technology transfer, research cooperation and investment in key sectors in Viet Nam.
In response, National Assembly President Man noted that Viet Nam-RoK relations are developing strongly across a wide range of areas. During his visit, many Korean corporations and businesses have registered to meet with the Vietnamese delegation and expressed interest in expanding their investments in Viet Nam.
To improve the effectiveness of investment attraction from the Republic of Korea, Viet Nam should focus on technology transfer, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, intellectual property and high-quality human resource development, he said.
The goal is to build a cooperation model in which the Republic of Korea leverages its strengths in capital, technology and management experience, while Viet Nam brings its advantages in production locations, human resources and market potential. This would help develop supply chains with deeper participation from Vietnamese businesses.
Under this approach, the top legislator said building technology and supply chains, expanding markets and tapping the potential of the Vietnamese community in the Republic of Korea should become key priorities of parliamentary diplomacy.
The large number of scientists, technology experts and businesspeople within the community thus provides greater scope for connecting resources in the Republic of Korea with Viet Nam’s development needs.
Supporting the community and strengthening links with home
Alongside efforts to mobilize community resources, National Assembly President Man stressed the importance of improving living conditions and strengthening solidarity among Vietnamese people in the Republic of Korea.
He praised the efforts of the Vietnamese Embassy, community organisations and Vietnamese people in building a united and stable community, complying with local laws, contributing to the Republic of Korea and maintaining strong ties with their homeland.
The top legislator asked the embassy to continue closely monitoring its hotline so that community concerns can be addressed promptly, organize Vietnamese traditional events and festivals in the Republic of Korea to promote the country and its people, and strengthen outreach and support systems for individual families and community members so they can live and work with confidence, VNA reported.
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| National Assembly President Tran Thanh Man calls for greater mobilization of Vietnamese experts, scientists and businesses in the Republic of Korea to support technology, investment and key sectors, during his meeting with Vietnamese expatriates in the Republic of Korea on September 6, 2026. |
He also underlined the need to preserve the Vietnamese language, cultural identity and national traditions, with particular attention to educating young people and children in Viet Nam - Korea multicultural families.
Regarding proposals raised by the community, NA President Man said Politburo Resolution 23 on overseas Vietnamese affairs assigns the Government and the National Assembly to study and issue specific policies and regulations for overseas Vietnamese communities. Recommendations from Vietnamese people in the Republic of Korea therefore provide important input for further policy research and development.
He expressed his hope that the Vietnamese community in the Republic of Korea would remain united, actively study, work, produce and do business, contribute to the host country and Viet Nam - RoK friendship, while preserving its cultural identity and maintaining close ties with the homeland.
Foreign Minister receives Japanese officials in Hue
Politburo member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung on September 6 received Governor of Nara prefecture Yamashita Makoto, who was in Hue city for the second Viet Nam-Japan Local Cooperation Forum.
Trung affirmed that locality-to-locality cooperation is an effective channel for implementing commitments and agreements reached by the two countries’ high-ranking leaders, while strengthening connectivity and people-to-people exchanges between Viet Nam and Japan.
Appreciating the positive cooperation between Nara and Vietnamese localities, he proposed that Nara continue encouraging businesses, particularly small- and medium-sized enterprises, to expand investment and business activities in Viet Nam; step up technology transfer and high-quality human resource training; and promote cooperation in science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, green transformation and areas in which the prefecture has strengths.
The minister expressed his appreciation and hoped that Nara authorities would continue to pay attention to, support and facilitate the Vietnamese community living, studying and working in the prefecture. He also proposed that Nara further strengthen cooperation with Vietnamese localities.
Trung affirmed that, given its position in the region and the international arena, Viet Nam will continue cooperation to contribute to Japan’s development.
For his part, Yamashita spoke highly of the significance of the forum in promoting connectivity and expanding cooperation between Vietnamese and Japanese localities, and shared his impression of Viet Nam’s dynamic development.
He said that the community of more than 5,200 Vietnamese people accounts for the largest proportion of the foreign community living, studying and working in Nara, making positive contributions to the prefecture’s socio-economic development. The governor affirmed that the local authorities would continue to support the Vietnamese expats.
Agreeing with the views and proposals put forward by Trung, Yamashita affirmed that Nara attaches importance to and wishes to further expand cooperation with Viet Nam, strengthen connections between the authorities, businesses and people of the two sides, thereby contributing to the development of the Viet Nam-Japan comprehensive strategic partnership, VNA reported.
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| A view of the meeting between Politburo member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung and Governor of Nara prefecture Yamashita Makoto in Hue city on September 6, 2026. (Photo: VNA) |
Also on the same day, in Hue city, Trung met with special adviser to Wakayama prefecture Shimo Hiroshi, who was also in Hue for the forum.
At the meeting, the FM proposed that Wakayama continue strengthening cooperation with existing Vietnamese partners and explore opportunities to expand cooperation with new localities; encourage its businesses to expand investment, transfer technology and participate more deeply in supply chains in Viet Nam, particularly in high-tech agriculture, food processing, supporting industries, green transformation, digital transformation and innovation; and step up human resource training as well as tourism, cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
The special adviser said Wakayama has ad actively implemented various cooperation programs with Vietnamese ministries, sectors and localities, particularly in labor, agriculture and trade. The prefectural authorities have also consistently facilitated the integration, residence, study and work of the Vietnamese community of more than 2,200 people there.
Agreeing with the minister’s views and proposals, Shimo affirmed that Wakayama attaches importance to and wishes to further expand cooperation with Viet Nam, continue promoting its role as a bridge to strengthen connections between Wakayama and Vietnamese localities and businesses, and support the Vietnamese community in the prefecture.
Trung affirmed that the ministry will continue accompanying Wakayama and Vietnamese localities to make cooperation between Viet Nam and the prefecture in particular, and with Japanese localities in general, more substantive and effective in the time to come.
France seeks to promote strategic cooperation with Viet Nam: official
Paris views the upcoming official visit by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee and President To Lam as an opportunity to strongly boost relations with a key Southeast Asian partner and to accelerate the implementation of the bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, said Julie Le Saos, Advisor for Asia, Oceania and the Americas to the French President.
Speaking at a press briefing on September 4, Le Saos emphasized that Viet Nam serves as an economic and political driver within ASEAN while maintaining deep ties with France.
She noted relations between the two countries have strengthened in recent years through many high-level visits and meetings, including French President Emmanuel Macron's trip to Viet Nam in 2025.
Outlining the tentative agenda, she noted that General Secretary and President Lam is scheduled to attend the International Space Summit as a guest on the morning of September 10.
Following an official welcome ceremony at Les Invalides, the Vietnamese leader will be received by President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace in the afternoon. The two leaders will hold talks, deliver joint press statements, and witness the signing of several bilateral agreements.
The leaders will subsequently attend the second meeting of the high-level France–Vietnam Business Council, which will bring together major enterprises involved in bilateral economic relations. The council’s inaugural session was held during President Macron’s visit to Viet Nam.
On the evening of the same day, General Secretary and President Lam and his spouse will attend an official banquet, according to Le Saos.
During his visit, General Secretary and President Lam is expected to hold meetings with the French Prime Minister and the President of the Senate. He will also visit some research and innovation facilities in the Paris region to explore and promote cooperation with the French innovation ecosystem, VNA reported.
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| Julie Le Saos, Advisor for Asia, Oceania and the Americas to the French President (Photo: Pacific Newsroom) |
According to the Élysée Palace, a key objective of the visit is to drive the implementation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, established in 2024, thereby helping reinforce the strategic autonomy of both nations and supporting Viet Nam’s ambitious development goals.
France identified high-potential areas for cooperation, including defence industrial and technological bases, space technology, energy and transport infrastructure, education, student exchanges, scientific research, innovation, healthcare, and sports.
The French side said the visit is expected to deliver concrete outcomes in defence and security, critical minerals, and space technology. Space cooperation will be a key focal point, linked with General Secretary and President Lam’s participation in the International Space Summit.
The two sides are also set to discuss expanding cooperation in strategic infrastructure and transport, areas offering significant potential to advance Viet Nam's national development targets.
Beyond bilateral ties, the two leaders are expected to exchange views on some regional and international issues. They will reiterate their commitment to international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The Élysée Palace stressed that amid a volatile international environment, France wishes to support Viet Nam’s development objectives and reaffirm its role as a reliable partner to jointly foster cooperation.
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