The UK-Vietnam Business Summit 2025 will be organized by the British Chamber of Commerce Vietnam (BritCham Vietnam) in Ho Chi Minh City on November 5, aiming to further strengthen bilateral economic and investment ties, with a particular focus on two key areas: the development of an International Financial Center (IFC) in Ho Chi Minh City and the promotion of renewable energy around Vietnam.
Speaking at the Summit’s official launch, Ms. Alexandra Smith, British Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, underscored the importance of the UK-Vietnam Strategic Partnership and highlighted sustainable development, digital transformation, and green economy as key areas of cooperation aligned with Vietnam’s development vision towards 2045.
The Vietnamese Government has placed strategic importance on the IFC project, with an ambition of transforming Ho Chi Minh City into a regional financial hub. The two sides have advanced cooperative efforts through a series of high-level forums held over the past year in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. These events, attended by the Lord Mayor of the City of London, the UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy, and representatives from the UK Export Finance (the UK Government's export credit agency), focused on legal frameworks, capital markets, and dispute resolution mechanisms.
Legal cooperation has also been promoted through academic initiatives, notably the Loseby Lecture, delivered by Justice Richard Snowden of the Court of Appeal of England and Wales, emphasizing the role of common law in international commerce.
The second key theme of this year’s Summit is renewable energy, in the context of Vietnam’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, as pledged at COP26 in late 2021. The Summit is expected to act as a bridge connecting UK expertise in offshore wind power and green finance with Vietnam’s natural potential and sustainable development needs.
According to the latest data, bilateral trade between Vietnam and the UK reached approximately £9 billion ($13 billion) in the four quarters as of the end of the first quarter of 2025, marking a 30.8 per cent increase year-on-year. This strong performance is attributed in part to the implementation of the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA).
Mr. Matt Ryland, Executive Director of BritCham Vietnam, noted that this year’s Summit marks the first time it will be held in a high-level format, with the expectation of becoming an annual platform for boosting bilateral trade and investment.
The Summit will welcome a broad range of participants, including senior business leaders, government officials, and international and local experts, aiming to share insights and foster strategic partnerships in critical economic sectors.
Several leading British and Vietnamese corporations will participate, including Jardine Matheson, Unilever Vietnam, HSBC Vietnam, Prudential, AstraZeneca, and Swire Coca-Cola.
Mr. Nirukt Sapru, representing Jardine Matheson, said the group, which has been presence in Vietnam over the past 30 years, is committed not only to business investment but also to education and community development.
A representative from Unilever, meanwhile, emphasized the company’s leadership in ESG (environmental, social, and governance) initiatives, including circular economy models and a net-zero emissions strategy.
According to the organizers, this year’s Summit will feature a wide range of activities, including thematic workshops, business exhibitions, in-depth panel discussions on finance and energy, and a gala networking reception.
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