Vietnam Economic Times May, 18 2026

Dear readers,

Directed by the Central Commission for Policy and Strategic, the 6th Vietnam Connect Forum (2026), organized on May 13 by the Vietnam Economic Association and Vietnam Economic Times / VnEconomy in collaboration with the Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, and with the theme “Building Integrated Partnerships Between Foreign-Invested and Domestic Economic Sectors for Breakthrough Growth in the New Era”, truly acted as a “bridge” linking Vietnam’s two most important economic sectors.

Through five previous editions, from 2021 to 2025, the Vietnam Connect Forum has earned a reputation as a prestigious channel for policy exchange, with the participation of policymakers, regulatory agencies, associations, and the business community, including foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs), along with economic experts.

The theme of the 6th edition stemmed from the reality that the level of connection between FIEs and domestic enterprises remains limited; the localization rate in many sectors where FIEs have invested in is still quite low; the number of Vietnamese enterprises deeply participating in the global value chain is not significant; technology transfer activities and spillover effects from the FDI sector to the domestic economic sector have not yet met expectations; and domestic enterprises still grapple with difficulties regarding technology, high-quality human resources, and management capacity of international standards; while FIEs mostly form relatively closed supply chains and heavily depend on external ecosystems.

With that in mind, this year’s Vietnam Connect Forum effectively responded to the need for links between FIEs and domestic enterprises - both State-owned and private - to cooperate with and support each other. In that spirit, the Forum focused on discussing two key issues: seeking solutions for investment inflows from new generation FIEs in sectors Vietnam has prioritized, and mechanisms for deeper links between FIEs and domestic enterprises, in order to enhance Vietnam’s position in the global value chain while creating synergistic strength to boost the country’s economic growth in its new phase of development.

Addressing the plenary session, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Van Thang underlined that Vietnam will prioritize improving the quality, spillover effects, and connectivity of FDI with the domestic economy, and that while the country consistently regards the foreign-invested sector as an integral part of the national economy, it will now adopt a more selective investment cooperation strategic focused on high technology, innovation, added value, efficient land use, environmental protection, and stronger links with local businesses.

FIEs were the main subjects of two consecutive events Vietnam Economic Times / VnEconomy held on the same day - the 6th Vietnam Connect Forum and the 25th Golden Dragon Awards. The latter, which took place immediately after the former, is a continuation of the story of domestic and foreign enterprises coming together to reach the common goal of a prosperous Vietnam, in which both are the most important driving forces.

At the Golden Dragon Awards ceremony, the Top 50 outstanding FIEs, selected by Vietnam Economic Times / VnEconomy, were announced amid a jubilant atmosphere kindled by the success of the 6th Vietnam Connect Forum, further inspiring FIEs and local enterprises to bond more closely on the path toward mutual development.

To further amplify the success of the 6th Vietnam Connect Forum and the 25th Golden Dragon Awards, our Cover Story in this edition focuses on issues discussed along with the achievements of this year’s Award winners.

Warmest regards

Dr. CHU VAN LAM
CHAIRMAN OF THE EDITORIAL BOARD