Ho Chi Minh City proposes UK partnership to advance financial centre
Municipal and project bonds are among the planned first products as the centre moves towards substantive operations.
Ho Chi Minh City is seeking British cooperation across four priorities for its international financial centre: developing capital markets, supporting green finance, overseeing financial innovation and training professionals. The Viet Nam International Financial Centre is moving beyond institution-building towards substantive operations, with municipal and project bonds planned among its initial products.
Addressing the UK-Viet Nam Financial Services Summit 2026 in the city, Nguyen Cong Vinh, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, described finance as a central element of bilateral relations. He said progress should be judged by practical results, including funding delivered to viable projects, access to suitable financial services and secure, convenient transactions.
The city’s capital-market proposals prioritise investment funds and international bonds, alongside fintech, digital assets and finance for aviation and maritime activities. Green-finance cooperation would involve assembling project portfolios, advising on transaction structures and connecting projects with funding.
The proposals also call for regulation and systemic-safety oversight to accompany innovation, notably in artificial intelligence and cross-border payments. Workforce development would bring together British and Vietnamese training bodies, professional associations and financial institutions.
British Ambassador to Viet Nam Iain Frew identified broader financing access, capital for the green transition and stronger financial-system foundations as the partnership’s current focus. Susan Langley, Lord Mayor of the City of London, said London was prepared to assist with attracting long-term funding, sustainable infrastructure, climate-risk management and fintech innovation.
