(VOVWORLD) - Vietnam has transformed itself from a less-developed economy into Asia’s growth bright spot. Beyond its impressive economic achievements, Vietnam receives international acclaim for its role and responsibility in global supply chains, sustainable development and multilateral cooperation. These outcomes demonstrate the effective implementation of major orientations set out by the 13th National Party Congress, which will be inherited by the 14th National Party Congress.
 Delegates attend the inauguration of the Center of Excellence for Digital Twins and Artificial Intelligence (AI) of French Group Dassault Systèmes. (Photo: Cam Tu/vov.vn) |
Vietnam is a trusted partner and a responsible nation, ready to act for the common good and confidently enter a new development period with clear orientations.
International confidence built on multiple foundations
Last year and the past five years, amid complex global volatility, Vietnam maintained macroeconomic stability and positive growth momentum. In 2025, Vietnam fulfilled and exceeded all 15 key socio-economic targets, recording a GDP growth of 8.02%. International news agencies called Vietnam a bright spot amid a gloomy global economic picture.
Last year, foreign direct investment (FDI) into Vietnam exceeded 27.5 billion USD, the highest level in five years. Both scale and quality of FDI projects have improved, with science and technology and innovation accounting for a large share.
On January 8, Vietnam officially became a Center for R&D and Excellence for Digital Twins and Artificial Intelligence (AI) of French Group Dassault Systèmes. It is set to have 1,000 engineers working at the Group’s R&D Center in Vietnam by 2030, positioning Vietnam as an investment hub for Dassault Systèmes in Southeast Asia and Asia.
Executive Vice President for Asia-Pacific at Dassault Systèmes, Samson Khaou, told the inauguration ceremony, “I believe that we have actually a lot of very high ambition to build this solution lab, this industry solution lab, along with this center of excellence. We believe that the demographics of Vietnam with the ambition of the government through the Resolution 57 will enable the country to reach this high income economy.”
Vietnam’s fledgling innovation ecosystem signals a growing trust in the country as a key link in the global innovation network. Its commitments to market opening, improving the investment climate and promoting regional connectivity continue to reinforce Vietnam’s image as a transparent, consistent and reliable destination. Recent developments are assessed as a significant boost for long-term investment strategies.
 Michael Kokalari is Chief Economist at VinaCapital (Photo: congthuong.vn) |
Michael Kokalari, Chief Economist at VinaCapital and a long-time researcher of Vietnam’s economy, said that there's a major mindset shift going on within the civil service. "When we go and meet senior people in the government, they have much more of an urgent sense than they ever did in the past. They really listen to our suggestions, they take notes."
"The second thing is that they're setting some really big ambitious goals. There's a third thing which is for you as investors that's very important to know about - rebalancing between the FDI driven growth and the domestic driven growth. These are really the three things that I think about about the reforms,” Kokalari added.
Among many foreign enterprises expanding investment in Vietnam, Japfa Comfeed Indonesia is one example. It expanded its factory in Vietnam last year, targeting strong output growth across a closed-loop, clean agricultural value chain.
The company’s CEO Arif Widjaja, said, “Even the government undergoes a lot of changes. Recently in Vietnam we see a lot of reorganization in government. The ministries also see a lot of merge. We would like to understand more in terms of policy of the government. That's why we try to be close with the government day-to-day policy.”
 The signing ceremony of the UN Convention against Cybercrime in Hanoi (Photo: Viet Cuong/VOV) |
Responsible action for shared interests
Vietnam is increasingly asserting its role and responsibility in promoting sustainable development and multilateral cooperation. From energy transition and climate change response to other global issues, Vietnam has participated in and proposed solutions at regional and global forums.
Vietnam hosting the signing ceremony for the Hanoi Convention in 2025 is a clear demonstration of this role. The event has elevated Vietnam’s standing in cybersecurity cooperation and opened major investment opportunities in digital technology and cyberspace security.
Co-Chair of the Digital Committee of the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham), Bruno Sivanadan, said, “The Hanoi Convention will make people think about Vietnam when they talk about cyber security and technology. This is why it's a very good sign for the technological sector in Vietnam. Secondly it will be a sort of force the Vietnamese companies to reach international standards. There is really a huge opportunity to take advantage of for the Vietnamese economy.”
Entering a new development phase, with strategic decisions to be approved at the 14th National Party Congress, Vietnam has an increasingly clear orientation to further consolidate its position as a growth bright spot, a trusted partner, and a responsible nation acting for the shared interests.