AusCham Vietnam Participates in High-Level Dialogues at Vietnam Connect Forum 2026

Hanoi, 13 May - AusCham Vietnam was pleased to participate in the Vietnam Connect Forum 2026 under the theme “Building Integrated Partnership Between Foreign-Invested and Domestic Economic Sectors for Breakthrough Growth in a New Era.” The forum brought together senior Government leaders, policymakers, foreign business associations, domestic enterprises, and international investors to discuss Vietnam’s next phase of sustainable growth and economic integration.

In the morning high-level dialogue session, AusCham Vice President Natalie Fairlie joined discussions with Mr. Nguyễn Thanh Nghị, Politburo Member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Chairman of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Policy and Strategy, together with representatives from foreign chambers of commerce, trade associations, and major domestic and international enterprises. The session focused on strengthening linkages between the FDI sector and Vietnamese enterprises, improving technology transfer, increasing localisation, and building a more integrated business ecosystem to support Vietnam’s long-term development ambitions toward 2045.

The dialogue also highlighted Vietnam’s strategic shift from attracting FDI by quantity toward prioritising high-quality, innovation-driven and sustainable investment projects. Participants discussed the importance of enhancing institutional reforms, improving the business environment, developing high-skilled human resources, and fostering stronger participation of Vietnamese enterprises in global value chains.

In the afternoon plenary session, AusCham Board Member Richard Nguyen and Head of Advocacy&Partnerships attended discussions featuring Deputy Prime Minister Nguyễn Văn Thắng on the role of “new-generation FDI” in supporting Vietnam’s aspiration to become a developed and prosperous nation by 2045. The session emphasised that future FDI should not operate as isolated “economic islands,” but instead work closely with domestic enterprises to create stronger spillover effects, innovation capacity, and sustainable growth momentum for the Vietnamese economy. 

AusCham values opportunities such as the Vietnam Connect Forum to engage with key policymakers and stakeholders, while continuing to support dialogue and cooperation between the Australian business community and Vietnam’s evolving economic landscape.