The dialogue provided a platform for the Vietnamese PM and a senior WEF leader to discuss shifts in the global economy, emerging growth drivers and opportunities for cooperation in a new phase of development.

Asked how Vietnam viewed the shift from a rules-based unipolar order towards an era of heightened uncertainty, characterised by geoeconomic fragmentation, technological competition and supply chain restructuring, and what this meant for the country's development trajectory, PM Hung said the global balance of power was continuing to shift towards a multipolar, multi-centred order amid intensifying strategic competition among major powers.

Competition is increasingly extending into the economic, technological, data and energy sectors, as well as the setting of standards governing trade, investment, the environment and governance, he said.

Globalisation is continuing but undergoing restructuring, with fragmentation increasing and demands for security, autonomy and resilience growing. Meanwhile, rapid advances in science, technology and artificial intelligence (AI) are fundamentally transforming production and governance, as well as the distribution of advantages and development resources.

Against this backdrop, the PM identified three major, closely interconnected challenges facing Vietnam and countries worldwide.

First, global institutions and common rules need to be renewed and adjusted to keep pace with rapid international changes and meet development requirements in the new context.

Second, growth models reliant on traditional drivers are showing their limitations, particularly in developing countries such as Vietnam, requiring countries to seek new models of development and growth.

Third, declining strategic trust amid intensifying competition is creating an urgent need to renew and reorganise models of cooperation, investment and coordination among countries.

Building and strengthening strategic trust is essential to promoting cooperation and development, PM Hung said, adding that countries will struggle to cooperate effectively without it.

In response to these challenges, he stressed that a country's development capacity depends not only on its size or comparative advantages, but also on its resilience, degree of strategic autonomy and ability to generate new growth drivers and mobilise new resources.

This requires countries to diversify markets, partners and sources of supply while renewing their development models, with science, technology, innovation and digital transformation serving as the foundation for improving productivity and economic competitiveness.

National governance must also continue to be reformed, with government structures from the central to local levels improved to better serve citizens and businesses, reduce compliance time and costs, and enhance the quality of management and administration.

For Vietnam, PM Hung said the country has proactively identified challenges arising from profound, epochal changes in the global and regional landscape and formulated and implemented policies, strategies and development orientations to usher the country into a new phase of development.

Vietnam is focusing on three key strategic priorities: strengthening strategic autonomy while proactively pursuing comprehensive, extensive, coordinated and effective international integration; fundamentally and comprehensively renewing its development model, including its growth model, with science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation identified as leading drivers; and accelerating institutional reform alongside improvements in national governance to create a favourable development environment, enhance government effectiveness and improve services for citizens and businesses.

These orientations and policy decisions reflect Vietnam's proactive approach to adapting to rapid international and regional changes, the Government leader said.
Vietnam seeks to strengthen development cooperation, promote globalisation and multilateralisation, and reform institutions and approaches to global cooperation and governance for the common good, he added.

Strengthening strategic autonomy, economic resilience

Sharing Vietnam's approach to building resilience through science and technology, digital transformation and institutional reform, the PM said resilience has become a priority for many countries, businesses and economies amid the multifaceted effects of global developments.

As a highly open economy, Vietnam is particularly exposed to external shocks, which can quickly and directly affect production, business activity and development targets. Alongside addressing short-term challenges, the country is therefore proactively developing and implementing long-term, strategic policies focused on strengthening economic autonomy and resilience.

First, Vietnam remains committed to socioeconomic stability and a solid macroeconomic foundation, which PM Hung described as prerequisites for strengthening national resilience.

As a second measure, he highlighted Vietnam's priority of developing a comprehensive, modern institutional and legal framework aligned with international standards to unlock high and sustainable growth while strengthening national governance.

Alongside institutional reform, Vietnam is prioritising strategic infrastructure breakthroughs, including transport, digital and energy infrastructure and other essential facilities. It is also promoting science and technology and gradually building domestic technological capabilities to help businesses improve production capacity, quality, efficiency and competitiveness.

Another key task is to strengthen links between domestic businesses, foreign-invested enterprises and international investors.

“Vietnam aims to attract selective investment linked to technology transfer, training and human resource development, support for Vietnamese businesses to participate more deeply in the value chains of foreign companies and investors,” he said.

The country will also continue to strengthen domestic production capacity and strategic autonomy in essential goods, particularly food and energy, to prepare for potential supply chain disruptions. Other priorities include investing in strategic infrastructure, strengthening disaster prevention, improving risk management and responding to climate change.

Vietnam will also accelerate education and training reforms, improving quality and effectiveness while prioritising higher education and vocational training to meet labour market needs, adapt to changes in employment structures and prepare for emerging occupations.

At the same time, the country will continue to strengthen its external relations and diversify partnerships to expand its development opportunities.

Through this approach, Vietnam aims not only to strengthen its capacity to withstand shocks but also to turn challenges into opportunities, pursuing rapid, sustainable and inclusive development for the benefit of both Vietnam and its international partners, PM Hung noted.

Positioning Vietnam as a hub for technology, green energy and green agriculture

Asked what role Vietnam hopes to play by 2035 in the emerging global economic architecture, and what distinctive strengths it could offer as a manufacturing, innovation and connectivity hub for new growth networks, the Government leader said Vietnam seeks to gradually establish a new position in the regional and global economy.

“The country aims to become an emerging digital technology hub, a hub for new, green and clean energy, and a centre for green agricultural production in the region and the world at large,” he said.

Vietnam also seeks to become an important and reliable link in regional and global supply chains and value chains, while participating in emerging growth centres. Through modern institutions and governance, stronger competitiveness and a highly skilled workforce, the country aims to make an increasingly active contribution to regional and global growth.

Vietnam has several important advantages and foundations to support these ambitions, including a favourable geostrategic location, a stable political environment, sound macroeconomic fundamentals and positive growth prospects. Its strategic position in the dynamic Asia-Pacific region, extensive network of free trade agreements and diversified economic relations provide a foundation for connecting markets, supply chains, capital flows and technology ecosystems.

Vietnam is also entering a new phase of development with a strategic vision, ambitious goals, strong determination and decisive action amid profound shifts in the global economy.

With a highly open economy and the ability to adapt quickly, Vietnam is well positioned to absorb advanced technologies and development models, shorten its development trajectory and turn shifts in the global economy into drivers of innovation, stronger capabilities and greater competitiveness, he added.

Vietnam also has a broad domestic resource base that enables it both to participate in and contribute to emerging growth networks.

The combination of human resources, production capabilities, market scale and available natural resources will not only help Vietnam attract investment and acquire technology, but also strengthen its ability to create new technological value and emerging growth drivers, he noted.

Asked how Vietnam would maintain strategic autonomy and a balanced, diversified foreign policy, remaining a trusted partner of all sides without aligning itself with any single power centre while deepening integration into global growth networks, PM Hung reaffirmed that the country persistently pursues its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, resilience, multilateralisation and diversification. It seeks to be a friend, a trusted partner and a responsible member of the international community, on the basis of international law and the UN Charter.

Amid rapid, complex and profound international changes, strategic autonomy means strengthening domestic capabilities, safeguarding the right to make independent decisions and proactively choosing forms of cooperation that serve national interests while respecting the legitimate interests of partners.

“Vietnam stands ready to cooperate with all countries on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit,” he stressed.

Regardless of global developments, the country will remain steadfast in protecting its independence and sovereignty, maintaining a peaceful and stable environment for national development, and proactively contributing to common efforts for peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

Partners should shift from seeking opportunities to partnering for development

Sharing Vietnam's expectations and commitments towards international partners, including the WEF, foreign governments and the global business community, PM Hung said Vietnam wants partners not merely to come in search of opportunities, but to work alongside the country to develop ideas, solutions and new growth drivers into concrete projects and products. Partners should also share responsibility and maintain long-term cooperation to deliver tangible results.

With regard to foreign governments, Vietnam seeks stronger cooperation to reinforce peace and stability, expand new sources of growth and align visions and long-term strategic interests.

For the business community, particularly foreign companies and investors, PM Hung called for greater sharing of technology, knowledge and management expertise, alongside participation in workforce training and innovation, especially in key industries.

International corporations are expected to help Vietnam improve productivity, develop industrial ecosystems, strengthen business linkages and enable Vietnamese companies to participate more deeply in global value chains.

The PM also stressed the importance of corporate social responsibility, calling on businesses to align their operations with environmental protection and improvements in people's quality of life, so that corporate success goes hand in hand with Vietnam's sustainable development.

Recognising the WEF's role in fostering connectivity, cooperation and pioneering global initiatives, he called on the forum to continue supporting the Vietnamese Government and businesses in the process of transforming the country's development model.

“Vietnam stands ready to become a strategic partner of the WEF in the region, working together to advance new ideas and initiatives and implement innovative models that benefit Vietnam, the region and the world,” he stated.

Delivering a message to the international community, partners and businesses attending the forum, PM Hung said Vietnam aspires to be more than an investment destination: it wants to become a long-term development partner.

The country seeks not only to receive capital and technology, but also to work with partners to grow together and shape a shared future of peace, stability, prosperity and sustainability, he said.

With the shift from “investing in Vietnam” to “investing with Vietnam”, the cabinet leader called on international businesses and investors to strengthen ties with domestic companies, research institutes and universities to jointly develop technologies, human resources and supplier networks.

For its part, the Vietnamese Government remains committed to rapid and high growth underpinned by firm macroeconomic stability. It will continue to improve institutions, strengthen law enforcement, develop infrastructure and enhance workforce quality, while protecting the legitimate rights and interests of businesses and investors.

The Government will maintain dialogue, listen to investors and coordinate timely responses to their proposals, addressing difficulties and obstacles within its authority and in accordance with the law. It will also press ahead with the implementation of its commitments, PM Hung said.