The forum served as an important platform to enhance connectivity and promote investment, trade and tourism ties along the EWEC, while supporting businesses in market exploration, product promotion and export expansion to Laos and Northeast Thailand.

Of the total, 904 newly licensed projects registered combined capital of 10.23 billion USD, marking a 6.4% increase in the project number and a 2.4-fold rise in capital compared to the same period last year.

Lien Chieu Port is expected to become a special port – an international gateway port in the central region – to participate deeply in the global maritime transport supply chain and create a sustainable growth impetus for the city as well as the entire region.

A range of fiscal support measures have been implemented to help stabilise the market and support businesses although they are expected to reduce budget revenue in the coming period.

In this period, the sector posted a trade surplus of 4.78 billion USD, representing a 12% increase, said Tran Gia Long, Deputy Director of the Planning and Finance Department.

PM Chinh directed the Vietnam National Industry - Energy Group (Petrovietnam) to work closely with relevant agencies and Thanh Hoa province to begin construction immediately, serving both the Nghi Son refinery and petrochemical plant and national reserves.

Notably, Vietnam recorded the highest real GDP growth among the Southeast Asia-6 economies in 2025, reaching 8%, significantly higher than the pre-pandemic average of 7.1%.

Close coordination among the State, businesses and farmers is also crucial. While the State provides regulatory frameworks, enterprises drive the market, and farmers supply data, effective incentives are needed to encourage farmers’ participation. When tangible benefits are clear, farmers will be more willing to adopt technology and engage in the digital ecosystem.

Vietnam should adopt approaches similar to Singapore's, including attracting major global energy investors to key hubs such as Nghi Son, Vung Tau and Hai Phong. Such investments will not only drive growth but also strengthen national energy security and competitiveness.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh thanked investors for attending the Thanh Hoa investment promotion conference, showing their interest, support and sharing with the province’s determination to become a “model province,” as envisioned by President Ho Chi Minh.

Reports delivered at the conference showed that Vietnam had about 1 million active enterprises by late 2025, up more than 25% from 2020, contributing roughly 60% of GDP and employing more than 16 million workers. They also account for the bulk of the country’s trade turnover, while Vietnam ranks among the world’s top 15 destinations for foreign direct investment.

Korean technology corporations are intensifying investment in Southeast Asia to diversify supply chains and leverage cost advantages, with Vietnam remaining a focal destination thanks to its strategic location and abundant labour force.

Italy’s exports of food and beverages to Vietnam reached 105.1 million EUR in 2025, up 4% year-on-year, positioning the country among the leading EU suppliers to the Vietnamese market.

Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc affirmed that Vietnam–EU relations have developed robustly over the past three decades, supported by an increasingly comprehensive cooperation framework. He highlighted the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) as a key driver of bilateral trade and investment.

The country aims to have nearly 2 million operating enterprises, equivalent to 20 businesses per 1,000 people, including at least 20 large corporations engaging in global value chains.

Since the Middle East conflict disrupted crude and refined fuel supply chains, Petrovietnam has swiftly activated a range of response measures while moving decisively to implement the Government’s Resolution 36/NQ-CP dated March 6, 2026 to secure energy supply for the market.