Hanoi (VNA) 🔯- The Investment Connectivity Forum 2025 has been held in Milan, Italy, drawing nearly 200 representatives from Italy's corporations, banks, and investment funds.
Hosted by Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance, the event aimed to strengthen trade and investment links between Vietnam and Italy.
Addressing the forum, Finance Minister Nguyen Van Thang highlighted Vietnam’s strong economic momentum, noting GDP growth of 7.09% in 2024 and 7.96% in the second quarter of 2025, with expectations of surpassing the annual growth target of 8%. Foreign investment has remained robust, with FDI and portfolio inflows reaching 26.14 billion USD in the first eight months of 2025, up 27.3% year on year.
Thang underscored the steady progress of the Vietnam–Italy strategic partnership, established in 2013. Italy has become Vietnam’s third-largest trading partner in the EU, with bilateral trade topping 4.3 billion USD in the first seven months of 202. Italian investors are running 162 projects, with total registered of 624 million USD, in Vietnam, while Vietnamese firms operate 11 projects worth 700,000 USD in Italy.
He invited Italian businesses to expand investment in areas such as renewable energy, green growth, high-tech agriculture, and the digital economy, reaffirming Vietnam’s commitment to improving the investment climate and fostering innovation-driven growth.
Undersecretary Cattaneo noted that direct flights between Vietnam and Milan provide new opportunities for business partnerships, while Cristina Morelli of Italy’s Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP) highlighted ongoing cooperation with Vietnamese banks and support for green energy projects.
The forum also featured presentations from Vietcombank and BIDV on financial prospects in Vietnam, alongside Italian firms outlining potential areas of collaboration./.
Highlighting the huge potential for collaboration in the areas of economy, trade, and investment, Thang called on Italian businesses to contribute expertise, capital and credibility to support Vietnam’s pursuit of green and sustainable finance, high technology and innovation-driven growth.
The Finance Minister's mission in the UK and Italy is expected to unlock new cooperation opportunities across multiple high-potential sectors, contributing to economic and financial cooperation between Vietnam and European countries.
Italy is currently Vietnam’s third-largest trading partner in the European Union. In the first seven months of 2025, bilateral trade exceeded 4.3 billion USD, up 5.1% from the same period in 2024. Vietnam’s exports to Italy reached 3.1 billion USD, a 4.5% increase, while imports from Italy stood at 1.2 billion USD, up 6.7%.
Investment in strategic technologies is not only about economic growth but also about ensuring national security, safeguarding digital sovereignty, and elevating Vietnam’s international profile. In an era of fierce technological competition, bold policies and careful prioritisation will enable Vietnam to secure key positions in global value chains.
Organised by the Russian Association of Exporters and Importers, the forum is considered one of Russia’s major platforms for promoting trade and international economic cooperation. Vietnam participated as a partner country, with its delegation led by Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Dang Minh Khoi.
With its inherent advantages, the Mekong Delta has become an increasingly dynamic hub for startups and innovation, generating many ideas that have begun to prove effective.
Amid intensifying geo-economic competition and complex supply chain shifts, the EVFTA has emerged as a pillar of Vietnam’s open-door policy and sustainable development strategy.
The resolution highlights Vietnam’s cautious yet progressive entry into the regulated cryptocurrency market, establishing strict control and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of both domestic and foreign organisations and individuals.
At CAEXPO 2025, Vietnam is showcasing nearly 200 booths with a wide range of high-quality products in areas of strength that complement the Chinese and ASEAN markets, including farm produce, processed foods, consumer goods, household items, furniture, and handicrafts.
A wide range of activities marking the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day (September 2) gave a strong boost to demand for goods, services, and tourism.
With the new logistics hub, instead of transporting goods to various sites, businesses could save their time and transport costs by having irradiation and cold storage at the same place, helping reduce the risk of supply chain disruption.
The sector has also become increasingly attractive to investors, with major projects like Cai Mep – Thi Vai, Lien Chieu, Lach Huyen, and other regions grabbing strong interest from both domestic and foreign investors, underscoring the seaport system's appeal.
This is the second time VITAS has taken part in the prestigious fair, which only admits businesses meeting strict international standards. Vietnamese exhibitors showcased a wide range of products from denim and knitwear to women’s and children’s fashion, serving multiple market segments.
The State Bank of Vietnam set the daily reference exchange rate at 25,186 VND/USD on September 19, unchanged from the previous day.
Throughout Vietnam’s journey of national liberation, construction, and development, particularly during the 50 years of national reunification and nearly 40 years of implementing the Doi Moi (renewal) process, Ho Chi Minh City has consistently made a strong impact that has helped shape the nation’s comprehensive development.
The UAE is Vietnam's largest trading partner in the Middle East and serves as a vital gateway for Vietnamese goods to reach nearly 500 million consumers across the region, where purchasing power continues to grow.
The 2.2 billion USD BOT project has a designed capacity of 1,200MW with two turbines, each generating 600MW. The plant is expected to secure power supply for the central region and nearby provinces, supporting the development of industry, agriculture and services.
Under the MoU, the two sides will jointly develop Hanoi’s 2026–2030 investment promotion plan, build long-term strategies to attract capital that align with the city’s socio-economic trajectory, produce studies to support promotional efforts, identify priority markets, propose action plans, and design incentives for companies and investors.
Without quick improvements in investment and human resources quality, Vietnam risks falling behind when the Fourth Industrial Revolution and green transition become standards for global development, said an expert from the University of Economics.
Ha stated that Vietnam regards the development of the Halal industry as a new and important direction to unlock the global Halal market and foster new growth drivers. Although Halal is a new sector, Vietnam is making efforts to establish its position on the global Halal map.
Since the start of 2025, fuel prices in the country have gone through 39 adjustments. The price of RON95 gasoline has increased 22 times and decreased 17 times, while that of diesel has risen 20 times, fallen 18 times, and remained unchanged once.
Vietnam plays an important role in Asia’s shipbuilding sector and expressed Moscow’s wish to strengthen cooperation with Hanoi in shipbuilding, maritime trade, and logistics.
