Vietnam and World Economic Forum Seek Deeper Cooperation Ahead of APEC 2027

Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and World Economic Forum Managing Director Stephan Mergenthaler discussed expanding their cooperation at a meeting in Ho Chi Minh City on October 28, as Vietnam prepares to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in 2027.

Mergenthaler said the WEF was ready to work more closely with Vietnam at a senior level and help mobilise international and private-sector support for the country's development priorities. The discussions took place alongside the Autumn Economic Forum 2026.

The prime minister asked the WEF to facilitate connections between international companies and Vietnamese businesses, particularly private enterprises, and to support technology transfer, knowledge sharing and investment mobilisation.

The two sides reviewed the existing 2023–2026 cooperation framework and discussed developing a strategic framework for the next period. The reporting describes an intention to work towards such a framework; it does not establish that a new agreement was signed at the meeting.

Vietnam has been seeking to strengthen domestic companies' technological capabilities while attracting higher-value investment. Areas raised in the meeting included institutional reforms, international standards, infrastructure and workforce skills.

Officials also highlighted the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in Ho Chi Minh City, established in collaboration with the WEF, as an example of their existing relationship. The meeting focused on extending cooperation into practical programmes rather than announcing a specified new funding commitment.

Vietnam's APEC hosting role in 2027 provides a deadline for further discussions, but the scale, timetable and terms of any new WEF-supported projects remain to be determined.