Official Launch Of The Vietnam International Financial Center In Ho Chi Minh City (VIFC-HCMC)

Ho Chi Minh City, February 11, 2026 – The People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City solemnly held the official launch ceremony of the Vietnam International Financial Center in Ho Chi Minh City (VIFC-HCMC), formally announcing the commencement of the Center’s initial operational phase.

The event marks a significant milestone in Vietnam’s national financial development strategy. VIFC-HCMC is envisioned as a “strategic springboard” demonstrating Vietnam’s strong commitment to building a modern, transparent financial ecosystem capable of connecting global capital flows and directly supporting the real economy.

A High-Level Event Affirming Vietnam’s National Strategic Vision

The launch ceremony was attended by the Prime Minister, the Standing Deputy Prime Minister, leaders of central ministries and agencies, leaders of Ho Chi Minh City, along with representatives from international organizations, financial institutions, banks, investment funds, major domestic and foreign corporations, and the broader expert and business communities.

In his keynote address, the Prime Minister emphasized that an International Financial Center is not merely a concentration of capital, but a form of “soft infrastructure” for the economy. It plays a critical role in enhancing resource allocation efficiency, providing modern financial instruments, and enabling Vietnam to gradually transition from a “capital recipient” to an active “market architect.”

Ho Chi Minh City – A Core Hub Connecting Regional and Global Capital Flows

Based on the strategic direction set by the Central Government, Ho Chi Minh City – Vietnam’s economic engine – has been selected as the location for the Center, serving as a core hub for regional and global capital connectivity.

City leaders affirmed that VIFC-HCMC is not a standalone project, but a long-term strategic mission closely tied to the aspiration of elevating the City’s position on the regional and global financial map. The Center is designed to develop as an open financial ecosystem, deeply integrated with the real economy, serving capital needs for infrastructure development, industrial production, logistics, green transition, innovation, and smart urban development.

Building the Core Force – Shaping the Financial Ecosystem

A key highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of certificates recognizing Founding Members and Strategic Members of VIFC-HCMC.

• Founding Members include: Saigon – Hanoi Commercial Joint Stock Bank (SHB); Sovico Group; Military Commercial Joint Stock Bank (MB); Tien Phong Commercial Joint Stock Bank (TPBank); SonKim Capital; VinaCapital; and Nasdaq.
• Strategic Members include: Nam A Commercial Joint Stock Bank (Nam A Bank); Ho Chi Minh City Finance and Investment State-Owned Company (HFIC); University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City;  Gemadept Group TikTok and Global On-Chain Economy Alliance - GOE Alliance.

These members participate not only as independent legal entities, but also bring with them their entire ecosystems of clients, financial and technology partners, governance capabilities, and international operational experience. This creates a powerful spillover effect, enabling the Center to rapidly form a market with depth and strong regional competitiveness.

Substantive Operations – Tangible Results

From the outset, VIFC-HCMC has been implemented according to the principle of “real thinking – real action – real operation – real results.”

After just over one month of operation, the Center has already recorded several notable initial achievements: the establishment of an aviation finance center with USD 6.1 billion in committed capital; mobilization of USD 2 billion for smart urban data infrastructure programs; the formation of a USD 1 billion on-chain economy investment fund; and preparations to process billions of USD in cross-border trade transactions through the Center’s financial and interbank systems.

In parallel, VIFC-HCMC has launched its official digital portal, membership registration system, and an AI agent-based virtual assistant chatbot. The Center has also implemented a specialized operational training program for 45 core personnel.

Towards a Global Capital Convergence Hub

The launch of the Vietnam International Financial Center in Ho Chi Minh City marks a new phase in Vietnam’s international financial integration strategy. With an established institutional foundation, a growing partner ecosystem, and strong execution capacity, VIFC-HCMC is expected to become a new convergence point for global financial capital, making tangible contributions to Vietnam’s rapid and sustainable growth in the new development phase.

The establishment and initial operation of the Vietnam International Financial Center in Ho Chi Minh City represent a new organizational milestone and a clear declaration to global markets of Vietnam’s long-term development vision in a new era of integration. With strong political commitment, an increasingly institutional framework, and a synchronized domestic and international partner ecosystem—operating on the principles of effectiveness, transparency, and substance—VIFC-HCMC is steadily affirming its role as a strategic component of Vietnam’s national financial architecture.

Building on this foundation, Ho Chi Minh City continues to assert its role as Vietnam’s economic engine, proactively connecting regional and global resources, and contributing to the national objective of building a highly competitive, self-reliant, and deeply integrated Vietnam. VIFC-HCMC is not only aimed at attracting international capital flows, but also at shaping Vietnam’s long-term position on the global financial map.