CEF III marks a new development phase of the Capital Economic Forum series. In the photo: Overview of CEF II. (Photo: Gia Thanh)

CEF III marks a new development phase of the Capital Economic Forum series, evolving from an event-based dialogue and connection program to forming a regular linkage platform between government - experts - associations - businesses.

Highlights of CEF III

Firstly, for the first time, CEF establishes a High-Level Expert Council. The council will participate in strategic consulting, research, critique, and policy recommendations; simultaneously providing direct feedback on content, analyzing business bottlenecks, and participating in managing dialogue sessions. This is a crucial step for CEF to gain professional depth and create policy recommendation products after each Forum session.

Secondly, for the first time, a mechanism is formed for associations and business organizations in Hanoi to co-chair CEF III.

Instead of individual voices from each organization, units will collectively gather business needs and recommendations, sharing networks, resources, experts, and connection opportunities. The proposed common message is: “Association Linkage - Unified Business Voice - Resource Connection - Together Hanoi Breakthrough”.

Thirdly, CEF III shifts significantly from “in-hall exchanges” to a mechanism of reception - analysis - dialogue - recommendation - follow-up. Business difficulties, obstacles, initiatives, and proposals will be compiled, categorized by issue groups, and forwarded to the Expert Council and competent authorities for research, feedback, and continued monitoring after the Forum.

Fourthly, the program organizes 5 in-depth dialogue sessions, each lasting 20 minutes, focusing on 5 issues directly impacting business health and competitiveness: Capital - Market - Science and Technology - AI - Innovation - Human Resources - Tax and Business Environment.

Fifthly, CEF III is expected to announce and sign a Coordination Declaration among co-chairing organizations, reflecting common viewpoints, business concerns, policy recommendations, and economic development proposals for the Capital. This forms the basis for creating a unified voice of the Hanoi business community to send to Central, City, and departmental agencies.

Sixthly, CEF III enhances the connection between policy dialogue and actual resources. Besides B2G, the program continues to develop B2B, connecting businesses with banks, financial institutions, investors, large corporations, technology, market, human resources, and supply chains.

Seventhly, the role of the press and media is elevated to a significant component of the CEF ecosystem. At the end of the program, there will be a Meeting with Press Agencies - Announcement of the Thang Long Entrepreneur and Enterprise Honor Ceremony 2026, towards Vietnam Entrepreneurs Day on October 13.

Eighthly, the CEF digital platform continues to be developed at the websitewww.cefhanoi.vn.

The website is oriented not only to provide event information but also to extend the lifecycle of connections regarding capital, investment, M&A, suppliers, and business cooperation after each Forum session.

CEF III aims for a consistent goal: Not to let the Forum end when the hall closes, but to turn each dialogue into an opportunity to resolve bottlenecks. (Photo: Gia Thanh)

Turning each dialogue into an opportunity to resolve bottlenecks

From three Forum sessions to a CEF ecosystem, the development process of CEF in 2026 can be summarized: CEF I - Technology and Digital Transformation: opening the door to AI, e-commerce, and productivity enhancement.

CEF II - Resources and Market: promoting M&A, investment, suppliers, and global value chains. CEF III - Institutions and Linkage: forming a High-Level Expert Council - Alliance of Co-chairing Organizations - Mechanism for Policy Recommendation and Monitoring.

The biggest difference of CEF III, therefore, lies not only in scale or content quantity but in the new operational structure: businesses have a place to reflect; associations collectively voice; experts analyze and critique; management agencies directly dialogue; the press accompanies to spread; recommendations continue to be monitored after the program.

CEF III aims for a consistent goal: Not to let the Forum end when the hall closes, but to turn each dialogue into an opportunity to resolve bottlenecks, each connection into a resource, and each legitimate business recommendation into a task that needs continued monitoring.

10 Co-chairing units of CEF III 2026

The Organizing Committee of the Capital Economic Forum stated that as of today (September 10), 10 units have agreed to co-chair CEF III 2026, including: Hanoi Textile and Garment Association; Hanoi Logistics Association - HNLA; Hanoi Leather and Footwear Association; Hanoi Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Small and Medium Enterprises - HAWASME; Hanoi Supporting Industries Business Association - HANSIBA.

Also participating are the Hanoi Key Industrial Products Manufacturing Business Association - HAMI; Center for Vocational Education and Women's Development Support Hanoi - CEWDS; Hanoi Veterans Entrepreneurs Association; Hanoi Handicraft and Craft Village Association; Hanoi Association of Small and Medium Enterprises - HANOISME.

The participation of these 10 units expands the representation scope at CEF III, from textiles, leather and footwear, logistics, supporting industries, key industrial production to handicrafts, craft villages, and the small and medium enterprise community.