Standing Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair co-chair a seminar on attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) in Viet Nam, London, the UK, March 17, 2025 - Photo: VGP

The event, with the participation of top 20 British businesses, was held in London on March 17, as part of the Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister's working visit to the UK.

It is a valuable opportunity for the Vietnamese Government to meet and listen to the opinions of FDI investors and enterprises in terms of potential, advantages, as well as opportunities and challenges for investing in Viet Nam.

Speaking at the seminar, the former British Prime Minister expressed his strong impression on Viet Nam's remarkable economic growth despite global challenges and uncertainties, which have helped elevate the country's position in the global economy.

The strategy and goals for economic development set by Viet Nam are scientifically grounded, highly practical, and highly feasible, noted Blair.

Given Viet Nam's achievements in recent years and its new open strategy, many opportunities and prospects for cooperation will emerge for investors, especially foreign investors, he asserted, adding that Viet Nam becomes increasingly attractive and appealing to foreign investors in the future.

Nguyen, for his part, said, as an active member of ASEAN, Viet Nam is contributing to regional stability and effectively leveraging the advantages of new-generation free trade agreements.

Moreover, the country remains proactive, flexible, and ready to innovate and improve its institutions and resources to seize opportunities from global capital flows, including those from the UK, told the Vietnamese official.

In the future, Viet Nam focuses on attracting projects in such areas as high technology and innovation, financial technology and digital economy, as well as green economy and sustainable development.

The Vietnamese Government is committed to creating the most favorable business environment in line with international standards, constantly improving the legal framework, infrastructure, and workforce quality; and developing seamless supply chains while reducing logistics and transaction costs, and establishing a stable and transparent policy environment, reiterated Nguyen.

The delegates expressed their desire and readiness to work with Vietnamese partners in green infrastructure. Several international financial institutions, such as Standard Chartered Bank, hailed the Vietnamese Government's commitment to energy transition, climate change mitigation, and pledged to support the promotion of sustainable finance in the country.

Standing Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh (R) meets British Financial Secretary to the Treasury Lord Livermore, London, the UK, March 17, 2025 - Photo: VGP

Within the framework the visit, Nguyen had meetings with British Financial Secretary to the Treasury Lord Livermore, Lord Mayor of London Vincent Keaveny, Chief Executive Officer & Regional Head of Client Coverage at Standard Chartered Saif Malik and visited the City of London.

At these meetings, Nguyen highlighted Viet Nam's two key cooperation goals with the UK, including the promotion of bilateral trade and attraction of British investors to participate in investment projects in Viet Nam. 

He briefed about Viet Nam's plan to build regional and international financial centers, calling on the UK to support and share experience with Viet Nam.

Standing Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh (R) meets Chief Executive Officer & Regional Head of Client Coverage at Standard Chartered Saif Malik, London, the UK, March 17, 2025 - Photo: VGP

Regarding renewable energy and green finance - priority areas in Viet Nam's development strategy, Nguyen said, Viet Nam has actively revised its legal framework to create a favorable environment for foreign investors to invest in offshore wind power projects. 

 He expressed hope that British investors would participate in a major offshore wind power project in Viet Nam in the near future./.