The Vietnam-UK Network hosted a panel discussion and networking event namely “Vietnam – a Story of Development, Opportunities and Potential” in London on October 2.

Themed “Supporting Women in Business and Promoting Trade and Investment,” the event brought together a broad audience of both male and female professionals from all sectors, including trade, finance, entrepreneurs, start-ups, technology, media, arts, healthcare, education, governmental agencies, NGOs and think tanks from Vietnam and the UK.

The event allowed the audience to learn more about Vietnam, its journey in the past three decades, culture, social development, opportunities, challenges and potentials, while providing a platform for entrepreneurs from the two countries to promote direct trading and investment opportunities.

Speakers told the audience about Vietnam’s remarkable development through vivid stories of the lives of Vietnamese women today.

Vietnam’s economic growth has maintained high rates in years, making the country an appealing destination for foreign investors, including those from the UK.

Women in business is the Vietnam-UK Network’s new topic of interest, through which it wants to gather British people who wish to contribute to developing friendship and economic cooperation with Vietnam, said Pham Bao Ha, head of the event’s organising board.

The British government will accelerate support for businesses from the UK to invest in Vietnam in coming years, said Rachel Hill, Director of the Dragon Capital Markets (Europe).

There is an abundance of capital in the UK ready to finance the development of renewable energy, she said, adding that she expects the UK’s capital will flow into this industry in Vietnam.

It will be a great opportunity for UK businesses as Vietnam is a good destination for all investors, she said.

When a foreign investor thinks about Southeast Asia, Vietnam tops most attractive regional destinations for Merger and Acquisition (M&A), particularly in green energy, said Andrew Huntley, Senior Managing Director at BDA Partners, a provider of advice on cross-border M&A in Asian countries like China, India, Japan and Vietnam.

Huntley said most of the M&A deals in Vietnam took place inside the country with few Vietnamese firms acquiring other businesses abroad. It will take more time for this to happen, he said.

He forecast that in the next few years, more major Vietnamese corporations, both state-owned and private, will involve in M&A deals overseas.