Vice President of VCCI Vo Tan Thanh

According to Vo Tan Thanh: In the current context, restructuring operations, innovating business models, and improving corporate governance capacity have become inevitable requirements.

- Sir, if you were to choose one keyword to describe the economic picture of the Southern region in 2025, what would it be?

I think it would be “rebuilding momentum”. The year 2025 is not merely a year of recovery and development after prolonged fluctuations; more importantly, it is a year when the Southern economic region gradually consolidates its foundation, adjusts strategies, and prepares for a new growth cycle.

Compared to expectations set at the beginning of the year, the Southern economy has regained its growth momentum. However, this recovery is not yet even. Many enterprises, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, still face difficulties in orders, costs, and cash flow.

- What institutional and policy factors have strongly affected the operations of enterprises in the South over the past year?

The year 2025 recorded many efforts by the State to reform institutions and policies in order to remove difficulties and create more favorable conditions for investment and business activities, especially for the private economic sector. This is an important factor that helps strengthen market confidence and support enterprises in gradually recovering and developing.

However, from a practical perspective, the business community still reflects that there remain many bottlenecks, especially as administrative procedures in some areas are still complicated, compliance costs remain high, and policy implementation has not been fully consistent across localities. If these issues are not improved in a timely manner, they will affect enterprises’ ability to expand production and investment.

In that context, VCCI continues to promote its role as the representative voice of the business community, proactively reflecting practical obstacles, participating in policy feedback and consultation, and at the same time supporting enterprises in improving compliance capacity and adapting to a rapidly changing business environment.The seminar “Press and Enterprises: Accompanying the Promotion of Private Economic Development”, directed by VCCI and organized by Business Forum Magazine on the morning of July 4, 2025, in Ho Chi Minh City.

- How has Resolution 68 of the Politburo on private economic development been received and implemented by the business community and VCCI branches in the area?

Resolution 68 has been received by the business community with great expectations, as it clearly affirms the role of the private economy. The resolution has created an important policy framework to unlock resources, strengthen confidence, and promote the entrepreneurial spirit.

At VCCI in the Ho Chi Minh City region, the Mekong Delta, the Central region, and the Central Highlands, we have coordinated with local authorities and business associations to organize many conferences, seminars, and training programs to disseminate the contents and support enterprises in implementing the Resolution in a practical manner.

The focus is on supporting private enterprises to improve competitiveness, expand markets, and gradually participate more deeply in regional and global value chains.

- What key activities will VCCI in the South focus on in 2026?

The year 2026 – the first year of the next five-year development plan – will be a period when enterprises face many intertwined challenges. However, alongside challenges are opportunities. Determination to reform institutions continues to be strengthened, the role of the private economic sector is increasingly affirmed, along with the large potential of the domestic market and opportunities from new-generation free trade agreements.

Enterprises that proactively adapt and prepare well from this period will have many advantages on the road ahead.

VCCI in the South will continue to focus on improving the business environment, particularly by proposing the simplification of administrative procedures and reducing compliance costs for enterprises. At the same time, we will strengthen activities to support enterprises in accessing capital, improving governance capacity, promoting digital transformation, green transformation, and international integration.

VCCI will also continue to play the role of a bridge between enterprises and management agencies, promptly reflecting difficulties and obstacles arising in practice, thereby contributing to making policies more effective in practice.

- What message would you like to send to the Southern business community as they enter 2026?

I hope the Southern business community will continue to maintain resilience – innovation – and proactive adaptation. In a context of many fluctuations, the spirit of engagement, creativity, and aspiration to rise will be the most important driving force.

VCCI commits to always accompanying, listening to, and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of enterprises, joining the business community in entering the journey of 2026 with new confidence and determination.

- Thank you very much!