On August 19, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) held the 13th Meeting of the VCCI Executive Committee, 7th tenure. The Vietnam Business Forum respectfully presents the opening remarks delivered by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ho Sy Hung, Chairman of VCCI, at the Conference.

On August 19, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) held the 13th Meeting of the VCCI Executive Committee, 7th tenure.

At the opening of the Conference, VCCI Chairman Ho Sy Hung said the event took place as the 7th tenure was entering its final months, while VCCI was urgently preparing for the 8th National Congress for the 2026-2031 term.

VCCI strengthens its role as a policy bridge

The Conference holds significant importance. We are entering the final months of the 7th tenure, while striving to fulfill, to the highest possible standard, the objectives and tasks set for 2026 and the 2021-2026 term as a whole, and at the same time urgently preparing for the 8th VCCI National Congress for the 2026-2031 term.

Since the 12th Meeting of the Executive Committee, held in early April, the Standing Committee has focused on directing the implementation of the Executive Committee’s resolutions and the 2026 work program. Within a relatively short period, the entire VCCI system has undertaken a substantial volume of work in various areas, including representing and serving as a bridge between the business community and the Party and State; participating in policymaking and improving the business environment; supporting business development; and preparing long-term tasks of significance to both the business community and VCCI itself.

First and foremost, VCCI’s role in representing the business community and serving as a policy bridge has continued to be clearly demonstrated. In preparation for the Government Standing Committee’s Conference with the business community on July 18, VCCI collected nearly 900 recommendations from domestic and international businesses and business associations, consolidating them into 53 groups of obstacles across 10 areas for submission to the Government. At the Conference, I personally raised major issues of concern to businesses regarding institutions, policy implementation, access to resources and the business environment.

In policy research and advisory work, VCCI released the Vietnam Private Sector Economic Report 2025 and the 2025 Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI 2025), continuing to serve as an independent and trusted channel for reflecting the voice of the business community, identifying bottlenecks in the business environment and promoting reforms at both the central and local levels.

In addition, VCCI organized the National Conference of Business Associations and, in coordination with the Central Policy and Strategy Commission, held a conference on the role of private enterprises and entrepreneurs in renewing the country's development model. Through these activities, VCCI has continued to strengthen its role in bringing together and connecting the business community, while making direct contributions to strategic issues concerning the development of the private sector in the new period.

VCCI Chairman Ho Sy Hung said that since the 12th Meeting of the Executive Committee, held in early April, the Standing Committee has focused on implementing the Executive Committee’s resolutions and the 2026 work program.

Continuing to Develop the Business Community and Strengthen Its Position and Role

Regarding the development of the business community, VCCI has launched the “Vietnamese CEOs in the New Era” Program for the 2026-2030 period, aimed at developing a generation of business leaders with strategic thinking, modern management capabilities, innovation and digital transformation skills, contributing to the goal of developing 10,000 Vietnamese CEOs. At the same time, VCCI is implementing the selection process for the “Outstanding Vietnamese Entrepreneurs – Thanh Giong Cup” 2026, linking the honoring of entrepreneurs with values such as business ethics, business culture, social responsibility and contributions to the country, in celebration of Vietnamese Entrepreneurs’ Day on October 13.

Economic external relations activities have continued to be strengthened. VCCI has organized and co-organized business forums in conjunction with high-level visits by Party and State leaders, notably the Vietnam-India and Vietnam-Sri Lanka Business Forums, while also making early preparations for Vietnam’s APEC Year 2027.

VCCI has been assigned to take the lead in organizing, in coordination with relevant agencies, three major business community activities within the framework of APEC 2027, including the 4th ABAC Meeting, the Dialogue between APEC Economic Leaders and ABAC, and, in particular, the APEC CEO Summit 2027. This is both a major responsibility and an opportunity for VCCI to help promote Vietnam’s business environment and strengthen connections between Vietnamese businesses and leading corporations and enterprises in the region and around the world.

Alongside these key activities, business support, trade and investment promotion, membership development, policymaking, digital transformation and internal governance innovation continue to be implemented throughout the VCCI system. A detailed report on the work results between the two Executive Committee meetings will be presented by Vice Chairman Nguyen Quang Vinh immediately thereafter.

I would only emphasize that the activities outlined above demonstrate that VCCI is gradually shifting its operations toward a more substantive, focused approach, more closely aligned with the major requirements facing the business community.

From left to right: Mr. Tran Ba Duong – Non-Executive Vice Chairman; Mr. Hoang Quang Phong – VCCI Vice Chairman; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ho Sy Hung – VCCI Chairman; Mr. Nguyen Quang Vinh (MBA) – VCCI Vice Chairman; and Mr. Bui Trung Nghia – VCCI Vice Chairman.

The 8th VCCI Congress Must Create New Value

An important issue that the 13th Meeting of the VCCI Executive Board, 7th tenure, needs to devote substantial time to discussing is preparations for the 8th National VCCI Congress.

I believe the 8th Congress should not be viewed merely as an occasion to conclude one term and begin a new one. Rather, it should provide an opportunity for VCCI to conduct a serious review of the past five years, identify emerging issues facing the business community, and clearly determine how VCCI will innovate, what contributions it will make, and what value it will create for businesses and the country’s development over the next five years, in line with the national development goals in the new era.

Therefore, first and foremost, with regard to the Congress documents, I propose that members focus their comments on major issues of strategic and directional significance. The review of the 7th tenure should be objective and substantive, clearly identifying achievements, shortcomings and their underlying causes. More importantly, the orientations for the 8th tenure should set out clear priorities and avoid being overly broad. The objectives should be measurable, supported by adequate resources, and ultimately reflected in the effectiveness of services provided to businesses and VCCI’s standing.

Second is the personnel work for the Congress. This is a particularly important task. Personnel preparations must be conducted carefully, in accordance with regulations, and in a democratic and objective manner, while ensuring the selection of individuals with the capacity, credibility, sense of responsibility and commitment to VCCI, as well as the ability to make substantive contributions to the business community. The Executive Board for the 8th tenure must truly bring together the collective intelligence, experience and representative voices of businesses, entrepreneurs and business associations nationwide.

Third, regarding the organization of the Congress and regional member conferences, I propose that preparations be carried out carefully, scientifically and economically, with the foremost priority being to promote the participation of members and the business community. Regional member conferences should not merely be regarded as a procedural step in preparing for the Congress, but should serve as an opportunity to listen to businesses, receive their proposals and expectations for VCCI, and incorporate these voices into the Congress documents.

I hope that at today’s meeting, members of the Executive Board will uphold their sense of responsibility, experience and practical understanding, and engage in frank discussions on issues where differing views remain, particularly those concerning VCCI’s development orientations for the 8th tenure, its organizational model, personnel arrangements, and approaches to mobilizing and serving the business community.

There is not much time left for preparations for the Congress. Therefore, following this meeting, the Sub-Committees and relevant units assigned specific tasks should fully incorporate the comments of the Executive Board and continue refining the preparations in the spirit of clearly defined tasks, responsibilities, timelines and deliverables. This will ensure that the 8th Congress is thoroughly and properly prepared, conducted in accordance with regulations, and reflects democracy and collective intelligence while fostering broad consensus.

I am confident that, with a spirit of solidarity, responsibility and innovation, the Executive Board and the entire VCCI system will successfully complete the remaining tasks of the 7th tenure and prepare for a successful 8th Congress. This will lay a solid foundation for VCCI to enter the 2026–2031 tenure with a new mindset, new working approaches and stronger capacity to meet the increasingly high expectations of the business community and the country.

An important issue discussed at length at the 13th Meeting of the VCCI Executive Board was preparations for the 8th National VCCI Congress.

“With a spirit of solidarity, responsibility and innovation, the Executive Board and the entire VCCI system will successfully complete the remaining tasks of the 7th tenure and prepare for a successful 8th Congress, laying a foundation for VCCI to enter the 2026–2031 tenure with a new mindset, new working approaches and stronger capacity to meet the increasingly high expectations of the business community and the country,” VCCI Chairman Ho Sy Hung expressed his confidence.