AEF 2026: Businesses highlight two advantages making Ho Chi Minh City attractive to investment and technology
WVR - Ho Chi Minh City’s strategic location and adaptable, hard-working workforce are two key advantages that enhance its appeal to international investors, helping attract capital and technology and expand manufacturing activities.
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Speaking to The World and Vietnam Report on the sidelines of the Autumn Economic Forum 2026 (AEF 2026), Mr. Nguyen Lam Thanh, General Director of TikTok Vietnam Technology Co., Ltd., and Mr. Peter James Opdahl, Chairman of Ito Group Holding Pte., Ltd., discussed the city’s economic development potential, opportunities for cooperation and advantages in attracting investment.
New growth opportunities for Ho Chi Minh City
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| Mr. Nguyen Lam Thanh, General Director of TikTok Vietnam Technology Co., Ltd., discusses opportunities to cooperate with Ho Chi Minh City in digital transformation and economic development. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Mr. Nguyen Lam Thanh, General Director of TikTok Vietnam Technology Co., Ltd., said he was impressed by the scale and diversity of the AEF 2026, particularly the participation of representatives from major organisations and businesses in finance, technology and the digital economy.
According to the TikTok Vietnam executive, the presence of distinguished speakers provided an opportunity for international experts and leading businesses to share their experience directly with Ho Chi Minh City’s leaders and put forward proposals.
He expressed hope that the views and recommendations raised at the forum would be considered and incorporated into the city’s policymaking and economic development initiatives.
Commenting on Ho Chi Minh City’s prospects following its merger with Binh Duong and Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Mr. Nguyen Lam Thanh said the city now had a larger economic base and greater capacity, strengthening its role in Vietnam’s national economy.
He added that Ho Chi Minh City’s development would make an important contribution to Vietnam’s overall economic growth.
Against this backdrop, strengthening cooperation with Ho Chi Minh City remains one of TikTok Vietnam’s priorities.
Mr. Nguyen Lam Thanh explained that the company’s links with the city extend across a broad range of areas, including customers, partners, suppliers and the workforce.
Closer cooperation with the city would therefore support the company’s growth while creating opportunities for it to contribute to digital transformation and economic development.
Location and workforce strengthen investor appeal
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| Mr. Peter James Opdahl, Chairman of Ito Group Holding Pte., Ltd., discusses the company’s plans to expand its manufacturing operations in Vietnam. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Mr. Peter James Opdahl, Chairman of Ito Group Holding Pte., Ltd., said Ho Chi Minh City was well positioned to attract international capital, technology and investors, particularly because of its geographical location and workforce quality.
According to the Ito Group chairman, the company chose Vietnam as an investment destination 15 years ago, having observed manufacturing and technology activities gradually shifting from Japan and South Korea to China, and subsequently towards Southeast Asia.
The decision to establish a presence in Vietnam reflected the company’s intention to capitalise on this shift and adapt its operations to changes in global production networks.
Alongside its locational advantages, Mr. Peter James Opdahl praised the work ethic and adaptability of Vietnamese workers.
Based on the company’s experience in Vietnam, he said its engineers and staff were proactive in taking on assignments, willing to tackle challenges and committed to completing their work.
In his view, these qualities were among the important factors enabling businesses to develop high-tech manufacturing operations.
In terms of investment plans, Ito Group is building a new factory at Linh Trung Export Processing Zone, which is expected to be completed around Tet 2027.
The facility is expected to become one of Vietnam’s larger manufacturing plants for automation equipment and create hundreds of additional jobs.
The Ito Group chairman described the project as the next stage in the company’s development in Vietnam, building on its existing manufacturing operations and growing export orders.
The new factory is expected to strengthen manufacturing capacity, capitalise on supply chain shifts and support the company’s expansion into international markets.
