AEF 2026: Foreign businesses highlight new development opportunities for Vietnam
WVR - Supply chain shifts, the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and advances in biotechnology are opening up new avenues for cooperation, creating opportunities for Vietnam to attract investment and strengthen its position in global value chains, according to discussion at the AEF 2026.
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On the occasion of the Autumn Economic Forum 2026 (AEF 2026), The World and Vietnam Report spoke with representatives of foreign businesses about Vietnam’s development potential, investment cooperation opportunities and prospects for deeper participation in regional value chains.
Three drivers of Vietnam’s economic advancement
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| Mr. Jesse Choi, Chief Executive Officer for Southeast Asia at Sunwah Group, discusses Vietnam’s potential to strengthen its position in regional value chains. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Mr. Jesse Choi, Chief Executive Officer for Southeast Asia at Sunwah Group, said Vietnam had an opportunity to strengthen its position in the regional economy through three key drivers: developing its manufacturing sector, capitalising on supply chain shifts and accelerating the adoption of AI.
With its manufacturing capabilities and ability to adapt to market demand, Vietnam has an opportunity to expand its industrial base, participate more deeply in global value chains and increase domestic value added.
Meanwhile, the restructuring of supply chains in response to geopolitical shifts is creating further scope for attracting international investment. Citing the relocation of some supply chains from China to Vietnam, Mr. Jesse Choi said this development offered opportunities to attract additional capital and expand domestic manufacturing networks.
AI could also become a driving force behind the growth of Vietnam’s technology sector. According to Mr. Jesse Choi, small businesses and start-ups can leverage AI tools to develop products, optimise resources and enhance their competitiveness.
To turn this potential into tangible collaborative projects, Vietnamese businesses need to ensure transparency, establish clear business models and meet international standards.
With their understanding of the local market and business environment, Vietnamese companies can become important partners for foreign investors in project implementation, technology transfer and the development of products tailored to local needs.
Alongside efforts by businesses, strengthening data protection and privacy policies is also essential to making Vietnam more attractive to technology investment, particularly in the data centre sector.
Tapping into the potential of cell therapy in Vietnam
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| Mr. Tao Bo, representative of AVIC (Ningxia) Biology Co., Ltd., discusses the prospects for applying cell technology in Vietnam’s healthcare sector. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Beyond manufacturing and digital technology, biotechnology is another area offering considerable scope for international cooperation.
Mr. Tao Bo, representative of AVIC (Ningxia) Biology Co., Ltd., described cell therapy as a promising area of research in modern medicine.
The technology could expand treatment options, particularly for conditions where traditional approaches, such as surgery or medication, have limitations.
Assessing its prospects in Vietnam, Mr. Tao Bo said the domestic market had considerable potential to adopt and develop this technology.
Cell therapy could provide patients with additional treatment options while creating opportunities for cooperation between international biotechnology companies and Vietnamese partners, helping facilitate access to advances in modern medicine.
To realise this potential, businesses need to step up research, further develop the technology and gradually expand its practical applications.
This development must also be accompanied by assessments of efficacy and measures to ensure safety, laying the groundwork for the appropriate application of cell therapy in line with professional requirements and healthcare needs.
