Lady Mayor Susan Langley was speaking at the 2026 Vietnam-UK Financial Services Summit in Ho Chi Minh City on September 14, which brought together about 150 delegates and was jointly organised by the British Embassy in Hanoi, the British Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, the British Chamber of Commerce Vietnam (BritCham) and Dragon Capital.
Langley welcomed the transition of the VIFC from vision to practical implementation, and said Vietnam’s upcoming move from Frontier to Secondary Emerging Market status under FTSE Russell, effective September 21, reflects the progress made in the country’s capital market.
According to the City of London leader, key elements in building a reputable financial centre include strengthening confidence, ensuring transparent governance, developing a specialised commercial court system, investing in human capital and promoting green finance.
UK support for access to capital and green finance
Taking the floor, UK Ambassador to Vietnam Iain Frew stressed that the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the UK and Vietnam extends well beyond conventional trade and investment. The UK seeks to maintain a long-term partnership with Vietnam by sharing expertise, fostering innovation and bringing international experience to the development of a modern financial system.
In his view, financial cooperation between the two countries is centred on three pillars.
The first is expanding access to finance. Banks such as HSBC and Standard Chartered are expanding trade finance and working-capital support, while funds including Dragon Capital and Eastspring Vietnam, together with UK Export Finance (UKEF), are contributing to capital-market development and efforts to mobilise international capital.
The second is financing the green transition. This includes a US$50 million loan from British International Investment to VPBank, as well as letters of interest from UKEF supporting offshore wind projects involving PetroVietnam and PTSC.
The third is strengthening the foundations of the financial system. This includes support for the Supreme People’s Court of Vietnam in establishing a court for the International Financial Centre in Ho Chi Minh City, drawing on international best practices and principles of Common Law.
Ho Chi Minh City accelerates VIFC-HCMC operations
For its part, Ho Chi Minh City expressed appreciation for the UK partners’ support and engagement from the early stages of developing the VIFC, including the Ho Chi Minh City branch (VIFC-HCMC).
Nguyen Cong Vinh, vice chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, said the city is accelerating efforts to move the VIFC-HCMC towards substantive operations. Its first major financial products are expected to be launched this year in the form of municipal bonds and project bonds.
Ho Chi Minh City proposed continued cooperation with the UK in four priority areas: developing capital markets and mobilising long-term resources; green finance; financial innovation linked to risk management; and human-resource development, including expanding opportunities for women leaders.
Capital-market development will focus on areas such as investment funds, international bonds, fintech, commodity exchanges, and maritime and aviation finance.
The 2026 Vietnam-UK Financial Services Summit also featured three in-depth discussion sessions on women in leadership, capital-market development, and skills and talent.
Dragon Capital Chairman Dominic Scriven said the summit provided an opportunity for the two sides to discuss ways to improve market liquidity, broaden investor participation and strengthen market infrastructure for the next stage of development.
Source: VOV
