Ho Chi Minh City continues upward climb in Global Financial Centers Index 40

Ho Chi Minh City has rebounded 17 spots and scored 27 points, landing it at 692 points and placing it 67th globally in the 40th Global Financial Centers Index (GFCI 40). This marks the second-largest improvement in this evaluation cycle, following a 11-spot ascent from 95th to 84th in the previous index published in March 2026. In just two index releases in 2026, Ho Chi Minh City has climbed 28 places, moving from 95th to 67th. This upward trajectory underscores the city's growing prominence in the global financial network.

Alongside operational improvements, the Executive Agency of the Vietnam International Financial Center in HCMC (VIFC-HCMC) has expanded ties with international financial institutions, professional organizations, and global investors. Notably, Ho Chi Minh City made the list of 15 financial centers anticipated to gain importance in the next 2 to 3 years, with 34 mentions from survey respondents over the past 24 months.

This recognition, coupled with a 12-place improvement in the financial technology sector, scoring 645 points—an 11-point increase—reinforces HCMC's competitive edge and growth potential.

Richard D. McClellan, CEO of VIFC-HCMC, noted that the city's ascent to 67th place, along with Vietnam now boasting two internationally ranked financial centers, signals a positive development. However, McClellan stressed that the real strength lies in the foundations laid, the quality of the financial ecosystem, and the capacity to facilitate substantial capital flows in the coming years.

The Global Financial Centers Index (GFCI), published by Z/Yen Partners in collaboration with the China Development Institute, evaluates the competitiveness of 117 financial centers worldwide every March and September. The fortieth edition of the GFCI, released on 16 September 2026, ranks 117 centers, based on 144 instrumental factors gathered from 6,147 respondents.