Vietnam seeks deeper role in emerging global value chains

Vietnam has expressed a desire to assume a more prominent role in the rapidly evolving global value chains during a dialogue session at the Autumn Economic Forum 2026. Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Van Thang highlighted the ongoing shift in the global economy, emphasizing the movement of growth centers towards Asia, Africa, and Latin America. He noted that value chains and supply chains are being restructured to enhance diversification, regionalization, and resilience against volatility.

Thang pointed out that investment decisions now consider factors beyond just cost, such as safety, flexibility, and long-term strategic linkages. The rise of technological breakthroughs, AI, automation, and environmental, social, and governance standards have become essential prerequisites for participating in global value chains, fundamentally altering the competitive advantages of nations.

The deputy prime minister identified three key trends that warrant further discussion and clarification. The first is the convergence of digital transformation and the green transition, reshaping production methods, market standards, and competitive advantages. The second trend is the shift in growth centers towards Asia, Africa, and Latin America, which not only increase market size but also serve as hubs for manufacturing, innovation, and South-South cooperation.

The third trend is the restructuring of supply chains to achieve a better balance between efficiency and security.

For Vietnam, Thang stressed that seizing growth opportunities in this evolving landscape requires the country to build endogenous capabilities in human resources, technology, and governance. Vietnam must also develop a stable, transparent, and predictable institutional framework that fosters experimentation and innovation. Strengthening multilateral, regional, and South-South cooperation, while mobilizing capital, green finance, and technology, will be crucial in working more deeply and directly with international partners to create new value chains.

Ho Chi Minh City, as Vietnam's leading economic hub and innovation center, is positioned to connect resources and translate them into frameworks for cooperation, innovation, and value creation. However, turning this opportunity into reality requires the city and Vietnam to pursue ambitious and substantive strategic directions in collaboration with other countries and international organizations.

The deputy prime minister stressed that dialogue should translate into concrete commitments, policy frameworks, and cooperation projects to make the overarching theme of this year's Autumn Economic Forum meaningful.