Speaking at a session on "Identifying New Growth Drivers" at the Autumn Economic Forum 2026 (AEF 2026) in HCM City on October 28, Thang outlined priorities for strengthening Vietnam's competitiveness and international cooperation.
He said the prime minister's earlier remarks at the plenary session and dialogue with the World Economic Forum (WEF) reaffirmed Vietnam's determination to connect emerging growth centres with confidence, initiative and ambition in a new era.
These directions, he noted, would not only guide the development of HCM City and Vietnam but also provide encouragement and strengthen resolve for further dialogue and cooperation.
According to Thang, investment decisions were increasingly driven not only by costs but also by safety, flexibility and long-term strategic partnerships.
Technological breakthroughs, rapid advances in artificial intelligence and automation, and environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards are becoming increasingly important for participation in global value chains, reshaping countries' competitive advantages.
These shifts present both opportunities and challenges, intensifying competition and highlighting the need for dialogue to build trust and promote cooperation.
For Vietnam, the priority is no longer simply to join existing or emerging global value chains, but to build the institutions, environment and capabilities needed to work more closely with international partners in creating value within new chains.
Thang identified four priorities for developing countries, including Vietnam, to turn opportunities into growth and prosperity.
These include strengthening domestic capabilities in human resources, technology and governance; building stable, transparent and predictable institutions that allow experimentation; expanding regional and multilateral cooperation; and mobilising capital, green finance and technology while supporting domestic businesses and upgrading value chains.
As Vietnam's leading economic centre and a hub for innovation, HCM City has a historic opportunity to connect resources and transform them into new frameworks for cooperation, innovation and value creation, he said.
Beyond serving as a destination for regional capital, knowledge and technology, the city aims to become a trusted and responsible growth hub, ready to integrate with international partners.
However, turning that opportunity into reality would require both HCM City and Vietnam to pursue substantive, far-reaching cooperation with other countries and international organisations, he stressed.
Thang added that the forum's overarching theme, "Collaboration in a New Era", would only be meaningful if translated into concrete commitments, policy frameworks and joint projects.
In the new era, cooperation is increasingly becoming a prerequisite, rather than merely an option, for partners to create new drivers of development together, he said.
Such cooperation would provide a foundation for identifying suitable partners, establishing appropriate frameworks and gradually turning shared ambitions into concrete action.
HCM City unveils 12 projects worth USD 13.5 billion
Earlier on October 28, HCM City authorities announced 12 projects approved for investment or granted investment registration certificates, with combined capital of approximately USD 13.5 billion.
The largest, the Can Gio International Transshipment Port, involves investment of more than VND 128.8 trillion (USD 4.92 billion) across 571 hectares, with participation from Vietnam Maritime Corporation, Saigon Port Joint Stock Company and Terminal Investment Limited Holding S.A.
The port is expected to reach a designed handling capacity of 4.8 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) by 2030 and 16.9 million TEUs by 2047.
Its first investment registration certificate was issued on September 18, 2026. At least two berths are expected to be completed by 2030, with the remaining facilities to be developed in a second phase towards full completion by 2050.
The Cai Mep Gemadept–Terminal Link Port project involves investment of VND 16.835 trillion (USD 643.1 million) across 120.78 hectares, with an annual capacity of 25.6 million tonnes of cargo and the ability to accommodate vessels of up to 250,000 deadweight tonnes (DWT).
On September 7, 2026, the HCM City People's Committee approved the investment policy and the investor.
In logistics, Singapore-based TOKGISTIC PTE. LTD. is developing the Swift Logistics project, worth over VND 25.85 trillion (USD 987.4 million), covering postal and courier services, market research and management consultancy, with operations scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026.