On 6 March 2025, EuroCham Vietnam’s Executive Director Delphine Rousselet and Advocacy Manager Diep Truong joined the 2025 Meeting with the Business Community in Ho Chi Minh City, hosted by the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee (HCMC PC). The meeting gathered key leaders, including HCMC PC Chairman Nguyen Van Duoc, HCMC PC leaders, and representatives from international chambers of commerce and business associations, to discuss the city’s economic outlook and business environment.
EuroCham’s Call for Strategic Focus
Representing the European business community, Ms. Delphine Rousselet commended Ho Chi Minh City for its resilience, rapid development, and ambitious vision. She outlined three key pillars that the city should focus on to become a global financial, economic, and cultural hub:
🔹 Infrastructure as the Backbone of Growth: The city must enhance logistics efficiency, sustainable urban planning, smart connectivity, and streamlined immigration processes—particularly at Tan Son Nhat Airport—to strengthen its position as an international business hub.
🔹 Developing High-Tech Talent & Industries: With 70% of European businesses in Vietnam planning to expand, the city must address talent shortages in high-tech sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy to drive long-term economic success.
🔹 Simplifying Business Regulations: Cutting red tape remains a top priority. EuroCham urged the city to streamline licensing and administrative processes, standardize investment procedures, and modernize work permit policies to attract global talent and investment.
HCMC’s Commitment to Business-Friendly Reforms
Chairman Nguyen Van Duoc reaffirmed the city’s dedication to business-friendly governance, emphasizing a shift from an “ask-give” mindset to a “service” mindset in handling administrative procedures. Recognizing that businesses and people are at the heart of development, the city aims to create an enabling environment that fosters investment and innovation.
Additionally, HCMC PC announced the formation of a special task force to “decongest” the real estate market, focusing on leveraging the city’s strategic advantages, digital transformation, and structural reforms to drive economic growth.
Strengthening EuroCham’s Collaboration with HCMC
As Vietnam’s economic powerhouse, Ho Chi Minh City plays a critical role in shaping the country’s business landscape. EuroCham stands ready to support the city’s ambitions by fostering stronger EU-Vietnam cooperation, advocating for regulatory improvements, and facilitating investment opportunities for European businesses.
This meeting reinforced EuroCham’s commitment to building a more competitive, transparent, and sustainable business environment in Ho Chi Minh City—a shared goal between the city’s leadership and the European business community.
