PM Phạm Minh Chính (centre) chairs the conference on the establishment of the International Financial Centre (IFC) in Vietnam on November 1. VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính called for accelerated efforts, despite challenges, to ensure that the International Financial Center (IFC) in Việt Nam becomes operational this November.

He made the requirement while concluding a conference on the establishment of the IFC held on Saturday.

In line with the Party Central Committee and Politburo’s directives and a resolution of the National Assembly, the Government plans to set up an IFC in Hồ Chí Minh City and Đà Nẵng. The branch in HCM City will cover about 899ha, and the one in Đà Nẵng about 300ha.

The PM stated that establishing an IFC is a new and difficult task, but it must be accomplished. He stressed the need for strong determination, great effort, and decisive action—avoiding both perfectionism and haste, yet seizing every opportunity—with a commitment to completing each task thoroughly and deliver tangible results.

He noted that the IFC establishment should draw on the experience of 20 others around the world, while also capitalising on the country’s creativity, historical and cultural strengths, and specific conditions.

He asked for close coordination with both domestic and international partners, between financial institutions and Việt Nam’s State agencies; integrating finance with production, trade, and investment; combining internal and external strengths; and adhering to international law and practices applied flexibly and creatively in Việt Nam’s context.

The Government leader clarified that Việt Nam’s IFC has a steering committee chaired by the PM, two governing boards at the two locations, one supervisory body, and a court to resolve disputes in both places. The centre will operate on a digital basis and utilise artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance competitiveness and attract resources.

The centre should attract top domestic and international talent, provide a supportive and harmonious living environment with access to education, health care, and culture, blend tradition with innovation, and ensure close coordination among banking – financial institutions and other agencies, he stressed.

The PM said that financial and non-financial services there, as well as licensing and registration, should be flexible and favour post-approval supervision over pre-approval examination. The legal framework should be transparent and autonomous, separating domestic and international operations, with certain incentives and mechanisms.

Highlighting the importance of technology transfer, PM Chính stressed that Việt Nam’s IFC should not create barriers against other centres or among participants within and outside the centre. It should extend beyond finance to production, business, trade, and investment; stay globally competitive; and streamline all administrative procedures through a single-window system.

He asked authorities of HCM City and Đà Nẵng to prepare infrastructure, conditions, and policies to ensure the IFC becomes operational in November 2025.

To do that, attention should be paid to applying science, technology, and innovation, and encouraging bold mindset and decisive action, he said, noting that resources come from vision and mindset, motivation stems from innovation and creativity, and strength derives from the people and businesses.

Delegates shared insights and proposed mechanisms, policies, and measures to ensure the centre’s early launch and efficient operation, including the legal status of its governing and supervisory bodies, operational and risk management mechanisms, product frameworks, trading market and infrastructure, and measures for attracting resources to the centre.

To delegates’ proposals, the PM tasked the Ministry of Finance and relevant agencies to review feedback and urgently finalise policies and the draft decree for the Government’s approval, ensuring the centre comes into operation this November. — VNA/VNS