Investors compelled to act but remain cautious

International investors are paying close attention to Vietnam’s financial market reforms, but their decision to commit capital will ultimately depend on how quickly new mechanisms move from policy design to real-world implementation.

- By Ha Vy

A series of investment promotion activities and engagements between Vietnamese authorities and international funds and investors since late May, following earlier meetings with leading financial institutions in the United States, are sending a notable signal about Vietnam’s growing appeal to global capital.

This message of openness was reflected at a capital market development policy dialogue hosted by the State Securities Commission of Vietnam in Singapore on June 2 as part of the state visit of Party General Secretary and State President To Lam.

Commission chairwoman Vu Thi Chan Phuong said Vietnam’s stock market capitalisation has reached approximately $410 billion, while average daily trading value on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange stands at around $1.2 billion.

“The market has witnessed a number of initial public offerings accompanied by stock exchange listings, while an increasing number of foreign-invested enterprises are exploring opportunities and preparing to list on Vietnam’s stock market,” she said. “Notably, the central counterparty clearing mechanism is expected to become operational in the first quarter of 2027, alongside proposed amendments to the Securities Law and ongoing studies of solutions related to foreign ownership limits.”