Vietnam Summit

In July 2011, the 13th National Assembly of Vietnam endorsed the new government, led by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dzung. Amid global economic difficulties and evolving geopolitical circumstances, the new generation of leaders is facing various challenges.

• What are the government's new priorities and objectives, and how have these changed given the weaker global backdrop?
• How will the character and speed of economic reform and liberalisation change?
• How will the governance and the political landscape change?
• What is the country's new international agenda?  

HE Nguyen Tan Dzung, Prime Minister of Vietnam

After the convulsions of the global financial crisis, a new world order is taking shape. Vietnam's geopolitical advantages offer both intriguing opportunities and difficulties.

• How is Vietnam's leadership role and capacity expected to change?
• Is the country ready to assume a more significant role on the global stage?
• How will Vietnam's relations with its neighbours evolve in the years ahead?
• As giant powers compete for Vietnam's affections, which way will the country turn?

Speakers:

Ton Nu Thi Ninh, Former Ambassador of Viet Nam to the EU; Former Vice-Chair, Foreign Affairs
Committee, Viet Nam's National Assembly

Moderator:

Charles Goddard, Editorial Director, Asia Pacific, Economist Intelligence Unit

At the beginning of 2011, the Communist Party of Vietnam staged its 11th National Congress and set the country's course for the next five years. Now a year later, is the plan being carried out? Is it aligned with the country's economic, social and political needs? Is it the best way forward? What are the alternatives?

• What are the implications for foreign investors of the government's new policy objectives?
• How is the landscape for business in Vietnam changing?
• What opportunities loom larger and what concerns grow deeper?

Speakers:

Truong Gia Binh, Chairman, FPT

Stuart Dean, Chief Executive Officer, GE ASEAN

Yen Dang, Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer, Tan Tao Group

Moderator:

Justin Wood, Director, Southeast Asia, Economist Corporate Network

Vietnam's economy weathered the last financial crisis well, growing by 5% in 2009. Given the weak global outlook, Vietnam faces this new international uncertainty with many of its domestic problems still unsolved. As one of fastest-growth economies in the world, how can Vietnam find a way to move forward?

• Most expect the global economy to slow, and perhaps even stall. How will Vietnam fare?
• What are the fundamental and structural issues that need to be tackled to maintain healthy growth?
• What are the consequences of a growth model that has as its main pillars natural resources, cheap labour and big and easy investment?
• How will economic management evolve?
• How can the government rein in high inflation and strengthen the dong at the same time?

Speakers:

Louis Taylor, Chief Executive Officer, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, Standard Chartered Bank

Victoria Kwakwa, Country Director, Vietnam, World Bank

Warrick Cleine, Head of Tax, KPMG Asia Pacific, Chief Executive, KPMG, Vietnam and Cambodia

Moderator:

Justin Wood, Director, Southeast Asia, Economist Corporate Network

The success of neighbouring countries' industrial development formula – heavy investment in export capacity and infrastructure, tight government oversight and abundant cheap labour – is evident for all to see. However, costs in these countries are rising rapidly. What sort of opportunity does this create for Vietnam?

• To what degree will Vietnam follow its neighbouring countries' successful formula for industrial development?
• How do the costs and skills of Vietnam's workers compare to regional peers?
• What role will state-owned enterprises play in Vietnam's further development?

Speakers:

Tran Tuan Anh, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Vietnam

Stefaan Le Clair, Chairman and Managing Director, Berenike Global Fashion Management

Vu Thanh Tu Anh, Director of Research, Fulbright Economics Teaching Program

Stephen Yeo, CEO, South East Asia, BT

Do Van Hau, President and Chief Executive Officer, PetroVietnam

Moderator:

Justin Wood, Director, Southeast Asia, Economist Corporate Network

With 88m people, Vietnam's population is already large, and growing by more than 1m every year. These people are young (50% are less than 25 years old) and educated (93% are literate). They are increasingly urban and increasingly plugged in – mobile phone penetration is more than 100% and internet usage stands at 30%.

• What are the new plans and policies set by the governement for education?
• Is there sufficient investment in education and training?
• How attractive is Vietnam as a consumer market?
• How will a young, digitally connected and ever-wealthier population help the country achieve its economic goals?

Speakers:

Pham Vu Luan, Minister of Education and Training, Vietnam

Minh Chau Nguyen, Country Director, East Meets West Foundation

Michael MacDonald, Chief Technology Officer, Huawei Southeast Asia

Le Hong Minh, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, VNG Corporation

Moderator:

Justin Wood, Director, Southeast Asia, Economist Corporate Network

If climate change progresses as currently predicted, Vietnam stands to be among the worst affected nations—losing valuable land to the sea and suffering falling agricultural production. More immediately, the country's rice farmers already face growing environmental challenges in the form of salination and disputes over the damming of Vietnam's rivers by neighbouring states.

• How is Vietnam responding to its environmental challenges?
• How is the country's role in regional and international climate change forums expected to evolve?
• With a rapidly growing population, how troubling will food security become?
• Will Vietnam be able to maintain its position as one of the world's top rice exporters?

Speakers:

Bui Ba Bong, Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Vietnam

Lord Michael Hastings of Scarisbrick CBE, UK Parliament

Vo-Tong Xuan, President, Tan Tao University

Tomoyuki Kimura, Country Director, Viet Nam Resident Mission, Asian Development Bank

Moderator:

Charles Goddard, Editorial Director, Asia Pacific, Economist Intelligence Unit

Foreign direct investment into Vietnam climbed rapidly for much of the past decade, before slowing sharply during the downturn. How can Vietnam maintain foreign investors' enthusiasm and restore confidence? How can the country catch up with the demands of foreign firms? Growth in the supply of electricity, lawyers, quality office space and experienced managers, for example, has significantly been lagging behind demand.

• What is Vietnam's current capacity to absorb new foreign investment?
• Which industries offer the most exciting opportunities?
• How is the regulatory and business climate changing?
• How do foreign businesses approach opportunities in Vietnam compared to other countries?

Speakers:

Dinh La Thang, Minister of Transport, Vietnam

Henry Nguyen, Managing General Partner, IDG Ventures Vietnam

Thanh Le, Country Chairman and General Manager, Shell Companies in Vietnam

Gerardo Patacconi, Chief, Clusters and Business Linkages Unit, United Nations Industrial Development Organization

Peter Ryder, CEO, Indochina Capital

Moderator:

Charles Goddard, Editorial Director, Asia Pacific, Economist Intelligence Unit