Ho Chi Minh City to host Autumn Economic Forum late this month

The Ho Chi Minh City Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (HCMC C4IR) held a briefing with media outlets on Friday afternoon to discuss preparations for the 2026 Autumn Economic Forum.

Rare co-branding arrangement with WEF

The forum will be directed by the prime minister, hosted by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, and implemented by HCMC C4IR in coordination with the WEF and domestic and international partners.

Speaking at the briefing, Le Truong Duy, director of HCMC C4IR, said this year's forum would take place at ThiskyHall Convention Center in An Khanh Ward.

The two main event days, October 27 and 28, will be co-branded with the WEF. Duy described the arrangement as a rare occasion on which the WEF has participated in a program as a co-branding partner.

The arrangement reflects the city's sustained efforts and long-term vision to establish a high-level policy dialogue platform and effectively connect domestic and international investment, knowledge and technological resources.

The forum's official title is "Autumn Economic Forum 2026 – Convergence of New Global Growth Engines," with the theme "Collaboration in a New Era."

Preparations for the event are 90 percent complete, Duy said.

Several senior foreign officials have confirmed their attendance, including S. Krishnan, India's secretary in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, and a UK deputy foreign secretary.

The list of international participants is expected to grow in the coming days as more confirmations are received.

Vietnamese PM to discuss Vietnam's global positioning with WEF leaders

The forum is expected to attract more than 1,500 domestic and international delegates representing the public and private sectors, academia, international organizations and the innovation ecosystem, according to HCMC C4IR.

Vietnamese participants are expected to include Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, other government leaders, central ministries and agencies, and leaders of Ho Chi Minh City and several other localities.

AEF 2026 will focus on issues directly shaping emerging growth drivers, organized around four strategic pillars: the role of megacities; breakthrough technologies and innovation ecosystems; new models of cooperation; and the private sector's pioneering role.

On October 28, the prime minister is expected to chair a high-level plenary session titled "The Convergence of New Global Growth Engines."

The session aims to build a shared understanding of the macroeconomic landscape, identify emerging growth drivers and strengthen the international community's commitment to cooperation, laying a solid foundation for broader collaborative programs.

Immediately afterward, the prime minister is expected to take part in a flagship session titled "60 Minutes with Prime Minister Le Minh Hung," focusing on positioning Vietnam in the global future.

The session will provide a high-level, on-stage dialogue between the prime minister and WEF leaders and experts to discuss Vietnam's vision and strategic direction for developing a new-generation growth model.

The forum will also feature in-depth presentations, dialogues among ministerial leaders from different countries, the CEO 500 program and 16 thematic discussion sessions.

The event will also give Vietnam's science and technology community an opportunity to showcase its research achievements and products to international audiences.

On October 27, at the Rising Star Arena, a showcase for new technology solutions and innovation, 90 Vietnamese science centers and businesses will have 30 minutes to introduce themselves and present their products.