Ho Chi Minh City unveils 12 investment projects worth over $13bn at AEF 2026

On Wednesday morning, during a high-level dialogue session at AEF 2026, chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Nguyen Van Duoc presented investment policy approvals or investment registration certificates to investors for 12 domestic and foreign-invested projects.

Major projects include Can Gio International Transshipment Port, a smart complex in Thu Thiem New Urban Area, the International University Urban Area, and Cai Mep Gemadept–Terminal Link Port.

Major seaport, urban development projects

In seaport infrastructure, Can Gio International Transshipment Port has an estimated investment of $4.9 billion. The project involves Vietnam Maritime Corporation, Saigon Port JSC, and Terminal Investment Limited Holding S.A.

Cai Mep Gemadept - Terminal Link Port in Tan Phuoc Ward has an estimated investment of $770 million. Another project in the sector is My Xuan 6 Port, with an investment of about $66.6 million.

In logistics, Swift Logistics has an estimated investment of $987.4 million and is being developed by Singapore-based Tokgistic.

In urban development, Lotte Properties HCMC Co. Ltd. is implementing the Smart Complex project in Thu Thiem New Urban Area, with an estimated investment of $2.29 billion.

The International University Urban Area, developed by Berjaya Vietnam International University Urban Development JSC, has a revised total investment of approximately $6.61 billion.

Industrial, high-tech projects

Ho Chi Minh City also granted investment approvals for the first phase of the Vinh Lap Industrial Park infrastructure construction and business project, with registered capital of more than $379 million.

The project involves Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park Joint Venture Co. Ltd., Becamex Group, and VSIP Quang Ngai Co. Ltd.

In industrial manufacturing, the GL Cables high-tech power cable manufacturing plant has registered investment capital of approximately $23 million.

Xinyi Glass Vietnam Co. Ltd. will invest approximately $230 million in manufacturing energy-saving float glass, low-emissivity coated glass, laminated safety glass, and specialized automotive glass.

Chang Yue Technology (VN) Co., Ltd. has an investment of approximately $70 million for a project involving the casting of iron, steel and non-ferrous metals, as well as mechanical processing.

In the high-tech sector, II-VI Vietnam Co. Ltd. is developing a project to manufacture thermoelectric semiconductor materials and thermoelectric coolers, with investment capital of $45 million.

ITO Automation Technologies Vietnam Co. Ltd. has an investment of approximately $8 million in manufacturing automation machinery, robots and sensors, and developing data management solutions.

Ho Chi Minh City chairman meets WEF managing director

Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City administration Nguyen Van Duoc met Stephan Mergenthaler, managing director of the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Wednesday, on the sidelines of the Autumn Economic Forum 2026, to discuss directions for strengthening cooperation between the city and the organization.

Duoc thanked Mergenthaler for attending AEF 2026 and praised his personal support and that of the WEF, saying the third edition of the forum had made a promising start and largely achieved its objectives.

With its theme focusing on the convergence of new growth drivers, AEF 2026 had served as a bridge between Vietnam and the international community, among businesses, and between businesses and government, Duoc said.

He added that the forum's discussions and dialogues had been frank and substantive, earning positive feedback from delegates.

Earlier that morning, Ho Chi Minh City leaders presented membership certificates for the city's Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution to 10 founding members.

Through a message from Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, Vietnam had affirmed that it sought to be not only a destination for foreign direct investment but also a partner in cooperation and investment, Duoc said.

Ho Chi Minh City hoped the WEF would continue to convey this message to the global investment community.

The city believed that connecting the WEF's annual meeting in January in Davos, its summer forum in China and the autumn forum in Vietnam would create a more complete, comprehensive and substantive ecosystem of economic forums, he added.

Mergenthaler expressed pleasure at returning to Ho Chi Minh City and confidence in the city's development prospects, as reflected in the scale and atmosphere of AEF 2026 and Prime Minister Hung's keynote address at the forum.

The continued growth and positive development of AEF marked an important milestone in the city's ambitions, he said.

The WEF was committed to maintaining cooperation with Ho Chi Minh City through C4IR and other joint activities, making practical contributions to the development goals of the city and Vietnam, Mergenthaler said.

He also invited Ho Chi Minh City leaders to attend the WEF Annual Meeting in Davos in January 2027 alongside Vietnamese government leaders, underscoring the long-term and enduring partnership between the two sides.

Regarding the idea of combining AEF 2027 with the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting hosted by Vietnam in Phu Quoc, Mergenthaler said the WEF was ready to provide support, particularly by connecting participants and convening high-level events within the APEC framework.

If implemented, the combination would build on and strengthen the successful cooperation model established by Ho Chi Minh City, he said.

It would also elevate the relationship between the WEF and the city as APEC draws considerable international attention.

The Autumn Economic Forum 2026 is taking place in Ho Chi Minh City from October 26 to 29 under the theme 'Collaboration in a New Era,' bringing together government officials, business leaders, investors, and international experts to discuss new drivers of economic growth.

Its two main days, Tuesday and Wednesday, are co-branded with the World Economic Forum for the first time.

The forum serves as a platform for Ho Chi Minh City to strengthen international partnerships, showcase its investment potential, and advance its ambition to become a regional financial and economic hub.