Vietnam Access Day: Vietnam to be most sought-after in ASEAN

A panel discussion at Vietnam Access Day 2018

At Vietnam Access Day (VAD), a three-day conference held by Viet Capital Securities in Ho Chi Minh City during March 13-15 , industry experts and investors discussed Vietnam’s potential as the ASEAN’s next top market. Other topics that sparked in-depth debate include the future of e-commerce, the digital economy, and the changing retail landscape in Vietnam.

According to Michel Tosto, managing director and head of institutional sales and brokerage at Viet Capital Securities, foreign investors are now familiar with the growth story of Vietnam, especially when it comes to the boom in domestic consumption.

“This year, we welcomed more than 280 institutional investors from 24 countries to VAD. We are excited to welcome new clients who previously thought Vietnam was too small for them, but this year they are here to explore new opportunities in the country,” Tosto told VIR.

Ngo Vinh Tuan, head of investment banking at Viet Capital Securities, noted that the upcoming IPOs and state divestments will provide high-quality products for the market

In his presentation, economic expert Nguyen Xuan Thanh said that 2017 marked the powerful rise of Vietnam after the 2007- 2008 recession. Foreign investors appreciate the country’s strong economic development, compared with the previous bubble’s high inflation and constant depreciation of the Vietnam dong. Vietnam’s export items are also growing more diverse, with a wide range of products and new markets. Thanks to the rise in consumption, services are gradually replacing industrial production in major cities.

“The recent Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) signed by Vietnam and 10 other countries is also expected to yield robust economic gains for Vietnam. It is a testament to the country’s efforts to integrate into global markets in the context of growing trade protectionism,” Thanh said.

Dr Nguyen Xuan Thanh was positive about Vietnam's macroeconomic performance

Meanwhile, Fabris Carrasco, CEO of Kantar Worldpanel, stressed that Vietnam currently enjoys the “golden population” for domestic consumption: almost 40 per cent of the 90-million Vietnamese are under the age of 40, urbanisation is booming, and the middle class will take up one-third of the population in 2020. Close to half of the population has at least one smartphone and Internet usage is ubiquitous.

“This demographic will give rise to various industries, including retail, food and beverage, e-commerce, consumer finance, transportation, and real estate,” said Carrasco.

The panel on e-commerce attracted great attention from investors

During the event, various Vietnamese industry leaders such as Vietjet, Airports Corporation of Vietnam, Vinamilk, Techcombank or Tiki have connected with potential investors, aiming to lure foreign capital into their fast-growing business. Recently equitised state-owned giants such as PV Oil or Binh Son Refinery were also present.

Vietnam Access Day is the annual conference held by Viet Capital Securities to introduce the Vietnamese market to foreign investors.

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