Billion-Dollar Investment Delegation Arrives in Vietnam: New Opportunities for SMEs and Startups

A delegation of 14 major financial institutions, managing assets totaling trillions of USD, recently visited Vietnam to explore the market and discover new investment opportunities. The delegation, led by Maybank Group, consists of many large asset management funds from six different countries, aiming to research Vietnam’s financial and business environment, particularly in rapidly growing sectors like small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups.

During discussions, the parties highlighted the potential of Vietnam’s market, focusing on the advantages that Maybank and its partners can offer. Maybank Investment Banking Group (MIBG) – the largest financial and banking group in Malaysia and the fourth largest in ASEAN, with over 200 billion USD in total assets – has been operating in Vietnam since 1996. Maybank not only provides banking and securities services but also made a strategic investment in An Binh Commercial Joint Stock Bank in 2008. Maybank Securities Vietnam Co., Ltd. is also a key member of Maybank Investment Banking Group, contributing to financial partnerships with major Vietnamese companies such as Vingroup, Hoa Phat, and Thaco.

Mr. Nguyen Manh Dung, Director of Institutional Clients at Maybank, stated that besides Maybank, the delegation also includes large investment funds from the Malaysian government, such as LTH, KWAP – strategic shareholders in major corporations like Gamuda Group, Tan Chong Motor, Public Bank, and Hongleong Bank. In addition, SCBAM from Thailand and several other partners joined the visit, seeking investment opportunities. Notably, Asset Plus (Thailand), managing assets of approximately 1.2 billion USD and a major shareholder in many large ASEAN companies, and Nomura Asset Management (Japan) – one of the world’s leading asset managers, managing global assets worth over 500 billion USD, focusing on sustainable and long-term investment strategies. Another prominent name, Haitong International (Hong Kong - China), manages assets worth around 125 billion USD and is highly regarded for its ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) practices, with an "A" rating from MSCI and inclusion in the FTSE4Good Index Series.

On the Vietnamese side, Mr. Nguyen Quang Vinh, Vice President of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), expressed his appreciation for the international investors’ interest in the vast potential of the Vietnamese market. VCCI, as a representative of the business community and employers in Vietnam, is committed to providing market information and facilitating effective investment and business activities.

Mr. Vinh also emphasized that, with a population of over 100 million people, a young labor force, and a stable socio-political environment, along with attractive investment policies from the government, Vietnam has become a destination for many of the world’s leading corporations in recent years. Sectors such as high-tech manufacturing, clean energy, semiconductors, and startups are particularly strong attractions for international investment. The Vietnamese government not only focuses on improving infrastructure but also accelerates strategies for developing technology, the green economy, and clean energy sectors to best meet the increasingly stringent requirements of foreign investors.

These factors provide favorable conditions for discussions and the exploration of long-term cooperation opportunities between international investment funds and domestic enterprises, paving the way for sustainable development and prosperity for Vietnam’s market. The visit of this large-scale investor delegation to explore and research the Vietnamese market serves as clear evidence of the market’s appeal and growth potential in the near future.