The World Economic Forum and the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City established the Vietnam Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR Vietnam).
It has signed a strategic partnership with Ant International through a MoU.
The partnership aims to advance Vietnam’s digital economy, foster innovation, and support Ho Chi Minh City’s (HCMC) ambition to become an international financial centre and a regional fintech hub.
Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and HCMC People’s Committee Chairman Nguyen Van Duoc officiated the announcement at the Ho Chi Minh City Economic Forum 2025.
The collaboration seeks to accelerate Vietnam’s Fourth Industrial Revolution agenda.
It also aims to enhance HCMC’s global competitiveness and improve access for small businesses.
Beyond payment infrastructure, the partnership will focus on developing the domestic fintech ecosystem through regulatory innovation and talent development.
Chairman Nguyen Van Duoc hoped that working with Ant International would advance the city’s financial centre goals, digital transformation, and talent development.
He acknowledged the company’s contributions to financial technology and digital payments, emphasising a spirit of partnership.
“We play together and win together,”
he said.
The partnership will focus on several key areas.
It will promote HCMC as an international financial centre by advising on regulatory strategies and providing policy support.
It will enable local innovation through joint initiatives and technology capacity-building. It will enhance the competitiveness of SMEs using Ant International’s solutions.
It will also develop next-generation talent through comprehensive training and mentorship in digital finance, cross-border payments, and fintech operations.
Ant International, which already operates in Vietnam, will progressively expand merchant access while monitoring progress towards HCMC’s financial centre targets.
“Vietnam is one of the most exciting digital economies in the world today, powered by forward-looking policy, a vibrant startup ecosystem, and fast-growing local talent pool,”
said Peng Yang, CEO of Ant International.
He added that HCMC has the potential to become a world-leading financial centre and that Ant International is committed to supporting Vietnam as a regional innovation hub.
Featured image credit: Ant International
