INTRODUCTION

    The Vietnam Business Forum (VBF) was established in 1997 during the annual Consultative Group meeting between the Vietnamese Government and its donor partners, as a not-for-profit, non-political channel for nurturing public-private dialogue to develop a favorable business environment that attracts domestic and foreign private sector investment and stimulates sustainable economic development in Vietnam. This is done primarily through high profile bi-annual Forums between the business community and Vietnamese leadership and through specialized Working Groups cutting across sectors.

    Serving as a regular and high-level channel of communication between the business community and Vietnamese Government, the VBF is widely recognized as an important actor and reliable partner in shaping reforms that provides concrete results towards delivering a better business environment in Vietnam. Key VBF objectives include working with the Government to create pathways to long-term and sustainable business performance as well as to promote the interests of national and international business community in Vietnam and enhance investment and trade in local and overseas markets. VBF works to provide research, legal analysis, identification of problems and practical solutions.

    VBF MILESTONES

    • 1997
      A Government – Private Sector Dialogue was initiated
    • 1998
      Private Sector Forum was orchestrated
    • 2000
      Expanding the PSF to include domestic private sector
    • 2012
      VBF Secretariat was transferred from IFC to chambers of commerce and business associations
    • 2017
      VBF 20th Anniversary
    • 2022
      VBF 25th Anniversary
    • 2026
      VBF MOU 2026–2030 - The new VBF Alliance model

    1997: A Government – Private Sector Dialogue was initiated

    At the Consultative Group Meeting between the Government of Vietnam and the donor community held in Tokyo, Japan on December 1997, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) suggested a Government – Private Sector Dialogue. The initiative was made in the context that government, donors, and foreign investors were looking for improvements to accelerate investment in Vietnam. Meanwhile, there had been numerous free-flowing unstructured meetings between the government leaders and individual foreign investors, leading contradictory recommendations.

    1998: Private Sector Forum was orchestrated

    Given the mentioned context and as requested by the government, donors, and private sector, on December 1998, the Private Sector Forum (PSF) was established under IFC umbrella. The PSF’s initial objective was to distill common concerns working through chambers of commerce and business associations. The PSF was set up as part of Consultative Group with 3 parties: government, donors, and private sector.

    2000: Expanding the PSF to include domestic private sector

    At the PSF held on 7 April 2000, it was decided to involve domestic private sector to the Forum. A Secretariat under IFC umbrella was also planned to coordinate PSF’s activities.

    2012: VBF Secretariat was transferred from IFC to chambers of commerce and business associations

    The coordination function of VBF Secretariat was transferred from IFC to a consortium of international and local business associations and chambers of commerce to allow the private sector to play a bigger role in the Forum's sustainable development.

    2017: VBF 20th Anniversary

    The Annual VBF 2017 held on 12 December 2017 has marked the 20 year contribution of VBF in accompanying with the government towards a favorable investment environment. The Vietnam Business Forum is currently led by 06 consortium members and supported by 08 associate members, which are foreign and local chambers of commerce and business associations. There are 15 Working Groups under VBF umbrella covering almost all areas of business operations and seeking to support the Government through various on-going activities, such as regular high-level meetings.

    2022: VBF 25th Anniversary

    The Vietnam Business Forum (VBF) celebrated its 25th Anniversary, marking a quarter-century of fostering constructive dialogue between the Government of Vietnam and the business community. Since its establishment in 1998, the VBF has played a pivotal role in improving the investment and business environment through public-private partnership. The milestone was commemorated during the 25th Annual VBF, held in Hanoi under the theme “Business Community in Partnership with the Government in Fostering Green Growth.” Following the Forum, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended a special ceremony recognizing the VBF’s contributions to Vietnam’s economic development and its continued role as a trusted platform for policy dialogue.

    2026: VBF MOU 2026–2030 - The new VBF Alliance model

    VBF held the Signing Ceremony of the MOU on the operation of the VBF for the period 2026–2030 at the headquarters of VCCI, marking an important milestone in VBF’s nearly three-decade journey of promoting policy dialogue and supporting the development of Vietnam’s investment and business environment. The Memorandum of Understanding for the 2026-2030 period marks the official transition of the VBF to the new VBF Alliance model, featuring a more streamlined, transparent, and effective governance structure. Under this model, the VBF Alliance comprises five Ordinary members: VCCI, KoCham, AmCham, BritCham, and EuroCham, together with Associate members including AusCham, CTCVN, HKBAV, InCham, JCCI, SBA, SingCham, and ThaiCham. The new structure provides a stronger platform for member associations to coordinate more closely in consolidating the voice of the business community and promoting effective policy dialogue with government authorities.