On April 23, 2025, the Institute for Policy and Strategy Research (under the Central Committee for Policy and Strategy) in collaboration with Vietnam Economic Times - VnEconomy (under the Vietnam Economic Science Association) will organize the 5th Vietnam Development Connect Forum 2025 – Vietnam Connect Forum 2025.

The Vietnam Connect Forum initiative was launched by Vietnam Economic Times - VnEconomy in 2021, building on the success of the 20-year development of the Golden Dragon Awards – a program that connects and highlights outstanding FDI enterprises in Vietnam. This annual forum focuses on three key stakeholder groups: FDI enterprises, local authorities, and Vietnamese businesses. It aims to enhance the effectiveness and contribution of the FDI sector; promote international economic integration among localities; and strengthen Vietnamese businesses’ participation in global supply chains.

Over the past four years, the forum has been held in Hanoi (2021), Ho Chi Minh City (2022), Da Nang (2023), and Hai Phong (2024), consistently receiving attention and direction from the Prime Minister and other top government leaders. It has become a prestigious information channel, attracting participation from prominent FDI business leaders in Vietnam, domestic and international economic experts, local leaders, and central government ministries and agencies.

Following this success, the 5th Vietnam Development Connect Forum 2025, themed "Vietnam – FDI Strategy in the New Era", will be held in Hanoi.

Vietnam’s FDI achievements over nearly four decades have clearly demonstrated the vital role of the FDI sector in economic growth, international integration, and national prosperity. In the coming years, FDI is seen as a key driver for high-growth targets. For the 2026–2030 period, Vietnam aims to attract $40–50 billion in FDI annually, with disbursed capital reaching $30–40 billion each year. Amid unpredictable global trade, Vietnam has the opportunity to restructure its FDI strategy – shifting from a focus on quantity to quality, from labor-intensive to technology-intensive sectors – to become a new production and transit hub in Southeast Asia.

The 2025 forum’s theme aligns closely with the Party’s major orientations, the Government’s action plans, and the national growth targets for 2025 and beyond. Key topics of discussion will include: the new global landscape, supply chain shifts, FDI capital flow trends – opportunities and challenges for Vietnam; Vietnam’s policies and orientations for FDI in the new era; the role of the FDI sector in fostering effective linkages with domestic economic sectors; strengthening cooperation between FDI and domestic enterprises; and solutions to enhance Vietnamese participation in FDI-led supply chains.

As part of the 2025 forum, Vietnam Economic Times - VnEconomy will also announce and honor the Outstanding FDI Enterprises of 2025 at the 24th Golden Dragon Awards.

For 23 consecutive years, the Golden Dragon Awards have surveyed, evaluated, and honored thousands of high-performing FDI enterprises that lead innovation, set new trends, and make significant contributions to local and national socio-economic development.

Through rounds of surveys and evaluations, the 24th Golden Dragon Awards 2025 will announce and honor the Top 10 and Top 30 Outstanding FDI Enterprises across six sectors: Processing and manufacturing; Digital technology and digital services; Financial and insurance services; Infrastructure development, industrial parks, and real estate; Education and healthcare; and Agriculture, food, and beverages. The program has consistently received high praise from policymakers, ministries, localities, international partners, and economic experts for its content quality, connectivity effectiveness, prestige, and professionalism in organization.

Accordingly, the Golden Dragon Awards 2025 is expected to continue meeting the expectations of the FDI community and serve as a hub for connection, information sharing, and networking among FDI enterprises in Vietnam.