Co-organized by the Operating Agency of the Vietnam International Financial Center in Ho Chi Minh City (VIFC-HCMC), Nam A Bank, FiinGroup, and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) Vietnam, with support from Optima Wealth Partners, the Ho Chi Minh City conference took place as Vietnam seeks to mobilize an estimated US$700 billion to meet its net-zero emissions target by 2050.
Speakers said that alongside attracting investment, the country needs to strengthen its legal framework, financial infrastructure, and market transparency to channel international capital into viable green projects.
More than 200 representatives from government agencies, financial institutions, international investors, and businesses attended the event, discussing policy development, financial instruments, and technical solutions to support green investment.
This is an annual forum initiative launched by Nam A Bank. Following the success of the 2025 edition held in Da Lat under the theme “Unlocking the International Green Capital Market – Promoting Sustainable Development and Financial Inclusion in Vietnam.” The forum continues to serve as a platform for dialogue among policymakers, investors, financial institution, and businesses on sustainable finance and investment opportunities.
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Ha Huy Cuong, Deputy CEO of Nam A Bank delivers the opening speech at Vietnam Green Finance Conference 2026. Photo courtesy of the bank |
Building foundations for green finance
The morning session focused on the role of the Vietnam International Financial Center in Ho Chi Minh City in developing a green finance ecosystem.
Associate Professor Nguyen Huu Huan, vice chairman of the VIFC-HCMC Operating Agency, outlined plans for a policy framework intended to position the center as a gateway connecting international investors with green projects in Vietnam.
According to the organizers, VIFC-HCMC is envisioned as a transparent and secure platform for mobilizing international capital and directing it toward green projects in Ho Chi Minh City and across Vietnam.
Experts from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, shared experiences from more than 30 emerging markets on the conditions needed to attract sustainable investment.
During a panel discussion, representatives from ResponsAbility Investments AG, Norfund, ERM, and KPMG Vietnam discussed measures to develop the financial center, including improving market transparency, establishing green bond standards, and aligning with international investor expectations.
Participants also heard from Pradeep Ramakrishnan, executive director of India’s International Financial Services Centers Authority (IFSCA), who shared GIFT City’s experience in developing a green finance ecosystem and attracting international financial institutions.
GIFT City, which hosts India’s first international Financial Service Center, has been widely recognized as a benchmark model for building financial ecosystems, designing specialized regulatory mechanisms, and attracting international financial institutions.
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Speakers discuss green financial ecosystem and solutions for attracting international capital flows at Vietnam Green Finance Conference 2026. Photo courtesy of Nam A Bank |
Improving project bankability
The afternoon session focused on implementation and ways to help Vietnamese projects better meet international investment requirements.
Representatives from FiinGroup and S&P Global Ratings discussed regional developments in green finance and international practices for green bonds.
Another panel examined how to improve the bankability of green projects, highlighting the importance of credit ratings, independent assessments, and financial transparency.
Nguyen Huu Hieu, CEO of FiinGroup, said investor confidence is a key factor in attracting capital.
“Capital always follows trust, and trust is built on data quality, transparency, and independent assessments,” he said. “Vietnam’s challenge is not only attracting green capital but also developing projects with clear financial viability, identifiable risks, and sustainable cash flows.”
The conference concluded the session with a case study on cold storage projects that meet international sustainability standards, illustrating how project design can improve access to global financing.
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Nam A Bank signing an international green credit agreement with SIFEM AG. Photo courtesy of the bank |
Expanding international cooperation
The conference also featured several cooperation agreements related to green finance.
Nam A Bank signed a strategic partnership agreement with the Swiss Investment Fund for Emerging Markets (SIFEM), witnessed by representatives of the Consulate General of Switzerland in Ho Chi Minh City. According to the organizers, the partnership is intended to support long-term financing for green transition and sustainable development projects.
FiinGroup also presented a letter of intent with the VIFC-HCMC Operating Agency to cooperate on developing financial market infrastructure and services for the planned international financial center.
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Vo Hoang Hai (L), Deputy CEO of Nam A Bank, speaks in the discussion session “Structuring green projects into eligible investment products to attract capital flows” at Vietnam Green Finance Conference 2026. Photo courtesy of the bank |
Separately, FiinRatings, a member of FiinGroup and a strategic partner of S&P Global, announced plans to expand cooperation with GGGI Vietnam to support Vietnam’s sustainable finance ecosystem. The initiative will focus on improving the readiness of green projects, promoting international standards for sustainable financial instruments, and strengthening capacity among issuers and market participants.
Vo Hoang Hai, deputy CEO of Nam A Bank, said the bank aims to contribute to the development of a sustainable financial ecosystem by connecting policy, international capital, and domestic businesses.
He added that financial inclusion remains one of the bank’s priorities, with efforts to make green financing more accessible to small and medium-sized enterprises as well as large-scale projects.