PM requests removal of obstacles to SOE operations

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on March 24 asked ministries, agencies, and localities to identify and iron out any wrinkles in State-owned enterprises (SOEs) in order to make their operations more efficient.

PM Pham Minh Chinh addresses the conference in Hanoi.

PM Pham Minh Chinh addresses the conference in Hanoi.

Addressing an online national conference on SOE operations in Hanoi, PM Chinh reiterated the pivotal role SOEs play in the national economy, noting SOEs constitute an important material force of the state economy, making an important contribution to stabilising the macro-economy and promoting socio-economic development.

Despite receiving huge investments, the SOE sector has yet to fully demonstrate its position and is yet to promote its advantage in carrying out its mission, he stated.

According to the PM, the SOE sector has so far failed to show its prominent role in motivating, guiding, attracting, and promoting other sectors to develop. Indeed, SOE production and business efficiency remains low despite enjoying large resources.

He raised a number of questions relating to the role of State management agencies, business governance, and legislation, while also asking the conference to identify and redress shortcomings aimed at increasing the operational efficiency and competitive capacity of SOEs.

The PM revealed that the Government will soon look to issue a resolution detailing tasks and solutions to promote innovation and improve the overall efficiency of SOEs.

Leaders of ministries, agencies and localities attend the conference.

Leaders of ministries, agencies and localities attend the conference.

As of the beginning of 2021, Vietnam still had approximately 500 firms with 100% charter capital held by the State and nearly 200 enterprises in which the State holds controlling shares.

Currently, it boasts 94 large-scale SOEs, excluding defence, security, and agro-forestry enterprises. They comprise of nine economic groups, 67 corporations, along with 18 companies operating under the parent-subsidiary model.

Though SOEs make up a small proportion, they hold a great amount of resources of the economy, including roughly 10% of equity in the market, nearly 26% of total production and business capital, and 23.4% of the value of fixed assets and long-term investments.

Most notably, SOEs hold huge market shares in a number of fields such as energy, telecommunications, and banking, contributing more than 29% of the country’s GDP.

Many SOEs have built internationally-recognised brands of products and services in the fields of telecommunications, transportation, and logistics among others.

VOV

Other News

SBV raises short-term capital lending cap to 40%

SBV raises short-term capital lending cap to 40%

The new circular will help credit institutions have more room to provide capital to businesses and investment projects to support high economic growth in the next few years, while increasing flexibility in the SBV’s monetary policy management.

Business confidence in Vietnam rebounds strongly: UOB

Business confidence in Vietnam rebounds strongly: UOB

The study found that 85% of Vietnamese enterprises reported positive business sentiment, a sharp increase from 48% in 2025, when business confidence was weighed down by uncertainties surrounding US tariff policies and related trade developments.

Bac Ninh seeks high-quality foreign investment for sustainable growth

Bac Ninh seeks high-quality foreign investment for sustainable growth

According to Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Pham Van Thinh, the province aims to maintain stable and sustainable growth, improve the competitiveness of both the economy and local businesses, and make better use of free trade agreements (FTAs) to expand and diversify export markets.

Green building trend flourishes in Ho Chi Minh City's real estate landscape

Green building trend flourishes in Ho Chi Minh City's real estate landscape

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) highlighted the city's dominance in green-certified building floor space in Vietnam, reflecting the rapid expansion of the green building market with 780 completed green buildings encompassing over 18.69 million sq.m by 2025, predominantly certified by EDGE and LEED.

UK supports Vietnam in wind power and green finance development

UK supports Vietnam in wind power and green finance development

The United Kingdom officially announced two new climate cooperation initiatives to support Vietnam in its energy transition and green growth journey. These programs focus on offshore wind power development and the creation of a sustainable green financial ecosystem.

Ample room remains for Vietnam–India logistics cooperation

Ample room remains for Vietnam–India logistics cooperation

The GTTCI expert noted that alongside logistics and integrated warehousing, e-commerce is expected to be a particularly high-growth sector in the coming years. He described it as a multi-billion-dollar market with significant untapped opportunities for cooperation between Vietnam and India.

Exports gain momentum from high-tech growth drivers

Exports gain momentum from high-tech growth drivers

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Vietnam’s exports reached 215.66 billion USD in the first five months of 2026, up 19.5% year-on-year. Twenty-six export items generated more than 1 billion USD in revenue each, including seven with turnover exceeding 10 billion USD.

Vietnam–China crossings see spike in ASEAN fresh produce

Vietnam–China crossings see spike in ASEAN fresh produce

Since the start of the summer harvest season, China's two major border gates with Vietnam, Youyi Guan in Pingxiang and Beilun 2 Bridge in Dongxing, have entered their peak period for handling imports of fresh agricultural and seafood products from member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Cargo handling operations at Berths 3 and 4 of the Hai Phong International Gateway Port. (Photo: VNA)

AI reshapes logistics, raising bar for workforce skills

According to the Vietnam Logistics Business Association (VLA), the logistics sector will require around 2.2 million workers by 2030, including 1.6 million employees for logistics service providers and nearly 600,000 personnel supporting logistics operations in manufacturing and trading enterprises.

Robust dispute resolution framework key to Vietnam's IFC ambitions

Robust dispute resolution framework key to Vietnam's IFC ambitions

The development strategy for VIFC-HCMC envisions a comprehensive financial ecosystem encompassing green finance, carbon credits, financial technology (fintech), blockchain technology, digital assets, digital banking and other innovative business models. These highly internationalised sectors involve complex cross-border transactions and sophisticated legal structures.