The Vietnam Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR Vietnam) and Ant International have signed a strategic MoU to advance Ho Chi Minh City’s (HCMC) digital economy and fintech ecosystem. The partnership, announced at the Ho Chi Minh City Economic Forum 2025 and officiated by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, aligns with Vietnam’s ambitions to become a regional fintech hub and international financial centre.

The collaboration targets several key areas: regulatory innovation, SME competitiveness, next-generation talent development, and broader access to digital financial solutions. Leveraging Ant International’s global platforms—Alipay+, Antom, Bettr, and WorldFirst—the initiative aims to empower local businesses and startups with cutting-edge technology and cross-border financial solutions.

Chairman Nguyen Van Duoc of HCMC emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships in driving inclusive growth. “We play together and win together,” he said, highlighting the collaboration’s role in accelerating the city’s innovation-driven transformation.

Peng Yang, CEO of Ant International, added, “Vietnam is one of the most exciting digital economies today. Ho Chi Minh City has the unique opportunity to become a world-leading international financial centre, and we are committed to supporting this vision through technology and policy innovation.”

The partnership underscores a broader trend in Southeast Asia: governments and global fintech leaders increasingly join forces to nurture digital ecosystems, expand SME access, and position cities like HCMC as hubs for regional innovation and sustainable economic growth.