NUS expert highlights leadership and talent as keys to Vietnam’s IFCs
DNO - Leadership capacity and talent are crucial to developing international financial centres (IFCs).
According to international experts, as Vietnam moves forward with establishing international financial centers, the demand for leadership capability and skilled professionals in finance, technology, and sustainable development will increase significantly.
According to Professor Andrew K. Rose, the Dean of the National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School, Vietnam’s recent move to develop International Financial Centres (IFCs) in Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City reflects a structural shift in the country’s economic strategy.
Addressing the press at a meeting on March 11 in the southern metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City organised by the NUS Business School, Professor Rose noted that the initiative is supported by a rapidly expanding innovation ecosystem as Vietnam works toward realising its long-term development vision for 2045.
As Vietnam upgrades its governance frameworks and human capital base, the country is gradually positioning itself to transition from a manufacturing-led economy to one increasingly driven by innovation, financial intermediation and cross-border capital connectivity.
This transformation is expected to strengthen Vietnam’s role as a key growth engine within ASEAN’s financial and digital economy landscape.
As these initiatives move forward, leadership development will play an important supporting role. Businesses are placing greater emphasis on leadership and governance capabilities that can bridge policy, infrastructure and technology to promote sustainable growth.
“Vietnam has articulated a clear development vision supported by strong policy initiatives. As these initiatives move from design to implementation, continued investment in leadership capacity and education will help ensure that institutions and markets function effectively and sustainably”, said Professor Rose.
Vietnam’s economic momentum - driven by foreign investment inflows, a rapidly expanding middle class and fast-paced digital transformation - will generate new demands for management and governance capabilities, particularly in sectors related to finance, technology and regional connectivity.
Professor Rose noted that as Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang continue advancing their IFCs initiatives, the development of leadership capacity and human capital is expected to remain central to Vietnam’s long-term economic strategy.
These efforts will help connect innovation, governance capability and institutional strength as the country moves toward its development vision for 2045.
Vietnam’s policy initiatives, including Resolution No. 68 and Resolution No. 57 issued by the Communist Party of Vietnam Politburo, place the private sector and innovation at the center of the country’s growth model.
These policies aim to create a more competitive environment that enables domestic enterprises to scale up and compete in global markets.
This development trajectory reflects a broader trend across Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) where public-sector reform and private-sector innovation are advancing in parallel.
Exposure to international learning environments also enables professionals to operate confidently across different markets and cultural contexts.