Already, the government’s changing approach is encouraging companies to be more proactive about expanding their businesses, spurring positive changes in the economy that will promote a better environment for both local and foreign investors.

While the government has moved to allow greater foreign ownership and is pushing its approximately 700 SOEs to list, the pace of initial public offerings has been slow so far.
Progress is expected to pick up in 2018, however, as the government is warning there will be consequences for those in charge of state companies that miss the deadline for restructuring and equitization.

Shosuke Mori, deputy head of international banking at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp., noted that the SOE sector has seen slower growth than the private sector and foreign-owned companies in Vietnam. “I think SOE reform will be the key in driving the evolution of the Vietnam economy,” Mori said.

A number of forum participants from Vietnamese companies said they have had positive experiences welcoming overseas shareholders. Vietnam Airlines Chairman Pham Ngoc Minh said its Japanese partner, ANA Holdings, “satisfied all criteria” for an investor. ANA holds an 8.8% share, and the strategic partnership can “support Vietnam Airlines’ expansion and growth,” Minh said.

Nguyen Quoc Khanh, executive director of research and development at Vietnam Dairy Products (Vinamilk), said the company will “improve itself in every field” to attract investors. Vinamilk was the first in the country to completely remove limitations on foreign ownership, paving the way for international investors to hold more than 58% at present. Large shareholders include Singapore-based peer Fraser and Neave.

Following a successful second auction of Vinamilk shares in early November, the State Capital Investment Corp. began to inform potential investors of the divestment procedures for its four blue chip companies, including information technology player FPT and Tien Phong Plastic.

Nguyen Quang Dung, the deputy CEO of Vietnam National Petroleum Corp., or Petrolimex, hailed a partnership the company forged last year with Japan’s JX Nippon Oil & Energy. The two sides are working closely in numerous areas, including corporate management and market development, he said.

In the background of all this is the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, to which Vietnam is a party. Saigon Securities’ Hung said the TPP negotiations have prompted domestic companies to adhere to international business standards, further improving the environment for investors from abroad.

Meanwhile, Pham Hong Son, vice chairman of the State Securities Commission of Vietnam, said his organization is planning to launch bond futures at the local stock exchange. “Besides covered warrants products to be launched later this year, we are planning to launch government bond futures next year,” said Son during his opening speech at the forum. This follows the opening of the derivatives market at the Hanoi Stock Exchange in August this year.