Vietnam has talked about an international financial centre for years. In 2026 it became a place you can visit, with an office, a website and a list of members. I don't work in finance policy, but I know both cities well, and I know how to get you to the right buildings with the right people expecting you. Here is what has opened and how to see it.
What is the Vietnam International Financial Centre?
A single international financial centre, created by National Assembly Resolution 222/2025/QH15, with two hubs: one in Da Nang and one in Ho Chi Minh City. It is designed to attract foreign financial firms with its own rules, one-stop licensing and a sandbox for new financial products.
The Da Nang hub runs under Government Decree 323/ND-CP of 18 December 2025. Its portal offers one-stop services for member registration, licensing, work permits, visas and tax. The two hubs share one name but have different specialisms, which is the most useful thing to understand before you plan a visit.
How do the Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City hubs differ?
Da Nang is the testing ground: sandbox finance, digital assets, crypto pilots and payments. Ho Chi Minh City is the heavyweight: aviation and maritime finance, a commodity exchange, fintech and digital banking, and green finance, with large founding members.
| Da Nang hub | Ho Chi Minh City hub | |
|---|---|---|
| Opened | 9 Jan 2026 | 11 Feb 2026 |
| Focus | Sandbox finance, digital assets and crypto pilots, digital payments, supply-chain finance, specialised exchanges | Aviation finance, maritime finance, commodity exchange and clearing, fintech and digital banking, green finance |
| Base | Operating authority at Software Park No. 2; zones of about 300 ha | Run by the city's People's Committee; financial district in the centre |
| Names involved | City operating authority | Sovico, MB, TPBank, SHB, SonKim Capital, VinaCapital, Nasdaq (founding) |
| Who it suits | Fintech, digital-asset and payments firms | Banks, funds, aviation and shipping finance, commodities |
From official launch reports in Viet Nam News (9 Jan 2026) and Vietnam Investment Review (12 Feb 2026). Rules and incentives are still being added; check the hubs' own portals.
What commitments has the Ho Chi Minh City hub announced?
At launch the city reported commitments including $6.1 billion for an aviation finance centre, $2 billion for smart-city data infrastructure and financial programmes, and $1 billion for an on-chain economy fund. These are announced commitments, not money already invested.
Alongside the seven founding members, six strategic members joined at launch, including Gemadept, a ports and logistics group, and TikTok. For a visitor, the list tells you which firms are likely to be active in the centre's first years.
How can I visit both VIFC hubs on one trip?
Spend two days in each city. Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City are about an hour and a half apart by air, with many daily flights. Start in Ho Chi Minh City for the big institutions, then fly to Da Nang for the sandbox side and finish with a weekend on the coast.
| Day | Where | Plan |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ho Chi Minh City | Arrive, District 1, dinner with a local contact |
| 2 | Ho Chi Minh City | Requested meetings in the financial district; licensed legal and tax advisers |
| 3 | Fly to Da Nang | Morning flight; afternoon visit to the Software Park area |
| 4 | Da Nang | Requested meetings with fintech and payments firms; evening by the river |
| 5–6 | Hoi An or the beach | Optional weekend; see Hoi An or Da Nang |
Our Ho Chi Minh City business trip plan covers districts and drive times, and Da Nang for traders covers the central coast. Avoid Da Nang's flood months of October and November for the second leg.
How does Green Candle Journeys help on a VIFC visit?
We plan both cities end to end: flights between hubs, hotels, a car and driver in each city, an interpreter, requested meetings, and introductions to licensed lawyers and tax advisers. We are a travel company: we don't give investment, legal or licensing advice, and meetings are requested, not guaranteed.
- Before you fly: a written plan and price within 48 hours, and help with the e-visa.
- On the ground: one coordinator for both cities, so nothing falls between them.
- In the room: an interpreter, and a briefing on business etiquette.
- If you trade: meetings before 14:00, a tested desk for London and New York.
FAQ
When did the Vietnam International Financial Centre open?
The Da Nang hub was inaugurated on 9 January 2026, and the Ho Chi Minh City hub was launched on 11 February 2026. Both belong to one centre created by Resolution 222/2025/QH15.
Where is the Vietnam International Financial Centre?
It has two hubs: Da Nang, with its operating authority at Software Park No. 2 and zones of about 300 hectares, and Ho Chi Minh City, run by the city's People's Committee.
What does the Da Nang financial centre focus on?
Sandbox testing of new financial models, digital assets and crypto pilots, digital payments, supply-chain finance, specialised trading platforms and non-deposit-taking lenders.
Who are the founding members of VIFC in Ho Chi Minh City?
At launch the founding members were Sovico Group, MB, TPBank, SHB, SonKim Capital, VinaCapital and Nasdaq, with six strategic members including Gemadept and TikTok.
Can you arrange meetings at the financial centre?
We request meetings and coordinate travel, cars, interpreters and site visits in both cities. Meetings are requested, not guaranteed, and we introduce you to licensed professionals for legal, tax or licensing questions.
The bottom line
Vietnam's financial centre is real now, with two hubs that do different jobs: Da Nang tests new finance, Ho Chi Minh City hosts the big institutions. Four days, two cities, the right meetings requested in advance, and you'll know whether it fits your plans.
Sources: Viet Nam News, 9 Jan 2026; Vietnam Investment Review, 12 Feb 2026; Baker McKenzie.