{"id":11785,"date":"2026-02-03T07:38:27","date_gmt":"2026-02-03T07:38:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tradepassglobal.com\/?p=11785"},"modified":"2026-02-03T07:38:30","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T07:38:30","slug":"wfis-2026-bolsters-vietnams-fsi-plans-to-outgrow-its-cub-status-and-become-the-next-asian-tiger","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.tradepassglobal.com\/vi\/wfis-2026-bolsters-vietnams-fsi-plans-to-outgrow-its-cub-status-and-become-the-next-asian-tiger\/","title":{"rendered":"WFIS 2026 Bolsters Vietnam\u2019s FSI Plans to Outgrow Its \u2018Cub\u2019 Status and Become the Next Asian Tiger"},"content":{"rendered":"
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South Korea bets on electronics, Taiwan on semiconductors, Singapore on manufacturing, and Hong Kong on finance \u2013 and that\u2019s part<\/em> reason why their economies are flourishing today, voraciously growing manifold over the years and rightfully earning themselves the big \u2018Four Asian Tigers\u2019 title.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, surrounding these trillion-dollar tigers \u2013 who\u2019ve long reached advanced industrial maturity; boasting world-class infrastructure, top-tier education systems, and globally competitive technologies \u2013 are younger, eager<\/em> nations harbouring untapped markets, abundant labour, and a hunger for growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Termed as Southeast Asia\u2019s Tiger \u2018Cubs\u2019\u2013 Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam have emerged as one of the region\u2019s fastest growing economies, ranking high in the fields of fintech, cybersecurity, and digital innovation. With per capita incomes surpassing previous years\u2019 averages, and millions in private sector investments pouring in, these nations hold both potential and<\/em> capacity to sustain and accelerate their growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While they\u2019re busy carving out their trajectories for the coming decade, Vietnam <\/strong>in particular seems to be in need of a slightly unique approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe country needs to make multiple<\/em> big bets,\u201d Said Richard McClellan \u2013 former Founding Country Director for Vietnam \u2013 emphasizing that Vietnam’s economy can\u2019t rely on a single sector for long-term growth. Considering the complex structure of it, i.e., a diversified industrial base, an expanding consumer market, an evolving digital ecosystem with<\/em> the constraints of a still-developing infrastructure and workforce readiness, the country will be in need of bold, coordinated strategies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, unlike how South Korea focused on electronics, Taiwan on semiconductors, and Hong Kong on finance, Vietnam would have to make strategic investments across<\/em> multiple sectors to remain competitive, as \u2018cheap labour\u2019 is no longer the country\u2019s main advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vietnam\u2019s Demographic Dilemma<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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While a 100 million people are a powerful asset \u2013 it has both favoured and strained Vietnam, i.e., presented both economic opportunity as well as developmental pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On one end, a large working-age population has enabled Vietnam to robustly fuel its manufacturing sector \u2013 attracting FDIs and expanding the country\u2019s role in global supply chains. On the other, it has created systemic bottlenecks: underdeveloped infrastructure, workforce skill gaps, urban congestion, and rising social service demands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The country is also gradually ageing. While not as acute as Japan or South Korea, Vietnam\u2019s median age is rising, and dependency ratios will increase over the next two decades. If productivity doesn\u2019t outpace these demographic shifts, the country\u2019s growth could slow down. And while the country aspires to transition from a \u2018Tiger Cub\u2019 to a more mature, innovation-led economy like its neighbours, these constraints require meticulous strategy \u2013 neglecting which might risk undermining Vietnam\u2019s long-term progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this complex landscape, the financial sector <\/strong>plays a crucial role. As the country navigates dual pressures of a large and ageing population, focus falls on sectors that can multiply<\/em> productivity, absorb labour at scale, improve capital flow, and drive inclusive, sustainable growth. Therefore, chief among these sectors turn out to be finance and digital innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While population expands, pressures mount, expectations of the urban middle class rise, and demand for better public infrastructure surges; financial systems \u2013 as backbone to all concerned functions \u2013 must evolve in tandem. They must reform and digitize themselves to match the volatility of Vietnam\u2019s demographic landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By the Numbers: The Financial Sector\u2019s Role<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vietnam\u2019s GDP was valued at approximately US$476 billion in 2024, and is set to reaching $500\u202fbillion this year with growth targets at least 8%. By 2030, the country aims to double the size of its economy, and hope to move closer to a trillion-dollar mark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A major contributor to this has been a combination of export-driven manufacturing, rising domestic consumption, steady inflows of foreign investments (FDIs), and the government\u2019s push for digital and financial innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2024 alone, Vietnam attracted US$38.23 billion in registered FDI<\/strong>, with disbursements hitting a record US$25.35 billion<\/strong> \u2013 the highest in its history. The majority of this capital went into processing and manufacturing, particularly in high-tech industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, the country has steadily expanded its digital economy, which was valued at over $30 billion in 2023, and is projected to reach $45 billion by this year. Financial services \u2013 particularly digital banking and fintech \u2013 have emerged as key enablers of this shift, supporting greater access to credit, payment systems, and capital allocation across sectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Finance & Tech: The New Engine<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the past decade for Vietnam\u2019s economy was defined by manufacturing and foreign investments, the next will be driven by financial innovation and digital technology<\/strong> \u2013 because fintech has transformed how people in Vietnam pay, borrow, and invest. Mobile wallets now process millions of transactions daily; digital banking platforms are increasing access to credit; and blockchain-powered solutions are emerging for all financial services. These innovations are not just conveniences for the urban middle-class, but entire gateways to economic participation for the unbanked, who make up a large portion of the population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, the government\u2019s National Digital Transformation Program<\/em><\/strong> intends to push the country towards a cashless society by 2030, with ambitious targets to digitize public services, scale e-payments, and expand digital literacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pair this with the country\u2019s young, tech-savvy demographic, and Vietnam can position itself as Southeast Asia\u2019s laboratory for innovative digital finance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But opportunities come with setbacks. Cybersecurity risks are mounting, and regulatory frameworks must keep pace with such rapid innovation. Moreover, without careful planning, digital adoption could deepen the divide between urban and rural communities. If left unaddressed, these risks could undermine investor confidence and slow down Vietnam\u2019s complete growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All of this gives rise to several key questions that demand answers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • How can Vietnam build a regulatory environment that fosters innovation and<\/em> ensures stability?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • What kind of partnerships are needed to help expand digital financial services across sectors?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • How can fintech be leveraged effectively to close the gap between urban and rural communities?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • How can fintech solutions be designed to reach rural households, women entrepreneurs, and small businesses \u2013 which is to say, all<\/em> of Vietnam?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • And, perhaps the most important one; what do the next 5 years look like?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    The Road Ahead<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Vietnam\u2019s bet with digital finance will hold lessons for other emerging economies across Asia and beyond, by showing how young nations can combat developmental hurdles through innovative technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    But the road ahead needs carefully calibrated policies, closer collaboration between regulators, banks, and industry leaders, and \u2013 above all \u2013 spaces<\/em> where these stakeholders can trade ideas and forge partnerships. Therefore, what is needed most at present in countries such as Vietnam, are platforms<\/em> where such conversations can unfold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    One such forum that has enabled serious dialogue and collaboration across Vietnam\u2019s FSI landscape is the World Financial Innovation Series (WFIS)<\/strong> \u2013 by Tradepass<\/strong> \u2013 which has established itself as the most sought-after, pioneering platform of its kind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    With a flagship fourth edition<\/strong> coming to Hanoi soon, at Meli\u00e1 Hanoi<\/strong>, on 19 – 20 May 2026, <\/strong>the WFIS will bring together more than 500 industry professionals; technology leaders, regulators, banks, insurance firms, digital lenders, microfinance institutions, and more \u2013 whose collaboration via panel discussions, innovative exhibitions, and guided networking meetings will help develop clear, actionable<\/em> strategies for the country\u2019s FSI trajectory. By convening the best minds of Vietnam\u2019s fintech industry under one roof, WFIS will help turn long-term goals into practical outcomes that strengthen and support the country\u2019s financial ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The event\u2019s rigorous 2-day agenda reflects Vietnam\u2019s evolving financial landscape: accelerated digital adoption, the rise of embedded finance, open banking, cloud-native infrastructure, and regulatory initiatives such as the fintech sandbox and digital banking. These are exactly the kind of domains where Vietnam can gain momentum in the long run, and push its economy out of its \u2018Cub\u2019 status.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Big Catch<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    While Vietnam holds significant economic potential owing to a large working-age population, with a GDP growing at a steady CAGR of 6%, it also faces severe setbacks due to an underdeveloped infrastructure and significant gaps in financial inclusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Given that finance runs all economic activity, and \u2013 in the age of all-things-internet \u2013 only digitization guarantees long-term growth, Vietnam must therefore shape all<\/em> its policies and initiatives around technological innovation in finance so it can push its economy in the necessary direction forward, if<\/em> it wants to catch up to be the next Asian tiger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Platforms, like the ones Tradepass creates, contribute significantly to these advancements. Dialogue instigates partnership, and partnerships produce collective actions \u2013 which, when translated into product innovation, regulatory sandboxes, pilot projects, and market-wide collaborations \u2013 help modernize financial services, widen access, and build resilience across Vietnam\u2019s economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    By aligning strategy with innovation, Vietnam can not only bridge its infrastructure and inclusion gaps, but also set a benchmark for how emerging markets can make bold leaps towards a digitally empowered financial future.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    South Korea bets on electronics, Taiwan on semiconductors, Singapore on manufacturing, and Hong Kong on finance \u2013 and that\u2019s part reason why their economies are flourishing today, voraciously growing manifold over the years and rightfully earning themselves the big \u2018Four Asian Tigers\u2019 title. However, surrounding these trillion-dollar tigers \u2013 who\u2019ve long reached advanced industrial maturity; […]<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11788,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11785","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tradepassglobal.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11785","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tradepassglobal.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tradepassglobal.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tradepassglobal.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tradepassglobal.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11785"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.tradepassglobal.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11785\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11789,"href":"https:\/\/www.tradepassglobal.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11785\/revisions\/11789"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tradepassglobal.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11788"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tradepassglobal.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11785"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tradepassglobal.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11785"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tradepassglobal.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11785"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}