Speaking at the CEO 500 conference on October 26, Nguyen Lam Thanh, General Director of TikTok Vietnam Technology Co., Ltd., proposed that Ho Chi Minh City work with technology platforms to build and maintain accurate online information about its newly established wards and communes.

The conference, themed "The Convergence of FDI, Technology and Global Financial Flows," was held as part of the Autumn Economic Forum 2026.

According to Thanh, following the recent administrative restructuring, online information about many of the city's newly reorganized wards and communes remains incomplete, outdated or even inaccurate.

He warned that these shortcomings could affect both the city's development and its public image.

As digital platforms increasingly become essential channels for finding information, connecting with others and accessing services, inaccurate administrative data can create difficulties for residents and weaken efforts to promote local communities.

Thanh stressed that updating this information would benefit not only Ho Chi Minh City residents but also people elsewhere in Vietnam and international visitors seeking reliable information about the city.

Accurate digital information would also provide a stronger foundation for promoting local cultural values, tourism potential and commercial activities, helping enhance the city's reputation and attractiveness.

He expressed hope that closer cooperation between local authorities and technology platforms would contribute to socioeconomic development and provide additional momentum for Ho Chi Minh City to maintain its ambition of achieving double-digit economic growth in the coming years.

TikTok calls for faster investment and licensing procedures

At the conference, Thanh also discussed TikTok's efforts to expand its operations in Vietnam.

Since early 2024, the company has been exploring ways to bring three cross-border services into domestic operations in Vietnam, covering information provision, digital advertising and e-commerce, with support from the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee.

All three services have now been transferred to the city.

In 2026, the company received an investment license worth more than $1 billion.

However, Thanh said the transition from cross-border service provision to domestic operations continues to face procedural obstacles.

Licensing requirements involve multiple stages and consultations with several government agencies, making the process time-consuming and difficult for businesses to predict.

He emphasized that competition among cities and countries to attract investment in technology and finance is particularly intense.

If investors cannot determine when a project will be allowed to begin operations, they may choose to move their investments to another city or country.

Thanh therefore called for greater support in resolving administrative bottlenecks, accelerating licensing procedures and giving businesses clearer timelines for project implementation.

Larry Hu, Director of Amazon Global Selling for Southeast Asia, also highlighted changes in Ho Chi Minh City's economic growth drivers.

While industrial manufacturing remains important, services, logistics and exports through e-commerce are playing an increasingly significant role in the city's economy.

Hu noted that continued investment in metro lines, expressways and deep-water ports is expected to strengthen connections between factories, warehouses and consumer markets, creating more favorable conditions for production and business activities.

Looking ahead, Amazon Global Selling hopes to expand cooperation with provincial and municipal authorities across Vietnam.

The aim is to identify industries and products with distinctive local characteristics and competitive advantages, helping businesses reach consumers around the world.

Ho Chi Minh City seeks to connect global capital, FDI and technology

Concluding the conference, Nguyen Cong Vinh, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, said the CEO 500 gathering had provided an important platform for substantive and open dialogue between city authorities, businesses and domestic and international investors.

On behalf of the municipal leadership, Vinh acknowledged the contributions of representatives from central government agencies, ministries, international organizations and investors who shared their experiences and proposed practical opportunities for cooperation.

"We will assign the Ho Chi Minh City Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution to serve as the focal point for consolidating all initiatives, ideas, recommendations and specific projects so that we can work together to advance them after the forum," Vinh said.

He also reiterated the conference's central message: foreign direct investment (FDI), technology and finance cannot realize their full potential when operating independently.

Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam, he said, need to bring these three elements together into a unified development framework, connecting local needs with national capabilities and global resources.

Thu Ha - Phuoc Sang