As part of the 2026 Lao Cai Investment Promotion Conference, the Lao Cai Provincial People’s Committee, in collaboration with the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), co-hosted the dialogue “Unlocking Resources – Driving Innovation” on 16 July 2026. EuroCham Board Member Simonetta di Domenico represented EuroCham Vietnam at the event.
Opening the conference, Standing Vice-Chair of the Lao Cai Provincial People’s Committee Ngo Hanh Phuc highlighted that the merger of Lao Cai and Yen Bai provinces has created new opportunities to strengthen resource synergies, expand development space, and enhance the province’s strategic role and competitiveness. He reaffirmed Lao Cai’s ambition to become a key growth pole in Vietnam’s Northern Midlands and Mountainous Region by improving the investment climate, accelerating administrative reform, developing transport, logistics, and digital infrastructure, promoting science, technology and innovation, and enhancing workforce quality.
Deputy Secretary General of VCCI Dau Anh Tuan presented an overview of Lao Cai’s business environment based on the 2025 Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI). He outlined key opportunities and challenges for the province, proposed measures to strengthen its competitiveness and investment environment, and reaffirmed VCCI’s commitment to supporting Lao Cai through policy recommendations, research, and business development initiatives.
The dialogue brought together policymakers, experts, and business representatives to discuss three priorities for the province’s next stage of development:
- Institutional reform to improve the investment and business environment;
- Trade connectivity, including opportunities to strengthen ASEAN–China trade links; and
- Infrastructure development to support sustainable industrial growth.
Participants also exchanged recommendations on attracting high-quality investment and unlocking Lao Cai’s long-term development potential.
What this means for EuroCham members
Lao Cai’s continued efforts to strengthen its business environment and infrastructure create new opportunities for companies exploring investment and cross-border trade in Northern Vietnam. EuroCham welcomes the province’s commitment to administrative reform and sustainable development and will continue supporting constructive dialogue between policymakers and the European business community to help foster a transparent, competitive, and investment-friendly environment.
Photo credit: Bao Dau Tu
