HDBank, VIFC and London Stock Exchange sign strategic partnership to connect Vietnamese firms with international capital markets

HDBank, in collaboration with the London Stock Exchange (LSE) and the Vietnam International Financial Centre (VIFC) in Ho Chi Minh City, organized a High-Level Investment Forum aimed at strengthening links between Vietnam’s capital markets and the global financial system. The LSE is home to more than 1,600 international-listed companies and operates a large debt market of about US$34 trillion, serving as a gateway for international capital.

Strategic cooperation to connect Vietnamese firms with global markets

During the forum, HDBank and the London Stock Exchange signed a strategic cooperation agreement to establish a long-term framework to help Vietnamese firms access international capital markets. The cooperation is designed to support cross-border fundraising, including equity and bond issuance on the London market, and to strengthen ties with global institutional investors.

The partnership also focuses on raising governance and transparency standards in line with international practices, reflecting the need for deeper connections with global markets amid increasingly selective and sustainable international capital flows.

Forum focus: standards, advisory and fundraising pathways

The event was structured as a platform for direct connections between enterprises and global market standards. It highlighted access to international practices and support across strategic advisory, capital structure, listing opportunities, and fundraising on the London market—particularly for enterprises within the VIFC ecosystem.

Green bond plan and sustainable finance commitments

As part of the partnership, HDBank announced plans to issue up to US$300 million in international green bonds. The move was presented as a milestone in sustainable finance and an expansion of long-term capital sourced from international markets.

Key remarks from HDBank and the London Stock Exchange

Mr. Kim Byoungho, Chairman of HDBank, said the partnership with the LSE aims to support fundraising while accompanying Vietnamese enterprises to reach global governance, transparency, and sustainable development standards, with London’s platform intended to open a long-term channel linking Vietnam with international investors.

Dame Julia Hoggett, CEO of LSE, said Vietnam is emerging as one of Asia’s most dynamic growth economies with increasing potential to attract international capital. She added that the collaboration reflects London’s commitment to supporting emerging markets as they raise standards and integrate with international finance.

Enterprise cooperation and broader partnerships

The forum also built on prior strategic exchanges between HDBank and LSE, including a 2025 delegation visit led by Vietnamese business leaders covering international fundraising, listings, and investor connectivity.

Beyond corporate deals, the forum announced cooperation with leading Vietnamese enterprises to facilitate access to international capital, including Hoa Sen, THACO, and Phuc Sinh. The cooperation focuses on capital structuring, listing advisory, and global investor connections.

HDBank further expanded cooperation with international financial institutions and technology partners to strengthen its long-term development platform. The collaboration between VIFC and LSE was described as laying groundwork for international-standard market development within VIFC. In parallel, HDBank and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) established cooperation to promote sustainable finance, climate finance, support for small and medium-sized enterprises, and supply-chain finance.

Technology initiatives and fintech expansion under VIFC

In technology, HDBank partnered with Temenos to deploy a new-generation core banking platform for HDBank, VIKKI Digital Bank, and ecosystem institutions, creating a technology backbone for long-term growth and innovation.

Fintech Hub, a core component of VIFC, was officially launched to connect financial institutions, technology companies, and investment funds to foster fintech innovation. A fintech investment fund of about US$30 million was announced to support technology firms in growth.

Expert view on emerging financial center connectivity

Dr. Philipp Rösler, an international finance expert, said that in a changing global financial architecture, the effectiveness of connections among capital, technology and policy will shape the standing of emerging financial centers. He noted that Vietnam has favorable conditions to participate more deeply in the global financial network and that collaborations such as HDBank–LSE are important steps toward that goal.

Expected impact on fundraising and market integration

Through cooperation with LSE and international partners, HDBank positions itself as a bridge between Vietnam’s financial markets and the global capital system. The forum said direct connections with major financial centers are expected to enhance fundraising capacity for Vietnamese enterprises and strengthen Vietnam’s position in the international financial system.