•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
On the afternoon of April 16, 2026, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung met with and held talks with a delegation of United States companies led by Brian McFeeters, Acting Chair of the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council (USABC). The meeting included leaders from relevant ministries and agencies and representatives from 52 leading U.S. companies operating across energy and industry, technology and the digital economy, finance, logistics and transport, life sciences, agriculture, services, consumer goods, and creative industries.
At the meeting, the two sides held frank and substantive exchanges on directions and concrete solutions to improve bilateral economic-trade-investment cooperation. Government leaders listened to and responded to proposals from U.S. companies covering bilateral trade relations, administrative procedures, capital markets, taxes, the implementation of large energy projects, and visa policy.
The U.S. side highlighted Vietnam’s achievements and development policies, expressing confidence that Vietnam will continue to grow and strengthen competitiveness. Companies said they are increasingly interested in expanding cooperation, investment and business in Vietnam, and pledged continued support for Vietnam’s development.
Trade and investment ties have continued to develop positively, with the United States remaining Vietnam’s largest export market. Bilateral trade reached $209.5 billion in 2025. U.S. exports to Vietnam exceeded $19 billion, up 28% from 2024. Vietnamese enterprises have also signed contracts to purchase aircraft and U.S.-made equipment valued at more than $37 billion.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung welcomed the broad participation of U.S. companies as evidence of strong interest in the Vietnamese market. He outlined Vietnam’s efforts to develop rapidly but sustainably, improve people’s livelihoods, strengthen strategic autonomy, and shift the growth model from resource- and labor-based to knowledge-, technology- and productivity-driven growth.
The Prime Minister said Vietnam is reforming public administration to empower development and recognizing the private sector as a key driver of the economy. He added that Vietnam will step up international integration, make full use of external resources, and implement preferential policies to unlock private investment, while removing barriers to facilitate foreign investment.
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung affirmed that Vietnam consistently regards the United States as one of its most important partners and expressed a desire to strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership in a healthy, stable and sustainable manner. He said the goal is to benefit people and businesses in both countries and contribute to regional and global peace, stability and prosperity.
He also directed senior ministries and agencies to study and respond in writing to issues raised by businesses. The Foreign Ministry and the Government Office will monitor progress and report back final results.
The Prime Minister urged USABC and U.S. companies to continue promoting goodwill and the spirit of cooperation, and to present a fair, balanced and honest picture of Vietnam’s realities. He called for progress toward a reciprocal, fair and balanced trade agreement, including the United States recognizing Vietnam as a fully functioning market economy and removing it from the list of restricted exporters (D1–D3).
On specific cooperation areas, the Government supports and welcomes top U.S. energy and other leading companies investing in Vietnam, contributing to national energy security and the development of a transparent, fair and efficient energy market.
The Prime Minister also called on USABC and U.S. companies to work with the Vietnamese Government to organize a successful APEC Year 2027, aiming to create momentum for Vietnam to further open its market, attract investment, transfer technology and enhance competitiveness.
In science and technology—described as an emerging pillar of the bilateral relationship—Vietnam welcomed U.S. technology and said it is prepared to facilitate access for capable U.S. telecom firms to study investment, technology transfer and the development of telecommunications infrastructure in Vietnam, including 5G and submarine cables, while ensuring national security and compliance with Vietnamese law.
The Prime Minister noted that in February the Ministry of Science and Technology granted a license to provide satellite Internet Starlink in Vietnam, and urged U.S. firms to intensify cooperation with Vietnamese partners for technology transfer.
Premium gym chains are entering a “golden era” that is ending or already in decline, as rising operating costs collide with shifting consumer preferences toward more flexible, community-based ways to exercise. Long-term memberships are shrinking, margins are pressured by higher rents and facility expenses, and competition from smaller, more personalized…
