In April 2026, the M&A Worldwide (MAWW) APAC Convention was successfully held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Bringing together M&A professionals and prominent local business leaders, the convention fostered deep discussions on the dynamic Asian market. The event significantly enhanced our understanding of Vietnam’s rapidly evolving economy and reaffirmed that the APAC region remains a highly attractive, pivotal market for global investments.
Vietnam’s Economic Ascent & Infrastructure Boom
Vietnam is positioning itself as a powerhouse in the Asian economy, underpinned by consistent long-term national planning.
● Ambitious Growth Targets: The government has set a clear goal to become a high-income, developed country by 2045. To achieve this, Vietnam is targeting an aggressive 10% annual GDP growth over the next five years (2026-2030).
● Massive Infrastructure Investment: To support this hyper-growth, the country is reforming its budget to allocate up to $30 billion to $40 billion annually toward strategic infrastructure. This includes extensive developments in high-speed railways, deep-water ports, mass transit, and new international airports.
The “Vietnamese Spirit” and Human Capital
Insights from top executives at leading local conglomerates highlighted that Vietnam’s competitive edge extends far beyond cost-effective labour.
● A Driven Workforce: The “Vietnamese Spirit” is characterised by a young, highly educated population with a fierce work ethic and a profound commitment to delivering results, even under intense pressure.
● Optimism and Openness: There is a distinct cultural optimism and openness to international collaboration. This forward-looking mindset allows Vietnamese businesses to adapt quickly and scale aggressively in new sectors.
A Prime Destination for Strategic M&A
The investment approach in Vietnam is undergoing a structural shift.
● Moving Up the Value Chain: Foreign direct investment (FDI) and M&A activities are transitioning from labour-intensive manufacturing to high-value, domestic demand-driven models.
● Key Sectors of Interest: Driven by a booming middle class and rising domestic consumption, sectors such as logistics, IT services, advanced manufacturing, and food & beverage are seeing immense M&A traction.
● The “China Plus One” Alternative: With favourable trade agreements and competitive production costs, Vietnam remains one of the most viable and resilient alternatives for manufacturing and supply chain diversification in Asia.
The MAWW APAC Convention 2026 underscored the immense, tangible potential of the Asian market. With our robust global network and deep local insights gained from this convention, we are uniquely positioned to facilitate cross-border M&A. We stand ready to guide European and global investors in navigating this vibrant landscape and capturing the most promising opportunities in Asia.