Vietnam vows all-round success as host of APEC 2027

THE HANOI TIMES — Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has pledged that Vietnam will deliver an “all-round success” as host of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Year 2027, calling it both a national honor and a significant international responsibility.

Speaking at the July 28 ceremony to announce the establishment of the Vietnam Organizing Committee for APEC 2027 at the Government Headquarters in Hanoi, the Prime Minister said the event marked the beginning of Vietnam’s third time hosting the forum, following successful editions in 2006 and 2017.

“Our determination is to ensure success in every aspect, across multilateral and bilateral dimensions, at both regional and international levels,” said Chinh, adding that hosting APEC 2027 reflects Vietnam’s commitment to the global community and the trust APEC members place in the country.

A milestone after three decades of APEC membership

The APEC 2027 host year will coincide with the 30th anniversary of Vietnam’s entry into the 21-member forum, which includes some of the world’s largest economies such as the United States, China and Japan.

“Over the past three decades, APEC has become a central pillar of Vietnam’s foreign and economic policies, helping open markets, attract investment, and enhance competitiveness,” said Chinh.

Chinh highlighted Vietnam’s foreign policy of independence and multilateralism, noting its goal of being a reliable partner and responsible member of the international community. He also linked APEC cooperation to Vietnam’s economic strategy, which seeks to combine national resilience with proactive global integration.

Vietnam pursues a consistent foreign policy of independence and self-reliance, diversification and multilateralism, being a good friend, a reliable partner, and a responsible member of the international community, working for peace, stability, cooperation, and development.

He said the country adheres to its “four no’s” defense policy and builds an independent, self-reliant economy closely linked with proactive and substantive international integration, combining national strengths with global trends.

Vietnam’s economic performance provides a foundation for this ambition. The economy expanded 7.1 % in 2024 and 7.52 % in the first half of 2025, with the government targeting 8.3–8.5 % growth this year.

“These gains are laying the groundwork for double-digit growth in the next decade and advancing toward two centenary goals: becoming a modern industrialized nation with upper-middle income by 2030 and a developed, high-income country by 2045,” said Chinh.

Infrastructure and preparation priorities

The National Committee for APEC 2027, comprising 19 members, will oversee preparations for more than 150 meetings and conferences planned for the year, including the high-profile Leaders’ Week. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son serves as the committee’s chairman.

Key venues are already being upgraded or built. Phu Quoc International Airport is undergoing expansion, while new convention facilities and supporting infrastructure such as transport, water, and electricity systems are being improved to meet international standards.

These investments are expected to serve both the summit and Vietnam’s long-term development needs.

The Prime Minister outlined five guiding principles for the preparations: deepening cooperation among APEC members, fostering innovation, promoting unity and responsibility across government levels, engaging the public and business community, and translating APEC outcomes into tangible benefits for economic growth.

APEC 2027 comes amid profound shifts in the Asia-Pacific and global landscape. Economic uncertainties, supply chain realignments, and regional security challenges have underscored the need for strengthened multilateral cooperation.

Chinh recognized these dynamics, saying Vietnam would approach its hosting duties with resilience and flexible, efficient solutions.

Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son said the roadmap for preparations spans three years: 2025 for comprehensive planning, 2026 for finalizing arrangements, and 2027 for hosting the events.

He stressed close coordination with upcoming APEC hosts, South Korea in 2025, China in 2026, and Mexico in 2028, to ensure continuity and share lessons learned.

Support from APEC partners

International partners at the ceremony expressed confidence in Vietnam’s ability to lead APEC 2027 successfully.

South Korean Ambassador Choi Young Sam, representing the APEC 2025 host, praised Vietnam’s track record, noting that every decade Vietnam has successfully hosted an APEC summit, demonstrating its leadership in promoting peace, stability, and shared prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.

He added that selecting Phu Quoc as the main venue reflects Vietnam’s clear strategic vision and pledged close cooperation with Hanoi in the lead-up to 2027.

Wu Guoquan, Minister-Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam and representative of APEC 2026 host China, commended Vietnam’s contributions to APEC’s agenda and affirmed China’s readiness to work with Vietnam to elevate regional cooperation during its host year.

He also acknowledged Vietnam’s support for China’s upcoming APEC chairmanship in 2026 and expressed hope that both countries would coordinate successfully to lay a solid foundation for deeper APEC collaboration.

Vietnam’s third time hosting APEC is seen as a diplomatic milestone. It is an opportunity to showcase the country’s development trajectory and its evolving role on the global stage. For the government, success in 2027 means not only smooth logistics and meaningful policy outcomes but also strengthening bilateral ties with member economies and promoting Vietnam’s image as a dynamic and responsible partner.

With preparations now formally underway, Vietnam enters the APEC cycle with rising confidence, buoyed by strong economic performance and growing international recognition. As Prime Minister Chinh put it at the launch ceremony, the goal is clear: “to ensure the most effective and successful APEC year possible, contributing to peace, cooperation, development, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific and beyond.”