After nearly four decades of renewal, Viet Nam has expanded its trade relations with more than 200 countries and territories and has become a party to 17 free trade agreements (FTAs). However, the challenge is no longer simply bringing goods to global markets, but also strengthening competitiveness, building brands and establishing a lasting position for Vietnamese enterprises internationally.

In an interview with the Newspaper of Industry and Trade, Vu Ba Phu, Director of the Viet Nam Trade Promotion Agency (VIETRADE) under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), shared new directions for the GoGlobal Program for the 2026 - 2030 period.

From export promotion to building a presence in international markets

- How does the GoGlobal Program for the 2026 - 2030 period differ in terms of objectives and approach from previous trade promotion activities?

Vu Ba Phu: After nearly four decades of renewal, Viet Nam has expanded trade relations with more than 200 countries and territories while implementing 17 FTAs. However, international competition is becoming increasingly intense, global supply chains are being restructured, and the requirements for digital and green transformation are becoming more pronounced.

Therefore, we cannot stop at expanding markets or bringing products overseas. More importantly, we must transform the achievements of international integration into genuine competitive capacity for businesses, enabling them to establish a solid foothold, develop their own brands and participate more deeply in global value chains.

This is also the fundamental distinction of GoGlobal. While previous support activities mainly focused on export promotion, the program is designed to help enterprises comprehensively strengthen their international competitiveness. Beyond exports, businesses will receive guidance and support to invest abroad, build international brands and gradually become enterprises capable of competing at both regional and global levels.

- One of the program's new features is support for enterprises to strengthen their presence in overseas markets. Specifically, what support will be provided to help businesses gradually establish a foothold in international markets?

Vu Ba Phu: In the past, support for businesses going abroad was often understood as helping them sell products overseas. However, to secure a sustainable position in international markets, enterprises cannot rely solely on exports through intermediaries. They need to gradually build a substantive presence in host markets.

Accordingly, the program will accompany businesses in a wide range of activities, including establishing companies, branches and representative offices; undertaking direct investment, mergers and acquisitions; building manufacturing facilities, logistics centers and distribution centers; developing showrooms and product display centers; establishing bonded warehouses; and gradually setting up research and development centers in markets with advantages in technology and human resources.

This represents a shift from the mindset of "selling products abroad" to one of "establishing a presence and taking root abroad." Once Vietnamese enterprises develop their own distribution networks, production capacity, logistics systems and brand recognition in host markets, they will be better positioned to reduce dependence on intermediaries and gradually build a long-term presence in international markets.

Laying the foundation for Vietnamese enterprises to go global

- In addition to market information, business connectivity and legal support, the MoIT is studying financial mechanisms to support enterprises expanding internationally. How is this being approached?

Vu Ba Phu: This is one of the most important issues. In reality, establishing manufacturing facilities, distribution centers or bonded warehouses abroad requires medium- and long-term capital, while access to financing through conventional commercial channels is not always easy, especially for small- and medium-sized enterprises.

Therefore, alongside solutions related to market information, partner matching, legal assistance and trade promotion, the MoIT is studying and proposing appropriate financial mechanisms to support enterprises in expanding into international markets. This includes examining the possibility of establishing a specialized export-import fund or bank, equipped with instruments such as credit guarantees, preferential loans, working-capital support and risk insurance.

Many economies have established dedicated financial institutions to support exports and overseas investment. For Viet Nam, we will coordinate with the Ministry of Finance, the State Bank of Viet Nam and relevant agencies to study and propose a model suited to the country's actual conditions.

- To implement the program during the 2026 - 2030 period, what specific targets has the MOIT set, and what key solutions will be prioritized?

Vu Ba Phu: The overall objective of the program is to promote the comprehensive, effective and sustainable expansion of the Vietnamese private sector's presence in international markets through overseas investment, international business activities and deeper participation in regional and global supply chains and value chains.

By 2030, the program aims to provide training on global investment and business activities to at least 10,000 enterprise participants; support 1,000 enterprises in receiving consultancy services and developing international expansion plans. At the same time, at least 100 enterprises will receive intensive support for overseas investment; 100 enterprises will be assisted in integrating more deeply into regional and global value chains; and 100 enterprises will receive support to operate effectively on cross-border e-commerce platforms.

To achieve these goals, we will first focus on improving coordination mechanisms and institutional frameworks; selecting the right group of pioneering enterprises; and prioritizing resources for sectors with high technological content and added value, including processing and manufacturing industries, digital technology, e-commerce, logistics and green products.

More importantly, this is not the responsibility of a single agency or ministry. GoGlobal requires close coordination among ministries, sectors, localities, industry associations, trade promotion organizations and the business community itself. Enterprises must be the central actors in the internationalization process.

- Thank you very much!

The GoGlobal Program was approved by the Prime Minister under Decision No.626/QD-TTg dated April 6, 2026, for implementation during the 2026 - 2030 period. The program aims to promote the Vietnamese private sector's greater presence in international markets through overseas investment, international business activities and deeper participation in regional and global supply chains and value chains. The Viet Nam Trade Promotion Agency is abbreviated as VIETRADE.