Background: Z/Yen's "Focus On" series highlights key business and financial centres from around the world. Here, we look at Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s most populous city and largest financial centre. This city is also known as the “Pearl of the Far East” with the charming heritage, dynamic, vibrant and innovative atmosphere, and friendly people. Vietnamese government sets out the goal to be a high-income country by 2045 and reach net-zero emissions by 2050. They also strive to turn Ho Chi Minh City into the international financial center (IFC) by 2045 and create distinct institutional areas for attracting foreign investors. Vietnam's Prime Minister is now leading the steering committee of the IFC project and this shows the government's determination. The IFC in Vietnam will provide opportunities to UK businesses in terms of expertise sharing, trade and investment.

Speakers:

Dominic Scriven's investing career spans nearly 40 years across London, Hong Kong and Vietnam. He studied at Hanoi University for two years before founding Dragon Capital in 1994. He has received an OBE from the British Queen, and a Labour Medal from the President of Vietnam. Dominic Scriven holds a Combined Honours degree in Law and Sociology from Exeter University.

Nguyen Thuy Hanh has over 30 years of banking experience in Vietnam. Hanh leads the client coverage and product teams focused on driving the growth strategy for the bank's clients, people, shareholders, and communities. Under her leadership, the bank provides the banking products and services to 3 client groups through various product lines including, but not limited to transaction banking, financial market, capital market, securities services, M&A advisory, rating advisory, and ESG etc.

She is also working closely with Vietnam government bodies, and market participants to implement the JETP and contribute to deliver the commitment of Vietnam in achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

Hanh has held various important positions in SCB, including Head of Financial Institutions - Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia (2010 - 2015); Deputy General Director - Head of International Corporate and Financial Institutions (2016 – 2017); Managing Director - Head of Commercial Banking (2018 – 2020); Managing Director - Head of CIB Client Coverage (2020 – 30/9/2024) and CEO & Head of Corporate and Investment Banking, Vietnam (1/10/2024 – Now).

Hanh holds a Master of Business Administration of Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management - Université Libre de Bruxelles.

Andrew Oldland KC is a senior lawyer specialising in international financial regulation. He is a partner in the UK law firm Michelmores and was the firm's Senior Partner between 2017 and 2021. Andrew is ranked by the Legal 500 directory as a "Leading Individual".

Andrew is a barrister, a King's Counsel and a part-time judge sitting in civil/commercial and criminal cases. He previously held a number of senior UK government roles as independent counsel including the Attorney-General's A list of counsel, standing counsel to His Majesty's Revenue & Customs and the Serious Fraud Office's list of counsel. Andrew has advised a number of governments on financial regulation, particularly in respect of common law based international financial centres.

In 2016 Andrew was appointed a founder member of the Legal Advisory Council to the Astana International Financial Centre in Kazakhstan reviewing legislation and providing strategic legal advice. In 2017 he led the team which drafted many of the financial regulations for the AIFC, including the overarching framework regulations and those relating to the capital markets. Members of this team have also worked for the DIFC in Dubai and the Qatar Financial Centre. Andrew remains a serving member of the Council. In 2023 Andrew was appointed the Chairman of the Working Group established under a Memorandum of Understanding between the City UK and Vietnam's Ministry of Planning and Investment. This working group has been providing advice and assistance relating to the development of an international financial and business centre in Vietnam.

Andrew also regularly acts for financial institutions and other regulated firms (including leading firms of accountants and lawyers) on complex issues relating to AML/CTF, sanctions and anti-corruption. He frequently acts for firms seeking authorisation from the UK's Financial Conduct Authority and for those facing regulatory intervention.

Andrew has a degree in economics from the London School of Economics and a Diploma in Law from the City University. Andrew is a Master of the Bench of Inner Temple and sits on the International Committee.