Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Van Thang highly appreciated and thanked the Weatherhead Institute for East Asian Studies, the individuals involved, and the US experts and scholars for their meticulous preparation of the VLP 2026 program. – Photo: chinhphu.vn/Duc Tuan
On the morning of August 26, 2026 (New York time), the high-level Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Van Thang successfully concluded the Vietnam Leadership Program (VLP) 2026 after three days of work at Columbia University, New York, USA.
In his closing remarks, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Van Thang highly appreciated and thanked the Weatherhead Institute for East Asian Studies, the individuals involved, and all the experts and scholars from the United States for investing their time, dedication, and intellect in meticulously preparing for the program, sharing profound knowledge and experience, and for the warm welcome and sincere hospitality extended to the delegation.
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Van Thang and the high-level Vietnamese delegation attend the Vietnam Leadership Program (VLP) 2026 – Photo: chinhphu.vn/Duc Tuan
The Deputy Prime Minister assessed that, in the spirit of open exchange, the discussion topics of the VLP Program have demonstrated practicality and usefulness for relevant Vietnamese agencies in the process of policy planning and implementation.
The Deputy Prime Minister shared the assessments of professors and experts that the world is at a crucial turning point, where challenges are intertwined with opportunities for nations aspiring to self-reliance and progress. To realize the double-digit growth target and the two centenary goals, Vietnam recognizes the need to steadfastly maintain macroeconomic stability, proactively adapt to external shocks, and consider science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and modern financial infrastructure as important growth drivers. Improving institutions, creating a favorable environment for innovation, and enhancing national competitiveness will be key to Vietnam’s deeper participation in global supply chains and value chains.
During discussions within the framework of the Program, American professors and experts highly appreciated Vietnam’s potential for breakthroughs – Photo: chinhphu.vn/Duc Tuan
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Van Thang expressed his confidence that the success of the Vietnam Leadership Program 2026 will further strengthen the knowledge bridge, contributing to deepening and strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and the United States.
Speaking at the closing session, Executive Vice President of Columbia University Amy Hungerford praised the frank, substantive, and multifaceted exchanges on the contents of the VLP Program. She emphasized the university’s role in promoting dialogue and connecting policymakers, academics, and businesses; affirmed Columbia University’s commitment to long-term cooperation with Vietnam, expressed its desire to strengthen teaching and research activities, and considered the VLP 2026 Program as the starting point for a sustainable dialogue and cooperation between the two sides.
During the discussions, the Deputy Prime Minister and members of the Vietnamese delegation shared Vietnam’s views, vision, development orientation, and specific solutions. – Photo: chinhphu.vn/Duc Tuan
During the discussions, the Deputy Prime Minister and members of the Vietnamese delegation shared Vietnam’s views, vision, development orientation, and specific solutions. – Photo: chinhphu.vn/Duc Tuan
During discussions within the framework of the Program, US professors and experts highly appreciated Vietnam’s breakthrough potential, and argued that mastering technology and developing modern digital financial infrastructure would be a leverage to enhance labor productivity and national competitiveness. Based on this, scholars recommended that Vietnam proactively apply AI and data technology to enhance its self-reliance; build a pioneering institutional framework to promote innovation, master foundational technologies, and safely manage technology-based financial models; and reform the capital market in conjunction with modernizing the banking system to optimize resource allocation and ensure high growth coupled with macroeconomic stability.
The Deputy Prime Minister and members of the Vietnamese delegation, along with professors and experts from the United States – Photo: chinhphu.vn/Duc Tuan
During the discussions, the Deputy Prime Minister and members of the Vietnamese delegation shared Vietnam’s views, vision, development orientation, and specific solutions; emphasizing that strengthening domestic capabilities and enhancing strategic self-reliance play a decisive role, while maximizing breakthrough international resources to maintain macroeconomic stability, improve institutions, and promote new growth drivers, creating a foundation for Vietnam to realize its national development goals.
The Deputy Prime Minister requested that ministries, agencies, and members of the working group study and synthesize valuable recommendations from the Program to advise the Government on macroeconomic management and socio-economic development policy planning.
Duc Tuan
Source: https://nguyenvanthang.chinhphu.vn/chuyen-doi-so-ai-ha-tang-tai-chinh-hien-dai-la-cac-dong-luc-tang-truong-quan-important-102260827045024326.htm