On the evening of June 27, 2025, the Vietnam Investment and Finance Association in the UK (VIFA) was officially launched at the headquarters of St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc in London – one of the United Kingdom’s leading wealth management firms and a member of the FTSE 100.
The event marked a significant milestone in building a professional platform to connect Vietnamese finance professionals, investors, and entrepreneurs both in the UK and globally. It also opened a new chapter for enhanced bilateral collaboration between Vietnam and the UK in the areas of finance, investment, and wealth management.
The launch ceremony brought together over 100 distinguished guests from across the financial and investment ecosystem. Attendees included representatives from the Vietnam Trade Office in the UK, the South London Chamber of Commerce, the London Business Network (LBN), as well as Vietnamese professionals working at global financial institutions such as HSBC, Citi, EY, PwC, and Standard Chartered. A diverse mix of fintech startups, wealth management firms, legal experts, accountants, investment advisors, and Vietnamese students studying finance and business in the UK were also in attendance.
VIFA was established with the mission to become a professional, inclusive platform that connects the global Vietnamese financial community. It aims to strengthen the voice, expertise, and influence of Vietnamese finance professionals internationally while promoting Vietnam–UK economic cooperation through knowledge sharing, policy dialogue, and real-world business support.
The association’s 2025–2028 strategic vision is anchored on three pillars:
First, to build a professional development and mentorship network for young Vietnamese finance professionals.
Second, to promote research collaboration and constructive policy input related to financial regulation and innovation in Vietnam.
Third, to support financial advisory, business incubation, and investment guidance for Vietnamese individuals, startups, and businesses in the UK.
The event drew significant attention from both domestic and international media. Eight reputable media outlets were present to cover the launch, conduct interviews, and report on its significance. These included:
VietnamPlus, Báo Tin Tức (News Bulletin), BNEWS (Vietnam News Agency), VTC News, Báo Quốc Tế (The World & Vietnam Report), VietnamMedia (VNA Video), and UK-based Vietnamese news platforms VietnewsUK.com and VietnamMedia.VNA.
Their coverage reflects the high level of interest and growing visibility of the Vietnamese financial community in one of the world’s leading financial centres.
Looking ahead, VIFA UK has announced an ambitious calendar of initiatives for its inaugural year. In August 2025, the association will host a specialist forum on UK–Vietnam financial regulatory frameworks. In September, it will co-organise a financial strategy dialogue with the London Chamber of Commerce, focusing on implications for the UK Autumn Budget. In December, the First Annual General Meeting will be held to review progress and unveil strategic directions for 2026. Additional initiatives include a global Vietnamese mentor–mentee programme and a virtual masterclass series on finance, investment, and entrepreneurship.
The launch of VIFA is not only a landmark institutional development but also a bold statement of vision and confidence from the Vietnamese diaspora in global finance. With a robust professional foundation, clear strategic pillars, and support from cross-border stakeholders, VIFA UK is well-positioned to become a strategic bridge between Vietnam and the United Kingdom—two rising centres of financial opportunity and innovation.
Read full media coverage of the VIFA Launch:
The Vietnam Investment and Finance Association in the UK (VIFA) is a professional network of finance, investment, and fintech leaders with ties to Vietnam and the United Kingdom. VIFA is dedicated to advancing collaboration, innovation, and impact across borders—connecting talent, ideas, and opportunities to shape the future of finance.