On April 2, 2026, National Economics University hosted a scientific conference titled: “Shaping the Sandbox Mechanism for Ho Chi Minh City International Financial Center (VIFC-HCMC)”. The conference was co-organized by the National Economics University, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City International Financial Center, and the Global On-chain Economic Alliance, attracting the participation of numerous scientists, experts, managers, and business representatives.

Conference Overview

Attending the conference, external delegates included: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Tien Dat – Rector of the University of Finance and Marketing; Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quoc Suu – Deputy Director of the Academy of Administration and Public Management; Mr. Tony Tran – Executive Board of the Global On-chain Economic Alliance, Director of Research at On-chain Academy; Mr. Lai Hong Phong – Global On-chain Economic Alliance; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Huu Huan – Vice Chairman of the Executive Agency of the Vietnam International Financial Center in Ho Chi Minh City.

From the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung – Deputy Director in charge of the University; along with members participating in the project.

From the National Economics University: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Tho – Party Secretary; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Huy Nhuong – President; Prof. Dr. Tran Tho Dat – Chairman of the Scientific & Training Council; along with representatives of the leadership of Schools, Departments, Faculties, Institutes, and Centers affiliated with the University; representatives of ministries, departments, and sectors; faculty members, experts, and scientists within and outside the University.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Huy Nhuong – President of National Economics University delivering the opening speech at the Conference

In his opening speech, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Huy Nhuong emphasized: “The conference is an important forum connecting academic research with practice and policy, aiming to gather scientific and practical arguments to serve the construction of a controlled experimental mechanism (sandbox) for the blockchain and digital asset sectors.”

Accordingly, the development and implementation of the sandbox mechanism not only serve as a mere experiment but also as a strategic step in perfecting the legal framework for emerging technologies, particularly blockchain and digital assets. The sandbox will allow fintech companies, startups, and financial institutions to test new products, services, and business models within a defined scope and timeframe under regulatory supervision, thereby helping to minimize risks and provide a basis for flexible policy adjustments in line with practical realities.

Additionally, the sandbox mechanism is identified as a crucial bridge between innovation and state management, contributing to the removal of legal barriers and promoting the development of the financial technology ecosystem. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Huy Nhuong also emphasized the role of the sandbox mechanism as a bridge between innovation and state management, aiding in the removal of legal barriers, fostering the development of the financial technology ecosystem, and simultaneously laying a significant foundation for Ho Chi Minh City to gradually realize its goal of becoming an international financial center in the future.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung – Acting Vice President of the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City delivered the keynote speech at the Conference

In the keynote speech at the Conference, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung – Acting Vice President of the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City affirmed: In the context of the imminent establishment of the Ho Chi Minh City International Financial Center, the controlled testing mechanism (sandbox) is considered one of the important and groundbreaking tools, contributing to creating a competitive advantage for the Ho Chi Minh City International Financial Center in particular and the Vietnamese financial system in general.

Today’s academic conference serves as a forum for scientists, experts, and regulatory agencies to exchange theoretical foundations, and to reference international experiences from major financial centers such as Singapore, Dubai, Hong Kong, and the United Kingdom. From there, they discuss and propose a sandbox model suitable for Vietnam’s practical conditions, forming the basis for improving mechanisms and policies in the future.

Dr. To Cong Nguyen Bao – University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City presented a paper on the Mechanism for Supervision and Risk Management in Sandbox Design

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ngo Minh Vu – University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City presented a paper: Typical Financial Technology Testing Activities

The presidium chaired the open discussion session at the Conference

At the Conference, the discussions focused on clarifying theoretical and practical issues related to the construction and operation of the sandbox mechanism, as well as international experiences in managing blockchain and digital assets. The delegates suggested that in the context of a strong digital transformation, institutional improvement should not only focus on technology but also require innovation in governance thinking, enhancing execution capacity, and building effective coordination mechanisms among related entities.

Many delegates emphasized the need to build a transparent and flexible legal framework that facilitates innovation while ensuring security, safety, and risk management in the field of digital assets.

The delegates exchanged and discussed at the Conference

The delegates attending the Conference took a commemorative photo

The Conference is an important academic space, contributing to clarifying both theoretical and practical aspects, while also opening up many directions and solutions to improve the sandbox mechanism as well as the digital data governance framework in Vietnam. The outcomes from the Conference will serve as a crucial basis for research and policy formulation in the future.

Some Images from the Conference:

Article and Photos: Communications Department