Vietnam has established the Vietnam Mergers and Acquisitions Association (VMAA), the country's first specialised body for the M&A sector, as businesses face growing pressure to restructure and attract strategic capital in an increasingly competitive investment environment.

Vietnam News reported that the association was introduced at a founding congress in Hanoi on 8 May after more than 1,000 days of legal preparation and industry consultation, with the body expected to become a strategic platform connecting businesses, investors, financial institutions and advisory firms.

The launch comes as Vietnam pursues major economic reforms under Party Resolution No. 68, aimed at strengthening the private sector, improving the investment climate and supporting corporate restructuring at scale.

According to figures cited by the association, Vietnam recorded around 367 M&A deals in 2025 with a combined value of US$8.7 billion (approximately €8 billion), up 26 per cent from the previous year.

Hoang Quang Phong, vice chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said M&A is not simply about buying and selling businesses, adding that it is closely tied to restructuring cooperation models, improving corporate governance and modernising management practices among Vietnamese enterprises.

Nguyen Duc Kien, the association's executive vice chairman, identified the core challenge facing Vietnam's M&A market as the absence of a fully integrated ecosystem, citing gaps in reliable market data, professional standards and coordination among businesses, investors and regulators.

Under its 2026–2031 action programme, the VMAA will prioritise investor networking, training, market databases and annual M&A reports, targeting around 1,000 members by the end of its first term.

Read the full account of Vietnam's landmark M&A association launch and its implications for corporate restructuring in the region.