Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, Chairwoman of Sovico Group and Vietjet, attended the Opening Bell ceremony at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on Monday, as the U.S. bourse opened trading with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio ringing the bell at 9:30 a.m.
The occasion coincided with Vietnam’s official reclassification by FTSE Russell from a Frontier to a Secondary Emerging market, a move that marks another step in the country’s integration with global capital markets. Vietjet, which is operating flights connecting Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru to Vietnam’s biggest cities, ranks among the country’s best listed companies.
At the NYSE, Thao met with exchange executives to discuss cooperation between the Vietnamese and U.S. capital markets, including ways to connect Vietnamese companies with global institutional investors. The discussion also covered trading technology, corporate governance, product development and listing standards, as well as potential opportunities for qualified Vietnamese companies to pursue dual listings in Vietnam and the United States.
The event took place as Vietnam’s General Secretary and President To Lam and a high-level Vietnamese delegation were in the United States for the High-Level Week of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly and a series of bilateral engagements. Heads of state and government from nearly 200 countries gather in New York for the event.
FTSE Russell confirmed that Vietnam’s market reclassification took effect from the opening of trading on September 21, 2026. The upgrade is expected to broaden Vietnam’s access to international investment funds and support further improvements in market infrastructure, settlement, transparency and corporate governance.
The NYSE, part of Intercontinental Exchange, is the world’s largest stock exchange by market capitalization, with its listed companies representing an aggregate market value of approximately US$29 trillion.
“Vietnam’s official transition to emerging-market status opens a new chapter for the country’s capital markets and business community,” Thao said. “We will continue to promote stronger connections between the NYSE and Vietnamese enterprises, attract long-term capital and enable Vietnamese companies to engage more deeply with global standards and the international investment community, including through potential listings in New York.”
Thao’s presence at the NYSE follows a meeting with NYSE Group President Lynn Martin in September 2025, when the two discussed expanding international fundraising channels and strengthening the presence of Vietnamese companies in global financial markets.
A year later, Thao returned to the NYSE as Vietnam officially joined FTSE Russell’s emerging-market universe.
HDBank and Vietjet, in which Thao is a major investor, are listed on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange and are included in FTSE indexes. Both companies have continued to expand their scale and business performance while seeking to create value for domestic and international shareholders.
During the visit to the United States and Canada, Sovico, Vietjet and HDBank are expected to sign a number of agreements with international corporations, financial institutions and other partners. The agreements will focus on expanding access to capital, markets and technology, while contributing to stronger economic, trade and investment ties between Vietnam, the United States, Canada and global partners.
The NYSE Opening Bell provided a symbolic backdrop to growing financial and capital-market connections between New York and Vietnam as the country deepens its participation in global investment flows.
Vietnam’s market upgrade not only provides greater access to international capital but also brings higher expectations for transparency, governance and market efficiency. It marks a new stage for Vietnamese companies seeking to strengthen their presence and competitiveness in global capital markets.