The Financial Times, one of the world’s leading financial publications, called the first such reclassification a potential magnet for billions of US dollars in equity investments. It noted that the upgrade comes at a pivotal moment for Vietnam, which is increasingly seen as a critical link in global supply chains.

It quoted Wanming Du, Head of Asia-Pacific Index Policy at FTSE Russell, as saying that the upgrade is expected to be a structurally positive move for Vietnam's capital market, reinforcing Vietnam's progress towards greater openness, improved liquidity, and deeper institutional participation.

Bill Hayton, an associate fellow in Chatham House’s Asia Program, described the move as “pretty significant for Vietnam” and “another step towards being treated as just another international economy.”

Ruchir Desai, fund manager at Asia Frontier Capital in Hong Kong, said Vietnam is doing reforms on the ground, trying to give more focus to the private sector, and spending more on infrastructure and domestic investment. “They’re really trying to up their game now,” he added.