The MOU was signed by HKEx Chief Executive Paul Chow and HOSE Vice Chairman and President Dr Tran Dac Sinh. Professor K C Chan, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, HKEx Chairman Ronald Arculli and Thai Xuan Dzung, the Acting Consul-General of Vietnam in Hong Kong, also attended the MOU signing ceremony.

Based on the MOU, the exchanges will develop channels of communication and cooperate in activities such as conducting joint research projects and jointly organising conferences to advance the development of both organisations. Both exchanges believe that the agreement will contribute to the growth of the securities markets in both Hong Kong and Vietnam.

With the foundation established by the MOU, both exchanges may explore in the future the possibility of cooperation in areas such as technical assistance, training programme, cross-border listing and trading, and the creation of share price indices.

"The MOU entered into today with HOSE marks a new stage for HKEx in collaborating with one of the world's fastest growing economies. We hope by entering into this MOU, HOSE and HKEx will form a good base for collaboration in the promotion of dual listings and other joint efforts," said HKEx's Paul Chow.

"The aim of the MOU between HKEx and HOSE is to foster closer ties, which will facilitate future cooperation opportunities in areas such as market operations, regulation, cross listings and training, as well as equity and derivative products. This is an official and long-term commitment for further cooperation between the two exchanges and the two markets in general," Dr Tran Dac Sinh of HOSE said.