Estonia to explore business opportunities with Vietnam's ICT sector

At a press conference to welcome the delegation in Hanoi on November 5, high hopes were expressed for building future-oriented partnerships that will advance innovation across various sectors. Led by Hannes Hanso, Estonia’s Ambassador to Vietnam, the delegation includes representatives from Trade Estonia, the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and some of the country's top ICT companies.

The visit, organised by Trade Estonia in partnership with the Estonian Embassy, seeks to bolster Estonia’s global market position, promote the growth of its businesses, and establish collaborative opportunities with Vietnam’s rapidly evolving ICT industry. As both nations prioritise digital transformation, this mission comes at an opportune moment to strengthen bilateral relations and expand cooperative efforts across the technology landscape.

Hannes Hanso, Estonia’s Ambassador to Vietnam. Photo: BHub Group

In his welcoming remarks at the press conference, Ambassador Hanso told attendees Estonia is known worldwide as a digital nation, where 99 per cent of public services are provided online to citizens, and the government has been paperless for over 15 years. This is thanks to close collaboration with advanced Estonian tech companies, which now provide services globally.

"I am delighted to be in Vietnam with members of Estonia's top IT companies that are interested in collaborating with the Vietnamese government and private sector, " said Hanso. "I hope this visit will benefit both Vietnam and Estonia through shared experiences and the building of new relationships."

Following the ambassador’s address, Pham Hong Quat, director of the National Agency for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialisation Development, outlined the growth trajectory and strategic direction of Vietnam’s startup ecosystem. Representatives from five prominent Estonian ICT firms, including DreamApply, Finbite, Wisercat Software, Ampron, and AdoptoMedia expressed their enthusiasm for potential collaborations with Vietnamese businesses.

These companies bring a wealth of expertise across a range of areas, from record management software for educational institutions to user-friendly financial tools, IT consulting, software development, and comprehensive digital transformation solutions, all aimed at advancing innovation and technological efficiency.

The Estonian delegation at the press conference on November 5. Photo: BHub Group

Following the press conference, the Estonian delegation will continue a series of high-level meetings with representatives from the Vietnamese government, the Vietnam National Innovation Center, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam, and the Central and Eastern European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam.

The delegation is set to visit some of the nation's top universities and IT companies, including Vietnam National University, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, FPT Telecom, GMO-Z.com RUNSYSTEM, Savvycom, and TMA Solutions. Additionally, exclusive business networking events in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City will bring together key stakeholders, organisations, and industry leaders from both nations to explore potential collaborations.

Estonia is widely recognised as one of the world's most digitally advanced nations, having pioneered the development of a digital society and set global benchmarks in the process. The country's business and digital governance ecosystem presents a unique, scalable model that aligns well with Vietnam's ambitious digital transformation goals. Previous business delegations from Estonia in sectors such as agriculture, food and beverages, and ICT have already laid the groundwork for robust bilateral cooperation.

In 2023, Estonia’s exports to Vietnam were worth €9.64 million, while imports from Vietnam came to €42 million, with key products including wood, pulp materials, and organic chemicals. Estonia's close government-private sector collaboration has helped it become a global leader in digital solutions, with some of the world’s top unicorn startups, including Skype, Wise, and Bolt. The country is also ranked 10th globally in ICT service exports, with more than half of its revenue coming from international clients.

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