Vietnam-GBA forum spotlights tech and manufacturing partnerships

Jonathan Choi, chairman of CGCC, GBA Alliance, HKVCC, and Sunwah Group

This forum was one of the main events during a visit by an over 70-strong delegation of government representatives and business leaders from Hong Kong and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area, taking place from June 11-14. The delegation was led by Jonathan Choi, chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce Hong Kong (CGCC), chairman of the Greater Bay Area (GBA) Alliance, and chairman of the Hong Kong-Vietnam Chamber of Commerce (HKVCC).

The forum served as an important opportunity to reinforce and develop the strategic relationship between Vietnam and the GBA, opening new avenues for cooperation in key sectors such as investment, trade, technology, and infrastructure.

In his opening address, Jonathan Choi emphasised the significance of cooperation between Vietnam and the GBA, proclaimed that with its strategic location and robust economic potential, the region could significantly contribute to Vietnam’s dynamic development in the near future.

"With its remarkable growth rate and orientation towards the digital economy, Vietnam has become the top choice for GBA firms seeking to expand into Southeast Asia. This event fully demonstrates the proactive role of Shenzhen and the GBA in promoting regional cooperation," said Choi.

Choi went on to propose cooperation in building international finance centres in Vietnam. He also suggested partnerships between universities and industry in advanced technologies in building joint laboratories, boosting technology transfer, and human resource exchange, translating research into real-world solutions while evolving with industry needs.

GBA firms would like to work with Vietnamese partners across three strategic areas: advancing green energy and electric vehicle projects to support low-carbon objectives; developing smart cities, modern railways, and industrial parks; and enhancing the digital transformation, management expertise, and global competitiveness of Vietnamese private firms.

Johnathan Choi (left) and Deputy Minister of Finance Tran Quoc Phuong

Tran Quoc Phuong, Deputy Minister of Finance of Vietnam said that China, especially the GBA, plays an important role in the global value chain, while Vietnam is doing the utmost to become a new manufacturing hub in the region, with an increasingly synchronous infrastructure system, a quality workforce, and comprehensive integration with over 60 economies through 17 free trade agreements.

"This is an ideal situation for the two economies to complement each other, participating in regional and global value chains with a long-term, sustainable vision," said Phuong.

Phuong also outlined Vietnam’s strategic priorities and commitments to strengthen investment and trade partnerships, saying, "Vietnam-China relations continue to develop positively across various fields, with economic, trade, and investment cooperation remaining a solid pillar. Vietnam prioritises attracting high value-added, high-tech, and environmentally friendly projects that deeply integrate into global supply chains. At the same time, we are committed to advancing administrative reforms and improving the legal framework to enhance the investment environment."

Zhang Chun, division director of the Professional Services Division of Qianhai Authority, presented Qianhai’s governmental models that support Chinese enterprises in their global strategies, especially towards the Vietnamese market, highlighting special zone policies, one-stop administrative services, and cross-border logistics platforms.

"These are promising signs that Chinese businesses are being actively supported in expanding abroad and fostering partnerships with local enterprises," said Chun.

Yuan Fuyong, member of the Party Working Committee of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone and deputy director of the Qianhai Authority, highlighted Qianhai’s role as a national strategic platform, a core engine driving the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao GBA.

"Qianhai features internationally aligned investment and trade regulations as well as efficient cross-border financial services, making it a super-connector hub for Vietnamese enterprises seeking access to the Chinese and global markets," Fuyong said.

Melvin Lee, head of Corporate and Talent Attraction/Investment Promotion, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Singapore), also analysed Hong Kong’s fintech ecosystem and offered suggestions for Vietnam as it strives to build its own international financial centres. "Given Vietnam’s growing momentum in developing such centres, this insight highlights an important area for strengthening financial investment cooperation between Vietnam and the GBA."

At the forum, representative of state authorities, organisations delivered content on Vietnam’s investment environment, focusing on key sectors attracting investment and the country’s preferential policies to draw international capital; China-Vietnam cooperation, advancing modern trade together; an overview of the business environment in Bao’an District and the Jiufang International Area.

Prominent associations and enterprises from Vietnam and China delivered brief presentations on their business development directions, cooperation needs for the near future, and potential areas for deeper collaboration, especially in high technology and digital transformation, import-export trade, and investment and business connections.

During the remarks from Chinese business representatives, Jesse Choi, executive vice chairman of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao GBA Entrepreneurs Union, executive chairman of the Guangdong Business Association in Vietnam, and board member and CEO of Sunwah Group (Hong Kong) for the ASEAN region, shared Sunwah’s journey of over 50 years of development in Vietnam.

"Sunwah Group is ready to serve as a bridge to promote partnerships and facilitate investment and business cooperation between Greater Bay Area enterprises and Vietnam," said Choi.

This event marks an important milestone in encouraging sustainable and long-term cooperation between Vietnam and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao GBA, opening up development opportunities for enterprises from both sides across key economic sectors.

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