The remarks were heard at the Ho Chi Minh city and Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Greater Bay Area Investment - Trade Forum in HCM City on June 12.
Co-organized by the GBA Entrepreneurs Alliance and the Hong Kong - Vietnam Chamber of Commerce (HKVCC), in collaboration with the Investment and Trade Promotion Center of HCM City (ITPC), the event aimed to enhance multifaceted collaboration between the southern Vietnamese metropolis and the GBA, as well as between the two nations.
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At the signing ceremony between parties (Photo published by VNA) |
Nguyen Van Dung, Vice Chairman of the HCM City People’s Committee, said the forum marked a concrete step to realize shared strategic visions of the two countries’ top leaders. It provided a platform to explore emerging trade and investment trends, connect potential partners, and deepen bilateral cooperation, especially with Chinese firms from the GBA seeking sustainable development opportunities in Vietnam.
China remains Vietnam’s largest trading partner in ASEAN. It ranked as Vietnam’s third-largest investor (after Japan and South Korea), with 1.81 billion USD in newly registered capital in the first five months of this year, accounting for 25.8% of the total. Notably, Chinese investors have increasingly focused on electronics and auto parts manufacturing in Vietnam, leveraging the country’s cost and geographic advantages in global supply chains.
HCM City led the nation in FDI attraction during the first five months of 2025, accounting for 39.1% of new projects. Chinese investors continue to show strong interest in the city, particularly in processing and manufacturing, electronics, and green energy. This shift reflects a growing trend of investment in high-tech industries aligned with the city’s sustainable development agenda.
Dung highlighted HCM City’s role as a special metropolis and Vietnam’s leading economic hub. Although it currently accounts for only 0.6% of Vietnam’s land area, it contributes nearly 20% of the national GDP and 25% of national budget revenue. By September 15, 2025, upon completion of the ongoing administrative merger, the new Ho Chi Minh City will expand significantly from 2,095 km² to over 7,000 km², and its population will increase from approximately 9.5 million to around 15 million. With expanded administrative boundaries, more abundant resources, and a more favorable, efficient investment environment, the city is poised to enter a new phase of growth with even greater development ambitions. This process also opens new opportunities for cooperation with international partners, including China.
The city is currently implementing several strategic initiatives to promote economic development and global integration. The city aims to learn from Hong Kong, one of the world’s leading financial centers, particularly in applying green finance to develop into a sustainable green financial hub. Hong Kong’s experience offers valuable lessons for HCM City at this crucial stage, he said.
The city also seeks to expand cooperation with partners from the Greater Bay Area in infrastructure development, a key priority in the post-merger period. The integrated development model of Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao serves as a useful reference for HCM City in promoting regional connectivity and growth. In addition to hard infrastructure, the city hopes to strengthen “soft connectivity” through digital transformation partnerships with the GBA, focusing on AI technology sharing in urban governance, developing an interconnected big data ecosystem, and launching Fintech platforms for cross-border payments.
The Vice Chairman also noted that the Mekong Delta region and Ho Chi Minh City are currently major food suppliers to China, particularly the Greater Bay Area. Therefore, both sides should enhance cooperation in developing the food processing industry by optimizing agricultural logistics, boosting trade, and sharing modern processing technologies to help HCMC businesses better access the GBA market.
Dr. Jonathan Choi, Chairman of the GBA Entrepreneurs Alliance, HKVCC, the Chamber of Commerce of Hong Kong in Qianhai (Shenzhen), and Sunwah Group, delivered opening remarks on the GBA’s strengths. He emphasized Hong Kong’s role as a global financial center with a transparent legal system, deep capital markets, and close ties to international investors; Shenzhen’s strength in rapid tech innovation and hardware manufacturing; and Guangzhou’s leadership in research, biotech, and smart transportation. Each city contributes unique advantages, forming a well-integrated network to swiftly commercialize ideas from lab to market.
Dr. Choi expressed confidence that the GBA would continue serving as an effective bridge between China and Vietnam, not only in trade but also in innovation, technology transfer, and sustainable investment. The openness and dynamism of GBA cities, combined with Vietnam’s drive for deeper integration, will lead to increasingly practical and enduring partnerships.
Representing the Shenzhen Municipal Government, Jiang Likun highlighted Shenzhen’s pivotal role in the Greater Bay Area and its status as a leading economic and technological hub in Asia. With a GDP of 516.9 billion USD in 2024, Shenzhen stands out in strategic sectors such as 5G, artificial intelligence, and new energy vehicles.
He warmly welcomed Vietnamese authorities, businesses, and partners to visit Shenzhen and explore cooperation opportunities. Simultaneously, he expressed strong support for Shenzhen enterprises investing and launching startups in Vietnam, while encouraging Shenzhen residents to visit Vietnam’s scenic destinations to foster mutual understanding and deepen the enduring friendship between the two peoples.
Source: VNA