On October 23, Ho Chi Minh City's Department of Industry and Trade jointly organized trade promotion activities, business networking events and the 2026 Business Partner City conference.
The conference was held in Binh Duong Ward under the chairmanship of Nguyen Loc Ha, standing vice chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee.
It brought together officials and trade promotion organizations from Osaka, Manila, Kuala Lumpur, Hamburg, Melbourne, Ai Group of Australia and Bangkok, along with representatives of diplomatic agencies, Vietnamese provinces and cities, departments, associations, businesses and experts.
Representatives discussed support for innovative startups and small and medium-sized enterprises, sustainable development, carbon emission reductions and transit-oriented urban development, or TOD.
Nguyen Loc Ha said Ho Chi Minh City hoped to hear practical experience from BPC cities in supporting businesses, developing startup ecosystems, planning urban areas and pursuing TOD-oriented development.
"Every city has its own characteristics and development conditions, so there is no single model for everyone. That diversity creates BPC's core value: an open space where we can learn from successful experiences and find models suited to local conditions," Nguyen Loc Ha said.
Products from Ho Chi Minh City and other provinces on display
As part of the conference activities, HCMC Export 2026, an exhibition of notable Vietnamese export products, was held with hundreds of companies from Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, Dong Thap and other areas.
HCMC Export 2026 aims to connect Vietnamese businesses with international buyers, distributors and partners. It also gives companies a chance to follow market trends, seek partners and expand their operations.
WTC Becamex International Exhibition Center said it wanted to support trade promotion by connecting businesses, partners and trade networks while helping create opportunities for business contacts and market information sharing.
Le Nguyen Duy Oanh, deputy director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade's Center for Technical Support and Sustainable Development, said HCMC Export 2026 allowed experts and businesses to share experience, learn about international market requirements and seek practical solutions to remove barriers, improve product quality and strengthen links with global buyers.
"As global trade places greater emphasis on sustainable development and international standards, green production and green exports are important requirements for Vietnamese businesses seeking to improve their competitiveness and expand into new markets," Le Nguyen Duy Oanh said.
BPC, the Business Partner City network, was launched by the Osaka city government in 1988 to build economic cooperation among cities. It initially focused on the Asia-Pacific region. BPC connects business-level economic activity with support from local governments and trade promotion organizations, creating opportunities for trade, helping small and medium-sized businesses enter international markets and strengthening understanding between cities.
The BPC conference has been held annually since 1990, rotating among member cities. It is a forum for governments, trade promotion organizations, associations and businesses to discuss policy, urban development experience and cooperation opportunities.
Ho Chi Minh City joined BPC in May 1997. Since then, its relationship with BPC has created an additional practical channel connecting the city with international partners in trade, investment, business support, innovation and sustainable development.
Sources: Thanh Niên
