Authorities from Vietnam’s southern provinces of Tay Ninh and Vinh Long, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Hong Kong Business Association Vietnam, held a dialogue in Ho Chi Minh City on October 19 to attract investment, widen markets and deepen business ties.
The provinces presented their advantages, development plans and priority investment areas. Hong Kong companies explored opportunities in agriculture, food processing, industry, logistics, renewable energy and supply chains.
Pham Dut Diem, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs, said Vietnam-Hong Kong ties have grown in economy, trade, investment and tourism. Vietnam is Hong Kong’s second largest trade partner in ASEAN and seventh largest globally, while Hong Kong is Vietnam’s seventh largest trade partner and fifth largest foreign investor.
He said Vietnam is pursuing rapid, sustainable growth while keeping the macroeconomy stable amid fast and complex changes in the global economy. It is targeting double-digit growth in 2026–2030, based on science and technology, innovation and digital transformation.
Vietnam is seeking projects that bring advanced technology, modern management, research and development, skilled labour and closer links to domestic firms. Diem urged Hong Kong companies to strengthen cooperation with Tay Ninh and Vinh Long in agriculture, processing, exports, logistics and financial services, and to invest in industry, high technology and modern green industrial parks.
Xu Zhou, Acting Consul General of China in Ho Chi Minh City, said Hong Kong’s strengths include finance, trade, maritime transport, professional services and a broad international business network. He said these strengths make Hong Kong a bridge between mainland China and global markets.
Tay Ninh and Vinh Long have strong agricultural bases and industrial plans, while needing to improve logistics and supply chains. This creates room for cooperation in agricultural processing, exports, manufacturing and infrastructure.
Xu said more Hong Kong companies are investing, launching startups and operating in southern Vietnam in warehousing, logistics, agriculture and manufacturing. The projects create jobs and help carry Vietnamese products to international markets through Hong Kong’s connectivity networks.
Vinh Long aims to become a marine economy and renewable energy export hub in the Mekong Delta. It has prioritised green agriculture, deep processing, industrial park infrastructure, logistics, renewable energy and trade.
Vinh Long’s exports to Hong Kong reached 8.9 million USD in 2025, up 14% from a year earlier. They reached 8.2 million USD in the first nine months of 2026, up 22.94% year on year. Main products were footwear, apparel, seafood, coconut water and coconut milk.
Vinh Long is also seeking partners to develop raw-material zones, storage, processing, packaging and traceability, as well as logistics hubs, cold storage and distribution systems. In energy, the province wants capital for nearshore and offshore wind power and other green projects.
Truong Thanh Liem, Vice Chairman of the Tay Ninh provincial People’s Committee, said the province’s location, border gate system and links to Long An International Port give it advantages in industry, logistics, border-gate trade and trade with Cambodia and ASEAN.
Tay Ninh’s economy topped 14 billion USD in 2025, while its gross regional domestic product grew 10.3% in the first nine months of 2026. The province has attracted more than 2,100 foreign direct investment projects from 50 countries and territories, with registered capital above 27 billion USD.
Tay Ninh is targeting annual gross regional domestic product growth of 10–10.5% through 2030, with the digital economy accounting for 30% of output. Priority sectors include electronic components, semiconductors, precision engineering, agricultural processing, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and biotechnology, as well as urban development, trade, services, logistics, ecotourism, spiritual tourism and high-tech agriculture.
Michael Chiu Kam Kwong, Chairman of the Hong Kong Business Association Vietnam, said Tay Ninh and Vinh Long have different strengths, while Hong Kong offers international connectivity, financial capacity, logistics and professional services. He said combining them creates practical opportunities in trade, investment, food processing, infrastructure and supply chains.
Tay Ninh and Vinh Long hope to deepen ties with Hong Kong companies and turn their advantages in location, raw materials, industry and energy into concrete projects. Their goals include widening markets, adding value to products and supporting greener growth.
Sources: VietnamPlus / Vietnam News Agency
