Over 150 Delegates Join Vietnam–GBA Cooperation Investment Forum
On June 12, 2025, more than 150 delegates from local governments, industry associations, and enterprises gathered at the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Investment and Trade Forum in Ho Chi Minh City. This high-profile event served as a key step towards strengthening economic ties and investment cooperation between Vietnam and the GBA Alliance.
Ho Chi Minh City Proposes Strategic Cooperation with GBA
In his opening remarks, Nguyen Van Dung, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, emphasized that the forum reflects the efforts to implement the shared understanding between the top leaders of Vietnam and the GBA region.
Mr. Dung proposed several key cooperation areas between Ho Chi Minh City and the Greater Bay Area, including:
– Building a regional financial centre, inspired by Hong Kong’s success
– Expanding green finance and renewable energy collaboration
– Investing in transport infrastructure and smart urban development
– Advancing digital transformation, fintech, and cross-border payment systems
He also reaffirmed the city’s commitment to improving the investment environment, enhancing trade promotion, and supporting investors from Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao to foster sustainable, mutually beneficial development.
GBA Leaders Express Commitment to Strengthening Ties
Speaking at the event, Jonathan Choi, Chairman of multiple key GBA organizations including the GBA Entrepreneurs Alliance, Hong Kong-Vietnam Chamber of Commerce, and Sunwah Group, highlighted the strategic role of the GBA as a bridge between China and Vietnam.
Representatives from Shenzhen, Qianhai, and trade agencies from Hong Kong and Singapore all echoed a strong desire to deepen economic ties with Ho Chi Minh City, especially as it positions itself as a regional financial and innovation hub within ASEAN.
Vietnam-China Trade and Investment Trends in 2025
Vietnam continues to play a pivotal role in China’s trade strategy in ASEAN. As per the General Statistics Office, in the first five months of 2025, China was the third-largest foreign investor in Vietnam, after Japan and South Korea, with $1.81 billion in newly registered capital—accounting for 25.8% of all new FDI.
Chinese investments are increasingly directed towards electronic components, auto parts, and high-tech manufacturing, aiming to capitalise on Vietnam’s cost efficiency and strategic supply chain location.
In particular, Ho Chi Minh City has attracted strong Chinese interest in green energy, manufacturing, and advanced processing, aligning with the city’s sustainable development strategy.
Shenzhen and Qianhai: Innovation Hubs Driving GBA Growth
Shenzhen, renowned for its rapid technological innovation and strength in hardware manufacturing, plays a key role in the Greater Bay Area. According to Jiang Likun, Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the Shenzhen People’s Government, Shenzhen reached a GDP of over $517 billion in 2024, driven by strategic sectors such as:
– 5G technology
– Artificial Intelligence (AI)
– New energy vehicles (NEVs)
Mr. Likun encouraged Vietnamese businesses to explore cooperation opportunities with Shenzhen, while supporting Shenzhen-based enterprises expanding into Vietnam. He also suggested enhancing tourism exchanges to strengthen mutual understanding between the people of both countries.
Qianhai: A Strategic Gateway for Vietnam-GBA Collaboration
Zhang Chun, Head of Business Development at the Qianhai Authority, presented Qianhai as a “special zone within a special zone” and a key platform for Vietnam-GBA economic cooperation.
Strategically located, Qianhai offers:
– Fast access to Hong Kong and Macao
– Robust transport infrastructure
– An ecosystem of 18 industrial clusters focused on modern services, e-commerce, and technology
– Qianhai also stands out for its legal and tax incentives, including:
– China’s first regional investor protection law
– International law mechanisms in dispute resolution
– Cooperation with Hong Kong on IP protection
Vietnamese businesses are invited to leverage Qianhai’s innovation-driven ecosystem, legal transparency, and market access to expand their regional presence.
Strategic Agreements to Boost Bilateral Investment
A highlight of the forum was the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Shenzhen International Business e-Station and the Vietnam Chapter of the GBA Entrepreneurs Alliance. This also marked the launch of the Vietnam Centre of the Shenzhen (Qianhai) International Business e-Station, a strategic milestone in strengthening bilateral ties.
In addition, several other cooperation agreements were signed between Chinese and Vietnamese enterprises, setting the stage for practical partnerships in agriculture, trade, and manufacturing.
A New Chapter in Vietnam – GBA Cooperation in Economic
The GBA Investment and Trade Forum in Ho Chi Minh City reaffirmed the mutual commitment between Vietnam and the Greater Bay Area to deepen economic ties. With increasing Chinese investments in high-tech sectors, support from regional innovation hubs like Shenzhen and Qianhai, and a growing focus on legal transparency, green development, and digital transformation, Vietnam is poised to become a leading destination for Greater Bay Area investors.
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