Later this week, Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive John Lee will lead a business delegation to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, the final stop on a three-nation ASEAN mission.
Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the delegation includes some 30 leaders of top international, Mainland China and Hong Kong enterprises and conglomerates operating in finance and insurance, innovation and technology, professional services, infrastructure, energy and hospitality.
During the visit, the delegates will meet members of Vietnamese chambers of commerce and key corporations to explore business opportunities, leveraging Hong Kong’s superconnector role linking China and the world. A business luncheon will also take place in Ho Chi Minh City to facilitate connection and collaboration.
Discussions will centre on synergies between Hong Kong and Vietnam and the ways in which Vietnamese businesses can leverage Hong Kong’s strengths and advantages in new sectors of growth, such as innovation and technology, sustainability and green finance.
Market entry strategies and opportunities for outbound investments by Hong Kong businesses will also be explored.
Hong Kong, as an international finance, investment and cultural exchange hub bridging Mainland China and the rest of the world, aims to build upon the close relationship between the mainland and Vietnam by providing opportunities for Vietnam businesses to reach the mainland market.
Dr Peter K N Lam, HKTDC Chairman, said: “The purpose of this visit is to grow the bond between Vietnam and Hong Kong, while simultaneously contributing to our broader aim of strengthening economic ties between Hong Kong and the ASEAN region. As 2024 is the ASEAN-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges, this visit carries extra importance. Since its establishment in 1966, the HKTDC has prioritised building connections between Hong Kong and the world through business and trade. This translates into exploring new collaborative opportunities between Vietnam and Hong Kong to strengthen economic ties, with the goal of fostering mutual prosperity and economic development.”
Vietnam and Hong Kong maintain a strong economic and trade relationship, which Hong Kong seeks to reinforce with this visit. Last year, Vietnam was Hong Kong’s 7th largest trading partner and 2nd largest among ASEAN member states.
ASEAN is Hong Kong's second-largest trading partner in merchandise trade, with a total trade volume of US$145 billion last year.
The visit to Vietnam is part of a wider mission to ASEAN taking place this week, during which the Hong Kong delegation also visit Laos and Cambodia to strengthen trade and economic cooperation and cultural exchange between ASEAN and Hong Kong.
This three-nation visit builds on the success of previous ASEAN missions to Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia last year and Thailand in 2022.
