The Europe-Asia Industry Cooperation Forum, hosted by the Vietnam Association of Foreign-Invested Enterprises (VAFIE) on June 11 in Hanoi, served as a platform to foster partnerships in high-tech and strategic industries between European and Chinese investors and their Vietnamese counterparts.

The event brought together close to 300 representatives from enterprises, investment funds, and industry associations across Europe, China, and Vietnam, reflecting rising interest in Vietnam’s evolving industrial landscape.

Speaking at the forum, Nguyen Anh Tuan, chairman of VAFIE, noted that Vietnam has so far attracted investment from 150 countries and territories, with total registered capital exceeding $513.8 billion and disbursed capital reaching nearly $329.3 billion. The foreign-invested sector now contributes approximately 20 per cent of GDP, over 70 per cent of exports, and 25 per cent of state budget revenue, underscoring its strategic role in the economy.

Tuan highlighted the forum’s objective of deepening investment ties in advanced manufacturing and green technology, while promoting technology transfer and joint ventures in sectors aligned with Vietnam’s sustainable development strategy.

From a policymaker’s perspective, Vu Van Chung, deputy director of the Foreign Investment Agency at the Ministry of Finance, acknowledged the timeliness of the event as Vietnam seeks to transition towards higher value-added and environmentally responsible foreign direct investment (FDI).

“European investment in Vietnam is rising sharply, with notable surges from the UK (up 172 per cent), Poland (up 1,000 per cent), and Luxembourg (up 1,100 per cent),” said Chung. “This trend reflects the positive momentum from new-generation free trade agreements such as the EVFTA and CPTPP.”

According to Chung, Vietnam is becoming increasingly viewed as a cost-effective manufacturing base and a gateway to the wider ASEAN market, as well as a potential hub for high-tech, sustainable ventures.

He reiterated the government’s strategic orientation to attract FDI that is selective, innovation-led, and sustainable. Priority sectors include high-tech industries, semiconductors, renewable energy (including LNG, hydrogen, and battery technology), logistics, industrial infrastructure, innovation ecosystems, and digital transformation.

In line with this vision, the Vietnamese government is committed to enhancing the investment climate by streamlining administrative procedures, improving transparency, ensuring policy stability, and building a robust support ecosystem for foreign investors.

“We aim to provide a level playing field that promotes inclusive, green, and sustainable growth,” Chung stated.

From the business community, Jian You, CEO of F&H International Industry GmbH, a key co-organiser of the forum, emphasised the firm’s long-standing efforts to facilitate cross-border collaboration in sectors such as automotive, advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, and green technology.

“Vietnam was chosen as the forum venue because of our confidence in the country’s trajectory towards industrial renewal, green growth, and deeper global integration,” Jian said, expressing optimism about future cooperation between Asia and Europe through shared technological and economic ambitions.

Source: Vietnam Investment Review