Ho Chi Minh City pursues industrial partnerships with two Japanese prefectures

Ho Chi Minh City has agreed with Japan’s Aichi Prefecture to expand collaboration on high-tech industry, logistics, workforce development and the green transition. A visiting city delegation also sought partnerships with Hyogo Prefecture, proposing pilot manufacturing projects that use AI.

At the eighth Hyogo Prefecture-Ho Chi Minh City Economic Forum in Kobe, vice-chairman Bay outlined the city’s priorities: AI, semiconductor manufacturing and high-tech industrial parks. The city sought university partnerships and internships at companies to develop skills in AI, automation and industrial engineering.

Bay separately suggested creating a joint working group with Hyogo to organise activities for the 20th anniversary of their friendly relations in 2027. His proposals to vice-governor Morimoto Yutaka included visits by senior delegations, a ninth bilateral economic forum, cultural programmes and exchanges involving students and young people.

In Aichi, the delegation held talks with governor Omura Hideaki and participated in the two localities’ first investment promotion conference. Ho Chi Minh City outlined its development plans and investment opportunities. Businesses discussed potential partnerships across manufacturing, supporting industries, tourism and services.

The visit also covered public-sector management. Hyogo officials and the delegation discussed recruitment, staff performance assessments, decentralisation and digital approaches to managing personnel. They also explored short training programmes for civil servants and recurring seminars.

During a meeting with Professor Natsume Nagato, Vietnam’s honorary consul in Aichi, the delegation requested continued assistance for approximately 71,000 Vietnamese residents in the prefecture. It also sought cooperation on exchanging experience in handling medical incidents.