Ho Chi Minh City eyes more German investment in high-tech, green industries

The city outlined its priorities at the German Business and Investment Forum Vietnam 2026, held on Tuesday, which brought together more than 250 government officials, diplomats, business leaders, investors, and experts, along with over 25 speakers and panelists.

Co-organized by the German Business Association in Vietnam (GBA) and the German Industry and Commerce Vietnam (AHK Vietnam), the forum focused on investment opportunities, technology transfer, and infrastructure development.

Seeking stronger business ties with Germany

Speaking at the forum, Nguyen Loc Ha, standing vice-chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, highlighted the steady growth of economic and investment ties between Vietnam and Germany, particularly since the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) took effect.

Germany is now one of Vietnam's leading European trading partners and an important source of foreign investment.

In Ho Chi Minh City, trade with Germany reached nearly $2 billion during January-September 2026.

German investors currently have 316 projects in the city, with total registered capital exceeding $742 million, alongside 27 representative offices.

“These achievements provide an important foundation, but I believe there is still considerable room for cooperation between the two sides,” Ha said.

He noted that Ho Chi Minh City and Hamburg share similar roles as major economic hubs and international trade gateways, with complementary strengths in seaports, logistics, aviation, technology, and innovation.

Ho Chi Minh City hopes Hamburg will become the fourth German locality to establish formal cooperation ties with the city, paving the way for closer business connections and joint projects.

The city also wants to help local businesses gain access to German expertise and develop products that meet German and EU standards.

High-tech manufacturing, green transition among priorities

German Ambassador to Vietnam Helga Barth highlighted opportunities for cooperation in green technology and energy transition, noting that Vietnam's electricity demand is projected to double by 2030.

She said Germany's expertise in green growth and carbon-neutral technologies could support Vietnam's efforts to develop a more sustainable industrial sector.

Railways, urban transport, and smart infrastructure were also identified as promising areas for cooperation.

Dao Thanh Huong, deputy director general of the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Finance, said Vietnam is shifting its foreign direct investment (FDI) strategy from prioritizing investment volume to attracting higher-quality projects involving advanced technologies and stronger links with domestic businesses.

She identified four priority areas for new German investment: high-tech manufacturing, infrastructure and logistics, technology and green transition, and workforce development for industrial transformation.

Strengthening ties between foreign-invested and domestic enterprises will also be a priority to facilitate technology transfer, improve production capabilities, and deepen local participation in global supply chains.

The Ministry of Finance will work with GBA, AHK Vietnam, and relevant agencies to promote specific investment projects, connect businesses, and support German investors looking to establish or expand operations in Vietnam, Huong said.

Meanwhile, Peter Tschentscher, First Mayor of Hamburg, described the German port city as an important gateway for Vietnamese goods entering Germany and the wider European market.

Around half of the containers handled at the Port of Hamburg originate from or are destined for Asia, he said.

Hamburg has been introducing digital technologies and automation to improve port operations, alongside shore-side electricity systems that allow ships to reduce emissions while docked.

Tschentscher said Hamburg businesses were ready to share their expertise in renewable energy, port development, and transport links connecting ports with inland areas, opening up further opportunities for cooperation with Vietnamese partners.