Ho Chi Minh City-India: Science, technology lay groundwork for shared future

On Tuesday evening, the Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh City held a ceremony celebrating India's 80th Independence Day (August 15, 1947). 

At the event, Ho Chi Minh City leaders and the Indian consulate emphasized their commitment to a shared vision for the centenary milestones of Vietnam and India.

Vietnam, India build toward future with pride, confidence

Speaking at the ceremony, Ho Chi Minh City chairman Nguyen Van Duoc cited a message sent by President Ho Chi Minh to India's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, on the day India gained independence, saying that was a solemn day not only for Nehru's country, but for the entire Asian family.

According to Duoc, President Ho Chi Minh's heartfelt words reflected the deep bond between the Vietnamese and Indian peoples. 

Their shared aspirations for independence and freedom have long brought the two nations closely together.

2026 marks a significant milestone in the 80-year history of Vietnam-India relations. 

The two countries are celebrating the 10th anniversary of their comprehensive strategic partnership and have officially elevated their ties to an enhanced comprehensive strategic partnership.

This year also marks the official establishment of friendship and cooperation ties between Ho Chi Minh City and Mumbai. 

As a major financial and science and technology hub in India, Mumbai is the first Indian city to establish such ties with Ho Chi Minh City.

The new partnership provides a foundation for the two cities to expand practical cooperation in the economy, trade and investment, education and training, culture and tourism, urban planning, infrastructure, green growth, and digital transformation.

Chairman Duoc said the two countries have every reason to be proud of the progress in their bilateral friendship and confident in a brighter and more substantive future for cooperation.

"The presence and contributions of Indian businesses, experts and residents in Ho Chi Minh City are building a lasting bridge between our two countries," he said.

"Ho Chi Minh City stands ready to work closely with the Consulate General of India, the Mumbai authorities, organizations and business communities on both sides to effectively advance these goals."

'Move together, win together'

Speaking at the opening of the ceremony, Dr. Vipra Pandey, Consul General of India in Ho Chi Minh City, said Vietnam has always been one of India's most trusted and valued partners in its journey of growth. 

Pandey said the strongest bond between the two countries is their shared aspiration for the future.

"India has set a goal of becoming a developed country by 2047. Vietnam aspires to become a developed, high-income country by 2045. We are two young and dynamic societies, two rapidly growing economies, and two ancient civilizations with a strong belief in our own future," he said.

Speaking to Tuoi Tre (Youth) online newspaper in greater detail about this vision, Pandey said the only way for Vietnam and India to achieve these goals together is through science, technology, and innovation. 

No country can make this journey alone, he stressed, making cooperation a necessity.

The Indian consul general quoted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the two countries' relationship: "We will move forward together, develop together, and win together."

In line with that vision, the Consulate General of India has moved forward with several areas of cooperation discussed by Ho Chi Minh City and Mumbai in May. 

Among them, the consulate will organize an event in late October to establish a cooperation framework in advanced technologies, including computing, information technology, semiconductors, and artificial intelligence.

Pandey and his colleagues are also exploring cooperation mechanisms in biotechnology and financial technology, or fintech.

"These things are already happening, and that is the future. Both India and Vietnam are aware of this. One of the areas of cooperation between Mumbai and Ho Chi Minh City is innovation, science and technology, and information technology," he said.

Speaking about the startup community, Pandey shared an anecdote: "In India today, people would rather create jobs than work for someone else. Many university graduates are choosing entrepreneurship instead of joining a company. As a result, we have built a huge innovation ecosystem."

India regularly holds events for the startup community where new startups can pitch their ideas to global venture capital investors.

The Indian consul general said the consulate is working with the Startup & Innovation Hub of Ho Chi Minh City (SIHUB) to bring Vietnamese startup delegations to leading startup events in India.

"This would bring two benefits to Vietnam's startup ecosystem. First, startups can find sources of funding. Second, they can find opportunities for cooperation, as many Indians are working across a wide range of fields," he said.

"This could help them partner with Vietnamese startups not only to develop products for Vietnam, but also for the rest of the world, including India."