Ho Chi Minh City steps up industrial cooperation with Japan's Aichi, Hyogo Prefectures

The delegation attended the Vietnam-Ho Chi Minh City Festival 2026 in Nagoya on November 7 and 8, marking the 10th anniversary of friendly and cooperative relations between Ho Chi Minh City and Aichi Prefecture.

The festival was held under the theme 'Harmonious Stride Forward.'

Speaking at the opening and closing ceremonies, vice-chairman Bay thanked Aichi Prefecture governor Omura Hideaki, local agencies, organizations, and the Vietnamese community for organizing the event.

He said the festival would strengthen people-to-people ties and expand cooperation in tourism, trade, and investment.

On Monday, he met with governor Omura to review bilateral cooperation.

Both sides noted positive progress in bilateral cooperation during the 10th anniversary year of their friendship and agreed to further strengthen ties in high-tech industries, green transition, logistics, and human resource development.

Ho Chi Minh City, Aichi Prefecture seek business partnerships

The delegation attended the first Ho Chi Minh City-Aichi Prefecture Investment Promotion Conference on Monday, with the participation of the Aichi Prefecture governor and businesses from both localities.

The conference presented Ho Chi Minh City's investment environment, development plans, and projects seeking investors.

Participating businesses discussed cooperation opportunities in manufacturing, supporting industries, tourism, and services.

On Tuesday, the delegation attended the eighth Hyogo Prefecture-Ho Chi Minh City Economic Forum in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, focusing on the application of AI in industry.

Vice-chairman Bay said AI was changing production processes, business management, and corporate competitiveness.

He said Ho Chi Minh City had identified AI, semiconductor manufacturing, and high-tech industrial parks as priority development areas.

The city proposed that businesses from both localities launch pilot projects using AI in smart manufacturing.

It also called for cooperation in training workers in AI, automation, and industrial engineering through university partnerships and corporate internships.

Ho Chi Minh City proposes joint working group with Hyogo Prefecture

At a meeting with Hyogo Prefecture vice-governor Morimoto Yutaka on Tuesday, vice-chairman Bay proposed establishing a joint working group to prepare for the 20th anniversary of friendly relations between the city and Hyogo Prefecture in 2027.

The proposed activities include high-level delegation exchanges, the ninth bilateral Economic Forum, cultural programs and exchanges among young people and students.

The Ho Chi Minh City delegation also expressed its wish to welcome the Hyogo Prefecture governor to the city in 2027.

Vice-governor Morimoto said Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City were important to Hyogo Prefecture, noting that many businesses from the prefecture had invested in the city.

The delegation also met Hyogo Prefecture officials to study the prefecture's experience in organizational management, staffing, and civil servant development.

Discussions covered decentralization, performance-based civil servant evaluations, talent recruitment, and digital transformation in human resource management.

Both sides also discussed short-term training programs for civil servants, regular thematic seminars, and cooperation in public administration.

During the visit, the delegation met Professor Natsume Nagato, Vietnam's honorary consul in Aichi Prefecture.

They called for continued support for the approximately 71,000 Vietnamese people living in the prefecture and cooperation in sharing experience in responding to medical incidents.