HCMC – Estonian ride-hailing company Bolt is seeking approval to launch its services in Vietnam as part of its global expansion strategy, reported the Government news website (baochinhphu.vn).

During Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s official visit to Estonia on June 6, the Vietnamese leader met with Jevgeni Kabanov, Bolt’s global head of Public Policy. Kabanov expressed the company’s interest in entering the Vietnamese market and called for an expedited approval process. Bolt, headquartered in Estonia, offers a range of services including car-hailing, scooter and bike rentals, food and goods delivery. PM Chinh praised Bolt’s contributions to digital transformation in transport and delivery services and acknowledged the company’s role in promoting the sharing economy. He noted that Vietnam, with a population of over 100 million and a rapidly growing e-commerce sector, presents significant opportunities for transport and delivery services. Vietnam is targeting GDP growth of at least 8% in 2025 and double-digit growth from 2026 to 2030, Chinh said, emphasizing the need for businesses to scale up operations to support these goals. He affirmed Vietnam’s support for green transportation, green services, and the sharing economy. He pledged to facilitate Bolt’s entry into the market. Chinh encouraged Bolt to engage in healthy competition, create jobs, and expand its operations gradually, starting in major cities and extending to rural areas. He also called on the company to explore new sectors and business models for investment and development. He instructed relevant agencies to coordinate with the HCMC authorities to process Bolt’s plan in accordance with Vietnamese laws, ensuring transparency. Chinh reaffirmed that the Vietnamese Government is committed to creating favorable conditions for Estonian investors to operate effectively and sustainably, based on the principles of mutual benefit and risk sharing.