Ho Chi Minh City affirms its position as a regional innovation center at HEF 2025

Photo caption — Ho Chi Minh City affirms its position as a regional innovation center at HEF 2025.

Going beyond the framework of a policy dialogue forum, the Autumn Economic Forum 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City is expected to become a highlight of the year in global economic cooperation. The event, taking place under the direction of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, brings together more than 1,500 domestic and international delegates, focusing on creating specific cooperation results instead of just discussing orientations.

According to the Organizing Committee, the key activities will take place on November 25-26. In particular, the high-level dialogue program CEO500 - TEA CONNECT on the afternoon of November 25 will open a space for direct exchange between the Vietnamese Government , Ho Chi Minh City leaders and more than 500 businesses on public-private cooperation, green investment and sustainable development models.

The event will also witness the announcement of a series of strategic cooperation programs between management agencies, innovation centers and the world's leading technology corporations. The areas of focus include semiconductors, AI, space technology, logistics, international finance and mechanisms to attract remittances for science and technology. This is considered the beginning of a high-tech and innovation ecosystem in Ho Chi Minh City, in line with the development strategy for the period 2026 - 2030, vision 2045.

The role of the World Economic Forum (WEF) at HEF 2025 is not only to accompany but also to directly co-organize many high-level activities. Mr. Stephan Mergenthaler, Managing Director of WEF, will attend and share global vision in many working sessions, from talkshows with young people to policy dialogues with the Prime Minister of Vietnam.

On November 26, Session 1 on “Smart Manufacturing and Global Supply Chains” co-organized by WEF will focus on responsible manufacturing, emission reduction and the development of advanced factories according to global standards. Also on this day, a Joint Statement between Ho Chi Minh City and WEF will be announced, focusing on the initiative “Promoting Smart Manufacturing and Responsible Industrial Transformation in Vietnam”.

According to the Organizing Committee, this is an important turning point in connecting Vietnam with the WEF global innovation network, while laying the foundation for regional cooperation programs in the field of smart industry. The event also had the participation of 11 Centers for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) from Germany, Korea, India, South Africa... demonstrating the special interest of the international community in Ho Chi Minh City.

The following discussion sessions will focus on practical solutions: “Smart Services and Logistics” (green logistics, circular supply chains, carbon emission reduction) and “Smart Government” (urban governance model based on open data, AI, people-centered).

On November 27, delegates will visit typical enterprises such as Vietjet Aviation Academy, Galaxy Innovation Hub, CMC Data Center and attend the Global C4IR Networking Night on a cruise ship. These activities demonstrate the spirit of “substantive connection, concrete cooperation” of the forum.

With a series of initiatives, cooperation programs and strategic statements announced, HEF 2025 is not only an influential international dialogue event but also contributes to strengthening Ho Chi Minh City's position as a leading green, smart and innovative economic center in the region.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/kinh-te/tp-ho-chi-minh-khang-dinh-vi-the-trung-tam-doi-moi-sang-tao-khu-vuc-tai-hef-2025-20251111092206492.htm