UK tech firms explore business partnerships in Vietnam

A trade mission of 18 UK tech companies has wrapped up a visit to Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City to explore new business partnerships and secure exports and investment in the region.

The visit was part of UK government-led Southeast Asia Tech Week 2024, with the core program running in Bangkok (March 4-6) and HCMC (March 6-8), the UK embassy in Vietnam said in a release.

The week featured panel discussions, workshops and presentations on key technology issues and the UK and Southeast Asian tech ecosystems. It aimed to showcase UK and Southeast Asian technology strengths, as well as to create a platform for knowledge sharing and new partnerships between UK and Southeast Asian public and private sector organizations.

In Vietnam, the mission and British Ambassador to Vietnam Iain Frew interacted with Vietnam’s deputy director for the Southern Department of Science & Technology Nguyen Manh Cuong to discuss the opportunities and challenges in trade digitalization.

They also met with the HCMC Computer Association and HCMC Semiconductor Association to explore emerging trends and technologies in the IT industry and their potential impact on HCMC development, as well as opportunities for collaboration in in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and digital transformation.

In addition, they discussed with representatives of FPT potential collaboration opportunities, particularly in the lead up to London Tech Week in June.

The ambassador also went to visit the sites of VNG and FPT and attended a media round-table discussion to explore more cooperation opportunities with Vietnamese companies along with the UK trade mission.

“Last year we celebrated our 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Vietnam and we are thrilled to deepen our commitment on Science and Technology, to update our relationship to be fit for this extraordinarily technological age. We want to continue building on this excellent progress and hope to see many more projects and partnerships between the UK and Vietnam’s private sector, researchers, academics, and investors over the coming years,” said the ambassador.