Thailand is currently Vietnam’s largest trading partner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and both countries are working towards the target of 25 billion USD in bilateral trade this year. Thailand is also among the top ten investors in Vietnam, with registered capital exceeding 13.7 billion USD.
Duoc noted Vystrcil’s selection of HCM City as the first stop of his visit reflects the city’s role, potential, and economic–diplomatic position. He expressed belief that the visit will help strengthen the traditional friendship, provide a strong impetus for Vietnam–Czech relations, and promote cooperation between the Czech Republic and the southern largest city in the time to come.
The State and socio-political organisations adopt coherent policies to develop the working class, expand Party and mass organisation networks in non-state and foreign-invested enterprises, and preserve its nature while ensuring comprehensive leadership.
Vietnam and Cambodia will continue to strengthen trust, comprehensive, and substantive defence cooperation, focusing on enhancing delegation exchanges, high-level and all-level meetings and contacts; improving the effectiveness of existing cooperation mechanisms; and maintaining effective cooperation in training human resources.
Under the congress's resolution, the city aims for per capita GRDP of approximately 14,000–15,000 USD; total social investment capital over five years to reach 35–40% of GRDP; and the digital economy to account for 30–40% of GRDP.
Addressing the first congress of the municipal Party Organisation on October 14 morning, the Party chief praised the city's remarkable progress over the past four decades of Doi Moi (renewal), especially during the five years implementing the resolution adopted at the 13th National Party Congress
Australian Consul General in HCM City Sarah Hooper said Australia’s key cooperation areas - science and technology, digital transformation, and initiatives on climate, environment, and energy - closely align with HCM City’s priorities, emphasising that the southern economic hub remains a central focus of Australia–Vietnam economic relations.
The first municipal Party Congress of Ho Chi Minh City will draw 550 delegates who will take part in various activities before the official opening of the congress on October 14, including visits to key projects across the city.
Nguyen Van Loi, head of the city's delegation of National Assembly deputies, recalled 65 years of Vietnam–Cuba relations, affirming Lazo Hernández visit as a vivid testament to the special bond nurtured by President Ho Chi Minh and Cuban leader Fidel Castro. He said that the city treasures the unwavering support Cuba gave Vietnam during its struggle for independence and national construction.
State President Luong Cuong urged HCM City's all-level Party committees and authorities to prioritise voter concerns in transportation, urban infrastructure, education, health care, and the environment, while pressing ahead with administrative reform and enhancing the effectiveness of the two-tier local government model.
Under the agreements, from 2025 to 2030, the sides will step up cooperation in communication to raise public awareness in both countries and localities about the tradition of solidarity, the special friendship, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.
The Vice Chairman also emphasised HCM City’s desire to cooperate with Guangzhou in priority sectors to enhance innovation capacity and strengthen integration into global value chains, particularly in areas where Guangzhou holds advantages such as high-tech industries, healthcare, and smart urban development.
Ho Chi Minh City has seen robust development in economic, trade and investment cooperation with China. Currently, China ranks 16th among countries and territories investing in the city. Bilateral trade turnover reached 24.4 billion USD in 2024, with 11.78 billion USD recorded in the first half of 2025.
The visit takes place as the UK and Vietnam celebrate the 15th anniversary of their Strategic Partnership, underscoring their commitment to strengthening diplomatic ties, with security and defence cooperation becoming increasingly consolidated and expanded.
A HCM City leader expressed confidence that the city will remain a favourite destination for Chinese investors, and that bilateral cooperation will continue to expand, especially in strategic areas such as infrastructure, smart city building, innovation, digital transformation, and green transition.
Secretary of the HCM City Party Committee Tran Luu Quang said the city attaches much importance to the cooperation with Australian localities and stands ready to elevate the collaboration, thereby contributing to the overall advancement of the Vietnam–Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Chairman of the HCM City People’s Committee Nguyen Van Duoc described the normalisation of the Vietnam - US relations and the establishment of diplomatic ties on July 12, 1995, as a turning point that laid the foundation and momentum for cooperation across politics, security, economy, culture, education and people-to-people exchanges.
Over the past 75 years, the former Czechoslovakia and present-day Slovakia have offered professional training and skill development to tens of thousands of Vietnamese citizens, many of whom now hold key positions in Vietnam.
Over the past three decades, Vietnam has consistently stood with other ASEAN member states to deal with common challenges, from traditional and non-traditional security, climate change, and diseases to cultural, socio-economic, educational, and environmental issues.
Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Chairman of its Commission for Policies and Strategies Tran Luu Quang has been assigned to join the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee and its Standing Board, and hold the position of Secretary of the municipal Party Committee for the 2020 - 2025 tenure.
The Vietnam–Singapore Friendship Association (VSFA) Ho Chi Minh City chapter has played an active role in strengthening ties between the two nations by promoting cooperation in culture, education, economy, and trade, serving as an important bridge for people-to-people diplomacy.
2025 marks the 75th anniversary of Vietnam – Hungary diplomatic relations, which have expanded across various fields such as politics, economy, education, culture, and people-to-people diplomacy.
A local leader thanked countries and cities, international partners, foreign investors, friends worldwide and, especially, overseas Vietnamese for their trust and valuable support for the city’s development and accomplishments.
Ho Chi Minh City and Busan agreed to advance concrete cooperative projects with a focus on sustainability, quality, and efficiency, thereby contributing to deeper Vietnam–RoK relations.
At the local level, successive leaders of HCM City have paid due attention to fostering Vietnam–India friendship. Under their guidance and support, people-to-people exchanges between the two countries in the city have flourished across trade, tourism, culture, and education. Such activities have deepened ties and mutual understanding while bringing tangible benefits to the people of both nations.