Nordic–Vietnam Business Summit 2026: Building Long-Term Partnerships for a New Decade of Growth

FVSource was pleased to support the Nordic–Vietnam Business Summit 2026, held in Ho Chi Minh City on 29 October as part of the Autumn Economic Forum 2026. Under the theme “A New Decade of Growth: Leveraging Vietnam’s Potential and Nordic Strengths,” the event brought together public-sector representatives, diplomatic missions, investment promotion organisations and business leaders to explore opportunities for deeper economic cooperation between Vietnam and the Nordic countries.

Strengthening Vietnam–Nordic Economic Cooperation

Vietnam and the Nordic countries are entering a new phase of economic cooperation, shaped by shared interests in innovation, sustainable development and long-term business growth.

The Nordic–Vietnam Business Summit 2026 provided a platform for stakeholders from both regions to discuss how existing relationships can translate into tangible business outcomes, from investment and technology transfer to industrial development and stronger integration into global value chains.

The event was attended by Bui Minh Thanh, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, alongside representatives of Nordic diplomatic missions and the business communities of Vietnam and the Nordic countries.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Thanh highlighted the complementary strengths of the two regions. Nordic countries are recognised for their technological capabilities, modern governance, innovation and sustainable development practices. Vietnam, meanwhile, brings a growing industrial base, a dynamic workforce, an expanding market and strong ambitions for economic development.

Bringing these strengths together creates opportunities that extend beyond traditional trade relationships. It opens the door to new forms of collaboration in which businesses can exchange expertise, develop local capabilities and build partnerships designed to deliver value over the long term.

For Ho Chi Minh City, this cooperation is particularly relevant as the city seeks to strengthen its position as an international economic centre while advancing greener, smarter and more sustainable growth.

From Investment Opportunities to Lasting Business Value

A key message emerging from the discussions was the importance of moving beyond commitments and dialogue towards practical cooperation.

For international businesses, entering a new market or establishing a manufacturing presence involves more than identifying commercial opportunities. It requires a clear understanding of the local business environment, the ability to assess potential partners and the capacity to navigate operational and regulatory considerations.

These factors are particularly important when businesses seek to establish long-term operations, develop local supply chains or introduce new technologies and production standards.

The discussions also highlighted the strong alignment between Nordic expertise and Vietnam’s long-term development priorities. Norway’s capabilities in recycling and waste management, Sweden’s experience in combining economic growth with emissions reduction, and Finland’s growing industrial and investment presence illustrate the range of knowledge and technologies that Nordic businesses can bring to Vietnam.

As Vietnam pursues its ambition of becoming a high-tech economy by 2045 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, cooperation with Nordic partners could play an important role in supporting this transition. This extends beyond investment capital to include technological expertise, sustainable production methods, industrial innovation and practical solutions for reducing environmental impact.

Nordic companies have experience in areas such as sustainable production, industrial technology, energy, logistics and human resource development. Vietnam offers opportunities to apply this expertise in a market with growing industrial capabilities and increasing connections to international supply chains.

However, turning potential into results requires alignment between business objectives and local realities. The right partnerships must be built on a shared understanding of expectations, technical requirements, quality standards and long-term development goals.

This is where practical collaboration becomes essential. Beyond initial introductions, businesses need reliable local counterparts who can help them evaluate opportunities, establish working relationships and translate strategic objectives into concrete actions.

Vietnam’s Growing Role in Global Value Chains

Vietnam continues to attract international business interest as companies reassess their manufacturing footprints, supply chains and regional market strategies.

For Nordic and other European businesses, Vietnam can offer opportunities across industrial manufacturing, components, materials, consumer products and other sectors. The market can also serve as a base for companies seeking to develop regional supplier networks or establish a stronger presence in Southeast Asia.

Yet Vietnam should not be viewed simply as a production destination. Its long-term potential also lies in the development of local capabilities, the adoption of advanced technologies and the ability of Vietnamese businesses to participate in higher-value activities within international supply chains.

This perspective aligns with the broader direction of the Summit: encouraging cooperation that creates value on both sides.

For foreign companies, this means looking beyond short-term commercial advantages to consider how local partnerships can support productivity, quality, innovation and sustainable growth.

For Vietnamese businesses, collaboration with international partners can create opportunities to strengthen technical capabilities, meet international requirements and develop relationships with customers and partners in demanding markets.

Realising these opportunities takes time, informed decision-making and a structured approach to building business relationships.

FVSource as a Support Partner: Connecting International Ambitions with Local Execution

As a Support Partner of the Nordic–Vietnam Business Summit 2026, FVSource is pleased to support initiatives that bring international and Vietnamese business communities closer together.

FVSource works with international companies exploring business opportunities in Vietnam, providing support across partner search, factory assessment, manufacturing coordination, quality control and market entry consulting.

Our work focuses on helping businesses understand the local context, evaluate potential partners and establish the practical foundations needed to move forward with greater clarity.

For companies considering Vietnam, this may involve identifying manufacturers that match specific technical and commercial requirements, assessing a potential partner’s capabilities, coordinating factory visits or supporting communication and follow-up throughout the business development process.

For companies pursuing market entry, it can also mean gaining a clearer understanding of the local environment before committing resources, developing relevant business relationships and planning the next steps based on the realities on the ground.

We believe that effective international cooperation depends on more than access to opportunities. It requires reliable information, direct communication, a sound understanding of local conditions and partners who can help bridge the gap between business expectations and execution.

These principles are particularly relevant to Vietnam–Nordic cooperation, where the long-term value of a partnership may extend beyond an individual transaction to include knowledge exchange, capability development and sustained business growth.

Looking Ahead: A New Decade of Practical Cooperation

The Nordic–Vietnam Business Summit 2026 reinforced the importance of translating shared ambitions into meaningful outcomes.

As Vietnam and the Nordic countries continue to deepen their economic relationships, opportunities will emerge not only through trade and investment but also through industrial collaboration, technology transfer, sustainable production and the development of stronger local supply chains.

The challenge, and the opportunity, lies in turning these possibilities into partnerships that work in practice.

For FVSource, supporting this process means helping international businesses navigate Vietnam with a better understanding of the market, connect with suitable local partners and build the foundations for long-term cooperation.

We thank NordCham Vietnam, the Nordic diplomatic missions and the other organising partners for bringing stakeholders together around this important conversation.

FVSource looks forward to continuing to support international companies and local partners as they explore opportunities and build meaningful business relationships in Vietnam.