On April 24, 2025, under the theme “China- Vietnam: walking together, connecting the future”, the International Trade Promotion Conference between Nghe An province (Vietnam) and Sichuan Province (China) was officially held in Chengdu, Jiangsu, China. The conference placed a strong focus on key areas such as industrial chain collaboration, investment collaboration and sustainable development between the two provinces. The event attracted over 100 representatives including leaders of government officials, leaders of leading businesses, representatives from industrial associations and experts across various fields.
During the conference, there were numerous significant cooperation agreements signed that contributed to the economic and trade cooperation partnership between two provinces.
Opening Remarks: Shared Vision – A new beginning for Bilateral Cooperation
Mr. Ly Minh, the Branch secretary of Chengdu Sichuan business association in Guangdong, spoke at the conference on behalf of the industrial associations and co-organizing units. He emphasized that “go global, bring partners in” has always been one of key association’s objectives. He pointed out that the goal of this conference is to promote two way cooperation by helping Sichuan businesses “venture out” and encouraging Vietnamese businesses to “step in” to approach Chinese markets. He also affirmed that the associations will continue to serve as a bridge for bilateral collaboration, leveraging their strength to connect networks and resources to support businesses on both sides for development benefits. He also called on Vietnamese and Chinese businesses to take advantage of strategic opportunities, leveraging the natural and political advantages of Nghe An province in Vietnam – a key hub along the Belt and Road Initiative- in combination with Sichuan’s industrial strengths in order to promote practical and results-oriented collaboration.
In follow-up speech, Mr. Bui Thanh An – Member of the Provincial Standing Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee, reaffirmed how much Vietnam appreciated comprehensive strategic partnership with China. He underlined that Nghe An is actively accelerating reforms in foreign investment policy, with a particular emphasis on the digital economy and manufacturing. According to him, the province administration is eager to collaborate with Sichuan to create an environmentally friendly, sustainable, and effective industrial supply chain network, setting both parties up to become a trailblazing example of sub-national collaboration between China and Vietnam.
Keynote Speeches: Focusing on Opportunities and Challenges in the Industry
The conference featured speeches highlighting priority cooperation sectors between Nghe An and Sichuan.
Mrs. Trinh Thi Thanh Huyen, Deputy General Director of Hoang Thinh Dat Corporation, showcased the competitive advantages of Hoang Mai Industrial Park – Vietnam, detailing its prime geographical location, integrated transport infrastructure, advanced industrial facilities, and a range of attractive fiscal incentives designed to support investors in Nghe An.
Mr. Liu Yang, General Manager of the Global Key Account Business Department at JDi Vietnam Industrial Supply Chain Co., Ltd., shared insights on the solution “Sea, Land, and Air Transportation within JDi Group’s Global Logistics System” in order to fulfill the increasing logistics needs of Sichuan businesses entering international markets.
To assist Sichuan businesses in better understanding the financial needs and legal dangers associated with international expansion, especially in the Vietnamese market, legal and banking professionals provided in-depth insights at the conference. Ms.Qin Fang Hui, Investment Advisor at Yingke Vietnam Law Office (Hanoi); Ms. Nguyen Thu Trang, Head of the Foreign-Invested Enterprise Client Department at BIDV’s Tay Ho Branch; and Mr. Zhong Wei Jie, General Manager of Bank of Communications Vietnam Branch in Ho Chi Minh City, each presented on key topics: “Compliance Guidance for Investing in Vietnam: Risks and Countermeasures,” “BIDV – A Trusted Partner for Foreign Investors,” and “Chinese Financial Institutions – Financial Backing for Overseas Investment Enterprises.” Their presentations offered insightful details on financial assistance regulations and services designed specifically for businesses entering in Vietnam.
As Sichuan Province recently adopted the “Sichuan Cuisine Law” and local culinary enterprises increasingly aim to expand into global markets, Mr. Wei He Hua, CEO of Jin Cheng (Vietnam) International Food Industrial Corporation, delivered a keynote address titled “Chinese Cuisine Going Global & Developing Food Industry Clusters.” and globalization trends of Sichuan cuisine, while also analyzing the potential for developing food industry clusters as a strategic model for sectoral growth.
At the conference, on the topics of agriculture and construction, Mr. Zhu Fu Shun- Chairman of Sichuan Smart Agricultural Supply Chain Management Co., Ltd. – and Ms. Hoang Thao – Marketing Officer at Hop Luc Construction Joint Stock Company (Vietnam) – gave presentations titled “New Hope and Roles in Supporting Vietnam’s Animal Husbandry” and “The Internationalization of Vietnam’s Construction Industry” . Representing New Hope Group and the construction industry, the two speakers shared practical insights on animal husbandry, analyzed potential growths of the construction market, as well as proposed new models of China-Vietnam business collaboration in the construction sector in order to promote greater integration, long-term sustainability, and mutual advantages.
Major Agreements Signed: Driving Practical Collaboration and Long-Term Growth
Within the framework of the conference, a number of international trade cooperation agreements involving businesses and important economic sectors in Sichuan Province (China) and Nghe An Province (Vietnam) were formally signed.
Officially, four significant projects were launch, including:
- Investment Promotion Collaboration between China and Vietnam
- The International Food Industrial Park in Vietnam
- The International Food Industry Alliance of Vietnam
- The Ecosystem of Legal Services between China and Vietnam
A number of leading enterprises and organizations participated in the signing and implementation of these projects, including: Southeast Vietnam Economic Development Zone, Hoang Thinh Dat Corporation, Jin Cheng (Vietnam) International Food Industrial Corporation, Yingke Law Office Vietnam (Hanoi), New Hope Group, Xin Hesheng, and Yu Weixiang.
In addition to demonstrating a strong commitment to long-term cooperation between the two provinces, the move of these projects into the implementation phase gives bilateral economic and trade cooperation on a global scale new impetus.
Roundtable Forum: Shaping New Pathways for Sustainable Development in International Markets
Concluding the event, the conference hosted a roundtable forum under the theme “Shaping New Pathways for Sustainable Development in International Markets”
The forum brought together leaders from Nghe An Province (Vietnam), along with speakers, industry experts, and business representatives from both China and Vietnam.
Discussions centered on key topics such as localization strategies, green development, and cross-border industrial value chain integration.
Participants proposed a range of useful recommendations, including: enhancing policy dialogue, strengthening cooperation across industrial supply chains, promoting the sharing of green technologies, and building a solid knowledge foundation to support Chinese–Vietnamese enterprises in their overseas expansion efforts.
Toward the Future: Opening a New Chapter in Bilateral Economic and Trade Cooperation
The conference was successfully held in Chengdu, marking a significant step forward in strengthening the economic and trade partnership between Nghe An Province (Vietnam) and Sichuan Province (China). This event received strong support from major organizations and associations, including the Chengdu Federation of Industry and Commerce, the Chengdu Restaurant Association, the Restaurant Business Alliance, the Deyang Hotpot Association, the Jianyang and Jinjiang Federations of Industry and Commerce, as well as the Overseas Liaison Committee of the Zhi Gong Party in Chengdu. Notable businesses like Wan Baolian Food Company and Xin Hong Wang Food Company also significantly boosted the conference’s success. Leading hotpot companies like Haidilao (Sichuan) and Renzhong Group, which is well-known for its well-known brands Shoo Loong Kan and Shudaxia, were among the attendees, but Sichuan’s most well-known restaurants, such as The Old House and Wu Yuan, also actively participated.
Additionally, the conference welcomed a number of significant figures from the manufacturing and technological industries, including Yiqi Sichuan Auto Parts, Yihang Smart Technology (Guangzhou), Xin Xi Yuan Software, Yingshi Electronics, and Chengdian Gaowei Technology.
This extensive presence facilitated practical cooperation in important areas including trade, banking, and investment by helping to create an efficient business-matching platform between the two provinces.
Participants concurred that the conference was not only a meaningful milestone but also a strategic chance to strengthen bilateral collaboration, enter international markets, and actively support the development of trade and economic partnership between China and Vietnam, with Sichuan and Nghe An leading the way in this regard.
Sources: People’s Daily Online, China Central Television (CCTV) Online, Xinhua News Agency (Online)