Delivering the opening keynote to the workshop, Mr. Vo Tan Thanh, Vice President of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), said that Vietnam - Hong Kong trade and investment cooperation has grown fruitfully for years. Hong Kong is currently one of Vietnam's 10 largest trading partners and ranks 6th in the export market. In 2023, the bilateral trade was estimated at US$11.24 billion. In the year, Hong Kong's foreign direct investment (FDI) into Vietnam amounted to US$4.68 billion, ranking third among foreign investors in Vietnam. For its part, Vietnam is also Hong Kong’s second-largest trading partner in ASEAN and Hong Khong’s 7th largest global trade partner. Hong Kong is well-known for its strength as a gateway for investment, trade, finance, and logistics between China and the region and the world through the “Belt and Road” Initiative and “Hong Kong - Guangzhou - Macao Greater Bay Area”. This important factor will boost economic relations between Vietnam and Hong Kong as well as between ASEAN countries with East Asian economies and the world.

The "ASEAN Business Survey" by HSBC reveals strong interest from Southeast Asian companies in expanding into Vietnam, with Thailand leading the trend alongside Malaysia and Indonesia. Thailand ranks third in confidence among businesses entering the Vietnamese market, with investments exceeding $14 billion. This reflects a regional preference for neighboring markets, with 87% of respondents favoring intra-ASEAN investment. Vietnam's appeal lies in its extensive network of free trade agreements, robust consumer base, and thriving digital economy, which will contribute to record-high FDI of $36.61 billion in 2023, cementing its position as a key manufacturing hub amidst global economic challenges.