(13 June 2025)

Sunwah – On the afternoon of 13 June 2025, the Vietnam and Guangdong – Hong Kong – Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Investment – Trade Business Partnership Forum 2025 was successfully held in Hanoi. The event welcomed more than 250 delegates from government agencies, business associations, investment promotion organizations, and leading corporations in finance, technology, innovation, manufacturing, and services.

The Forum was jointly organized by the GBA Entrepreneurs Alliance, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the Shenzhen Municipal Government, the Administration Bureau of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone, the Bao’an District Bureau of Commerce, the Shenzhen (Qianhai) International Business e-Station, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Singapore (HKETO), the Hong Kong – Vietnam Chamber of Commerce (HKVCC), and the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in Qianhai. The event also received strong support from the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Finance of Vietnam, with the participation and keynote speech from senior leadership.

Honorary Guests at the Forum

This Forum was one of the main activities in the official visit to Vietnam from 11 to 14 June 2025 by a 70-member delegation of government and business leaders from the GBA, led by Dr. Jonathan Choi, Chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (CGCC), Chairman of the GBA Entrepreneurs Alliance, and Chairman of the Hong Kong – Vietnam Chamber of Commerce.

The delegation also visited Ho Chi Minh City and organized the Ho Chi Minh City and Guangdong – Hong Kong – Macao Greater Bay Area Investment – Trade Forum 2025 there.

Mr. Tran Quoc Phuong (right), Deputy Minister of Finance of Vietnam, and Dr. Jonathan Choi (left) at the event

The Hanoi Forum provided a key opportunity to strengthen the strategic partnership between Vietnam and the GBA, opening doors to broader cooperation in investment, trade, technology, and infrastructure. On the Vietnamese side, Deputy Minister of Finance Mr. Tran Quoc Phuong and Mr. Vu Van Chung, Deputy Director General of the Foreign Investment Agency, delivered insightful remarks on new policies and cooperation prospects, particularly with the GBA. Other government officials included Mr. Do Nam Trung, Director General of the Department of Northeast Asia, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and senior representatives from various ministries.

 The Chinese delegation featured prominent leaders including Dr. Jonathan Choi; Mr. Jiang Likun, Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, Shenzhen Municipal Government; Mr. Yuan Fuyong, Party Committee Member of Qianhai Cooperation Zone and Deputy Director of Qianhai Authority; Mr. Jesse Choi, Executive Vice President of the GBA Entrepreneurs Alliance in Vietnam, Chairman of the Guangdong Business Association in Vietnam, and Regional Director of Sunwah Group (ASEAN); and Mr. Jackson Choi, Regional Director of Sunwah Group (East China). Their presence reflected a strong commitment to deepening sustainable cooperation between Vietnam and the GBA, aiming to establish a robust foundation for long-term prosperity.

Dr. Jonathan Choi, Chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the GBA Entrepreneurs Alliance, Chairman of the Hong Kong – Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of Sunwah Group

In his opening speech, Dr. Jonathan Choi emphasized the strategic importance of cooperation between Vietnam and the GBA. With its geographic advantages and economic vitality, the GBA is well-positioned to contribute to Vietnam’s continued growth. He affirmed that the Forum reaffirmed the GBA’s strong confidence in the Vietnamese market. With its dynamic growth and digital economy orientation, Vietnam is a top destination for GBA businesses seeking to expand in Southeast Asia. The presence of over 70 GBA leaders in sectors such as finance, high-tech, and agriculture highlights the region’s proactive role in regional partnerships. Dr. Choi added: “This Forum allows us to transform our ‘cooperation blueprint’ into ‘practical action,’ contributing to a remarkable ‘performance report’ in Vietnam-China relations.”

Deputy Minister of Finance Tran Quoc Phuong reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to boosting investment and trade cooperation. He said: “Vietnam-China relations continue to flourish, especially in economics, trade, and investment. Vietnam welcomes projects with high added value, advanced technology, environmental friendliness, and integration into global supply chains. We are committed to streamlining administrative procedures and improving the legal framework to enhance the business environment.”

Mr. Tran Quoc Phuong, Deputy Finance of Vietnam, delivered speech

Highlighting Shenzhen’s pioneering role in modern trade cooperation with Vietnam, Mr. Jiang Likun, Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, Shenzhen Municipal Government, called for deeper traditional friendship, economic synergy, and innovation collaboration. Mr. Yuan Fuyong, Party Committee Member of Qianhai Cooperation Zone and Deputy Director of Qianhai Authority, emphasized Qianhai’s role as a national strategic platform for reform and opening-up. He noted its international trade rules and cross-border financial services that make it a “super connector” for Vietnamese enterprises accessing Chinese and global markets.

Mr. Vu Van Chung, Deputy Director General of the Foreign Investment Agency, Ministry of Finance, provided a key update on Vietnam’s investment climate, highlighting priority sectors and government incentives aimed at attracting global capital.

Mr. Vu Van Chung, Deputy Director General of the Foreign Investment Agency, Ministry of Finance

Ms. Zhang Chun, Head of Trade and Professional Services at Qianhai Authority, introduced models currently supporting Chinese enterprises to “go global,” with a focus on Vietnam. She highlighted Qianhai’s special policies, one-stop administrative services, and cross-border logistics platforms that enable active outbound investment.

Ms. Zhang Chun, Head of Trade and Professional Services at Qianhai Authority

 Mr. Melvin Lee, Director of Talent Attraction and Investment Promotion at HKETO Singapore, shared insights into Hong Kong’s fintech ecosystem and its relevance for Vietnam’s development of international financial centers.

Mr. Melvin Lee, Director of Talent Attraction and Investment Promotion at HKETO Singapore

Mr. Li Qian, Deputy Commander of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Modern Trade Development Zone (Luohu), spoke on Vietnam-China cooperation in advancing modern trade. Mr. Gao Tao, Party Secretary of Hangcheng Ward, Bao’an District, introduced the trade environment in Bao’an and Jiufang International Zone.

 As part of the Forum, leading business associations and enterprises from Vietnam and China delivered brief presentations on their development strategies, cooperation needs, and areas of untapped potential—particularly in high-tech and digital transformation, import-export trade, and business investment connectivity.

Representing the Chinese business sector, Mr. Jesse Choi, Vice President of the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Entrepreneurs Alliance, Chairman of the Guangdong Business Association in Vietnam, and Regional Director of Sunwah Group (Hong Kong) in ASEAN, shared Sunwah’s more than 50-year journey in Vietnam. He reaffirmed the Group’s commitment to serving as a strategic bridge to promote business cooperation and facilitate investment from GBA partners into Vietnam.

Mr. Jesse Choi, Vice President of the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Entrepreneurs Alliance, Chairman of the Guangdong Business Association in Vietnam, and Regional Director of Sunwah Group (Hong Kong) in ASEAN

Also at the event, Sunwah Group’s role as a vital bridge promoting cooperation between Vietnam and Hong Kong was once again reaffirmed, particularly through business, education, and innovation initiatives led by Dr. Jonathan Choi. Founded in 1957 in Hong Kong, under the leadership of Dr. Jonathan Choi, Sunwah has grown into a strong and diversified conglomerate operating across eight sectors, ranging from seafood to technology and education.

This event marked an important milestone in strengthening sustainable and long-term cooperation between Vietnam and the GBA, opening up outstanding growth opportunities for enterprises from both sides across key economic sectors.