On August 6, 2025, the Vietnam Manufacturing Expo 2025 (VME) and Vietnam-Japan Supporting Industries Exhibition 2025 (SIE) inaugurated in Hanoi, forming an industrial exhibition chain.
The event marks the 17th anniversary of the manufacturing industry and over two decades of sustainable cooperation between Vietnam and Japan in industrial development.
PROMOTING TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND SUPPLY NETWORK EXPANSION
VME and SIE serve as a strategic bridge, supporting Vietnamese manufacturing businesses to expand their overseas markets, access modern technology, and gradually integrate into the global value chain. The exhibitions offer a platform to update new technologies and serve as a strategic hub for thousands of smart factory, automation, AI, measurement, and production control applications.
SIE, organized by JETRO in collaboration with VIETRADE, falls under the Vietnam-Japan Joint Initiative and the Vietnam-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (VJEPA). Its aim is to develop the supporting industries and improve the investment environment in Vietnam. Over the past 20 years, SIE has become a trade promotion forum, helping Vietnamese businesses become tier-1 and tier-2 suppliers to large Japanese corporations.
VME & SIE 2025 not only showcases an expanded international presence with more brands and deeper expertise but is also designed as a comprehensive ecosystem, integrating specialized activities to bring practical value to the business community.
Ms. Varaporn Dhamcharee, Managing Director of RX Tradex Thailand and Vietnam, shared that VME and SIE are envisioned as a strategic trade promotion platform, gathering and connecting public and private resources, both domestically and internationally, to support businesses in enhancing their competitiveness and global expansion.
“In the context of a volatile global economy, Vietnam remains an attractive destination for foreign investment,” said Ms. Varaporn Dhamcharee. “The exhibitions aim to promote technology transfer, expand the supply network, and support the manufacturing industry in accelerating modernization.”
OVER 56% OF JAPANESE BUSINESSES PLAN TO EXPAND THEIR OPERATIONS IN VIETNAM
According to Mr. Haruhiko Ozasa, Chief Representative of JETRO Hanoi, the economic relationship between Japan and Vietnam has been deepening year after year. The results of JETRO’s survey on the actual conditions of overseas investment by Japanese businesses showed that in 2024, 56.1% of the surveyed companies planned to expand their business in Vietnam within the next 1 to 2 years.
This is the highest rate in the Southeast Asian region, indicating Japanese businesses’ high expectations for Vietnam’s development potential and affirming Vietnam as a top investment destination.
Mr. Haruhiko Ozasa, Chief Representative, JETRO Hanoi
“Strengthening the linkage between Japanese and Vietnamese businesses is not just about technology transfer or human resource training,” Mr. Haruhiko Ozasa emphasized. “It is a common strategy to enhance the sustainability of the regional value chain.”
Mr. Takakazu Watanabe, Minister-Counselor and Head of Economic Affairs, Embassy of Japan in Vietnam, shared that Japanese businesses have been particularly interested in Vietnam, considering it a top choice for business expansion and new overseas investment. This interest stems not only from Vietnam’s growth potential but also from its abundant and high-quality human resources.
“Many Japanese companies are closely monitoring Vietnam’s economic growth trends, especially with the goal set by General Secretary and President To Lam to make Vietnam a high middle-income country by 2030 and a high-income developed country by 2045,” said Mr. Takakazu Watanabe.
Mr. Vu Ba Phu, Director of the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency, Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam, shared that in recent years, Vietnam’s supporting industries have played a pivotal role in the global production chain, especially with the strong trend of supply chain shift in Southeast Asia.
The electronics industry is witnessing higher localization thanks to the deep involvement of domestic businesses and cooperation with multinational corporations such as Samsung and Panasonic. In terms of exports, in the first half of 2025, the group of electronic, electrical, computer, and component products continued to lead with a total export turnover of about 38 billion USD, demonstrating Vietnam’s great potential in this supply field.
However, Mr. Vu Ba Phu acknowledged that despite positive results and remarkable progress, Vietnam’s supporting industries are still relatively young and face several challenges. Practical and synchronous solutions are needed to develop these industries to their full potential in the current context.
To address these challenges, the Vietnamese government has been implementing comprehensive policies, from improving the legal framework, supporting access to land, promoting technological innovation, and developing high-quality human resources to encouraging linkages between domestic and foreign businesses. Japan has always been considered one of the most important strategic partners in the field of supporting industries.
“Japanese businesses have not only invested strongly in Vietnam but also actively transferred technology, applied advanced management standards, and connected with Vietnamese enterprises,” said Mr. Vu Ba Phu. “These efforts have facilitated Vietnam’s progress in enhancing domestic production capacity, increasing localization rates, and deeper participation in the global production network.”
The series of thematic workshops at the exhibitions will focus on critical issues shaping the future of manufacturing and production in Vietnam, including digital transformation in manufacturing, automation and AI application in production lines, policies to support the development of supporting industries in Vietnam, and specific opportunities for domestic enterprises in the context of deep integration.
The Bright Side of Exports
As per the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Vietnam’s export turnover reached an estimated $261.8 billion in the first seven months of 2025, a remarkable 14.6% increase compared to the same period in 2024, surpassing the set growth target.
Unveiling Untapped Export Markets for Innovative Products
The consumption of Vietnamese sci-tech products in foreign markets remains limited. This poses a challenge for coordination between ministries, industries, businesses, and the Vietnamese trade offices abroad in bringing innovative Vietnamese products to the global market.
International Trade Remains a Bright Spot Amidst Global Commerce’s Turbulent Times
In a complex geopolitical landscape, amidst escalating trade tensions, rising non-tariff barriers, and stringent environmental standards, Vietnam’s foreign trade performance remains robust. The country continues to assert its role as a pivotal driver of economic growth, showcasing resilience and dynamism in the face of global challenges.
Export 2025 Surges by 12%: A Symphony of Revolutionary Strategies
To achieve the 2025 export target, businesses and experts emphasize the need for technological innovation and digital transformation. They advocate for a diverse range of trade promotion activities and encourage the utilization of e-commerce platforms.
The Evolution of Vietnam’s Mechanical Industry: Immense Potential Yet to Hatch a “Leading Crane”
The mechanical engineering industry has taken strides in enhancing domestic content, serving as a catalyst for the growth of other industries and the economy. This sector has directly and indirectly created employment opportunities for millions, setting a precedent for the development of various sectors.
