Panel discussion in the Australia - Vietnam Business & Innovation Partnership Forum at Techfest Vietnam 2024
Led by Jonathan Saw, Austrade’s Trade and Investment Commissioner to Vietnam, the delegation included 10 Australian tech and innovation businesses, and also a State Government representative from Trade and Investment Queensland.
Part of the Landing Pad programme, this initiative supports export-ready tech startups and scaleups to develop valuable connections, identify commercial opportunities, and refine value propositions. Participating company founders and representatives can engage directly with industry partners and key customers, to deepen understanding of the Vietnamese tech market dynamics, regulations and opportunities, refine value propositions and go-to market strategies in consultation with in-market experts and mentors, pitch to key industry players and engage in targeted business matching opportunities.
During the programme, the delegation visited VSV Capital, FPT Software and Selex Motors to exchange knowledge, explore innovative business approaches, and establish long-term networks within Vietnam’s vibrant tech ecosystem.
The Landing Pad also hosted the Australia - Vietnam Business & Innovation Partnership Forum at Techfest Vietnam 2024 – a national technology and startup event led by Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology in collaboration with the Hai Phong People’s Committee.
The Forum attracted around 100 Vietnamese enterprises, industry associations, technology leaders, experts, and venture capital firms, showcasing Australia’s cutting-edge tech capabilities and fostering partnerships. In the context that Vietnam is promoting dual transformation under the direction of the Prime Minister, the forum was highly appreciated for creating an initial bridge to promote business, innovation and technology exchanges between Australia and Vietnam.
The delegates established several connections and engaged with productive discussions leading to potential mutually beneficial partnerships – through business matching sessions organised by Austrade Landing Pad and Vietnam’s National Innovation Centre (NIC). Delegates also explored NIC in Hanoi, insights into its ecosystem and initiatives driving Vietnam’s digital transformation agenda.
Speaking about the programme, Austrade’s Trade and Investment Commissioner to Vietnam Jonathan Saw noted: “Vietnam is one of the fastest growing digital economies in Southeast Asia, and Vietnamese businesses are investing rapidly in technology and digitalisation of their existing business - focusing on areas such as digital payments, e-commerce, and artificial intelligence to meet customers' expectations for digital convenience, while also improving efficiencies.”