On April 29, 2025, a forum was held in Hanoi to promote cooperation between Vietnam and Japan in innovation and high-tech industries. The event was attended by Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. During the forum, several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between businesses from both countries, aiming to develop a cooperation ecosystem in areas such as green energy, semiconductors, and artificial intelligence.
Nguyen Thanh Binh, deputy CEO of Vietnamese conglomerate T&T Group, announced that her company is working with Japanese partners on several green energy projects, including offshore wind power and biomass power plants. T&T is also partnering with Japanese companies to implement the Direct Power Purchase Agreement (DPPA) mechanism.
Chairman of tech firm CMC Corporation, Nguyen Trung ChÃnh, expressed his hope that Japan will continue to support Vietnam in developing science, technology, and innovation, particularly in the transfer of high technology. Truong Gia Binh, chairman of FPT Corporation, noted that his company is working with Japanese partners to build an artificial intelligence plant in Japan.
Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru emphasized the strong potential for cooperation between Japan and Vietnam, citing the country’s abundant labor force and promising investment environment. He highlighted the importance of collaboration in areas such as human resource development, decarbonization, and high-tech industry development.
During his visit, Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru met with representatives of Japanese companies operating in Vietnam and visited the Thang Long Industrial Park. He emphasized the need for cooperation between the two countries to advance industrial capabilities and promote economic growth.
The two countries agreed to upgrade their economic partnership and launch a training program for semiconductor technology engineers. Japan will also receive 250 PhD researchers in the semiconductor field and promote the exchange of next-generation talent in advanced science and technology.
Additionally, Japan will support the construction of a polycrystalline silicon production plant and accelerate decarbonization efforts in Vietnam’s industrial parks. The country will also cooperate with the National Innovation Center (NIC) to connect startups with leading enterprises and promote Vietnam’s startup ecosystem.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh called for deeper cooperation and support in areas such as technology transfer, green finance, human resource development, and green transition. He urged Japan to continue supporting the NIC to fulfill its role as the core of Vietnam’s innovation ecosystem. Overall, the forum marked a significant step forward in strengthening cooperation between Vietnam and Japan in innovation and high-tech industries.