Vietnam, Solomon Islands sign MoU to spur cooperation

Vietnam and the Solomon Islands signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Cooperation Framework between their governments on November 11 in Hanoi, marking a new milestone in bilateral relations.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on November 11 hosted a reception for Solomon Islands Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Peter Shanel Agovaka, who is on a three-day official visit to Vietnam.

Welcoming Minister Agovaka's first official visit to Vietnam — the highest-level delegation exchange between the two nations since establishing diplomatic ties in 1996 — Prime Minister Pham expressed confidence that the visit will usher in a new, dynamic, and substantive phase in bilateral cooperation.

The Vietnamese leader recalled the positive results of his meeting with Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele on June 9 on the sidelines of the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC-3) in Nice, France.

He suggested the two countries step up high-level and all-level visits, establish consultation mechanisms between relevant ministries, and promote people-to-people exchanges to enhance mutual understanding. The Prime Minister also welcomed Prime Minister Manele's plan to visit Vietnam in the near future.

Pham stressed that Vietnam and the Solomon Islands should expand collaboration in trade, education, healthcare, and transport infrastructure, while encouraging businesses to invest in areas of mutual interest such as agriculture, maritime and fisheries cooperation, and renewable energy.

The Prime Minister announced that Vietnam would soon send a delegation to explore investment opportunities in the Solomon Islands, particularly in the domains of fishing, seafood processing, and export activities.

He also proposed that the two sides sign agreements to facilitate travel between their citizens, starting with a visa exemption agreement for holders of diplomatic and official passports, and work toward expanding flight connections between Vietnam and Pacific island nations, according to VGP.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) hosts reception for Solomon Islands Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Peter Shanel Agovaka in Ha Noi, November 11, 2025 - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Minister Agovaka hailed the signing of the MoU on the Cooperation Framework as a significant foundation for expanding collaboration in promising sectors. He called for Vietnam's support in human resource training and technical development in fisheries and agriculture.

Agovaka expressed interest in importing rice and raw materials from Vietnam, and affirmed his commitment to facilitating Vietnamese investment in potential projects in the Solomon Islands.

Both sides agreed to enhance coordination and mutual support in regional and international forums, particularly at the United Nations, and to contribute to effective and substantive cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) for the sustainable development of both regions.

Vietnam highly values win-win economic, commercial cooperation with US: Deputy PM

Vietnam always values and promotes fair and mutually beneficial economic and commercial cooperation with the US, while striving to create the most stable and favorable business environment for the business community in general, and for US companies in particular, Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son has said.

Addressing the US-Vietnam Business Summit 2025, held in Hanoi on November 12 under the theme “A new era of development for mutually beneficial commercial relations,” Son stressed that in a world full of uncertainties, only trust can foster cooperation, only cooperation can lead to prosperity, and it is through prosperity that a sustainable future can be built.

He expressed his confidence that with a 30-year foundation of cooperation and increasingly high political trust, along with the support of the business communities, Vietnam and the US will continue to write a brighter new chapter in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, cooperation, and prosperity of both nations and the world.

Describing the current bilateral cooperation as a "win-win" relationship, the Deputy PM emphasized that this relationship is not about giving and receiving, or winning and losing, but rather a relationship of co-creation, mutual development, and shared success.

Both sides possess strengths that complement and support each other’s development. For the US, these strengths include technology, capital, and management experience. For Vietnam, they lie in its large market, a young and highly skilled workforce, and its strategically important geo-economic position in the region, he pointed out.

In the new era of extensive integration, connectivity, smart technologies, and innovation, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and the US has prioritised digital cooperation, science and technology, and innovation as key pillars. This forms the groundbreaking foundation for both countries to co-create a green and sustainable development future in the digital age.

At the summit, Son proposed five key directions for businesses from both countries to strengthen cooperation for the benefit of the two nations' people and reinforce the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Specifically, he advised the two business communities to enhance cooperation in semiconductors and high technology; clean energy and green growth; developing flexible, diverse, and sustainable supply chains, and promoting smart logistics connectivity to reduce transport costs; innovation and digital transformation; and education, training, and technology transfer.

He urged US companies to help promote high-level visits to create breakthroughs in the bilateral relations and bring benefits to the business community; continue advocating for the US government to recognise Vietnam as a full market economy; and lobby the US government to lift remaining restrictions on the export of high-tech products to Vietnam (according to the D1 and D3 regulations of the US Department of Commerce) to strengthen strategic trust and promote economic and trade cooperation, particularly in high-tech fields, VNA reported.

Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son speaks at the US-Vietnam Business Summit 2025. (Photo: VNA)

US businesses should also further enhance their presence, make long-term investments, and expand production in Vietnam; and work together with the two governments to quickly finalize the remaining issues towards the signing of a fair and balanced reciprocal trade agreement.

For his part, US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Michael DeSombre emphasized that Vietnam has great potential in attracting foreign direct investment, and US companies are ready to maintain their leading role as key investors and partners for Vietnamese businesses. He also affirmed Vietnam's strategic role in ensuring global economic security and sustainable supply chains through diversification and cooperation.

The US-Vietnam Business Summit 2025 was jointly organised by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), the US Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Hanoi, and the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington D.C.

HCM City, Japan’s Kanagawa prefecture enhance collaboration

The Japan Kanagawa Festival in Ho Chi Minh City was held on November 12 to promote business connections and expand cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and Kanagawa, and contribute to the Vietnam-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Nguyen Van Dung, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, emphasized that Ho Chi Minh City and Kanagawa share a special friendly connection, which began in 2013 through the cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and Yokohama, the capital City of Kanagawa. Since then, the two sides have maintained close ties through various exchange activities and cooperation in many important areas.

Ho Chi Minh City is entering a new phase of development that is more dynamic and creative, particularly following its merger with Binh Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau provinces. The city is currently working on a comprehensive urban development plan with a strategic vision of "Three Regions - One Special Zone - Three Corridors - Five Pillars." This vision identifies Japan and advanced prefectures like Kanagawa as key partners in the city's effort to renew its growth model. The goal is to transform Ho Chi Minh City into a leading green, creative, and livable city in Asia.

Dung expressed his hope that the festival will spark a practical and sustainable collaboration initiative, with Kanagawa businesses investing in Ho Chi Minh City and local firms expanding into the Japanese prefecture, reported VNA.

Leaders of HCM City and Kanagawa at the event (Photo: VNA)

These initiatives will promote trade, technology transfer, workforce development, and innovation, thus strengthening the Vietnam-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, he added.

Okabe Mitsutoshi Yuji, Chief Representative of the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) office in Ho Chi Minh City, stated that Vietnam is a primary focus for Japanese investment, ranking first in ASEAN in terms of future investment potential. He also emphasized the increasing trend of Vietnamese companies expanding into Japan, particularly in key sectors such as Information Technology.

Introducing Kanagawa’s investment potential and opportunities, the prefecture’s Governor Kuroiwa Yuji said that it leads in robotics, satellite technology, and is known as a hub for innovation in Japan. The prefecture provides appealing investment incentives, including support for up to 12% of project costs, a 50% reduction in property tax, and assistance with office rentals.

Kanagawa has maintained a strong partnership with Vietnam through the Vietnam Festival in Kanagawa and various cultural and workforce exchange programs. To date, more than 20 Vietnamese businesses have invested in the prefecture.

Foodexpo 2025 in HCM City attracts nearly 400 enterprises worldwide

The Vietnam International Food Industry Exhibition 2025 (Vietnam Foodexpo 2025) opened in Ho Chi Minh City on November 12, attracting nearly 400 Vietnamese and international businesses from various countries worldwide.

This year’s exhibition, the largest of its kind, features more than 500 booths representing nearly 400 Vietnamese and international enterprises from countries such as the Republic of Korea, Japan, Russia, Turkey, Finland, Poland, Sweden, India, Thailand, and Brazil. Exhibitors are presenting a wide range of products, from agricultural produce, seafood, and beverages to food processing machinery, packaging technologies, and advanced food safety solutions.

A key highlight of the four-day event is the record participation of Japanese enterprises, with nearly 40 well-known companies showcasing high-quality seafood, processed foods, and beverages. These firms bring cutting-edge processing technologies and innovative food safety solutions, opening up new opportunities for sustainable trade cooperation with importers, distributors, and F&B companies in Vietnam and beyond, VOV reported.

Foodexpo 2025 in HCM City draws the participation of nearly 400 enterprises worldwide (Photo: Foodexpo)

Reflecting the global trend toward organic and natural food consumption, Vietnam Foodexpo 2025 gathers hundreds of green products, including vegetables, fruits, coffee, tea, seeds, honey, coconut oil, spices, and processed foods. All are produced through natural processes and hold international certifications such as USDA Organic, EU Organic, and JAS.

The strong presence of these eco-friendly products not only enhances the visibility of Vietnamese brands on the global stage but also underscores the industry’s commitment to sustainable development amid growing international integration.

At the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Phan Thi Thang emphasised that amid the global shift toward a green and circular economy, the Ministry continues to prioritize the implementation of programmes promoting science and technology in sustainable production and consumption for the 2026–2030 period.

“The goal is to optimise resource use, improve production efficiency, and expand international cooperation. At the same time, we aim to support small and micro enterprises in accessing green finance and transitioning to sustainable production models,” said Thang.

The Ministry’s large-scale initiative seeks to foster the development of new green products, strengthen green standards, and advance the circular economy across Vietnam’s key industries and regions.

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