New prospects for Vietnam-India trade, investment cooperation

There is more room for strengthening cooperation between Vietnam and India in the areas of garment, food and pharmaceutical processing, information technology, building materials and renewable energy.

ICT is one of the priority areas of cooperation between Vietnam and India. (illustrative image)

ICT is one of the priority areas of cooperation between Vietnam and India. (illustrative image)

The view was shared by diplomats and businesses who attended a Vietnam-India investment forum virtually held in Ho Chi Minh City on January 22.

Don Lam, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of VinaCapital, one of the leading fund managers in Vietnam, noted that despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the domestic private economic sector has developed strongly, with 135,000 businesses registering to set up in 2020 capitalised at US$94 billion, up 29% in value compared to 2019.

The businesses are ready for a economic recovery in the post COVID period, and promoting trade exchanges with India is one of the primary goals of Vietnam’s private economic sector this year, said the CEO.

Statistics show Vietnam’s imports from India were just over US$2.7 billion in 2016, but the figure rose to more than US$4.5 billion in 2019. Major import items were iron and steel, machinery, equipment, pharmaceuticals, aquatic products, and auto spare parts

Meanwhile, Vietnam’s exports to India almost tripled in the reviewed period, from US$2.6 billion to approximately US$ 6.7 billion. Major export items were mobile phones and accessories, computers and components, machinery, metals and chemicals.

Alongside trade exchanges, Indian businesses consider Vietnam an attractive destination for investment in the fields of oil and gas, steel, minerals, tea, sugar, IT training, as well as a transit point for goods in the Southeast Asian region, said Don Lam.

Pranay Verma, Indian Ambassador to Vietnam, pointed out that Vietnam’s investment in India is currently about US$30 million, focusing on areas such as pharmaceuticals, IT, building materials and chemicals. In the other way, India’s investment in Vietnam reached US$ 900 million, and the figure even rose to US$1.9 billion if investment from the third parties is counted.

According to the diplomat, both countries should promote bilateral cooperation in the areas of their strength, for instance food and farm produce processing, IT training, and tourism.

Joining the online forum, Vietnamese Ambassador to India Pham Sanh Chau noted with a population of more than 1.4 billion, India is one of the potential markets for Vietnamese enterprises to penetrate and expand markets, especially in the fields of garment and food processing.

Vietnamese firms should also learn from India’s experience in developing financial services, IT and human resource training, suggested Chau.

Sharing the view, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Duy Dong said it’s time now for Vietnamese and Indian businesses to grasp opportunities for cooperation, diversify supply sources, and penetrate deep into the global supply chain.

Vietnam welcomes Indian businesses to invest in the fields of processing and manufacturing industries, automotive supporting industry, information and communication technology, renewable energy, high-tech agriculture and innovation, he told the forum.

He voiced his ministry’s commitment to boost trade & investment promotions and connectivity in 2021 to realise bilateral cooperation programmes.

Vietnam and India established diplomatic relations in 1972. The relationship has been lifted to a level of strategic partnership and then comprehensive strategic partnership in 2016.

India is currently one of the top 10 trading partners of Vietnam, while Vietnam is the fourth largest trading partner of India in ASEAN.

Bilateral trade value has increased considerably over the years, from just US$200 million in 2000 to more than US$12 billion in the fiscal year 2019-2020. Yet, the trade is said not to match the two countries’ potential.

VOV

Other News

Vietnam accelerates innovation to boost growth, competitiveness

Vietnam accelerates innovation to boost growth, competitiveness

By 2030, Vietnam aims to rank among the world’s top 40 in the GII; raise total social investment in R&D to at least 2% of GDP, with non-State funding accounting for over 60%; increase international scientific publications by an average of 10% annually; and raise the number of patent applications and granted patents by an average of 16-18% annually.

Vietnam sees high growth prospects

Vietnam sees high growth prospects

Experts from the Institute of Vietnam and World Economy under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences noted the quality of recent growth as the high growth rate has been recorded against an increasingly higher comparative base.

Vietnam seeks bigger share of global Halal market

Vietnam seeks bigger share of global Halal market

Vietnam's Halal exports remain modest at around 900 million USD a year, accounting for less than 1% of the global market. Most exports are still raw agricultural and seafood products. Only around 1,000–1,300 Vietnamese businesses obtained or maintained Halal certification during 2024–2026.

Hanoi sets up inter-agency mechanism to operate carbon market

Hanoi sets up inter-agency mechanism to operate carbon market

Under a decision of the municipal People’s Committee on establishing an inter-agency working group, departments and agencies are responsible for identifying facilities subject to greenhouse gas inventories, developing emissions-reduction plans and studying projects capable of generating carbon credits.

Shrimp exports reach 3.3 billion USD in eight months

Shrimp exports reach 3.3 billion USD in eight months

According to data from the Vietnam Customs cited by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), shrimp exports reached 478.5 million USD in August, up 4.2% from the same month last year. The eight-month total stood at 3.3 billion USD, representing a year-on-year increase of 12%.

Russian investors explore opportunities in Vietnam's real estate market

Russian investors explore opportunities in Vietnam's real estate market

Vietnam is seen as a potential market, with considerable room for growth in real estate, particularly commercial property, compared with some regional markets. Strong Vietnam-Russia ties and opportunities to establish foreign-invested enterprises are also considered favourable for Russian investors.

Phu Quoc airport planning adjusted to serve APEC 2027

Phu Quoc airport planning adjusted to serve APEC 2027

For 2021-2030, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam proposed bringing forward the investment in a parallel taxiway system and a connecting taxiway north of Runway No. 2 at Phu Quoc International Airport, in order to connect with the aircraft maintenance and repair facility (hangar) planned for the northern area of ​​the airport.

Policy, infrastructure emerge as new advantages in FDI attraction

Policy, infrastructure emerge as new advantages in FDI attraction

From policy and infrastructure to industrial real estate, Vietnam’s FDI advantages are broadening towards a more integrated production ecosystem, offering investors a stronger combination of conditions for high-value, technology-intensive and long-term projects.

Logistics upgrade vital to 1-trillion-USD trade target: experts

Logistics upgrade vital to 1-trillion-USD trade target: experts

As trade expands, systemic bottlenecks across transport networks, warehousing, ports, border gates, and industrial zones are becoming more apparent. Experts emphasise the need to shift from a fragmented, project-by-project approach toward strategic management structured around trade corridors and integrated supply chains.

Ample room for Vietnam, US to deepen cooperation

Ample room for Vietnam, US to deepen cooperation

Do Ngoc Hung, Trade Counsellor and head of the Vietnam Trade Office in the US, said what stands out is not only the growth in trade volume but also the increasingly deep economic ties between the two countries.

Flexible fiscal policy helps drive economic growth

Flexible fiscal policy helps drive economic growth

According to the Ministry of Finance, State budget revenue in the first eight months of 2026 was estimated at 2.02 quadrillion VND (77.7 billion USD), equivalent to 80% of the annual estimate and up 16% year-on-year. Domestic revenue reached 1.75 quadrillion VND, accounting for 86.6% of total revenue and rising 16.6%.

Electronic components are produced at a factory in Hanoi. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi's imports surge 41% in first eight months of 2026

Hanoi aims to achieve average annual export growth of at least 12% during 2026-30, with the city seeking to diversify export markets, boost high-tech and value-added products and reduce reliance on traditional markets.