Economic Profile and Key IndustriesShandong is one of China's largest provincial economies, located along the country's eastern coast with a population of approximately 101.5 million.In 2025, the Province's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reached approximately RMB 10.32 trillion, accounting for around 5.5% of China's national GDP and ranking among the country's top three provincial economies.Its capital, Jinan, together with major cities such as Qingdao, Yantai, and Weifang, has developed a highly advanced industrial, logistics, and port infrastructure, playing a pivotal role in China's marine economic development strategy.Shandong's economy is driven by advanced manufacturing, petrochemicals, metallurgy, port logistics, high-tech agriculture, energy industries, and food processing. In particular, Qingdao is recognized as one of China's leading marine industrial centres and is home to internationally renowned enterprises such as Haier, Hisense, and Tsingtao Brewery.As part of its new development strategy, Shandong is accelerating digital transformation, smart manufacturing, artificial intelligence (AI), renewable energy, and green industries to further strengthen its international competitiveness.
Mr. Song Junji, Vice Governor of Shandong Province, delivered remarks at the Bilateral Cooperation and Business Connectivity Conference between Ho Chi Minh City and Shandong Province. Photo: Tuoi Tre Newspaper
Over the years, cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and Shandong Province has achieved significant progress in trade, logistics, education, and industrial investment. Regular business forums, international trade fairs, and investment promotion programmes have created favourable opportunities for enterprises from both sides to expand partnerships and explore new markets.Shandong is currently one of China's leading industrial and logistics centres. Qingdao Port ranks among the world's busiest container ports and plays a vital role in the global maritime transport network. The Province is also a national leader in marine industries, petrochemicals, and food processing.In recent years, Shandong has actively pursued a green development strategy and carbon neutrality objectives through investments in offshore wind power, hydrogen energy, and energy-efficient technologies. A growing number of Shandong enterprises have also expanded their investments in Viet Nam across manufacturing, mechanical engineering, chemicals, electronics, and logistics services. Future Cooperation Priorities,Looking ahead, particularly as Ho Chi Minh City advances its ambition to become a regional centre for economic, financial, and logistics services in Southeast Asia, Shandong is regarded as a strategic partner with significant potential for expanded cooperation. Ho Chi Minh City looks forward to strengthening cooperation and attracting investment from Shandong in the following priority areas:
Logistics and Port Infrastructure: Promote cooperation in the development of smart ports, modern logistics centres, integrated supply chains, and international transport networks.
High-Tech Industries and Supporting Industries: Enhance technology transfer, promote smart manufacturing, and attract investment in electronics, precision engineering, and supporting industries.
Renewable Energy and the Green Economy: Expand cooperation in offshore wind power, hydrogen energy, energy-efficient technologies, and carbon emissions reduction solutions.
Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence (AI): Promote collaboration in AI applications, industrial automation, data governance, and enterprise digital transformation.
Smart Cities and Sustainable Infrastructure: Advance cooperation in digital urban governance, sustainable urban planning, green infrastructure development, and initiatives to improve the quality of urban life.